News

University boasts high black graduation rate

For the 15th consecutive year, the University boasts the highest black student graduation rate among the nation?s public undergraduate institutions, according to a report released by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.88.9 percent of black students at the University graduated in six years or less, according to data from the University?s Institutional Assessment and Studies office.

Poor economy affects college admissions

The current state of the economy is causing some colleges and universities to attempt formulating new ways to gauge whether high school student applicants will accept admissions offers.

Genetic research could help treat addictions of all types

Research conducted by University and University of Michigan professors may help future efforts to treat addictions of all types, said Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences Prof.

Panel discusses concerns about lack of faculty diversity at U.Va.

The Days of Dialogue planning committee within the University?s Dean of Students office presented an Evening of Dialogue on Race last night, allowing a panel of professors and a doctoral candidate to speak about the role of diversity in the University community and across the United States.The panelists included Hanadi Al-Samman, assistant professor of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Culture, Assoc.

U.Va. names Wilkinson commencement speaker

The University recently selected Judge J. Harvey Wilkinson, III, of the U.S.

New civic committee unveils goals last night

Student Council?s newly launched Civic Engagement Committee gave its first presentation last night, expressing a desire to increase student outreach and create an online resource of all the civic engagement opportunities available to University students.Committee Chair Laura Nelson said the Committee currently has two roles at the University, the first of which involves several smaller projects to inform students of current Committee projects.

Taliaferro, Norris, Szakos compete for City Council seats

Charlottesville City Council member Julian Taliaferro announced Monday that he will run for re-election against fellow incumbent Mayor Dave Norris and local newcomer Kristin Szakos.The three Democratic candidates will be narrowed down to two at an unassembled caucus held between May 8 and June 9.

CTS building takes green approach

The Charlottesville Transit Service broke ground Monday on its new Maintenance and Operations facility.

Unidentified assailants attack University student

Two unidentified suspects assaulted and robbed a male University student Saturday around 10 p.m., University Police Lieut.

Commerce School climbs to top of BusinessWeek magazine rankings

BusinessWeek recently named the University?s Commerce School as the No.

Prof. Sabato unveils new global democracy program

Politics Prof. Larry Sabato, who also serves as director of the University?s Center for Politics, presented the center?s new international initiative ? called the Global Perspectives on Democracy program ? last week in London.Sabato stated in an e-mail that he and the center created the program ?to assist marginalized citizens in particular, in utilizing the tools of their democracy to better appreciate the system and benefit more directly from it.?He stated the center wanted to try and expand its initiatives to other countries through this program.?We focus a great deal of our time and effort on government and politics in the United States,? Sabato stated, but added that he?s ?never imagined [the Center for Politics?] mission as being limited just to this country.?Although the center has participated in other global outreach programs, such as the Youth Leadership Initiative, Sabato stated that he hopes the new program will help increase the center?s international outreach, making it possible for interested parties to better explore pressing political issues around the globe.?The Center for Politics exists to teach people how to actively engage in politics and government,? Sabato stated.

University revamps sirens

The Office of Emergency Preparedness recently upgraded the University?s siren system and tested it during Spring Break, Director of Emergency Preparedness Marge Sidebottom said.Sidebottom said there was nothing functionally wrong with the old system.?It?s the same system, it?s just broadcast over a different frequency,? Sidebottom said.The new frequency, UHF, is licensed and owned by the University, unlike the old VHF frequency.?We wanted to use what we already had in place,? Sidebottom said.Sidebottom noted that her office also tested the new frequency during Spring Break to keep the sirens from disrupting University life.

Student Systems Project aims to teach students about new ISIS replacement

Capital campaign remains on track despite economy

Despite the increasingly troubled economic climate, the University?s ?Knowledge is Power? capital campaign remains on track, said Alison Traub, assistant vice president for development and director of the campaign.The University started the campaign in 2006 with an original goal of raising $3 billion during the course of three years, $1.865 billion of which already has been met through gifts and pledges, Traub said.

Study reveals housing markets mostly stable

A recent study conducted by University Urban and Environmental Planning Prof.

Partnership creates online database

The University Library and the Heritage Microfilm Company recently teamed to make Alderman Library?s international newspaper microfilm collection available in a searchable online database.

Research indicates water flowed on Mars

An ongoing study headed by Environmental Studies Prof. Alan Howard recently determined that water flowed across the surface of Mars for at least a period of 10,000 total, non-consecutive years.The study, which has been running for more than a year, involves an investigation of the amount of water and precipitation early in Mars? history, Howard said.

Length of time abroad may not affect students

The length of study abroad trips does not affect the degree to which students become globally engaged later in life, according to a study presented at the Forum on Education Abroad, held Feb.

Hospital renovation, cancer center construction begins

The University Hospital will soon begin a series of long-planned renovations and construction projects, including the continued construction of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center and the addition of 72 private rooms to the hospital, Chief of Environmental Care Tom Harkins said.The hospital also is planning for a new pediatric outpatient facility, as well as a bridge over Lee Street connecting the hospital to the new cancer center, which will serve as an outpatient clinical cancer facility, Harkins said.He noted that a significant number of renovations will take place inside the main University Hospital building, including the refurbishment of all patient rooms, a major renovation to the radiology suite and the construction of new operating rooms and nine new procedure rooms for interventional cardiology.

Voting bill fails to pass Va. House

A bill that would have simplified voter registration for Virginia college students was voted down in a House of Delegates subcommittee Friday afternoon.Sen.