News

Casteen to stay for six more years

The University's Board of Visitors has determined that President John Casteen, III will hold his position for an additional six years, and Executive Vice President Leonard Sandridge's contract has been extended until 2009. There was no official process through which the BOV renewed Casteen's appointment, only an ongoing dialogue in which Casteen expressed his wish to prolong his tenure.

WILL YOU BE MINE?

Amendment to define marriage

Proposals for an amendment to the Virginia Constitution defining marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman passed both houses of the Virginia General Assembly earlier this week. On Tuesday, the final day before legislation had to be crossed over for consideration by the Senate 78 members of the House of Delegates voted in favor of the amendment, while 18 voted against it. "Marriage has and always should remain between a man and a woman," said Del.

New O'Hill dining facility to open after spring break

The Observatory Hill dining hall, which feeds thousands of students every year, is moving to its new location later this semester. "Right now we're shooting to have the new O-Hill open after Spring Break," Director of Dining Eddie Whedbee said.

Charter advances in Virginia Senate

State colleges and universities moved one step closer to gaining more administrative flexibility and autonomy Tuesday.

UJC expands jurisdiction

The Board of Visitors voted Friday to change the Standards of Conduct of the University Judiciary Committee. The change, which was announced to the UJC Sunday, is mainly one of jurisdiction, UJC Chair Angela Carrico said. As of Friday afternoon, jurisdiction of Standards No.

Correction Yesterday's textbox accompanying the article, "Council passes tabled legislation," incorrectly claimed that Student Council passed a bill to place a referendum on the spring ballot to recognize the death of fourth-year College student Brian Love.

Law schools seek to ban military recruiters on university campuses

A ten-year controversy over military recruiting on campuses could finally end up on the steps of the U.S.

New Faculty Senate committee begins work with fundraising

The co-chairs of the new Faculty Senate Development Committee will meet with the University's Senior Vice President of Development next week to lay the foundations for its first meeting, which is expected to be held in March. Faculty Senate Chair Marcia Childress said the new committee was created last spring based on a spring 2003 Senate statement that expressed faculty interest in having a voice in private fundraising. The committee's purpose is to provide a source of communication between the faculty and the University's development efforts, Childress said. "Ideally, it all ties in with fundraising," Childress said. English Prof.

BUS CHANGES ON TAP

It may not help with the morning walk of shame, but UTS is looking to implement weekend late-night bus service for partygoers and other night owls by the end of the semester.

Parking problems persist

The preponderance of cars traversing today's Grounds would no doubt surprise the University's founder, even given Mr. Jefferson's aptitude for technological innovation. The cars are here, though, and with the start of each new school year thousands of Wahoos with wheels return to Grounds and the surrounding neighborhoods. In competition for primo parking spots with faculty and staff, as well as Charlottesville's year-round residents, the struggle can often be Darwinian in nature. "Parking and transportation is not something that anybody is going to solve," said Clayton Powers, parking and transportation co-chair of the Student Council Student Life Committee.

Police Chief assesses C'ville safety

"Are we really any safer today? Are we truly any smarter now than we were then?" Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo queried during his presentation on "Homeland Security and Domestic Preparedness: Keeping America Safe" at the Miller Center for Public Affairs last night. On the topic of preparedness, Longo questioned whether any locality, such as Charlottesville, could truly have the means and resources to respond to a terror attack. Throughout the evening, Longo focused on measures the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County have taken to prepare for a possible terror strike in the wake of the Sept.

Council passes tabled legislation

At its meeting last night, Student Council passed seven pieces of legislation, including a bill that will send a ballot referendum to students asking their opinion on public records for Council members' votes. Council members debated the bill more than any other piece of legislation yesterday. "The only way we can be held accountable is by election or reelection," said Gavin Reddick, a representative from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Those opposed to the bill argued that it would politicize the process. "It would make it more an individual basis than Student Council as a whole," College Rep.

Sofka officially appeals dismissal to Casteen, Block

Politics Prof. James R. Sofka, who was dismissed from his post as director of the Echols Program last month, officially appealed his case to President John T.

University professors release report on youth violence prevention in schools

Education Profs. Dewey G. Cornell and Peter L. Sheras recently released a study on how youth violence can be prevented through means other than zero tolerance in order to foster a safer environment in school settings. The professors' preliminary results were developed into a publication titled "Guidelines for Responding to Student Threat of Violence," which was field-tested at 35 schools in Charlottesville and Albemarle County during the 2001-2002 school year.

FINDING FAITH

Judge strikes suit against City police

After nearly a year of controversy surrounding the Charlottesville Police Department's use of DNA testing in the search for the serial rapist, Judge Robert H.

Turner responds to Alpha Phi Alpha move

Since the University's chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity left the Black Fraternal Council in favor of the Inter-Fraternity Council last week, the reaction from the University community has been mixed. While the Alpha Phi Alphas say they believe their move was in the best interest of their fraternity and its mission, M.

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Bills aim to decrease underage drinking

Virginia lawmakers are in the process of cracking down on underage drinking and adults who facilitate it. The Virginia House of Delegates considered two bills this week targeting underage drinking and the so-called "keg party loophole." The first bill is an attempt to clarify the crime of underage drinking. Currently, the law states it is illegal for an underage person to purchase or possess an alcoholic beverage.