News

Casteen speaks on state of the University

University President John T. Casteen, III addressed the University community in his annual State of the University speech Friday afternoon, which included discussion of issues such as state budget cuts, the Capital Campaign, student safety, the Living Wage Campaign and academic advances made in the past year. Casteen asked those in attendance to be mindful of the risks to the University posed by a budget impasse in the Virginia General Assembly, which adjourned March 11 without agreeing to a spending plan. "I have confidence, as I hope you do, that the General Assembly and the governor will resolve this impasse and conduct the public business," Casteen said.

Board of Visitors approves tuition aligned with six-year plan

The Board of Visitors met Saturday to approve increases in tuition fees by $665 for in-state undergraduate students and $1,845 for out-of-state students. New tuition rates are aligned with the University's Six-Year Plan, a strategy approved in September 2005 that binds the University to fixed, annual allocations in exchange for moderate tuition increases and observance of state-directed mandates.

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U.Va. names director of graduate student diversity programs

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Schools has hired Cheryl Burgan Evans as the director of graduate student diversity programs, a new position in the administration. Provost Gene Block, a member of the group who interviewed Evans for the position in February, explained that the decision to hire Evans is part of a broader University goal to expand the diversity of its student body. "She was hired in response to a recognized need of continuing the effort to diversify the student body," Block said, adding that the University needs "more aggressiveness in this issue." Block said Evans will play a key role in designing a diverse portfolio of prospective students. "If you want to have a diverse graduate student body, you have to identify techniques for reaching students from diverse backgrounds," Block said.

Free expression monument debuts

The Downtown Mall now boasts "The Community Chalkboard and Podium: A Monument to the First Amendment," a monument dedicated by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression in a ceremony held yesterday morning. The 42-foot-long monument, designed by architects Peter O'Shea and Robert Winstead, bears inscriptions of the First Amendment and the words of U.S.

Candidates for City Council speak about election issues

Yesterday, Charlottesville City Council candidates discussed election issues with The Cavalier Daily that affect the University and Charlottesville communities.

223 faculty members endorse "living wage"

English Prof. Herbert Tucker joined students on the steps of the Rotunda yesterday at the Living Wage Campaign "teach-in" to read a letter endorsed by 223 faculty members.

Legality of "living wage" debated

Debate is growing over the legality and potential consequences of implementing a "living wage" as a result of differing interpretations of the Virginia Public Procurement Act. The University has indicated it cannot enact a "living wage," citing an advisory letter from the Attorney General's Office to the University.

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U.Va.-Wise inaugurates new chancellor

David J. Prior was officially inaugurated as the seventh chancellor of the University of Virginia's College at Wise last Friday. More than 800 faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the College attended the event. President John T.

Forum addresses history of slavery at the University

Students and professors discussed the University's history of slavery last night at the forum, "Acknowledging Slavery at U.Va.," sponsored by the Office of African-American Affairs.

Former student indicted for rape

Former University student William Beebe was indicted by a grand jury Monday, 22 years after allegedly raping University alumna Elizabeth Seccuro, according to several media reports. One indictment of rape was handed down along with one indictment of animate object penetration.

StudCo lacks conflict of interest policy

The recently elected members of Student Council, who assumed their new roles Tuesday night, will continue to deal with concerns related to the possible perception of a Conflict of Interest for Council members with regard to fundraising appropriations. According to Student Council president Darius Nabors, Student Council does not have a policy in place that regulates Council members' involvement in other CIOs for which Council allows fundraising options. "I wouldn't say that there's a specific policy but generally speaking ... to be fair with any group [with which] you're dealing," Nabors said.

Living Wage Campaign, professors hold teach-in on Rotunda steps

The Living Wage Campaign held a teach-in yesterday on the steps of the Rotunda after the University ordered the removal of the tents of protesters from Madison Hall by yesterday morning. The teach-in followed a weekend in which 17 campaign members were arrested for sitting in at Madison Hall. "I was really pleased with the content and turnout," Campaign organizer Benjamin Van Dyne said. Topics of the teach-in, which drew approximately 140 people, included speeches from faculty members about the economics, history and moral imperatives of the "living wage." Van Dyne attributed the high turnout in part to the notoriety spurred by the 17 arrests. The greater visibility of the Living Wage Campaign has also drawn critics. Fourth-year College student and Market Wage Campaign organizer Karin Agness said the Living Wage Campaign relies mainly on emotional and moral arguments, but that economic theory and practice are against imposing a high artificial wage floor. "We care just as much about these low-wage workers" as the Living Wage Campaign, Agness said.

Keydets no match for powerful Cavs

Appropriations for CIOs next year experience cuts

The Student Council Appropriations Committee enacted cuts across the board in the allocations it distributed last night for next year's CIO funding. Of the $600,000 allocated to the committee for distribution, $395,341.20 was awarded to the 288 CIO funding requests, leaving approximately $200,000 for rolling-basis allocations that will be awarded throughout fall 2006 and spring 2007. The committee made cuts based on Student Council goals and popular demand, Appropriations Committee Co-Chair Michael Love said. "No group received 100 percent of its request -- everyone would have been cut a little," Love said.

Student Council transitions officers

Student Council members officially transitioned into their new positions at their meeting last night. In her parting words, outgoing Council President Jequeatta Upton discussed Council's accomplishments over the past year, including its work with housing and its response to the reported incidents of racism. "I've learned so much from working with the executive board," Upton said.

The road to 1970

Graduate students have far greater concerns than the weekly discussion sections they teach. On top of classes, work and teaching sections, the graduate student experience culminates in a dissertation.

Large black box placed on display by student group

A large ambiguous black box appeared between the Chemistry building and Gilmer Tuesday morning. The eight-by-eight-by-eight foot cube is part of an installation by the Green Grounds Group, said Architecture graduate student Chris David, head of the group's energy initiative. "This box is actually meant to represent one week's worth of coal wasted due to lights being left on at night unnecessarily," David said. The structure is composed of four plywood walls with "8x8x8" chalked on each side. Architecture graduate student Kathy Cacciola described the project as "a group effort of brainstorming what this could look like." Last fall, the group conducted a survey of nighttime electricity usage, in conjunction with Paul Crumpler, energy program manager for the University, David said. "Basically what we did was we all got together around 10 o'clock in the evening and surveyed as many buildings as we could," said David. David described the study as consisting of taking estimates of the number of lights left on unnecessarily at night in buildings around Grounds. "For lighting, the best thing to do is turn off the lights when [people] leave," Crumpler said, describing possible energy-saving alternatives.

Dave Matthews Band tickets will go on sale this Saturday

Tickets to the Dave Matthews Band concert, the first concert at the new John Paul Jones Arena, will go on sale to the general public Saturday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m., according to a press release. Liz Flynn, director of marketing for the John Paul Jones Arena, said shows are scheduled for Friday, Sept.