News

New SAT I premieres at March test date

The SAT I emerged from its makeover March 12 when the College Board administered the newly-revised test to perspective college students. "The test was revised in order to more closely reflect what students were learning in high school and to include the writing section," College Board spokesperson Caren Scoropanof said. The University will accept both the new and old SAT through fall 2006, Dean of Admissions John Blackburn said. Besides the addition of a writing section, the College Board decided to remove the analogy and quantitative comparison section, according to their Web site. "The test, on all parts, is becoming more like a classroom achievement test," Blackburn said. The addition of the writing section has extended the test from two hours 45 minutes to three hours 45 minutes.

U.Va. adopts new sexual assault policy

A newly revised set of polices and procedures for dealing with sexual assault in the University community was announced by Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Lampkin yesterday. Additionally, the Sexual Assault Board has adopted a new set of operating principles including the suggestion to form a permanent advisory committee to research the issue of sexual assault within the University. Among the revisions to the University's procedures for cases of sexual assault, the confidentiality required during the Sexual Assault Board's hearing is more clearly defined, SAB Chair Shamim Sisson said. "The new procedures spell out more clearly the way in which confidentiality needs to be maintained in the process," Sisson said. Although the preparation and the process of the sexual assault hearings will remain confidential, the accusing party and the accused party both have a right to a determination letter, which states the SAB's final decision and includes the sanction imposed on any individual found guilty. "If a student decides to disclose this information, they may do that," Sisson said. Sisson also said the University recommends that the student discuss disclosing the information provided on the determination letter with legal council before talking about it, in order to avoid allegations of libel. The revised procedures "are a clear response to the student concern that the required confidentiality may have been overbroad and an abridgement of their rights," Sisson said. Terms used in the procedures have been redefined, particularly the difference between sexual assault and a slightly lesser offense, sexual misconduct.

U.Va. team, doctor treat Yuschenko

When a foreign presidential candidate became gravely ill as an election approached, when a standoff with the extremist anti-government group Montana-Freeman lasted 81 days, and during the protracted D.C.

Downtown merchants petition to allow car traffic to cross Mall

The Downtown Business Association of Charlottesville began circulating a petition last week among Downtown Mall business owners who would like to see a cross-street opened to pedestrian traffic. "Customers can't navigate from the north to south side of the Mall," said Alaina Tucker, Downtown Business Association intern and fourth-year College student. The Downtown Business Association has suggested that 4th or 5th streets be opened to vehicular traffic because current traffic patterns do not allow sufficient access to businesses on the Mall. "We are working on a petition for it to see how much support there is in the community," Tucker said.

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ITC reboots e-mail server to fix glitches

Two separate technical problems with the University's Central Mail System caused some consternation for students who tried to access their e-mail accounts Monday and Tuesday. Information Technology and Communications worked to correct problems caused by incompatible security software Monday and problems caused by disk failures Tuesday, ITC Network Systems Manager Robin Ruggaber said. ITC replaced the failed disks Tuesday night and conducted an emergency reboot at 5 a.m.

Comment on facebook viewed as threat at OU

Thinking about making an off-the-cuff comment directed at the president? Think carefully. A University of Oklahoma student was investigated by the Secret Service when a comment he made on thefacebook.com was interpreted as a threat. Oklahoma freshman Saul Martinez said he was perusing thefacebook groups about three months ago when he stumbled across a group called "Bush Sucks." Martinez said he was amused by a comment another student made about having her 'cute fish' replace the president and decided to reply. "I said, 'I think we should replace him with your pet fish.

Charlottesville Police arrested and jailed a man Monday for breaking into the Kent Terrace house of an Engineering student.. The suspect, 34-year-old Charlottesville resident Frederick Ayers, was charged with assault and battery, burglary and grand larceny. Charlottesville Police Lt.

Accepted Lawn Residents for 2005-2006:

Accepted Lawn Residents for 2005-2006: Stewart H. Ackerly Karin Agness Scott R. Anderson Milena K.

Private donations to schools on rise

A recent survey of higher education institutions found that total private donations to the nation's colleges and universities increased by 3.4 percent in 2004.

Welcome home Lawnies

Statistics provided by the Housing Office reveal the 181st class of Lawn residents to be your average, above-average group. Of the residents selected thus far, over three-quarters, 78 percent, come from the College.

Lawn selection questioned

Lawn selection, one of the University's most time-honored traditions, was recently completed, but not without some students expressing concern that the process is less than perfect. After evaluating the 272 applications submitted this year, the Lawn selection committee released the list of 47 third-year students chosen for the 181st class of Lawn residents last week. Forty-seven students are chosen every year for the Lawn by a selection committee made up of 35 students, 20 Ex-Officio members, students who represent a specific portion of the University population, and 15 lottery members, fourth-year students who apply and are chosen at random.

Hospital receives grant for telemedicine

The Infectious Disease Clinic at the University Hospital re-obtained the Ryan White Title III Primary Care and Early Intervention Services grant March 3.

Grad students lobby against budget amendment

In the 2005 legislative session, the Virginia State Senate Budget amendments restricted state appropriations so that they can only be used to provide financial aid to in-state graduate students at Virginia colleges and universities.

Gillen, Gillen, Gone

Pete Gillen stepped down as head coach of the Virginia men's basketball program yesterday, following a 14-15 (4-12 ACC) finish, the team's first losing season since 1998-99. "The team did not reach the goals we thought were achievable entering the 2004-05 season," Athletics Director Craig Littlepage said in a statement released by the University. Littlepage and Gillen had been talking about the future of the program for several weeks, Littlepage said yesterday during brief remarks to the media at University Hall.

Warner picks new BOV members

Gov. Mark R. Warner announced his appointment of three new members to the University's Board of Visitors March 8. The new members, A.

Hospital named among best in nation

The University Medical Center was ranked one of the nation's Top 100 hospitals in a recent study by the research group Solucient, LLC.

Police make arrest in connection with shooting

David Delong Gerald was charged last week for his alleged involvement in a February armed assault of two University students, according to Charlottesville City Police Sergeant Richard Hudson. Gerald allegedly robbed fourth-year College students Josh Hailey and Emily Sigmon at gunpoint before midnight Feb.

BRUSHING OFF THE DANCING SHOES

U.Va. to help pay for landfill clean up

The University volunteered last week to pay a percentage of the cleanup costs for the Ivy Road Landfill, citing its waste contributions and ending a standoff between the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle over the funding of the project. An agreement between the University, the City and the County has the University paying 7 percent of the cleanup costs per year for the next 30 years.