News

Student Councilwill consider hate crime Standard

Student Council is expected to vote tonight on a spring ballot referendum to add a provision for hate crimes sanctioning to the University Judicial Committee Standards of Conduct. The referendum is a general question that asks students if they would support an amendment to the UJC Standards of Conduct that would allow for harsher sanctioning in cases motivated by "hate". The referendum was proposed in response to recent racially-motivated incidents on Grounds. "What we are trying to do is make the punishment more strict for those convicted of crimes motivated by hate," said Tom Gibson, one of the Student Council representatives who introduced the legislation. The referendum is intended to gauge student opinion on the issue. A hate crimes Standard would change the judicial process because judges would need to investigate motive during a Trial For Guilt, UJC Chair Angela Carrico said. Currently, a Trial For Guilt only deals with the particular incident while a Trial For Sanction looks at other factors such as previous record, character and motive. Although there is no specific mention of hate crimes in the Standards, UJC by-laws allow judges discretion, especially in exceptional cases. "In the Trial For Sanction, judges always take motive into account," Carrico said. Any change to the UJC Standards of Conduct requires the approval of the Board of Visitors. The UJC Standards of Conduct was recently amended, with the Board's approval, in order to extend the jurisdiction of two of the Standards. The hate crimes referendum was brought before the UJC at a meeting last Sunday, and the Committee has not yet had a chance to vote on it. According to Carrico, some UJC members have questioned the need for a hate crimes amendment because other Standards already govern such conduct. "The general sense I've gotten is that Standards shouldn't overlap," Carrico said. The referendum can be placed on the ballot through a combination of a two-thirds majority of Council representatives and 25 signatures, a three-fourths majority of Council and no signatures, or a petition signed by around 900 students. Gibson said he expects the Council vote to pass and the referendum to be placed on the spring ballot. "The decision is ultimately up to the students," Gibson said.

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE

General Assembly outlines budget

The Virginia General Assembly recently passed the biennial state budget amendments in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. As in accordance with tradition, the houses have exchanged their proposed bills and are currently in the process of reviewing and debating the other's suggested amendments. Later this week, conferees will be selected from the General Assembly to review each house's proposed amendments.

House passes bill prohibiting illegal aliens from higher ed

A bill prohibiting the admission of illegal aliens into institutions of higher education has passed the Virginia House of Delegates and now will be considered in the Senate. The official title of the bill, HB2910, is "Prohibiting admission of illegal aliens to public institutions in higher education." The bill passed the House Feb.

Honor to support sanction debate

The Honor Committee voted last night for a resolution to support debate on the sanction reform referendum expected on the spring election ballot. The resolution passed by a vote of 14-4 with four abstentions. Through the resolution, the Committee endorsed the general referendum question "Should the Honor Committee seek alternatives to the single sanction?" The resolution allows the Committee to support the debate on sanction reform, but stipulates the Committee will take no official position on either side of the question. The referendum on sanction reform is expected on the spring ballot through a student petition supported by Hoos Against Single Sanction. Vice Chair for Trials Nick Staubach said the endorsement of the Honor Committee will not affect the referendum, which is expected to appear on the ballot regardless. "This is more about us endorsing the use of honor resources for the debate," Staubach said. The resolution would allow the Committee to support educated debate on what has been a controversial issue at the University. "This is an appropriate and swift response to something that has had a lot of conversation throughout the University," Secretary Elisabeth Epps said. Much of the opposition to last night's resolution stemmed from the wording of the ballot referendum. Committee member Sunit Shah questioned the use of the word 'seek' as opposed to 'explore'. Other committee members expressed concern about the general effect of the language. "The question seems unfairly weighed in the 'yes' direction," Committee member Matt Miller said. Committee member Jeremy Chason said he questioned what sort of mandate the student body would perceive if the referendum passed.

University student dies in car crash

Twenty-year-old Commerce student Shawn Bryant was killed early Saturday morning in a car accident.

UBE announces Council candidates

Candidates running for Student Council offices were announced on the University Board of Elections Web site Friday. Third-year College student Thomas Gibson said he is running for Council president to improve the position. "My number one priority is student safety," Gibson said.

North Grounds Connector project begins

University Arena Project Manager Richard B. Laurance introduced a new University construction project Feb.

Lawn residents selected for next year

The Lawn Selection Committee notified47 students chosen for a Lawn room last Friday. The students underwent an application process last month in order to be considered for selection.

'Inteligent' Design

Given the recent media attention to intelligent design, it is important to critically evaluate the merits of this idea from a scientific viewpoint.

Asian Pacific American studies officially set to be available in fall semester

The Asian Pacific American Studies minor kicked off last night with an interest meeting in Newcomb Hall. Although the minor was approved by the College last semester, the program officially will be available starting this fall. Last night's presentation included a history of the program as well as the specifics and requirements of the minor. Asian Pacific American Studies has a long history with efforts to institute the program at the University dating as far back as 1995.

Groups offer alternative feminist approaches

Two different representations of the feminist movement will offer University students wide discourse on women's issues this weekend. Last night marked the Network of Enlightened Women's first event of the semester.

Athletic grad. rate on top of NCAA

Recruited athletes graduate from the University at one of the highest rates in Division I-A sports and the second highest in the ACC, according to 2004 NCAA data released recently. Student athletes who received an athletic scholarship and entered the University in 1997 and 1998 graduated within six years at a rate of 83 percent.

BOV requests $124 million for upkeep projects

The Board of Visitors announced Friday it will request $124 million over the next 10 years for renovations and maintenance projects around Grounds. "At U.Va.

Council seeks to improve appropriations

Student Council passed the final piece of the appropriations legislation Tuesday, which reformed the previous system of dispensing student activity fees to Contracted Independent Organizations. Council President Noah Sullivan said the former process was inefficient and unrealistic. "There is about a $100,000 of the student activities fee that was never used," Sullivan said.

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.