News

BOV meeting highlights Research, diversity

The Board of Visitors continued its April session into Friday with discussion on the University's intellectual property policy, faculty diversity, alumni relations improvement efforts and various student issues. Committee presentations to the Board continued on Friday, beginning with the Educational Policy Committee's report. Ariel Gomez, vice president for research and graduate studies, presented the Committee's evaluation that focused primarily on intellectual property and "technology transfer" issues. Gomez discussed the University's intellectual property rights to products that develop through University research.

BOV sets sights on top ranking for University

The April session of the Board of Visitors commenced yesterday in Darden's Abbot Hall, bringing with it new goals, new metrics to evaluate progress and new finance plans for the University. The Special Committee on Planning opened the meeting with its presentation and analysis of the University's national and international rankings. Ariel Gomez, vice president for research and graduate studies, presented a comparison and analysis of the significance of four published measurements, including the U.S.

Students gather for a solemn event

Study finds converging black holes

A study released yesterday, done by astronomers at the University, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and Bonn University, with University Astronomy Prof.

Scheduled open Honor trial to be closed

An honor trial originally scheduled to be open to the public this weekend will be closed to the public, Honor Chair Alison Tramba said. Accused students have the right to change their mind about whether the trial will be open or closed until the day before the trial, she added. Two open honor trials have already been held in the 2005-2006 school year.

BOV votes to approve South Lawn Project

The Building and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors unanimously approved commencement of the South Lawn Project yesterday. The projected cost of $100 million will be spent over three phases, University architect David Neuman said. The first phase, slated to begin in 2007, will extend the Lawn across Jefferson Park Avenue and include new buildings for the History, Politics and Religion departments. This phase is projected to cost $65 million, Neuman said. Phase II will allow an additional building to be added without tearing down any of the nearby apartment buildings owned by the University. Phase III will "engage" New Cabell Hall with the South Lawn by building a new entryway into New Cabell Hall on the third story. Upon completion, the 100-feet wide space will include gardens, a conservatory, a café and lounges for students, in addition to academic space.

Zeta Psi to retain IFC status, faces sanctions

The Presidents' Council of the Inter-Fraternity Council voted last night to continue to recognize Zeta Psi despite the recent recommendation of the Inter-Fraternity Council Judiciary Committee to remove IFC recognition of the fraternity. The Cavalier Daily reported Tuesday that Zeta Psi was investigated after a first-year student was arrested for driving under the influence while returning from an off-campus Zeta Psi rush event in December.

New study examines effect of student debt

The Public Interest Research Group released a report yesterday about rising student loan debt and its burden on graduates who want to pursue "socially important" careers, such as teaching and social work. Luke Swarthout, associate for the State PIRG Higher Education Project, wrote the report and explained how loans are preventing undergraduates from pursuing much needed jobs. In Virginia, 30 percent of public university graduates and nearly 50 percent of private university graduates will have "unmanageable" student debt if they become a teacher after school, Swarthout said.

BOV plans to address topics ranging from the South Lawn Project to national rankings

Discussion ranging from the South Lawn Project to the University's national rankings will take place at Darden today, as committee reports are presented at this week's Board of Visitors meeting. The Board, which is scheduled to meet today, tomorrow and Saturday, usually takes this time to approve tuition rates.

BOV meeting begins today; Kaine appoints new member

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced today the reappointments of three members of the University's Board of Visitors along with a new appointment to replace departing Board member Mark J.

Governor visits University

In a special appearance yesterday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine spoke about his financial concerns and campaign goals to Prof.

Fire prompts evacuation of Architecture building

Smoke from a mulch fire caused the Fine Arts Library and the lower level of Campbell Hall at the Architecture School to be evacuated yesterday. The fire, which occurred after 10 a.m.

Study: Blacks, Hispanics face slower degree completion

A study released Monday by the American Council of Education found that black and Hispanic students complete math and science degrees at a slower rate than do their white and Asian peers. The study, which tracked the progress of 12,000 students starting in 1995, found that although black and Hispanic students enter college interested in majoring in science, technology, engineering or math at rates comparable to those of whites and Asians, the number of them that complete their studies in the sciences is significantly lower, according to the release. Chief Diversity Officer Bill Harvey said "the problem is larger than we've positioned it." He added that he believes the decrease to be part of a much larger global issue, as jobs are leaving the country because of a lack of emphasis on the sciences. The survey found a correlation between completion rates and factors such as family income and high school curriculum, with "completers" generally coming from more privileged backgrounds. Harvey expressed a similar sentiment, saying a large part of the rate discrepancy comes from the fact that "students from communities that have been underserved" have been presented "less opportunities than their white counterparts." The University has several programs aimed at increasing minority representation in the sciences, including the Center for Diversity in Engineering and the Excellence in Diversity fellowships program.

Exhibits display students' studio art

Monday marked the beginning of the University studio art students' personal exhibitions on the Downtown Mall, University Art Prof.

Black Leaders Reign in Student Government

Though the University has only regularly admitted black students since the 1950s, these students have seized the opportunity to lead their peers. The University has elected eight black student council presidents in only 56 years since the first black student enrolled at the University.

Honor verdicts highlightconscientious retractions

On the same day student Steve Gilday was found guilty in an honor trial after not adhering to the by-laws concerning conscientious retraction, another student was found not guilty once a jury ruled his or her conscientious retraction to be valid in a different honor trial.

Virginia's Festival of the Book draws record-breaking audience

Virginia's 12th Festival of the Book, hosted in Charlottesville by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, drew a record audience of over 26,000 to its 250 literary events, said Nancy Damon, program director of the festival. The Festival, an annual celebration of reading and writing, featured around 300 writers in venues varying from the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library to the Downtown Mall. The five-day event, free to the public, began March 22 and featured readings by several University professors, including creative writing Professors Rita Dove and Gregory Orr. In one event, three University graduates each read from their new books of poetry. "The Festival celebrates writing, celebrates writers and creates an opportunity for writers and readers to interact," Orr said. Creative Writing Prof.

Highly touted freshmen impressive so far

Critics say college athletics programs negate academics

As the NCAA basketball tournament continues, interest groups are discussing the increasing commercialization of college sports and the effects on student-athletes. One such organization is the Drake Group, an organization of faculty members from colleges and universities all over the country, whose purpose is to help faculty and staff "defend academic integrity in the college sport industry", according to their Web site. The group held a conference during last weekend's Final Four basketball games to discuss the situation of academics and commercialization of college sports, said Michael Malec, executive committee member of The Drake Group. Citing the commercial aspects of college sports, Malec said, "There's hundreds of millions of dollars going to broadcast the Final Four.