News

U.Va. students nominated for scholarship

Three University students were nominated last week for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The three nominees from the University are third-year College student Ross Baird, third-year College student Margaret Bolton and third-year Engineering student Alison Tramba. The Truman Scholarship is a nationally recognized government fund created in memory of the late president. The award is focused on financing third-year students in their fourth year and continuing graduate school studies, with up to $30,000. According to the Truman Scholarship Web site, the first scholarship was awarded in 1978 after being created by a congressional bill passed in 1975. The application process for the Truman Scholarship is an extensive one, said Tara Yglesias, deputy executive secretary of the Truman Scholarship Foundation. "Usually, we get about 600 applicants in the initial round, ask back 200 for interviews, then choose 70 to 75 students as scholars," Yglesias said. Recipients are selected on the basis of a variety of qualifications, Yglesias said. "The students chosen are of the highest degree of leadership, academic success and public service," she said.

Web site releases grade distributions for courses

A student-run course evaluation Web site located at thecourseforum.com recently released grade distributions, many of which pertained to this semester's classes and professors. The Course Forum, created last semester by third-year College student Alan Webb and third-year Engineering student Jeff Bordogna, features ratings submitted by students of class offerings as well as University professors, Bordogna explained. "We have students go on there and rate both teachers and classes," Bordogna said. According to Bordogna, The Course Forum was designed to integrate the positive aspects of such evaluative Web sites as the Course Offering Directory ranking site and ratemyprofessor.com. As students, Webb and Bordogna used their own preferences as well as information they received from their classmates, Bordogna said. "We basically took what students wanted -- what information they'd want to know about a class or teacher -- and we made it into a complex easy-to-use system for the students," Bordogna said. The Web site was able to increase its database release this semester by incorporating grade distributions, along with the information compiled by its nearly 1400 users, Webb said. "Every class and professor that was available this semester, the number of A's and B's, etc.

More high school students pass Advanced Placement exams

More students than ever before are passing AP exams, said Trevor Packer, executive director of the Advanced Placement program for the College Board. Last year, 14.1 percent of graduating seniors scored three or higher on AP exams, while during 2004, 13.2 percent scored three or higher, according to an announcement by the College Board released on Tuesday.

Preparations for chapel repairs begin

The University will begin construction on the deteriorating mortar on the exterior stone walls of the University Chapel's bell tower this summer, starting in early June and continuing until the following December. The deterioration of the mortar is not an "imminent danger, but it does need to be addressed now," said historical preservation project manager Jody Lahendro. Despite the fact that there is no immediate danger, in accordance with the current building code, a wooden safety fence is being erected 15 feet around the perimeter of the bell tower to ensure pedestrian safety, according to a press release from project manager Lynn Rush. The effort, named the Chapel Bell Tower Roofing and Masonry Repair Project, will include repairs to the mortar on the stone exterior walls of the tower, as well as roof and ventilation repairs, Rush said. "There are a lot of moisture problems right now," Rush explained. To ensure the historic integrity of the building, which was originally designed in 1883, the construction plans are being prepared with consultation from an architectural preservation firm, as well as a historic preservation masonry contractor, according to the release. "We recognize the chapel is a significant, important and historic aspect to the University, and we will ensure that the historic character of the building was understood, respected and then restored as we do the repair work," Lahendro said. While some of the mortar will be replaced without removing the stones, a few of the stones at the top will be taken out, he said.

Resolution requests use of credit cards

Student Council introduced a resolution last night to support the acceptance of credit cards as a payment option for tuition and fees. According to the resolution, "tuition and fees can be a large expense" and by paying this expense with a credit card, students and families can "yield material benefits." Arthur Durst, a Council representative and sponsor of the resolution, said schools such as Georgetown, Johns Hopkins and the University of Texas currently offer credit card payment options. "It's kind of ridiculous that you can go to McDonald's and buy a Coke [with a credit card], but you can't pay your college tuition with it," he said. Durst explained "U.Va.

Study explores policies for aid approval

A study released yesterday by the Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform explores how different states decide whether to distribute financial aid to students with prior drug convictions. The study found that states currently use three different systems to determine the eligibility of students for state financial aid.

