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Council to advocate for greener Grounds

As the University continues to expand, a group of concerned students are working to integrate some "green" into the new red brick buildings that are being built on Grounds. Last night, Student Council unanimously approved the creation of a Green Grounds Committee.


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NCAA panel recommends stricter academic standards for sports teams

The Board of Directors for the National Collegiate Athletic Association is considering a proposal to institute a more rigorous system of academic incentives and disincentives for Division I athletic programs at colleges and universities across the country. The new system will evaluate several aspects of student-athlete academic performance, including graduation rates, and will punish schools that fail to graduate at least 50 percent of its athletes, according to the Board's report. The University, however, does not expect to be impacted by a stricter system, said David Storm, Athletic Department director of compliance.


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Industry panel debates file-sharing future

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representatives from the file-sharing, film and recording industries are still at odds over the future of Internet downloading. A group of industry executives -- including leaders from the Recording Industry Association of America, the Motion Picture Association of America, Verizon Communications and major file-sharing software companies -- and consumer advocates held a panel discussion yesterday at the D.C.


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Parent creates Web site for rape victims

The parent of a University student created a Web site Sunday titled uvavictimsofrape.com in response to what she said she considers an inadequate response from the University administration after her daughter was allegedly sexually assaulted. The 50-year-old mother, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said she created the Web site to address what she said was the University "turning a blind eye" to sexual assault. "My goal is for the students to finally raise the point to the administration that sexual assault should be an honor code violation and that the only acceptable sanction would be dismissal from the University," she said. The parent said her daughter contacted the appropriate authorities at the University through several phone calls and e-mails but received responses that questioned her desire to file charges. "She has verbally spoken with the correct office and has sent e-mails, yet they have continued to come back and ask her if she wants to do this," she said.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.

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Latest Podcast

On this episode of On Record, we sit down with Layne Parker, First Year Players director and third-year college student. Parker discusses the importance of building community through an inclusive space for new students, and looks ahead to FYP’s upcoming musical production.