News

Va. population growth continues at slower rate

Virginia's population continued to grow in 2006, reaching 7.6 million in July, but it did so at a lower rate than in previous years, according to a recent annual study conducted by the University's Weldon Cooper Center. The study found Loudoun County to be the fastest-growing demographic area, with a population increase of 59 percent, followed by Manassas Park City with a 35 percent increase, said Mike Spar, research assistant at the Weldon Cooper Center. Qian Cai, director of the Weldon Cooper Center, explained that there are three components to population change: birth rate, death rate and migration.

U.Va. receives high marks from junior faculty

The University was ranked one of the best places for junior faculty members to work in a survey released by the Chronicle of Higher Education this week.

Proposal calls for ending use of AP, IB credit in ISIS sign-up times

The University's Integrated Student Information System Task Force recommended that Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits no longer be a component of the course hours used to determine the order of course registration.

Students seek BOV position

The field of candidates vying for the student position on the Board of Visitors was narrowed Tuesday from 51 to 13 when semi-finalists were selected. The new member will be announced in February, following another round of eliminations, according to current student Board member Lizzie Mullen. The selection committee -- composed of Patricia Lampkin, vice president for student affairs; Sandy Gilliam, secretary to the Board; Mullen and an undisclosed number of students -- is looking for "a well-rounded student who is able to connect with everyone that he or she works with," Mullen said. Mullen noted that evaluating applicants for the student Board position requires a different approach than selecting the best candidates for other leadership positions.

Winter weather blues

Students, profs react to State of Union

President Bush delivered his annual State of the Union speech Tuesday evening to a joint session of Congress, marking the first time that Bush has addressed the Democrat-controlled Congress.

BOV increases on-Grounds housing costs

As students finalize living arrangements for the 2007-2008 academic year, those staying on Grounds can anticipate a significant increase in the cost of housing -- on average, University housing tenants will see a 9.6 percent hike in price. The Board of Visitors Finance Committee recently approved the new student housing rates, which will cause students living in Brown College, the IRC and Gooch/Dillard to pay more than $4,000 for housing next year. According to Richard Kovatch, assistant vice president for business operations, housing funds will support various housing costs and University projects. "The increase is needed twofold, to cover [the] housing division's operating costs, including personnel, debt service, the debt we have to pay on our existing facilities, and to contribute to our replacement and renewal reserves, the funds we use to make improvements on facilities," Kovatch said. Approximately half of the increase in housing costs will go to this housing improvement fund.

U.Va. commemorates M.L. King, Jr.

The University held its annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last night, sponsored by the Office of African-American Affairs, the University Programs Council, Student Council and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The commemoration included speeches by Greg Jackson, a fourth-year Alpha, and History Prof.

UBE releases spring elections calendar, regulations

The University Board of Elections released the newest set of rules and regulations for the upcoming spring election Tuesday morning. While there were "several revisions to the rules," the main changes were expanding the voting period to eight days from last year's six, University Board of Elections Chair Steve Yang said. "There are several substantive changes for the campaigns, including the use of voting stations by candidates," Yang said. In addition, the rules will now place more restrictions on candidates during the campaign period and petitions will have to include student e-mail addresses. He said the changes are meant to make campaigning and elections fairer and more organized for both candidates and voters. "We put campaigning rules in the first two pages to make it easier and more straightforward for candidates," Yang said. Neha Kumar, University Board of Elections vice chair, said that when processing the rules there will now be a greater emphasis on communication with student organizations involved in the elections. "We highlighted communication with organizations for which we hold the elections," Kumar said. Yang said that the UBE voted to release the recent changes to the public before they are enacted for election season. "We invite everyone to review these rules and submit any comments to the Board by this Saturday, because they don't go into effect until after this public common period," Yang said. He added that the public comment period is meant for people to familiarize themselves with the rules and have the opportunity to give the UBE feedback. "Next week, we'll vote the rules into effect," Yang said.

End of an Era

College Dean Ed Ayers and University Vice-President and Provost Gene Block assumed theircurrent positions at the University within one week of each other, during the fall of 2001.

Transfer discount moves forward

RICHMOND -- Last night the Virginia House of Delegates higher education subcommittee voted unanimously to support a bill that would allow students transferring from community college to four-year institutions to continue paying community college rates. The Community College Transfer Grant Program, also known as HB 1681, put forth by Del.

Bush stands by troop surge, unveils energy efficiency plan

WASHINGTON--President Bush implored lawmakers and the nation Tuesday night to give him one more chance to win the war in Iraq and avoid the ``nightmare scenario'' of defeat while presenting a domestic agenda intended to find common cause with the new Democratic Congress on issues such as energy and immigration.

Correction

The Jan. 22 News article "Profs. help reduced tuition bill avoid subcommittee defeat" stated that legislation to reduce tuition for children of faculty and staff was drafted by the University's Faculty Senate.

Job market outlook bright for '07 grads

Employers plan to hire 17 percent more graduates from the Class of 2007 than they did from the Class of 2006, making this year's job market the strongest since 2001-2002, according to a study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. This year's growth is part of a four-year gradual increase in jobs for recent college graduates, said Andrea Koncz, employment information manager of NACE.

Va. Sen. Webb delivers Dem. response, blasts Bush on Iraq

WASHINGTON--Sen. James Webb, D-Va., delivered a blistering eight-minute response to President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night, promising an aggressive challenge to Bush's Iraq and economic policies from the newly empowered Democratic majority in Congress.

University scales back priority registration for athletes, scholars

The priority registration granted to incoming athletes, Echols, Rodman and Casteen Scholars will change starting with the Class of 2011.

StudCo explores student perceptions

At the first meeting of the semester, Student Council adopted a resolution to create an ad-hoc committee to explore students' perceptions of the inner-workings of Council.

BOV approves new arts center concept

The Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors approved the preliminary concept, sight and design guidelines for a "Gateway to the Arts," at last night's meeting. The project is a $118.5 million complex that would include a residential college for the arts, a new home for the University of Virginia Art Museum, marching and concert bands, and concert facilities. The complex would be located on the corner of Ivy Road and Emmet Street, west of Carr's Hill Field. In addition to the museum and concert facilities the complex would include a 250-bed residence college, a dining hall, a 250- to 300-seat studio theater and a café and catering facility. "We're looking at the possibility of linking to the International Residence College," University President John T.

BOV looks at U.Va. academic future

The Board of Visitors Educational Policy Committee met yesterday to discuss various aspects of the University's academic future, including the augmentation of fine arts and science research, as well as problems with a lack of undergraduate advising. University President John T.

U.Va. may offer free music services

The University is exploring partnerships with music labels that could provide students with free access to music downloads.The endeavor is part of an effortby the University to curb illegal dowloading on grounds. The University is not currently in a partnership with any network that would provide legal music downloads. "We are looking into partnerships," said Mike McPherson, deputy chief information officer for the Office of Technology and Communications.