News

Honor looks at role insingle sanction debate

The Honor Committee held an open meeting last night, during which community members voiced concern about the Committee's failure to present a viable alternative to the single sanction. Committee Chair Alison Tramba said if the referendum currently on the ballot which was proposed by Hoos Against Single Sanction fails to pass, the next Honor Committee would likely form another ad hoc committee to examine other options. Vice Chair for Trials Jay Trickett explained why the current ad hoc committee studying the single sanction chose not to offer additional alternatives to the honor system during the current election season. "The [single sanction] ad hoc committee debated the idea of having a third alternative on the ballot," Trickett said, "But we thought it would be unfair to the student body that there would be three different options because it made it unlikely that any would pass." Vice Chair for Investigations Andrew Siegel also presented a proposal at the meeting to further streamline the investigation process by switching to an electronic database. "It's going to be a lot more easy to facilitate the exchange of information throughout the investigative process, the trial process and through appeals," Siegel said. The open meeting, held in the Dome Room of the Rotunda, was headed by Vice Chair for Education A-J Aronstein.

Black Panther co-founder Seale speaks to University students

Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale delivered a speech yesterday called "The History and Impacts of the Black Panther Party" as part of Black History Month celebrations at the University.

Researchers conduct adult memory confidence study

According to a study conducted by a University professor and a graduate student, older adults were far more confident when committing suggestibility errors compared to younger adults. Asst.

Alliance encourages diversity in health field

Eastern Virginia Medical School joined the Virginia-Nebraska alliance, a partnership between four medical institutions -- including the University's -- and five historically black Virginia colleges, Feb.

Darden elections see high number of candidates

The Darden School held its school-wide elections Feb. 12 to 16, electing its representatives to various University organizations.

Attempted ID theft schemes target students

University students have been victims of two attempted mass identification thefts since January, one through the University e-mail system and another through dorm phones. The most recent scam involved students receiving calls on their dorm phones.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

Engineering prof. joins NAE

John J. Dorning, Whitney Stone Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering and University professor of applied mathematics and engineering physics, was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering. "It's a very nice honor," Dorning said.

U.Va. Teen Health Program to expand community outreach thanks to new funds

The University's Teen Health Program is expanding its community outreach efforts following recent fundraising efforts and an anonymous donation. The key component of the community outreach is to heighten advocacy for teens in public policy, according to Dyan Aretakis, program director of the Teen Health Center.

StudCo candidates debate

Candidates vying for several Student Council positions had an opportunity to address voters last night during a debate hosted by the University Board of Elections. Candidates for Student Council president who were in attendance included third-year students Matthew White, Ryan McElveen, Daniel Dooley, Dan Newland and Lauren Tilton.

A look at the Lawn selection process

Nearly 300 students submitted applications this winter for the most prestigious housing in Charlottesville.

Error calls referendum into question

Steve Yang, University Board of Elections chair, reported an oversight in voter eligibility for the proposed Arts & Sciences Council referendum yesterday. The constitutional amendment, which would ensure every department and interdisciplinary program in the College had a representative on the Council, is supposed to be considered by only voters in the College.

DEQ initiates mercury study

Gov. Tim Kaine recently announced that the Department of Environmental Quality, the Commonwealth's environmental agency, will oversee a study to investigate the high mercury-level of the water in Virginia. The DEQ has found mercury in the rivers and streams in Virginia for the past three years.

Five-year master's program created in public health

In response to increased student interest in the field of public health, the University recently created a five-year B.A./B.S.

Stud Co. President

Dan Dooley CLAS III Major: Classics Hometown: Fairfax, Va. Activities, positions, associations: Member, University Guide Service (III) Resident Assistant, Dabney House (III) Life columnist, Cavalier Daily (I-III) Correspondent, "Hoos News" (II-III) Volunteer, Housing Improvement Program, Madison House (Fall I, II) Current office/position: What are the responsibilities of the position you are seeking, and why are you qualified to fulfill those responsibilities? The president of Student Council has the primary responsibility to ensure that Student Council adequately represents the student body on all matters of interest and implements ideas that enhance student life.

Honor Arts and Sciences Rep

Catherine Anne Daley CLAS III Major: History Hometown: Memphis, TN Activities, positions, associations: Honor (counsel, pre-trial coordinator) Class of 2008 Class Council U.Va.

Engineering Council President

Alison Aguero SEAS III Major: Systems Engineering Hometown: Oak Hill, Va. Activities, positions, associations: U.Va.

General Assembly passes grant incentive for eligible VCCS transfers

The Virginia House of Delegates recently passed a bill providing financial incentives to encourage students to transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges in order to continue their education.

UBE sponsors candidate forum

In anticipation of the opening of polls today, the University Board of Elections held debates last night for various positions, including those on the College of Arts & Sciences Council, Student Council and the Engineering Student Council. "The debates are the only way interactive way for students to see the candidates," UBE Chair Steve Yang said.

Honor, UJC candidates debate issues

The University Board of Elections sponsored a debate for candidates running for Judiciary College representatives and Honor College representatives in the Newcomb Theater last night before polls opened today. Speaking before a sparse crowd, candidates outlined their plans and made cases as to why they are best suited for the jobs. While five students are running for the three UJC College representative positions, only Grayson Lambert, second-year co-chair of the issues subcommittee, and Merriam Mikhail, second-year counselor for the executive committee, were in attendance. Third-year UJC Judge Connor Sullivan, third-year UJC Judge Dean de la Peña and second-year UJC educator John Thornton were not present for the debate. Lambert and Mikhail both stressed the importance of reinforcing "professionalism" within the UJC as well as outreach to the University community. "We're never going to improve ... if we don't hold ourselves to a higher standard," Lambert said. Mikhail said professionalism is something "we need to take seriously,"adding that the "committee can do better to reach out to U.Va." Seven candidates, all of whom were in attendance for the debate, are running for the three College representative positions on the Honor Committee. The candidates are third-year Senior Support Officer Catherine Anne Daley, third-year Counsel Brian O'Neill, third-year Senior Educator Support Officer Allie Moore, third-year Pre-trial Coordinator Daniel Lautzenheiser, third-year Investigations Coordinator Linda Liu, second-year Douglas Lewis, executive secretary of the Diversity Advisory Board, and third-year Senior Advisor Ben Cooper. Major topics of the discussion included diversity, education, transparency, relevancy and efficiency of the Committee. Many candidates expressed concern that Honor is viewed as a predominantly white organization. "This needs to be changed immediately," Cooper said. Lewis added that diversity "must be fixed inside and outside of Honor." Lautzenheiser emphasized that "spotlighting," the singling out of particular groups of people in terms of reporting Honor violations, must be stopped. All of the candidates were in consensus that transparency is a problem that Honor will have to face next year. "There is a lack of general understanding of honor by the U.Va.