News

Democratic candidates hold rally at University

With the gubernatorial election only four days away, students, faculty and community members filled the Student Activities Building yesterday to show their support for visitors from the Commonwealth's Democratic ticket. "Tim Kaine is eager to come to colleges and universities because, unlike his opponent, he has a positive vision to bring down the cost of tuition," University Democrat President Dave Wasserman said. Members of the College Repblicans also were present outside the SAB before the rally began. "We are out here rallying for Jerry Kilgore," College Republicans President Brian Gunn said.

Breakdown of the Bulge: Meds May help

With ever-increasing amounts of Americans falling prey to weight problems, pharmaceutical companies are working on alternatives to help people lose weight other than good old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise. "Disease" or "epidemic" is a term you may hear in the context of the flu, cancer or heart problems.

Online profiles cause security concern

The University administration and the University Police Department are urging students to exercise caution when posting their personal information on social networking Web sites and online personal journals. University Police wants to "warn students and make them aware that this information has been used in the past to threaten students and make them feel unsafe," University Police Sgt.

U.Va. professors earn recognition in sciences

Three University professors were selected for the honor of fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) this week.

Study: Rt. 29 bypass may not improve traffic

According to a study conducted by Albemarle County officials, the traffic congestion on U.S. Route 29 in northern Charlottesville is caused primarily by local drivers and therefore would not be solved by a long-proposed Rt.

Youth vote in mock election

Students in elementary, middle and high schools across the country are engaging in the nation's largest online mock election hosted by the University's Center for Politics Youth Leadership Initiative. According to Lea Brown, director of instruction for the Youth Leadership Initiative for the Center of Politics, the majority of students will vote using an electronic ballot, but for classrooms with limited technology access, paper ballots also have been provided.

Council considers concerns at forum

Student Council held a forum and social open to members of the community who wished to voice their concerns about Council or the University community in Maury Hall last night. There is a renewed drive to get people involved this year, Council Vice President for Administration Okey Udumaga said. "We're going to lay the groundwork, but we need the support," he said. Fewer than 10 non-Council members came to address their concerns.

Council supports Tulane transfers

Student Council passed a resolution to support a request from first-year visiting students from Tulane to apply to the University as transfer students in a majority vote last night. First-year visiting students circulated a petition, garnering over 100 signatures, to allow them to transfer to the University before earning 24 credits.

Study finds more minorities enroll in graduate schools

Enrollment of graduate students from underrepresented groups increased significantly during the 2003-2004 academic year, according to a national report by the Council of Graduate Schools released Monday. The report showed a significant increase in enrollment of African-American students in biological science programs and business programs, 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

Students face $31 billion in unmet need nationally

College students across the country faced more than $31 billion in unmet financial need for the 2003-2004 school year, according to an analysis by a non-profit organization called Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY. The organization, which based its findings on a survey performed by the Department of Education, studied the reported financial situations of both dependent and independent students who attended institutions of higher-education.

Living Below the Line

For most members of the University community, Charlottesville represents a center of intellectual pursuit and learning, a city of privilege and status.

Candidates gear up for final week

As the Virginia gubernatorial election draws near, both the Democratic and Republican campaigns are increasing their outreach efforts to win over any voters who are still on the fence, Politics Prof.

Newcomb official dies at age 64

Newcomb Hall Building Manager Lazarus "Larry" Powell died Monday night of pneumonia. He was 64. Powell was the director of student building supervisors and assistants and worked very closely with them, Newcomb Hall Director Bill Ashby said. Powell had struggled with respiratory issues over the last few years. "I talked to Larry on Friday and Saturday, and his main concern was still the students," said Danny Steeper, assistant director for operations.

Faculty weigh tenure options

A majority of university presidents said they would prefer to change the faculty tenure system to one of long-term contracts, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education's recent survey of four-year college presidents. According to the survey, 53 percent of presidents said they would approve of ending the tenure system and 39 percent opposed the idea.

Honor Committee seeks to address honor debts

The Honor Committee's Community Relations Committee announced that it was looking to address more than $6,000 in honor debts accrued by past and current University students at the Student Book Store. An honor debt is defined as an extension of credit by a local merchant based on the retailer's reliance on students' adherence to the honor system to repay it. "We're looking into the possibility of suspension and bringing honor charges against students who do not pay," Vice Chair for Services Trevor McFadden said. According to Student Book Store Manager Jeremy Hunt, more than 80 students have incurred outstanding balances since fall 2000, so the retailer decided to bring the issue to the Community Relations Committee. "Really we've never made an attempt to collect any of it other than sending out statements to students with outstanding bills," Hunt said. The Student Book Store allows students the option of a student charge, which mails the book bill to the address of the student's choice. "Most students have it sent home," Hunt said. Hunt said he had the idea of bringing the matter to the Community Relations Committee after a Committee member visited the bookstore a few months ago. The Community Relations Committee will not be dealing with all 80 cases right away, McFadden said.

Two U.Va. students robbed Sunday

Two University students were robbed in two separate incidents Sunday, the first by a group of individuals on Madison Lane and the second at gunpoint on Shamrock Road. The first robbery occurred at 2 a.m.

Provost alters academic calendar for J-term

The Office of the Provost changed the academic calendar for the January term, replacing class on Monday Jan.

Trick or treat

Students design affordable housing

University students, working together with the Piedmont Housing Alliance, are a few weeks away from completing the first prototype of three affordable modular housing projects known as ecoMOD. The goal was to "use strategies that will reduce financial burdens on the people in the house," Architecture Prof.

New student elects to have open Honor trial

Another student has opted to have an open honor trial on Nov. 13, entirely unrelated to the cancelled open trial that had been scheduled for Nov.