The Honor Committee discussed possible methods of educating the student body on upcoming referenda Sunday night.
With issues ranging from the wages of University employees and contractors to adding the word "triviality" in the Honor constitution, six spring referenda have been finalized and will appear on the ballot when polls open this Friday.
Private contributions to universities around the nation have significantly increased in 2005, according to a survey conducted by the Voluntary Support of Education Institution of the Council of Aid to Education. The increase in donations was not the same across the board, the survey stated. While giving from private foundations and alumni increased, corporations were not as charitable to universities nationally, the survey found. Additionally, the survey reported that while the number of alumni providing voluntary support to colleges and universities decreased, the total amount of money given by alumni increased.
College Dean Edward Ayers is meeting this morning with the department chairs in the College of Arts & Sciences to discuss faculty concerns regarding the Semester at Sea program. In December, the University announced its partnership with Semester at Sea, a study abroad program that allows students to travel aboard a cruise ship to multiple locations throughout the world while taking courses. The meeting between faculty members and Ayers was partly in response to a declaration drafted by the Council of Chairs of Arts & Sciences expressing uncertainty over the academic integrity of the program.
Virginia football linebacker Ahmad Brooks, a 2004 All-American and Butkus Award candidate, failed a drug test within the past two weeks and will not be practicing with the team this spring, according to two sources close to the team.
While universities nationwide saw a spike in the number of freshman applicants seeking admission for the class of 2010, the University's applicant pool remained relatively stable, growing by 1.6 percent according to Admissions Dean John Blackburn. According to an article this past Monday in USA Today, some schools are recording as much as a 21 percent increase in applications, prompting admissions deans around the country to reduce the proportion of acceptances. "I can tell you the [University's] numbers are up slightly -- about 1.6 percent," for regular admissions, Blackburn said. For early decision, the number of applications received is not significantly different than last year, Blackburn added. Because of the modest increase in applications, Blackburn said he thinks getting into the University this year will be slightly more difficult. "Since we're going to be looking for the same size class, we will be slightly more selective," Blackburn said.
The Virginia Senate recently passed a bill which, if successful in the House of Delegates, would amend the current state Clean Air Act by prohibiting smoking in many indoor public places. According to Courtney Hyres, legislative aid to Sen.
A recent study found relationships with faculty have a large impact on students' success as graduate students, said Daniel Denecky, director of best practices at the Council of Graduate Schools. The findings were published by Michael T.
The University Judiciary Committee voted unanimously last night to endorse a proposal that would increase sanctions against students convicted of hate-motivated violations of the Standards of Conduct. The proposed change to the UJC constitution will now be voted on by the student body in the spring elections. Should students approve the change, Article III, Section B of the UJC Constitution would add "Any violation of the University Standards of Conduct motivated by the age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation or veteran status of the victim will be deemed an aggravating circumstance, and will result in a more serious sanction up to, and including, expulsion from the University." Before the Committee made its decision, community members were given the opportunity to voice their opinions. "Hate crimes affect everyone.
The Feb. 16 News article "City consultants explore plans for improvements to Route 29" repeatedly misspelled the name of the town Ruckersville as "Rutgersville." The article on the Web site has been changed to reflect this correction.
The Commission on the Future of Higher Education, recently appointed by the Bush administration, is discussing the implementation of standardized testing in universities and colleges. Gary Cox, a member of the State-National Information Network Advisory Committee, which is a cooperative member of National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, explained the commission's plans. "The objective would be to measure the success of students," Cox said. Officials have expressed differing views over whether or not it would be beneficial to use standardized testing to assess students' performance in colleges and universities. Bill Arceneaux, formally a board member of the NAICU, said he is adamantly opposed to the standardized testing and does not see any advantages in it. "You have schools of art, you have schools of design, you have music colleges.
In conjunction with faculty members from the Spanish department, the International Studies Office will be offering its first study abroad program in Costa Rica this summer. The six-credit course is directed at students who are hoping to complete their language requirements in Spanish 201 and 202.
University Economics Prof. Edgar O. Olsen presented testimony on low-income housing on Capitol Hill yesterday.
U.S. Senate hopeful Harris Miller spoke at the University Democrats meeting last night in order to garner support as he begins his campaign. Miller most recently served as the president of the Information Technology Association of America and said he believes this work experience will aid him in serving as an effective senator. "I'm a business person," Miller said.
City consultants presented a plan to improve transportation problems inflicted by highway U.S. Route 29 to the Places29 commission Tuesday.
Old Dominion University is instituting a new aggressive recruitment policy, said John R. Broderick, ODU's vice president for institutional advancement. Valedictorians and salutatorians from Virginia public and private schools will receive a $6,000 scholarship towards tuition, Broderick said. The scholarship would be renewable each year provided the student maintained a 3.3 GPA, he added. The scholarship is part of an effort to reach out to the best and brightest students in the Commonwealth, he said. The University is not taking any specific action to counter Old Dominion's scholarship, Admissions Dean John Blackburn said. He added that the University is one of the few public institutions that already pledges to meet the full demonstrated need of its students. "I believe that the cost of in-state tuition is within the average family's grasp," Blackburn said.
Starting salaries of college graduates with a bachelor's degree from the class of 2006 are expected to increase from 2005, according to a survey released last week by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Mimi Collins, director of information for NACE, said employers reported they were planning to hire 14.5 percent more college graduates this year than last year. "It's early, but it's a fairly good indication that the class of 2006 is going to graduate into a fairly good job market," Collins said. The survey collected salary offers by major for over 70 bachelor's disciplines at the bachelor's degree level, said Collins.
Student Council President Jequeatta Upton announced the resignation of Okey Udumaga, Council vice president for administration, at the Council meeting last night.
