News

New council officers seek increased interaction among students, faculty

Increased student body participation in Student Council governance and further departmental interaction between students and faculty are some of the proposed goals for school and class councils in the upcoming year, according to several of the newly elected councils' executive officers. For the class councils, the election results are as follows: Christina Polenta and David Newsome, Fourth-Year Trustees president and vice president; Michelle Henry and Kadeem Cooper, Third-Year Council president and vice president; and John Buttram and Yassee Pirooz, Second-Year Council president and vice president. One of the main objectives for the Fourth-Year Trustees is to help ease the transition of fourth-year students from the University to the real world in way that will let "everyone stay connected," said Polenta, a third-year Commerce student. "Fourth year is the most exciting year ... it's the beginning of a new great adventure," she said. Bringing in more new faces to the Trustees who will bring "fresh ideas and perspectives" is another goal for the upcoming year, said Newsome, a third-year College student. Polenta and Newsome have previously worked together on class councils and will be switching positions for the Trustees, Polenta said.

Referendum alters StudCo operations

Last night the referendum to amend the Student Council constitution passed with the support of 92.3 percent of student voters.

Next year's Honor, UJCrepresentatives elected

The representatives who will sit on the Honor Committee and the University Judiciary Committee for the next year were announced by the University Board of Elections last night.

City, county to develop bus system

In the face of a growing effort to improve transit efficiency and access, both City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials discussed plans for a new regional transit system last week. "We have agreed to develop a regional transit authority, which will be jointly owned by the city and the county," Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris said. This new proposal significantly differs from the current transit system, which is owned solely by the City of Charlottesville, yet also provides service to Albemarle County, said David Slutzky, a county Board of Supervisors member?. If the two entities share ownership, taxes can help fund the system, he added. The city and county began discussions last year, Slutzky said, and much of the initial planning was done by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. Commission Executive Director Harrison Rue?

On the lawn, the sun also rises

Chemistry, microbiology professors honored with achievement award

A lifetime of hard work and scientific inquiry has paid off, both literally and figuratively, for two University professors, who are the latest recipients of the University's Distinguished Scientist Award. Chemistry Prof.

Timko's research seeks to better African food source

Biology Prof. Michael Timko, along with a team of international scientists and students, is currently conducting research for the Cowpea Genomics Initiative, a project that seeks to dramatically improve the lives of millions living in Central and Western Africa.

ISC GPA above average

Academic success, according to data compiled by the Inter-Sorority Council, isn't Greek to members of the University's chapters. For the fall 2007 semester, the average GPA of each ISC-affiliated chapter was well above the University's female average of 3.226, according to ISC president Stuart Berkeley.

Making tracks to public service

Through a program the Provost

Charlottesville sets voting record

Last Tuesday, a record number of registered voters arrived at various sites in the Charlottesville area to participate in what has become one of the closest presidential primaries in recent memory. Ric Barrick, director of communications for the City of Charlottesville, said 36.7 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in the Feb.

Honor considers possibility of moderated open meeting

Members of the Honor Committee discussed an upcoming open-community forum Sunday along with ongoing efforts to update the Honor Committee's Web site. According to Josh Hess, vice chair for community relations, the current Committee, as well as previous committees, have held open meetings in the past. "Last semester the Committee held an open-committee meeting in first-year dorms," Hess said, adding that "the Committee would like to do things in that view but switch the format so it is more interactive." Committee Chair Ben Cooper noted that open-committee meetings held by former committees have traditionally been successful but added that the Committee hopes to further engage the community in discussion. "The whole purpose is to allow students to feel more comfortable to raise issues," he said. The open forum, tentatively scheduled for the third week of March, will occur outside of the Committee's weekly meeting, unlike last semester, Hess said.

Senate reviews schools' finances

Despite national concern about a downturn in the economy, college endowments have shown explosive growth.

University still facing cold weather blues

University announces medal recipients

In cooperation with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the University has chosen Sen. John Warner, R-Va., U.S.

Love is in the air

Students seek end to mining

University students who sent Valentine's Day sentiments to Gov. Tim Kaine yesterday were seeking a response of more than just love from their governor.

New technique usedfor asteroid imaging

An asteroid discovered in October recently passed Earth, giving astronomers only a small window of opportunity to capture the cosmic event on camera.

IFC choosesRichardson as president

The Inter-Fraternity Council held elections for its 2008 Executive Board last night, electing third-year College student Taylor Richardson president. Richardson said he is "extremely excited" about his new position and will have some "big shoes to fill" in the coming year.

Rainey concludes second term on BOV but remains active in Capital Campaign

Though Gordon F. Rainey's term on the Board of Visitors ended last week, his long record of service to the University is not yet over; Rainey will continue to hold the position of chairman of the University's Capital Campaign?. In addition to serving the University as a Board member for two four-year terms and chairing the Capital Campaign, Rainey also held the position of rector of the University from 2003-05 and previously served as president of the Alumni Association's Board of Managers. "In my opinion, Gordon Rainey is one of the most important volunteers in the modern history of the University," Bob Sweeney, senior vice president for development and public affairs, said, noting that Rainey has served on virtually every volunteer committee. Rainey "has taken the lead in forging two major University/industrial partnerships, each of them the largest of its kind in our history," President John T.

ISC discusses possibility of new chapter

Following a record-breaking spring recruitment, the University's Inter-Sorority Council is considering adding a new chapter. According to Sally Kline, assistant dean of fraternity and sorority life, "the main situation is that we had a wonderful turnout for sorority recruitment," noting that the most recent sorority pledge classes were larger than usual. "The chapters feel there is a lot of interest, and another group may best suit the needs of our population," Kline said. According to Stephanie Hobart, outgoing vice president of recruitment for the ISC, expansion will only be considered if sororities are showing signs that they are growing. "After this spring, with pledge classes of 40 girls, we're definitely showing that we're having growing pains," Hobart said, adding that now is a good time to start considering expansion to alleviate the growing house numbers. According to Kline, expansion is a complex and structured process.