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Server crash blocks access to MathCAD program

Engineering students were prevented from accessing MathCAD, a commonly used calculation program produced by the Mathsoft Company, in Thornton Library after the server temporarily crashed Sunday. The program is designed to increase engineers' productivity by allowing access to a framework that creates and shares engineering calculations, according to the Mathsoft Web site.


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University Global Health Center receives grant

The University Center for Global Health has received an $810,000 grant from the Ellison Medical Foundation to fund the center's fight against diseases, the University Health System announced Friday. The foundation's three-year grant contains a two-year renewable option if the center demonstrates progress, according to a University press release.


News

Delta Sigma restarts recruiting process

The Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity currently is recruiting new members after November hazing incidents left the fraternity with a depleted membership. The fraternity, which never lost its standing with the Inter-Fraternity Council, looks to surpass a potentially damaging point in its 83-year history at the University. "We want to be a social organization that has its values properly aligned -- that doesn't haze," Delta Sigma Phi Treasurer James Marshall said. Recruitment is the next step in the fraternity's reorganization process, which current members hope will revive Delta Sigma Phi's presence at the University. Delta Sigma Phi was suspended by its national Grand Council in November after a hazing incident concluded with two independent investigations by the University and the Grand Council. The Grand Council called for an immediate reorganization of the local chapter when it suspended its charter. The national office either expelled, suspended or retained Alpha Mu chapter members when reorganizing the fraternity's local chapter. "Some of the former members [were] allowed to continue as active members of the fraternity," said Aaron Laushway, assistant dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life. The national office could not be reached for comment. Once completed, Delta Sigma Phi underwent a four-week re-education process conducted by its national office, during which the fraternity shortened its pledge process from over a semester to eight weeks. The re-education "let people know what the fraternity is about," Marshall said.


News

Spanish unite in face of terrorist attack

When my dad and I stepped off a plane in Madrid the first day of Spring Break and our cab pulled recklessly onto the highway, the first thing we noticed were the giant banners advertising candidates for the upcoming elections. "Did you know they were having elections this week?" I asked my dad. He didn't. "Do you think we should be here?" I persisted.


News

Couric's papers donated to library

George A. Beller donated the documents of his late wife Emily Couric, a former Virginia state senator, to the University Library Saturday. The donation "adds great richness and depth to our existing collection," University Librarian Karen Wittenborg said.


News

University professor awarded for book on American history

College Dean and History Prof. Edward L. Ayers was among three historians to be awarded Columbia University's Bancroft Prize this year, the New York Times reported. The book, entitled In the Presence of Mine Enemies: War in the Heart of America, 1859-1863, was published in 2003. The awards, given in the areas of American history, biography, and diplomacy, were founded in 1948 and the monetary prize was raised from $4,000 to $10,000 this year, according to the Times. Other Bancroft award recipients included Steven Hahn of the University of Pennsylvania and George M.


News

ADPhi faces civil suit for assault during party

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Charlottesville's circuit court, fourth-year Commerce student Luis Avila is seeking damages from fourth-year College student Joshua Weatherbee and Weatherbee's fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi of Virginia, Inc., for charges that include alleged assault and battery and racial and ethnic harassment and violence. The suit also claims the fraternity is guilty of gross negligence and negligence in preventing the alleged attack on Avila. On Dec.


News

LIGHTING THE PAST

Human rights project member Lucy Alford, with Rebeen Pasha looking on, places candles on the windowsill of Old Cabell Hall to mark the 15th year since the chemical bombing campaign against Iraqi Kurds began.


News

Transfers discuss adjustment issues

Students and administrators addressed issues including social life, housing and academics from the perspective of transfer students at the first annual transfer student forum last night. The forum, titled "The Experience," featured a panel of University officials and students. Student Council College Rep.


News

UC-Davis makes e-mail blunder

University of California at Davis falsely notified 6,000 students by e-mail Monday that they had each been awarded a prestigious $7,500 merit scholarship, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.


News

Jerusalem women share experiences

Three women from Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths shared their personal experiences with political tension in the Middle East before a packed crowd of dozens of students, faculty and Charlottesville community members last night. The event, "Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision," was part of a tour that aims to raise awareness about the conflict in Israel and Palestine and correct religious stereotypes about the situation, said Susanne Waldorf, program director for Partners for Peace, a non-profit association from Washington, D.C., and sponsor of the tour. "Women are the voices you do not often hear from the Middle East," Waldorf said.


News

State budget bind affects University, City plans

As the budget impasse in the Virginia General Assembly continues, its effects already are being felt at the University and in the City of Charlottesville. Both local governments and public universities must not only deal with the possibility of multiple budget proposals in the General Assembly, but also with the chance that the legislature will not pass any budget for several more weeks. At the University, the Budget Office will present its recommended tuition structure for 2004 to the Board of Visitors April 15, a key date since the University's educational budget is driven by tuition and state appropriations, according to Vice President for Management and Budget Colette Sheehy. "We're going to present a tuition structure which we believe is appropriate, but hopefully they will have done something by then," Sheehy said. The Board of Visitors will approve the entire budget at its June meeting, Sheehy said. Sheehy said the University would welcome the Senate budget, which provides more funding for public education than the House version. "The Senate has an overall revenue appropriation which we believe we can work within," Sheehy said. While the University would not be able to meet as many of its needs under the House budget, Sheehy said that neither budget necessarily would cause a change in tuition rates. "I'm not sure we would necessarily change our tuition recommendation versus the House and the Senate budget," Sheehy said. Sheehy said the University would be unsure how to deal with a potential state government shutdown July 1.


News

Brown investigates history of slavery

If Mr. Jefferson's University were to follow the lead of Brown University and organize a committee to examine its historical ties to slavery, many less talked-about details of its founder's life might be brought to light. Brown University President Ruth J.


News

New tower planned for Downtown Mall

The City Board of Architectural Review heard a preliminary outline Tuesday for a project to convert vacant buildings in the Downtown Mall into living quarters, the Daily Progress reported yesterday. Developer Keith Woodard has put forth plans to build between 29 and 34 apartments or condominiums in three buildings currently boarded-up on the Downtown Mall. Woodard also proposed building a seven to 10-story tower for a vacant sight on the Downtown Mall. The preliminary design calls for the retention of at least the facades and possibly the entire buildings at 101, 105 and 111 E.


News

New CIO promotes vision care worldwide

A new Contracted Independent Organization on Grounds now offers University students the chance to prevent blindness and improve eye care around the world, one pair of eyeglasses at a time. First-year College students Juliana Minak and Kory Forrest recently co-founded the University's chapter of Unite for Sight, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce health inequalities, specifically those pertaining to vision, both in the United States and abroad.

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Latest Podcast

Since the Contemplative Commons opening April 4, the building has hosted events for the University community. Sam Cole, Commons’ Assistant Director of Student Engagement, discusses how the Contemplative Sciences Center is molding itself to meet students’ needs and provide a wide range of opportunities for students to discover contemplative practices that can help them thrive at the University.