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Region prepares for worst-case scenario as Frances hits area

In the wake of Tropical Storm Gaston, which unexpectedly dumped 14 inches of rain on Richmond last week, state and local officials are taking precautionary measures in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Frances. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Albemarle County yesterday morning and predicted that the remnants of Frances would progress northeast into the mid-Atlantic states and impact the Charlottesville area through tomorrow. According to the NWS Web site, rainfall from the system could be significant across the region and could amount to as much as four inches. Dawn Eischen, spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said state officials issued a warning Monday to area residents to prepare for potentially bad weather as Frances makes its way up the coast. "Just a couple of days ago we were all thinking Frances was going to hit Kentucky and Tennessee," she said.


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Fahrenheit U.Va.

­One state, one law, varying interpretations. Though it was developed to maintain uniform building code standards nationwide, the recently-adopted International Fire Code has been a common cause of confusion across the Commonwealth. Among other things, the new code regulates the amount of flame-resistant and flame-retardant material that can be attached to a wall or ceiling and prohibits the use of combustible materials as wall decorations in multi-unit dwellings, including apartment buildings and student dormitories, said Jim Tidwell, the national director of fire service activities for the International Code Council. "The idea is to limit the potential for flash fires, which travel at a speed faster than people will normally exit a building," Tidwell said.


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U.Va. doctor links epilepsy drug, alcohol

Popping a pill may actually be the latest and most effective weapon against addiction. Dr. Bankole Johnson, the newly recruited chair of the University's department of psychiatric medicine, soon will begin a second clinical trial studying the effects of the drug topiramate, currently used to treat epilepsy, at a University alcohol treatment center set to open early next year. An initial clinical trial conducted by Johnson at the University of Texas Health Science Center indicated that topiramate can actually help alcoholics quit drinking. "It just so happens that the medication developed for epilepsy has the same chemical properties that you need to combat the effects of alcohol on the brain," Johnson said.


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Partner benefits Web site raises little money

DontGivetoUVA.com stopped accepting donations in late April and collected little money during its existence, despite receiving significant attention when it launched in February. The Web site, founded by two gay University alumni, asked potential donors to abstain from giving to the University and donate to the Web site instead as a protest against the University not providing benefits to its employees' same-sex partners.


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Area institutions receive diverse selection of CDs

Local radio station WTJU's music collection got a boost two weeks ago when a box of more than 100 CDs arrived at its doorstep. "There was a mixture of world music, classical music and jazz," WTJU Director Chuck Taylor said.


News

ETA tries again to achieve IFC status

It's take two for the men of the ETA Lodge fraternity, as they try a second time to push for acceptance into the Inter-Fraternity Council since losing their national charter in 2002. ETA Lodge will place a stronger emphasis on its community service projects this year, specifically Habitat for Humanity, which the fraternity became involved with last year, ETA Lodge President Tyler Cain said. ETA Lodge is currently in the process of organizing a golf tournament set for late October.


News

'Harambee' celebrates 20 years

Rousing applause and singing voices filled Newcomb Hall Ballroom yesterday afternoon as the Office of African-American Affairs welcomed incoming black first years to the University at its annual event, "Harambee." Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of Harambee, Swahili for "working together." According to African-American Affairs Dean M.


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BRINGING THE PAIN

Virginia linebackers Kai Parham and Rich Bedesem take down Temple quarterback Walter Washington during Virginia's 44-14 season opening win.


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Regional, University safety officials prepared for visit by Hurricane Frances

Officials in the Charlottesville area have begun taking precautions to prevent as much damages and injuries as possible in the event that Hurricane Frances strikes the region. Despite the likelihood that an approaching cold front will absorb most of the storm, City, Albemarle County and University officials set an emergency plan into motion last week, University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. The plan calls for officials to respond based on weather conditions, whether they require student evacuations or the emergency continuation of services, as happened last year during Hurricane Isabel when the Observatory Hill Dining Hall remained open during a power outage with the help of refrigerated trucks. In case the operation of services is threatened, those relating to community safety come first, Wood said. "Certainly what takes priority is the hospital and patient care," she said. According to a press release from University and local emergency officials, residents and students should avoid driving or wading through standing and flowing water.


News

Web site promotes academic debate

Thanks to a new Web site, University faculty and administrators have a new tool that allows them to make their opinions available to the public for debate and discussion. The Web site, Faculty Opinions, allows faculty to electronically publish papers in op-ed or short essay form. "The style essentially means the length is usually from 600 to 800 words and in a conversational newspaper style," said Charlotte Crystal, opinion editor of the new Web site. Crystal said the essays will include a wide range of topical issues. "Hopefully, if an op-ed is going to be good, it has to be very timely, very targeted, and a pointed piece with a strong opinion," University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. The site -- linked off of U.Va.


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Pitt to provide partner benefits for all employees

The University of Pittsburgh announced Sept. 1 that it will begin offering health benefits to the live-in partners of its employees -- regardless of sexual orientation -- in January 2005, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported yesterday. The debate over extending benefits to the same-sex partners of Pitt employees began when Deborah M.


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New marching band prepares for debut

Orange flags wave in sync as booming drums beat out the "Good Ol' Song." Students stride across Turf Field clutching shiny instruments as they set the tempo of the University's new marching band. The marching band, created in spring 2003 with a $1.5 million private donation, will have its inaugural performance Sept.

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Co-president Armelle Worrel gives a behind-the-scenes look at U.Va.’s club pickleball team, highlighting the welcoming culture, national championship success, what it’s like to lead such a large team, and partnerships and sponsorships that help the program thrive. This episode explores what makes UVA pickleball a trailblazer and a vibrant part of student life on Grounds.