News

Computer porn leads to U.Va. employee firings

The University publicly issued a warning and dismissed two employees this semester after fellow employees reported they had used University computers to view and download pornography. A Dining Services employee was arrested in February and charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography, the University reported in its warning issued April 11. Cases of suspected possession or viewing of child pornography, which is federally outlawed, are immediately turned over to the police.

Task force addresses housing

The Charlottesville City Council voted last week 4-1 to accept a charge presented by the City's Housing Policy Task Force.

More prospective college students waitlisted

As students checked their mailboxes for letters from their choice colleges this spring, increasing numbers are finding that they have been placed on waitlists. According to the most recent State of College Admission report, conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, "middle selectivity-range" colleges, or those which accept between 50 and 85 percent of applicants, are "significantly more likely to report an increase in the number of students waitlisted than the most highly selective institutions." The report also states that, among colleges that hold a waitlist, there has been a 52 percent increase in the number of students who are placed on them. The University accepts fewer than 50 percent of all applicants, yet also has a very large pool of waitlisted applicants.

New system to organize room reservations

By Becca Garrison Cavalier Daily Associate Editor The system for requesting the reservation of spaces for meetings and events on and near Grounds will switch this summer, from the interim system COMPASS (Catalog of Meeting Places and Student Spaces) to the new SOURCE (Schedule of University Reservations and Calendar of Events). The SOURCE will be tested in a production mode throughout the month of August and be ready to serve students, faculty and staff as of the fall 2005 semester, according to University Registrar Carol Stanley. The idea of the system is that a member of the University Community can "go to the SOURCE and see what spaces might be available and submit a request," Stanley said.

playing in the grass

Army ROTC enrollment decreases

The University's Army ROTC has experienced an overall decrease in enrollment since last year but retention remains steady, according to the University Army ROTC Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel Hampton Hite. According to Hite, University Army ROTC enrollment is down 10 percent from last year. Some believe the possibility of deployment to Iraq is turning more prospective students away.

School board superintendent steps down

The Charlottesville School Board voted 5-2 in favor of accepting the resignation of Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent Scottie Griffin on Thursday. Griffin, who was Charlottesville's first black superintendent, resigned after 10 months on the job. M.

Pepare for inspection

StudCo, Service Coalition hold annual CIO awards

Last night, Student Council and the Virginia Service Coalition recognized 19 University CIOs for their achievements in areas such as diversity and service over the past year at the annual CIO Awards Ceremony, held for the first time in the Rotunda Dome Room. This year, Council recognized Sustained Dialogue as the most outstanding large CIO, because it now is being used as a model for other schools, garnering national attention, Council Chair of Diversity Initiatives Elizabeth Chu said, as she presented the award. Council also recognized Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority as the most outstanding small CIO, in part because of its production on diversity, titled "Portraits," that sparked discussion among University students. Other CIOs received recognition from the Virginia Service Coalition for their contributions to service-related events.

Student robbed at knifepoint

A fourth-year University student reported he was robbed at knifepoint early Sunday morning near the intersection of John and 14th Streets.

Female hospitalized after frat party injury

Early Saturday morning, a 17-year-old female fell off a balcony at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house during a party and sustained injuries for which she is currently is being treated at the University Medical Center, according to Pi Kappa Alpha President Sean Sullivan and Charlottesville Police Sgt.

Honor considers new role for case initiators

The Honor Committee heard a proposal last night designed to alleviate some of the burdens that fall upon the initiator of an honor case. The proposal, titled "Modifying the Initiator," was advanced by the Student Initiations Ad Hoc Committee, which also put forth another proposal last week, the "Honor Representatives System." Under the proposal presented last night, the title "initiator" would be changed to "reporter" in all honor cases.

First annual student planting project begins on Earth Day

In the spirit of Earth Day, the Arboretum and Landscape Committee will sponsor the first annual Student Planting Project today along Engineer's Way by Thornton Hall. "We've been trying to find ways to celebrate and bring greater attention to the Grounds and the beautiful asset and important role the Grounds play in the University community, and so tying it to the Earth Day celebration seems like a good fit," Arboretum and Landscape Committee Chair Nancy Takahashi said.

Newcomb Hall reports stolen LCD

An LCD projector with computer and video capabilities worth over $5,500 was stolen from Newcomb Hall Wednesday night, according to Newcomb Hall Director Bill Ashby. The projector was removed from a ceiling mount between approximately 10:30 p.m.

trends in developing societies

More students ride late-night busing

The high number of late-night bus riders last weekend indicates that University Transportation System's late-night service has continued to be successful, according to Clayton Powers, Student Council's co-chair for the Student Life Committee. The program enters its third pilot weekend today. "We've been very happy with the numbers," Powers said.

Rectracted

The Cavalier Daily has recently discovered that the Science column,

U.Va. sustains search for diverse faculty members

The University is continuing its efforts to understand and overcome the obstacles of obtaining a more diverse candidate pool for faculty positions. As a way of enhancing the processes followed by faculty search committees, Gertrude Fraser, vice provost for faculty advancement, recently organized a series of workshops at the University with diversity expert JoAnn Moody.

Leviathans of the wind: the new technology revealed in races of super catamarans

February 5, 2005, four of the world's eight multi-hulled super-yachts slid out of the port city of Doha in the Middle Eastern Gulf State of Qatar and began one of the most extreme sports events in history: a grueling 40,000 kilometer sailing race called "Oryx Quest 2005." The route took the huge vessels down the Indian Ocean into the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, cutting past Cape Horn and through the Cape of Good Hope and then northeast back into Doha.

U.Va. prepares to move toward autonomy

With the General Assembly's passage of the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act earlier this month -- the legislation once known as the charter initiative -- Virginia institutions of higher education are now set to begin the restructuring process. Institutions will need to meet standards and perform tasks outlined by the bill before they will be allowed to move up through levels of progressive autonomy, University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. All Virginia public colleges and universities automatically will be considered level one.