Council calls for benefits in resolution

Student Council approved a resolution last night which supports efforts of the University and other state colleges and universities to offer domestic partner benefits to employees and graduate students. Currently, such benefits are not permitted under HB 751, a 2004 state bill which says that state agencies, including the University, cannot provide benefits for unmarried couples.

Employee annual drive donations increase

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign reported an increase in annual drive donations, with the University making its largest contribution in the history of its participation in the CVC. The CVC is a state government initiative that allows state employees the chance to donate to charities.

Flag flies at half-Staff

A new view for a Southside U.

In 1985 when College second-year Grant Woolard was born, his hometown of Martinsville, Virginia was the "Sweatshirt Capital of the World." A town where bluegrass plays on the radio and NASCAR is the sport of choice, Martinsville had a thriving industry in furniture and textile manufacturing. Today, though, Martinsville is better known for its unemployment and economic difficulties. "It's really just a lot of warehouses that are empty," Woolard said.

HONOR RECAP

Feb. 4 An undergraduate student in the College was found not guilty of plagiarism in an introductory level course by a panel of random students.

Correction

In yesterday's article "IFC, ISC work to curb sexual assault" (Feb. 6), Kyle Boynton was erroneously identified as the president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.

Colleges work to open up minority-exclusive programs

In an effort to comply with the 2003 Supreme Court rulings regarding affirmative action, some universities are opening up formerly minority-exclusive programs and scholarships to all students.

Honor may require one member on trial juries

Honor Committee members discussed a proposal Sunday night to add at least one Committee member to all Honor trial juries. Should the proposal be approved by the Committee and then the student body, accused students would retain the right to chose how many Committee members, in addition to the mandatory one, will serve on the jury panel. Currently, accused students have three options for juries: all random students, all Committee members or any combination of the two.

Education Department official speaks at Rotunda

Henry L. Johnson, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education for the U.S. Department of Education, made a speech in the Dome Room of the Rotunda yesterday afternoon that offered a positive analysis of the current progress and future achievement of primary and secondary education in the United States. Johnson discussed the critical role the No Child Left Behind legislation has played in school improvements as well as current plans which will shape American education in the future. "No Child encourages rigor and accountability," Johnson said.

U.Va. meets security standards

The University has met the nearly all of the recommendations for campus safety and security recently proposed by Virginia21, an "action-tank", or political advocate, for young people, Dean of Students Penny Rue said. Virginia21 announced its newest plan to increase safety and security on college campuses state-wide Thursday with the three-part "Protect Virginia Students" proposal. Virginia21 has three main goals: strengthen campus police, increase the accountability of universities and give power to college communities to solve problems on their own, according to Virginia21 spokesperson David Solimini. The "Protect Virginia Students" plan, which comes after an extensive two-year study of campus crime by the Virginia Crime Commission, will create a "college law-enforcement center to set standards and guidelines for campus police across the state," Solimini said. The Center will also create a centralized data collection network to be implemented by all state universities, he said. Currently, the State Department of Education evaluates Virginia colleges and universities annually in areas including affordability, diversity and availability of financial aid.

Virginia General Assembly votes to lift sales tax

The House of Delegates voted unanimously Monday to suspend the five percent sales tax on back to school items for three days in August, according to the General Assembly's legislative database.

U.Va. experts speculate on Boehner's impact on higher ed.

As Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, takes on the role of majority leader in the U. S. House of Representatives, University faculty said they are waiting to see what actions the former chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce will take in reforming higher education in his new position. Boehner has been active in promoting education legislation, specifically the College Access and Opportunity Act, which would reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

Board of Visitors makes diversity a broader goal

Suggestions for improving diversity within the University became a major discussion point among the Board of Visitors' seven standing committee reports presented to the entire Board Friday. While the Special Committee on Diversity was developed in 2003 to focus specifically on the University's diversity initiatives, Friday's meeting featured discussion of diversity among all of the Board's committees. This development "is quite different from how it was three years ago," said Warren M.