News

Students found guilty on three counts in open UJC trial

The 17 students arrested for trespassing at Madison Hall after staging a sit-in protest last month were found guilty in an open University Judiciary Committee trial yesterday. All of the students were found guilty of violating three sections the UJC Standards of Conduct: unauthorized entry into or occupation of University facilities, intentional disruption of University activities and failing to comply with the directions of University officials acting to enforce any of the other Standards of Conduct. The students must write a letter of apology and thanks of at least 250 words to the University Police Department, another letter of at least 250-words to the five employees whose work was interrupted during the sit-in and a 500-word letter to the administration thanking them for

Honor extends time limit on Gilday appeal

The executive committee of the Honor Committee has granted an extension over the weekend on the appeal process of Steven Gilday.

Alternative class sign-ups on the rise

An increasingly large number of students have been taking advantage of the University's alternative class opportunities, including the Summer Session, January Term and Study Abroad programs. January Term, which began in 2005 with about 200 students enrolled, nearly doubled to around 400 students in 2006, according to Vice Provost for Academic Affairs J.

Contender for U.S. Senate Jim Webb visits the University

Contender for U.S. Senate Jim Webb visits the University

Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Jim Webb spoke to students and visitors at the University yesterday in an effort to gain support for his campaign in the few months left before the Democratic primary, to be held June 13. The former Navy secretary discussed three issues he said he would address as a senator, ranging from foreign policy to "social fairness" to eliminating the "culture of corruption" plaguing Washington. According to Webb, his service in Vietnam, his work in Congress and his experience as a journalist and novelist will allow him to approach these issues with a unique perspective, as he has "had a different set of eyes on the problem." By addressing these issues, Webb hopes to unite Americans who, he believes, have divided into three distinct groups. "In reality, we're breaking into three Americas," he said.

Bond reneges retirement plans, will teach spring 2006

History Prof. and national NAACP chairman Julian Bond has decided to teach at the University next year, despite having previously announced his intention to retire after the spring 2006 semester. "I retired from my retirement," Bond said, noting that his change of mind was spurred by the administration's decision to allow him to teach only one day each week. Bond lives in Washington, D.C.

BOV members analyze success of diversity efforts

While the Board of Visitors broke ground on numerous buildings this year and finally approved plans for the highly anticipated South Lawn Project, it also continued its efforts to create a more diverse University community. According to Rector Thomas F.

Looking Ahead

Current and former Honor Committee members recently discussed accomplishments of the previous Committee and challenges facing the newly transitioned one.

Area housing market slows from 2005

During the first quarter of 2006, the Charlottesville housing market recorded significant changes, according to a report issued by the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors. Last quarter, the number of housing units on the market increased while demand slackened, the association's CEO, David Phillips, said. "Inventory has increased dramatically," Phillips said, adding that an increase in supply has been accompanied by a decrease in demand. The report concluded that, "The local residential real estate market has been in transition for the past six months and it appears to be settling in to a very healthy and sustainable segment of the economy." While Phillips acknowledged there is certainly room for improvement in housing availability, he said buyers and sellers are achieving an "equilibrium" and are "finally on the same playing field." According to Phillips, condominium sales will continue to increase, specifically in Charlottesville.

Living Wage Campaign meets with members of the Black Student Alliance

On Tuesday, the Black Student Alliance hosted a formal discussion with a panel of key members of the Living Wage Campaign.

Virginia Supreme Court chief justice speaks at University

University alumnus Leroy Hassell, now Virginia Supreme Court chief justice, spoke to students during Politics Prof.

Education student wins teaching fellowship

Fourth-year Education student Katey Shirey has been awarded one of 13 science fellowships granted by the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation for 2006. The fellowship is renewable for five years and is worth up to $100,000 over that period.

