News

Number of international grad students grows

A report released yesterday by the Council of Graduate Schools shows that graduate school applications nationally from international students has increased significantly from 2005 to 2006. This year's 11 percent increase follows a cumulative decline of 32 percent from 2003 to 2005, according to the report. The report shows large gains in the volume of graduate applications from China, with a 23 percent, and India, with a 21 percent increase. Stuart Heiser, manager of government relations and public affairs at the Council of Graduate Schools, describes the increases in these two countries as a natural recovery after a noticeable decline following Sept.

Study shows effects of professors' politics

A study presented to Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday announced that the perceived partisanship of professors by students may have an impact on the quality of a classroom. Matthew Woessner, assistant professor of public policy at Pennsylvania State University, and his wife April Kelly-Woessner, assistant professor of political science at Elizabethtown College, conducted a survey of 1,385 undergraduate politics students from schools in 18 different states. "We wanted to see how perceptions of professors' partisanship influence the students' assessment of the professors objectivity and overall caring of the students and classroom," Woessner said. The study found that the stronger the perceived political views of a professor, the less credible the professor seemed, Woessner said. "On the whole, when a professor is perceived as a strong Republican or strong Democrat, these professors had less credibility and objectivity in the eyes of students," Woessner said. Woessner added that at times these professors' views can distance students. "The reason that a strong Republican or Democrat can have a little more trouble in a classroom is that they tend to alienate more factions of the class than those that come across as moderate," Woessner said. Woessner said they are still deciding how to fully interpret the data. He added that they wouldn't recommend that faculty fully adapt their teaching to students, but they should offer a balanced ideological approach to curriculum. "It doesn't benefit their students to come across as highly partisan," Woessner said. Woessner added that they have formulated some suggestions for professors, such as providing a "balanced assessment of partisan events in the country" and refraining from "endorsing particular policies in the country". Some University professors agreed with Woessner's advice. "There's a difference between a study and an opinion, and in the classroom, you want to distinguish between the two when you're lecturing," politics Prof.

Judiciary Committee holds mock trial

The University Judiciary Committee held a mock trial last night to educate newly elected judges. In a fictitious accusation, current UJC chair Tim Ormsby stood accused of stealing a keg from Theta Delta Chi fraternity while intoxicated.

Va. ranked second in business friendliness

The Commonwealth has been named the second most "business-friendly" state for the second year in a row, according to a study conducted by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Co., a site-selection company. Dr. Ronald Pollina, president of Pollina Real Estate Co., has been conducting this research annually for three years, evaluating states in a two-phase system before ranking them. "First, we evaluate every state on fifteen factors, including how states tax businesses, human resources within the state, right to work legislation, energy costs, what they spend on infrastructure and workers comp.

Visitor died from alcohol intoxication

The death of Cornell student Matthew Pearlstone at the University last week was accidental and due to "alcohol intoxication," according to Arkuie Williams, central district administrator at the chief medical examiner's office in Richmond.

Money spent per student on the decline

A national study released yesterday by the State Higher Education Executive Officers found that while average state appropriations for higher education have increased, the amount of money from state and local funding per student is on a downturn. SHEEO is a national association of state-level higher education governing board chief executives. According to the study, which looked at figures compiled from the 1980 to the 2005 fiscal year, state spending per student nationally (adjusted for inflation) has fallen from a record high in 2001 of $7,121 to $5,833 in 2005. The report also calls attention to the fact that trends in enrollment, inflation and tuition price percentages have increased nationally, according to David Wright, senior research analyst at SHEEO. Statistics for Virginia in relation to the SHEEO report seem to not only match but surpass the national trends in higher education financing, Wright said. "In Virginia, the exact figure [for the percentage decrease in appropriated funds per student] is negative 27.1 percent from $6,757 in 2001 to $4,927 in 2005 ... in contrast to the national average, which decreased 18.1 percent in that time period -- from the 25-year high of $7121," Wright said.

University Law student chosen as Hunton & Williams Pro Bono Fellow

University Law student Kate Duvall was recently selected as a Hunton & Williams Pro Bono Fellow, a prestigious position given to one graduating Law student every two years. Duvall said she will begin her job at Hunton & Williams next fall, after she passes the bar exam.

Harvey discusses Latino/Hispanic affairs

In an address in the Rotunda last night, University Chief Diversity Officer William Harvey discussed the current state of Latino/Hispanic affairs at the University as well as his plans for increasing diversity at the University in the near future. Harvey said progress is being made toward increasing the number of Latino/Hispanic students at the University, noting that the number of Latino/Hispanic applicants and accepted students are both increasing.

