Yesterday's news brief "University professor elected to National Academy of Engineering" incorrectly quoted an NAE release as reporting Prof.
Out on Rugby, a group for gay, bisexual and progressive men that is seeking status as a fraternity, will have to wait at least another month before it is given an official decision, the Multicultural Greek Council determined last night. OOR, which currently maintains CIO status, wants to establish a chapter of Delta Lambda Phi, the national gay fraternity, at the University through the MGC.
In yesterday's lead editorial, "A half-baked protest," comments made by an officer in several like-minded organizations about a possible bake sale in protest of affirmative action were incorrectly associated with the leadership of the College Republicans.
Student Council unanimously passed a resolution last night to support the implementation of the Student Tenant's Bill of Rights, designed to offer University support to student renters by outlining their "rights and expectations" when signing a lease. "We want to hold landlords to a certain standard and make sure student tenants are not mistreated," Council President Daisy Lundy said.
Legislation that would prevent Virginia colleges and universities from dispensing emergency contraception passed the House of Delegates yesterday and went on to the Senate for consideration. Del.
Nicholas J. Garber, University professor of civil engineering and former chair of the civil engineering department, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering Friday. Garber was one of 76 new members and 11 new foreign associates elected to the NAE, according to a press release. "It's not only an honor for me, but for the department and also the University as a whole," Garber said. With the election of these new members, the NAE now boasts a total membership of 2,174 in the United States alone. Membership is awarded to those who have made "important contributions to engineering theory and practice," according to the press release. Prospective members are chosen by their peers in the NAE. The NAE release reported that its members elected Prof.
In an effort garner support for the reelection of President George W. Bush, the College Republicans and the new Contracted Independent Organization Students for Bush held a rally on the North side of the Rotunda yesterday where they were met by Democratic protestors. "We thought today would be a wonderful opportunity to hold the rally due to the primary a week ago," said Amber Vervalin, College Republicans vice-chair for campaigns.
Carl W. Smith, a major University contributor, recently retired from AMVEST, the company he started 44 years ago in Albemarle County. Since his graduation from the University in 1951, Smith has donated more than $50 million to the University as well as other Charlottesville organizations. "Carl Smith has been very generous with his time, expertise and resources for many years," said Leonard Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer.
The new University voting system, Instant Runoff Voting, illustrated its success in the newly-formed University Board of Elections' first mock presidential election Sunday night, UBE Chair Brian Cook said. Under the old system of one vote per person, in which the leading candidate needed a 5 percent margin to win, President George W.
First years who did not have a chance to get involved in volunteering last semester have not missed out yet. The Big Siblings program, offered through Madison House, recently moved their recruitment to the spring semester and will begin recruiting for the 2004-2005 academic year within the next month. In the past Big Siblings began recruiting in the fall, and by the time interviews, background checks, training and matches were made, the siblings would not meet each other until late October, according to Head Program Director Cris Gasperini. "We were concerned that we weren't maximizing the time that siblings could spend together," Gasperini said. He added that volunteers would leave for winter break just weeks after meeting their little siblings, making any substantial bond difficult. However, under the new plan all of the background preliminary work needed to organize volunteers will be done this semester so that volunteers can meet with their little siblings early in September. "This way the siblings will be able to spend a whole year together as opposed to just a few months," said Keith LeBlanc, a Big Siblings program director. LeBlanc expressed concerns regarding first years not having cars and pointed out that this way volunteering will be restricted to second years and above. "When first years don't have cars it makes it difficult to foster a relationship that would be the most beneficial for the kids," LeBlanc added. Over 200 students volunteer for the Big Siblings program, which pairs University students with underprivileged Charlottesville-Albemarle area children ranging in age from 5 to 12. "We want to give kids mentoring and friendship so that they can learn and develop into responsible adults," Gasperini said. The year-long commitment requires the volunteer to spend two to three hours a week with his or her little sibling. LeBlanc emphasized that Big Siblings would like to see a lot of current first years apply. "Mentoring relationships that last more than six months have been proven to have a significantly stronger influence on school attendance and performance and the quality of relationships with adults," said Jeff Tebbs, incoming Big Siblings head program director. Gasperini said organizers realized that many first years may have been overwhelmed during their first semester at the University and since they are more settled in the spring, it would be a great opportunity for them to get involved.
Two recent votes in the House of Delegates have accelerated Virginia's entry into the national debate over same-sex marriage, civil unions and their corresponding rights and benefits. Yesterday, the House voted 50-49 to allow businesses the ability to extend health insurance coverage to all members of the primary insurance holder's household, instead of restricting that extension to spouses and dependents.
Data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers suggests that the class of 2004 will experience higher starting salaries than the class of 2003, according to NACE Employment Information Manager Andrea Carr. NACE sent the winter 2004 Salary Survey to 90 random schools.
A recently announced challenge gift from former media-baron and local philanthropist John W. Kluge pledged $500,000 to promote education of care for elderly and late-stage terminally ill patients, a Medical Center release announced. Kluge's gift, which must be matched with $1.5 million from other sources, will create a professorship in palliative care at the Medical School. Palliative care includes those health practices designed to relieve pain or discomfort in patients who currently suffer from incurable ailments. The endowed chair will support faculty who explore new ways to improve this kind of care, including a return to traditional house calls. "We are extremely grateful to John Kluge for his continuing generosity and for his vision," said Arthur Garson Jr., vice president and dean of the Medical School, in the release.
Two job applicants with compatible credentials, Greg Kelly and Jamal Jones, respond in writing to help-wanted ads in Chicago and Boston.
The Inter-Sorority Council passed new bylaws last week that will restrict the amount of time and money that can be spent during big sister week. Big sister week, an event in which new members are pampered by older members in their sorority, occurs sometime between mid-February and early March, depending on the sorority.
A Virginia bill aimed at eliminating tax exemptions for several industries passed in its first reading before the House of Delegates Saturday. The bill, sponsored by Del.
At seven spots around Virginia's 5th Congressional District Saturday, Nelson County Democrat Al Weed formally announced his campaign to run for the House of Representatives seat currently held by Republican incumbent Virgil Goode.
A new study of state tax data shows that rising prosperity trends ended in 2001, as inflation rates exceeded growth rates for married couples' income. The study, written by economist John L.
Some part-time University employees could gain access to low-cost health insurance benefits under a measure unanimously passed by the Virginia House of the Delegates last Wednesday. The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate Finance Committee. The original legislation, sponsored by Del.
