News

University, nation remember 9/11

As vigils and moments of silence around the country marked the third anniversary of Sept. 11, the University did its own part in remembering the people and the events of that day. At halftime during Saturday's home football game the Cavalier Marching Band played a selection of songs in a "Tribute to Freedom." The tribute included an arrangement by Larry Clark called "Saint's Hallelujah," and was followed by a song called, "Big Noise," which was played to the student section.

Zelikow speaks on 9/11 report, commission

"We were a county and a government that was at war and did not know it," said Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission executive director and executive director of the University's Miller Center of Public Affairs. Just one day shy of the third anniversary of the Sept.

Police chase ends in car crash, flip

Early Saturday morning, while the rest of Charlottesville was asleep, the driver of a Jeep Cherokee sped from a University Police officer, eventually flipping the car onto its side and fleeing the scene. The Jeep, bearing North Carolina license plates, caught University Police Officer Craig Martin's attention as its wheels screeched, making a right turn onto Rugby Road, coming off of Chancellor Avenue.

Faculty senate okays Jan. session

Imagine excavating at a dig with your favorite archaeology professor in Greece, examining the architecture of the Coliseum only previously seen in a textbook and researching ground-breaking genetics in a state-of-the-art laboratory, all during the normally bleak winter months. This academic year, from Jan.

UNC opener game draws record crowd

A record 62,790 Cavalier and Tar Heel fans packed into Scott Stadium Saturday to watch the Virginia football team defeat North Carolina, marking the most well attended opening home football game -- and the second highest overall -- in University history. According to University Athletic Director Craig Littlepage, attendance usually peaks at the start of the school year. "The first game of the year is always the most highly attended game, especially with first years and transfers experiencing a game for the first time," Littlepage said.

Out-of-state Duke students set to trade absentee ballots for chocolate bars

Duke University students who hail from outside North Carolina will receive a chocolate bar when they turn in completed absentee ballots in November for the presidential election, Duke University's Chronicle Newspaper reported Friday. One Sweet Vote, a program developed by Duke graduate student Melissa Bixler, seeks to encourage more young people to vote with a sweet reward.

BOV approves spending

The University Board of Visitors approved the University's 2005 operating and capital amendment requests to the 2004-2006 Virginia state budget at a meeting on Friday, allowing the University to submit the amendments to Gov.

City ponders solutions to decal dilemma

Charlottesville City Council weighed its options this week for settling an ongoing parking decal tug-of-war with Virginia Beach officials. The problem began when Virginia Beach residents began receiving tickets from Charlottesville Police for failing to display a decal proving that the car is registered and the car's owner has paid a local vehicle fee. But Virginia Beach residents do not receive decals when they register their cars and pay their fees. Vehicle owners in Virginia are generally required to display decals from their locality of legal residence. In 1992 Virginia Beach made an agreement with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and became the only Commonwealth locality where vehicle fees are collected at the same time residents are billed for state plates.

GROH GABS WITH STUDENTS

Football coach Al Groh chats with Elizabeth Oswald, left, who organized this year's second-year class dinner, held last night at Alumni Hall.

Va. students can opt out of dissection this autumn

Any Virginia public school student will be able to opt out of animal dissection activities without penalties for the first time this fall. A new General Assembly law that went into effect in July requires all local school districts to provide students with alternatives to dissection and notify students and parents of the options. The bill was co-sponsored in the House of Delegates by Del.

Sanctions debate kicks off

A new ad hoc committee of the Honor Committee met for the first time last night with a mission to take a hard look at the controversial issue of the single sanction -- and ultimately propose an alternative sanctioning method. The Sanction Reform Committee is chaired by Sara Page, who also heads the Honor Committee's Diversity Advisory Board. "The goal is to take a deep look at the single sanction, the goals of the honor system and the real-life effects of the single sanction," said Page, also an elected member of the full Committee.

Timing of Fahrenheit 9/11 screening irks some

Fahrenheit 9/11, the Michael Moore documentary film that ignited debate nationwide this summer, will be shown at Newcomb Theatre this weekend in conjunction with a panel discussion to commemorate the third anniversary of the Sept.

The Hook Book premieres earlier than ever

For University first years of the past, finding a phone number for a late-night pizza delivery or a place to get a haircut required some digging. For 2004's first years, finding their way around was no problem, thanks to the early release of the Hook Book. The comprehensive Charlottesville and University resource guide, published by Student Council, was handed out earlier than ever this year. In the past, the Hook Book has been passed out as late as two months after the start of classes. New students received this year's version at orientation meetings during their first week at the University. "We wanted to get it out as soon as possible to have it available for first years and transfer students," said Kimberly Jones, co-chair of a newly formed Council committee focused on the Hook Book.

SEEKING BLOOD DONORS

CBS, ABC affiliates compete for viewers

There's a new kid in town. Actually, there are two new kids in town. After having a monopoly on the Charlottesville television market for more than 30 years, WVIR NBC 29 finally has company. CBS affiliate WCAV and ABC affiliate WVAW have begun broadcasting most of their programming, including small news briefs, from a trailer that sits next to their future home on Monticello Avenue. The building, which will house two separate studios and office spaces for the two stations, is about 70 percent complete, said Bill Varecha, manager of both stations. WCAV News Director Rick Barrick said they will probably move into their offices around mid-October, and news broadcasts will begin after the presidential elections. Both stations are affiliates owned by the Atlanta-based Gray Television, which owns several stations in medium to small markets in college communities. "The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) relaxed its rules last year, and now allows one company to own two stations in a single market, if one station is a low-powered station," Barrick said. WVAW, broadcast on channel 16, will be the low-powered station, replacing WHSV, an ABC affiliate from Harrisonburg also owned by Gray. Barrick explained that the CBS affiliate, channel 19, plans to gear itself toward families and a more mature demographic, while ABC will spend more of its time catering toward the University audience. Varecha said neither station initially will broadcast in High Definition Television, as they do not have their digital licenses.

Frances leaves region relatively undamaged

Despite heavy rains, flooding and tornado watches issued up and down the East Coast yesterday, Tropical Depression Frances has moved out of the state and is expected to reach Canada by tomorrow. According to the National Weather Service Web site, Frances is moving on a north-northeast path at 15 miles per hour. Environmental Sciences Prof.

Police continue investigation into break-in

An unknown intruder broke into the apartment of a 24-year-old female University student at about 6 a.m.

Va. Board of Elections rejects Ralph Nader's state ballot bid

The Virginia State Board of Elections ruled Tuesday that independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader did not have enough valid signatures to earn a spot on the state's presidential ballot, the latest decision in a process marred by allegations of partisanship. After reviews conducted by local registrars' offices, only 7,342 of the 13,034 signatures collected by the Nader campaign were Virginians registered to vote, according to Jean Jensen, secretary of the State Board of Elections. The decision likely will have little impact on the race between Sen.

Council helps finance 'V' restoration

Student Council announced Tuesday that its executive board expended $999 of Council's discretionary funds over the summer to help finance the ongoing "V"-Repainting Project. The "V"-Repainting Project is an athletic department program aimed at restoring all of the "V" and "V" saber markings on various roads on and around Grounds. "We are just trying to refresh those marks," said Hunter Yurachek, associate director of marketing and promotions in the athletic department.