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News

Senate declines to honor Pep Band's anniversary

The Virginia Senate rejected a resolution from Del. Mitchell Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, to honor the University Pep Band's 30th anniversary, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Van Yahres proposed the resolution to praise the "joyful music and good-natured humor" of the Pep Band. The resolution was rejected in a voice vote. The University removed the Pep Band from the football halftime show after it portrayed West Virginians as hillbillies in the fall of 2003.


News

Honor looks to tighten policy on retractions, prevent abuse

In an effort to prevent students from potentially submitting a dishonorable conscientious retraction, an ad hoc committee has recently been appointed to review the conscientious retraction policy, Honor Committee Chair Carey Mignerey said. "The Committee remains committed to the concept and philosophy of a conscientious retraction, and at the same time we're looking to ensure that the system is not exploited but rather helps maintain our community of trust," Mignerey said. The conscientious retraction allows a student who has violated the honor code to remain in the community of trust by coming forth on his own will, admitting the act and making amends for it, according to ad hoc committee member David Hobbs. In order for the conscientious retraction to be valid, the bylaw states that it must be submitted "before the student has reason to believe that the relevant act has come under suspicion by anyone." Hobbs said the creation of the ad hoc committee was not spurred by recent abuse of the system but rather was a preemptive measure to ensure that potential exploitation does not occur in the future. "It isn't a major problem right now," he said.


News

Groups aim to inform, inspire young voters

The Wahoo Informational Service to the Electorate is handing out pamphlets providing information about the general election around Grounds this morning, continuing an initiative to provide easier access to political information. Every week for the remainder of the semester, WISE will focus on an issue in the upcoming presidential election, outline it and give a brief description of each candidate's stance, all within an easy-access pamphlet, WISE founder Thomas Yeatts said. "The idea is that most students aren't regular participants in politics," Yeatts said.


News

UBE satisfied with new election system

The first student election under the management of the University Board of Elections proceeded without any major hitches, UBE President Brian Cook said yesterday. "Given the limited time we had to put together this election, it was a resounding success," Cook said. Cook said the UBE plans to send an e-mail to the University student body within the next week to garner interest in participating on next year's board. UBE member Justin Bernick said new members will become part of a vastly improved system, despite its rapid creation. "This year was much more successful, mainly because of the general quality of the people on the board," Bernick said. Bernick emphasized the amount of time and dedication this year's board members put into organizing the election. More endorsing organizations participated in this year's election process and more schools expressed interest in the new system, Bernick said. The system also drew a higher number of voters than usual.


News

City increases budget to make up for lost revenue from Commonwealth

Charlottesville City Council members are debating a proposed 7 percent increase in this year's budget in response to continued cuts in state reimbursements to local governments. The proposed $100 million budget is a $7 million increase from last year. While Council has not proposed any new programs or any increases in programs already in existence, the City must make up the difference for a lack of funding from the state government. "The increase in our budget picks up where the state left off," Council member Blake Caravati said. This year's City budget must accommodate a $2 million decrease in state reimbursements for local public schools and a $700,000 decrease for local jails.


News

Raven Society gears up for centennial celebration

The University's Raven Society will commemorate its 100th anniversary Saturday in a black tie event, attended by over 600 of the Society's members. "We are very excited to be making our 100th anniversary," Raven Society President Cameron Howell said in a University press release.


News

Med. Center extends use of HeartMate

A second chance at life is now a heartbeat away for patients with end-stage heart failure. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently approved the use of the HeartMate as a destination therapy, meaning that patients use the device for long-term treatment, University Cardiac Transplant Coordinator Beth Fallin said. The HeartMate is an assistive device, not an actual artificial heart, Fallin said.


News

Fourth-year student dies in car accident

A fourth-year College student was killed in a single-car accident March 5 on his way to Florida, and three other University students, including the driver, were injured. Ernest Trezevant "Bo" Buchanan, IV died in the accident, which occurred at the 19th mile marker of North Interstate 95 near Brunswick, Ga., according toGeorgia State Patrol Officer Brian Hood. Police were notified of the accident at 10 p.m., Hood said. The driver of the vehicle, a fourth-year College student who requested not to be named, said the accident occurred when she swerved to avoid hitting a deer in the middle of the road and lost control of the vehicle.


News

Committee announces future Lawn residents

The Lawn selection committee recently determined the 185th class of students to live in Mr. Jefferson's Academical Village. The committee received 250 applications this year for 47 rooms. Formal decision letters were mailed Feb.


News

Retail trends cause employment slump

Charlottesville unemployment rose from 2.7 percent in December to 3 percent at the beginning of 2004 after heavy retail business tapered off following the fall and holiday seasons. The rise is a typical annual trend in employment, Virginia Employment Commission Researcher Bill Metzger told WINA news last week. "Most of the unemployment increase is a result of the higher retail business during the Christmas season at local shopping centers," said Aubrey Watts, director of the Charlottesville Office of Economic Development.


News

Parents endow University Arts Program

Carl and Martha Linder, parents of fourth-year art history major and College student Blake Linder, donated $2.8 million in order to establish a permanent endowment at the University's McIntire Department of Art. Specifically, the donation will boost the University's fine and performing arts programs, one of the University's long-term goals, University President John T.


News

Sullivan sweeps Student Council presidential race

Student Council Chief of Staff Noah Sullivan was elected Council president last night, receiving a total of 2,877 votes, 1,598 more than Greg Scanlon, his closest competitor. Sullivan, a second year in the College, said he is excited about working with Council in the position of president. "I want to think through some issues and follow through with our current initiatives," he said. Sullivan added he was very pleased with his campaign. "We worked very hard and had a lot of support from a lot of different groups," he said.


News

Partner benefits referendum passes

University students voted to pass four of the five referenda that appeared on the spring election ballot this week, rejecting only the statement "Greg is delightful." An overwhelming majority of voters -- 74 percent -- favored a student-initiated referendum supporting same-sex domestic partner benefits.


News

College elects Page, Hobbs, M. Sullivan

The University Board of Elections announced the Honor and Judiciary Committee representatives from each of the University's schools yesterday evening. The College of Arts & Sciences elected Sara Page, who garnered 1,625 votes, David Hobbs, with 1,429 votes, and Meghan Sullivan, with 1,303 votes, as its representatives. "It was the most contested race in the College in several years," outgoing Honor Chair Carey Mignerey said.


News

UBE officials tout high turnout

As candidates celebrated victory or mourned defeat in last night's elections, the University Board of Elections expressed satisfaction with voter turnout and the new system the Board initiated this year. Forty-five percent of all undergraduate students cast an online ballot this week, including 50 percent of first through third years. "We were very impressed with the undergraduate turnout," UBE Vice Chair Steve Yang said. As in past years, low graduate school turnout lowered overall voting.


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