The Virginia House of Delegates yesterday denied a legislator's attempt to discharge four members of the James Madison University Board of Visitors after they supported the sale of emergency contraception pills at campus health centers. Del.
In an effort to recognize major philanthropic contributors to the University, the Board of Visitors named a pedestrian bridge, three professorships and two Medical School libraries in honor of the donors Saturday. The pedestrian bridge is named after former Board member Bill Goodwin and his wife Alice, University Rector Gordon Rainey said.
Despite the efforts of political activists around Grounds and throughout Charlottesville to promote political participation, precinct officials reported low voter turnout in yesterday's primary. "Voter turnout is low when you consider how many registered voters are in this particular precinct," said Richard Marsden, chief election official at the Alumni Hall polling location. Nevertheless, some Charlottesville residents were enthusiastic about participating in the primary. "I am concerned about the drift of the Democratic Party to the middle," Charlottesville voter Robyn Kells said.
Supporters of Madison House breathed a sigh of relief when Student Council overwhelmingly approved a bill last night increasing Madison House funding starting in the 2004-05 school year. "If Madison House continued on their [current] budget, they would have to run on a deficit and possibly cut invaluable programs," Council President Daisy Lundy said.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- A group of supporters for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean bemoaned another primary loss last night. Dean won only 7 percent of the vote in the open Virginia Democratic primary yesterday, placing fourth behind third-place finisher Gen.
RICHMOND, Va. -- As John Kerry pulled ahead in the televised primary results, a group of John Edwards supporters gathered last night to watch the primary unfold and discuss the future for the second-place finisher. A small number of students, teachers and business professionals attended the meet-up.
A house fire at 416 Monroe Lane early yesterday morning left one student in critical condition and 11 others temporarily homeless. Britt Grimm, Charlottesville Fire Department battalion chief, estimated $100,000 in damage occurred to the students' belongings and the property, managed by CBS Rentals.
The IMP Society apologized to the administration and Lawn residents yesterday after dousing a pile of logs with gasoline and setting them ablaze last Thursday night, igniting a bonfire several feet high in the middle of the Lawn. IMP Society Leader Vicky Jones and the IMPs accepted responsibility for the fire in an e-mail apologizing to Lawn residents last night. "We hope to continue to stay in the favor of the prestigious Lawn community and will continue to uphold the traditions of the University in the most appropriate forms as possible," the e-mail said. Later, Jones emphasized the contributions the IMP Society makes to the University. "We understand the seriousness of the situation," Jones said.
RICHMOND, Va. -- Kevin Norton traveled 2,340 miles from Gilroy, Calif., to be in Richmond last night for the Virginia primary.
When it was built in 1958, Newcomb Hall was considered to be the first of its kind. Designed as a student gathering place for a rapidly growing University, the building became a prototype for similar structures being constructed at universities across the country. The Newcomb Hall that stands today is merely a shell of its former self.
Sitting in his room atop Newcomb Hall,director Bill Ashby surrounds himself with maps and plans of his vision for the University's future. Ashby has overseen the design and planning for what he envisions as a new University Commons on Grounds, since taking over the reins from 2003 College graduate Steven Reinemund, who had previously spearheaded the project. "We're trying to create something that's really unique," Ashby said. Though he does not predict that such a structure could be completed much before the end of the decade, Ashby sees the addition of a viable student structure as essential for the long-term strength of the University. Planning for the future One of the goals in designing a new student center is to better integrate central Grounds.
FAIRFAX, Va. -- Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry continued to dominate the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination yesterday, scoring robust victories in Virginia and Tennessee. Kerry, who has won all but two primaries to date, led Sen.
The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill Thursday that would prohibit illegal aliens from attending Virginia public colleges and universities and expel those already enrolled. The House voted 71-29 in favor of the bill, which now will be sent to the State Senate for review.
Voters who registered by mail on or after Jan. 1, 2003 for the first time in the commonwealth may need to present identification for the Virginia Democratic Primary elections today, according to a City Manager's press release. The Help America Vote Act states that for federal elections, voters must either mail a copy of one of the federally-specified IDs to the registrar with the voter application, show such ID the first time they vote in person or send a copy of such ID with their voted absentee ballot the first time they vote in a federal election. While concerns have been voiced about voter security, the City's Voter Registration Office said it is confident in the precautions taken to ensure that votes are correctly counted. Since Virginia does not register by party, all registered voters can participate in the primary. --Compiled by Sarah R.
Philanthropist John W. Kluge donated $500,000 to the University Medical School to promote palliative care, according to University Media Relations. "We are extremely grateful to John Kluge for his continuing generosity and for his vision," Medical School Dean Arthur "Tim" Garson Jr.
The Virginia Senate's Education and Health Committee rejected a bill Thursday requiring abortion clinics to meet the same health and safety standards as outpatient surgery centers. The Committee voted 9-6 to reject the bill, which would have forced abortion clinics in Virginia to upgrade to hospital-like standards. A similar bill recently passed through the Virginia House of Delegates. Sen.
In an effort to become a prominent international research institution, the University will create new research facilities and recruit top professors, bolstering the undergraduate and graduate science and technology programs, University Vice President and Provost Gene Block said. The concept for the research program began five years ago as part of University President John T.
Student Council continues to make strides towards fully implementing the future off-Grounds housing office by launching organizational workshops Thursday. After passing a resolution creating the office last November, Council obtained space on the second floor of Newcomb Hall as a possible site for the new off-Grounds housing office, Housing Concerns Committee Chair Ryan Grammer said.
Yesterday's article entitled "BOV taps new student for service" incorrectly stated that James W. Head was an elected Honor Committee member as an undergraduate, when he actually served in the appointed positions of Senior Counsel and Investigations Coordinator.
The University President's Commission on Diversity and Equity presented an interim report to the Board of Visitors' Special Committee on Diversity Friday, in which they discussed the creation of a permanent diversity and equity administrative position or office. "This is just an interim report, so I think it is too soon to draw specific conclusions," University spokesperson Carol Wood said.