Students wear T-shirts for first-ever "De-stereotype Day"

One thousand T-shirts were distributed by Sustained Dialogue yesterday for its first-ever "De-stereotype Day," an event that attempted to raise awareness of racial stereotypes among students. According to former Sustained Dialogue chair Jessica Fowler, this event shows that Sustained Dialogue wants to change the environment around the University. Various organizations throughout the University supported this event including Jewish student organizations, several Black fraternities, Queer Student Union, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, Organization of African Students, Taiwanese Student Association, Korean Student Association, Chinese Student Association, Black Voices, United Sisters and numerous others. In preparation for Wednesday, Sustained Dialogue handed out 1,000 T-shirts with the words "Stereotype Me" on the front.

StudCo appoints executive positions

Student Council passed a resolution approving appointed members of the Executive Board at their meeting last night. Appointed Executive Board members are selected through an application process conducted by the executive board of Council.

Bills create tougher laws for sex offenses

Gov. Tim Kaine signed legislation Monday that will greatly increase punishments for sex offenders in the Commonwealth, said a spokesperson for Attorney General Bob McDonnell. Twelve related bills were signed into law, according to a press release issued jointly by Kaine and McDonnell's offices. The bills implement tougher mandatory sentences and a requirement that some registered sex offenders wear electronic tracking devices.

Plans in effect to ease traffic congestion

A new traffic light coordination plan was implemented earlier this month that has already improved driving conditions for Charlottesville drivers, said City Councilor Kevin Lynch. West Main Street is the first major Charlottesville road to have the traffic signals coordinated with one another at an Intelligent Transportation System central location, said traffic manager Lonnie Randall. This initiative is part of a larger effort to reduce traffic congestion in important Charlottesville corridors by coordinating the timing of traffic lights that currently run independently of one another. The next streets in line to have regulated traffic signals are Preston Avenue, Emmett Street and Jefferson Park Avenue, and at least two of the three streets will be updated by the end of June, Lynch said. The improvements include timing green lights on busy streets with the speed limit to allow drivers to make it through multiple intersections without having to stop at a red light, Lynch said. "They will all be synchronized so that cars going the speed limit will catch all the green lights," he added. A side effect of linking traffic signal times with the speed limit is that it will enforce the speed limit. Cars that are abiding by the speed limit will be going at a rate that will allow them to make all of the green lights on a coordinated street, Lynch said. Due to the improvements, congestion in the area has been alleviated by approximately 15 to 20 percent which will be most noticeable during peak traffic times, Lynch said. According to Lynch, the plan to coordinate traffic signals is a much more cost effective method of reducing traffic in the city than increasing roads. Upgrading signal communications costs anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per intersection, Randall said. Time has been the limitation on this project, rather than money, Lynch noted. In total, this project will cost approximately $2 million, Randall said. Randall expressed concern about the continued feasibility of funding the project because the amount that was initially raised has been nearly depleted. However, Lynch said he was optimistic that the success of the project and increased efforts to look for funds will allow for the coordination of all the traffic lights in Charlottesville.

Cirque du Soleil to perform at the John Paul Jones Arena this summer

The new John Paul Jones Arena will host the Cirque du Soleil August 1, as part of the "Delirium" tour, said Larry Wilson, general manager of the arena. Cirque du Soleil is an international troupe of acrobats founded in Canada in the early 1980s, according to a press release. Although the performance will be during the summer recess, this is not expected to affect ticket sales. "The demographic for this particular show is 30s on up," Wilson said. The "Delirium" tour marks the first time in the troupe's history that lyrics and actual words will be used in the performance, rather than an invented nonsense language, according to the release. Wilson said tickets will go on sale on Saturday.

Liberal Arts Graduates prepare for the future

With graduation ceremonies just around the corner, most fourth-year liberal arts students are preparing to take on life outside of the University.

Assistant secretary of state speaks on nuclear issue

Christopher Hill, assistant secretary of state for East Asian & Pacific affairs, spoke to students last night about the North Korean nuclear issue during an address sponsored by the International Relations Organization, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, the Washington Literary and Debating Society and the International Residential College. Throughout his time with the Senior Foreign Service, Hill has served as ambassador to Macedonia, Poland and South Korea.

Assistant secretary of state speaks on nuclear issue