University parking rates to increase

The University's Department of Parking and Transportation announced this week that parking rates will increase starting June 1. Dormitory parking permits for students living on Grounds next semester will go up $6 per month. Permits for premium reserved lots around Cabell Hall and Thornton, as well as reserved lots along the southeast corner of the stadium and Culbreth Theatre will experience a four-dollar increase.

Cavs defeat Miami in round two of NIT

Thomas Jefferson Foundation awards medal in architecture

Practicing architect Peter Zumthor, a professor at the Academy of Architecture within the University of Italian Switzerland, will receive the 2006 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture at the Founder's Day ceremony April 12. Zumthor will give a speech the following day. The award is given by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which operates Monticello.

StudCo hears update on student memorial plans

A plan to construct a memorial for students who have lost their lives while attending the University was presented to Student Council at last night's meeting. According to College Rep.

Student group donates $50,000 to new mcintire building

"Triviality" not to be used in open trial

The constitutional change rewording the "seriousness" criterion to "triviality" will not affect the open honor trial to be held this Sunday. According to Honor Committee Chair David Hobbs, the constitutional change will only affect trials reported after the change was approved by the student body. Hobbs also noted that the recent by-law change concerning the order in which counsels will speak will be in effect at this trial.

Clinical Nurse Leader program receives grant

The Nursing School's Clinical Nurse Leader program recently received a grant for $1,320,000 from the Helene Fuld Health trust. The fellowship's primary function is to provide aid to students seeking nursing education, Nursing School Dean Jeanette Lancaster said. Eighty-five percent of the fellowship is going directly toward tuition aid for all 20 students participating in the program and the remaining 15 percent is program support, said David Black, assistant vice president for development at the Nursing School. "The fellowship will virtually fund the first [class] for the full two years, and the next [class] will get one year's release from tuition," Lancaster said. While the fellowship is not permanent, the CNL program has the option to apply for it again, Lancaster said. The CNL program is one of 90 pilot programs around the country that enable students to earn a master's degree in general nursing, Black said. This is an entry-level program which allows qualified students with bachelor's degrees in any other field of study to obtain a master's in general nursing, he added. "The program is extremely competitive -- we are looking for extremely bright and motivated students who will become nursing leaders," he said. The CNL program was created out of a call from the medical profession for a nurse that was less specialized but can be the person who coordinates all of the health needs for the patients, Lancaster said. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing then outlined what the new kind of program should look like, Black said. The 24-month CNL Program is meant to be a new model for nursing education, he added. The program's 20 students will complete 800-900 clinical hours over the two-year period, working individually with a teacher, referred to as a "preceptor," as well as spending significant time in the classroom, Lancaster said. "Our program is unique from the other programs because from the first day our students are providing care one-on-one with their preceptor," she said. The feedback from the University Medical Center about the program has been extremely positive, she said. Because the program is only one year old and has experienced a great deal of success, it is expected that the pilot will become a full program, she added.

Building Bonds

By Maggie Thornton Cavalier Daily Associate Editor The word "fraternity" typically brings many images to mind -- girls on Rugby Road wearing stiletto heels in January, pastel popped colors, fraternity parties that last all weekend.

U.Va. selects Jeff Scholars for class of '10

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation has made its annual scholarship offers to 44 students selected by a committee composed of alumni, faculty and administrators, according to Alex Inman, a representative for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, which is affiliated with the Alumni Association. The Jefferson Scholars selection weekend began last Thursday and concluded with interviews Sunday morning. Inman described the weekend as a four-day event which served not only to select the winners but also to let all 96 finalists become acquainted with the University and build relationships among themselves. The schedule of events included both testing and evaluation of the nominees as well as information sessions and dinners, Inman said. A Jefferson Scholarship covers the full cost of attending the University, including books, room, board and other expenses. James Wright, president of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, said in general they "have been offering between 40 and 44 or 45" scholarships while the number of scholars who matriculate the University has been between 30 and 35 students. Inman said the numbers vary from year to year because, although a number of specific scholarships exist, the committee does not work from a quota. The Jefferson Scholars program focuses on three qualities: leadership, scholarship and citizenship, Inman said. Inman also said while a "strong majority become Echols or Rodman Scholars," not all Jefferson Scholars are selected for the Echols and Rodman programs.

WEEKEND's HONOR TRIAL RECAP

Saturday, March 18 An undergraduate student in the College was found not guilty of cheating on a test in an introductory level course by a panel of random students.