News

$8.5 million allocated to Va. Tech families

Using contributions to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, Virginia Tech donated $8.5 million Tuesday to surviving victims and families of victims of the April 16 shootings. Memorial Fund legal counsel Kenneth Feinberg designed the protocol for allocating funds to each of the families and victims, according to Virginia Tech spokesperson Larry Hincker. Feinberg, who also led the allocation process for the federal government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, said families who lost a loved one received the largest financial allocations.

TRICK OR TREAT

Faculty support Batten School

The Faculty Senate approved the creation of the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Tuesday with a majority vote, allowing the University to begin building the school's leadership structure and curriculum.

University offers vaccines for students at lower prices

Of the 13 college students nationwide infected with meningitis this year, six have died. In hopes of combating infectious diseases such as meningitis, Student Health is holding a vaccination clinic today in Newcomb Hall. Nurses will have influenza, meningitis, hepatitis A and B, measles/mumps/rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, Twinrix and Gardasil vaccines available for to students for purchase throughout the day, Student Health Executive Director James Turner said. The vaccines are provided by Intravene and will be less expensive for students than if the vaccines were administered to the general public, according to Intravene spokesperson Shelby Davis.

City to consider new ambulance service plan

In an effort to resolve concerns about ambulance response time, a joint City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County committee recommended the creation of a new city ambulance service last week. Committee members, selected by the Charlottesville City Council, investigated the emergency medical response system in the City of Charlottesville, proposal spokesperson Del.

An Army of Ten

Council establishes Rules and Ethics Board

Student Council approved a Rules and Ethics Board last night, a week later then originally scheduled after members raised questions about selection of board members. The bill to approve the board's formation as well its members was set to be approved last week until representatives from the Law School questioned the wisdom of forming the board without a Law representative.

Student groups promote alcohol awareness

In conjunction with Substance Abuse Awareness Week, Scott Swartzwelder, psychiatry and behavioral sciences professor at Duke University Medical Center, presented a lecture in the Special Collections Library last night titled "Dude: Where's My Car?

Police arrest suspect in robberies

Charlottesville Police have released the identity of a suspect arrested in relation to the armed robberies of two University students Monday. Quentin Levar Grey, 18, was taken into custody early Monday morning, according to Charlottesville Police Sgt.

Honor Committee to offer FOA program

As the Honor Committee continues its outreach efforts, it hopes to target a different University population -- members of Greek life. The Committee is currently working on the creation of a program that will fulfill one standard of the Fraternal Order Agreement, a program each fraternity or sorority chapter is required to fulfill each academic year in six different categories: alcohol and drug use, diversity and discrimination, hazing, liability, personal safety and sexual assault, according to Michael Citro, assistant dean of fraternity and sorority life.

Digging for Global Development Dollars

The University prides itself on encouraging students to expand their intellectual horizons in Mr. Jefferson's Academical Village.

University employee charged with assault and battery

University Police charged a University employee with one count of assault and battery Monday, according to University Police Lieut.

Health care reform key in '08 presidential race

The main domestic issue drawing the attention of politicians and voters alike in the upcoming election is health care reform, according to yesterday's "Politics of Health Care Reform" panel. "Clearly this is an extraordinarily important topic," said CBS News national correspondent Wyatt Andrews, University alumnus and forum moderator.

Six-year financial plan projects tuition hike

University undergraduates currently shelling out big bucks for their degrees may soon find it difficult to complain about their wallet-slimming expenses: Turns out, the cost of tuition today is not as lofty as it might be in six to 10 years. A University six-year financial plan recently submitted to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia detailed three scenarios -- best, "middle-of-the-road" and worst -- for projected tuition and fee hikes, according to University spokesperson Carol Wood.

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Obama courts Charlottesville voters

2008 Presidential Candidate Barack Obama focused on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues as he extended his campaign trail to Charlottesville last night, hosting a rally at the Charlottesville Pavilion. Obama made a concerted effort to differentiate himself from other candidates and the current administration at the rally.

Student victim of assault

A University student fell victim to assault by a group of individuals near the Corner Saturday night, according to Charlottesville Police. Charlottesville Police Sgt.

Officials aim to revamp low income area

As the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority looks to redevelop public housing in the 10th Street and Page Street area, residents are increasingly skeptical of the success of such an endeavor. The Housing Authority plans to build 376 units for about 1,000 people in the area as part of an effort to encourage a mixed-income community that will ultimately better the community financially, according to Noah Schwartz, executive director of the Housing Authority. The first steps of the plan will be to talk to residents of the area and present them with the basic guidelines of the plan.

Richard Bonnie earns highest U.Va. honor

The Thomas Jefferson Award, the University's most prestigious recognition, was awarded to Law Prof.

a musical sensation