News

Exchange students face blocked registration

Thirteen members of the University?s chapter of Theta Delta Chi fraternity were arrested Aug. 20 for breaking into the Union College Theta Delta Chi fraternity house and damaging more than $2,000 worth of property through actions including urinating on two couches.?Our campus safety folks were on routine patrol when they noticed an individual outside of the house and asked what he was doing,? Phil Wadja, director of media and public relations at Union College.

Attacker to serve 40 for sex assault

Christopher Noakes, the 39-year-old Charlottesville resident who pled guilty to two charges of sodomy in an February attack on a University student, was sentenced Tuesday to serve 40 years in prison, Assistant Commonwealth?s Attorney Katherine Peters said.Peters said she believes this is a positive outcome for the commonwealth?s attorney?s office and noted that given Noakes? age, ?a 40-year sentence is considerable and it is tantamount to a life sentence.?Peters added that Noakes may be eligible to apply for geriatric release if he maintains good behavior, but added that is ?unlikely that Mr. Noakes will be going anywhere.?Nicholas Repucci, Noakes? attorney, said Noakes accepted his sentence as part of a plea agreement.The charges against Noakes were in reference to an assault that occurred Feb.

Trays disappear as dining halls try to conserve

As the Class of 2012 faces the challenge of adjusting to college life, the University?s upperclassmen are also having to adjust to a change on Grounds: the disappearance of trays in the dining halls.Though it may have come as a surprise to many students, Director of Dining Brent Beringer said the abolishment of trays in the Newcomb, Runk and Observatory Hill dining halls has been two years in the making.

U.Va. combats decreasing science funding

Federal funding for academic science and engineering research and development failed to outpace inflation for the second year in a row, according to a report recently released by the National Science Foundation.

First-year class boasts higher average SAT score than in 2007

The average SAT scores of Virginia?s graduating high school seniors remained nearly the same as last year?s average, as recently reported by the College Board, while the average SAT score of the incoming first-year class at the University is up 15 points from last year.This year, the average total SAT I score in math and reading for a first-year University student is 1322, compared to last year?s average of 1307.

Student Council announces

Student Council announced the theme of the 2008 University Unity Project yesterday: ?Charlottesville: Beyond Our Grounds, Within Our Community.? The project is intended to bring students together while simultaneously improving the University and Charlottesville community throughout the fall semester.?The unity project is based on the idea that all of the students at the University want to come together and direct all of their talents and resources towards a common vision,? Project Committee Chair Rob Atkinson said.

Safety alerts to be announced through sirens

University restricts water usage in dry weather

In anticipation of a dry fall, the University is implementing new measures to cut down on its water usage.

University maintains high status in 2009 U.S. News & World Report rankings

Though many high school juniors and seniors will likely pore over the recently released 2009 U.S. News & World Report rankings of national universities, University Dean of Admissions John Blackburn

Study looks at drinking social norms

Students tend to overestimate their peers? consumption of alcohol and are less likely to drink excessively or participate in risky, alcohol-fueled behavior if they are made aware of certain social norms, according to a recently released six-year study conducted at the University.Dr. James Turner, executive director of Student Health; Jennifer Bauerle, director of the National Social Norms Institute at the University; and H.

Third-year student Crouse passes away

Rising third-year College student Shannon Crouse, 27, passed away in early August, most likely as a result of natural causes resulting from a pre-existing medical condition.

IT program receives high marks

In the business world, everyone is looking for the next ?IT? thing. But for students enrolled in the Commerce School master?s program in management of information technology, that desire may be within reach.

Presidents sign on to drinking age initiative

More than 100 college and university presidents across the nation have signed a statement claiming

Signs allow students to track buses by phone

University Transit Service recently introduced new signs at bus stops across Grounds that could allow riders to better estimate their wait time.

Athletic department bans signs, banners

The University athletic department recently banned the use of signs at sporting events, including during the upcoming football season, in order to promote a more sportsman-like atmosphere on Grounds.

Merritt named Women

Jennifer Merritt, a former Education School faculty research associate, was appointed director of mentoring and diversity for the University?s Women?s Center this summer.Merritt was selected

Admissions

Despite having eliminated the early decision option for students applying to the University in order to attract low-income students, the Office of Admissions reported only a small increase in the number of incoming first-year students considered low-income.As of early August, the Class of 2012 had 185 enrolled low-income students, which is five more than the Class of 2011, and according to Associate Dean of Admissions Greg Roberts, a ?handful? more than the average number of low-income students in a class.?We certainly hoped to see a much greater change,? Dean of Admissions John Blackburn said.

StudCo plans for busy semester

This fall, Student Council plans to unveil and implement a number of projects developed this summer, including off-Grounds safety measures and the new University Unity Project.President Matt Schrimper said Council has been working on ?safety initiatives that empower students to take ownership of their own safety in off-Grounds areas.? This includes expanding the options students have as they travel to and from Grounds late at night, working with students and their landlords to improve off-Grounds lighting and better educating students about their personal safety.

U.Va. graded on

The National Wildlife Federation?s Campus Environment Report Card recently revealed that although the University is not ranked as one of the top environmentally friendly schools nationally, it leads the commonwealth in its effort to support environmental sustainability.According to Mary Burnette, NWF associate director of communications, the report card was the final result of the NWF?s sustainability and environmental performance survey, which measured participating schools? progress in terms of environmental operations, such as energy and water conservation, as well as institutions? efforts to educate students about environmental issues.The goal of the survey was to ?asses to see what progress has been made and review areas that need the most improvement? since the NWF last completed this report in 2001, Burnette said.

Tailgating to resume on Lawn

Tailgates will once again be allowed to take place on the Lawn before football games this fall, Lawn residents were informed today.After removing the privilege last year, the University is allowing the tradition to continue this fall, but with some modifications.According to Lawn resident Jason Moran, residents will have to inform Lawn head resident Christian West if more than 17 people will be attending their tailgate.