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Internet college strives for accreditation

By Sarah R. Gatsos and Corrine Shamy | February 25, 2004

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools bestowed initial candidacy status to the American Public University System, according to an Associated Press article Thursday. The candidacy is significant because it suggests that an institution has demonstrated that it can attain accreditation, according to the article. "This is a big step in our quest toward regional accreditation," said Jim Herhursky, executive vice president for institutional advancement, in the article.

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Fourth-Year Class Elections: Vice President

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 25, 2004

Brian Leung School: College Year: Third Majors: American Politics and Philosophy Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va. Housing: On-Grounds (Gooch/Dillard) Activities: Resident Staff, University Programs Council, Hoo Crew Offices: Third-Year Council Communications Chair, Phi Sigma Pi Initiate Advisor Why did you decide to run for office? Having served on class councils for all three years, I have found that my real desire here at U.Va.

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Cause of fire still to be determined

By Sarah R. Gatsos and Corrine Shamy | February 25, 2004

Two weeks after a fire destroyed a house at 416 Monroe Lane, the cause has yet to be determined. Samples of debris have been sent to the laboratory to be tested, and the Charlottesville Fire Department expects results within the next few weeks, Battalion Chief Ben Powell said. College student Austin Eickman, who initially was in critical condition, now is in fair condition at the University Hospital, hospital spokesperson Lisa Gilliam said.

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Council set to vote on Preston developments

By Kathleen Meyers | February 25, 2004

Charlottesville City Council will vote Monday on whether to move ahead with proposed plans for condominium development on Preston Avenue. Two local development companies, Stonehaus and the Folsom Group, have submitted development plans to Council for a triangle of land bordered by Preston Avenue, Grady Avenue and 10th Street, City Strategic Planner Satyendra Huja said. The Council staff received the two proposals Monday and will review the development plans of each company Friday. The lack of developer interest in the project is disappointing, Council member Blake Caravati said. At a Council meeting Feb.

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Student Council Elections: Vice President for Administration

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 25, 2004

Gregory Jackson Jr. School: Engineering Year: First Major: Systems Engineering Hometown: Fluvanna County, Va. Housing: On-Grounds (Alderman Road) Activities: National Society of Black Engineers, NAACP, the IMPACT Movement Office: First-Year Council President Why did you decide to run for office? After spending a year as both First-Year Council President and a member of Student Council representative body, I developed a vision of the immense potential that Student Council has.

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Student Council Elections: President

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 25, 2004

Elliot Haspel School: College Year: Second Major: History Hometown: Annandale, Va. Housing: On-Grounds (Dillard) Activities: Cultural Programming Board, University Democrats, Cavalier Daily (opinion columnist) Office: Student Council Religious Affairs Committee Chair Web site: www.student-revolution.com Why did you decide to run for office? I saw that Student Council as an institution was broken.

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Minority applications to Michigan decline after Supreme Court ruling

By Matt Galati | February 25, 2004

The number of black students who applied to the University of Michigan and to Ohio State University has decreased this year, according to officials at both schools. The drop comes after the U.S.

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Student Council Elections: Vice President for Organizations

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 25, 2004

Rebecca Keyworth School: College Year: Second Majors: Foreign Affairs and History Hometown: Chicago Housing: On-Grounds (Dillard) Activities: University Democrats, International Relations Organization, Cavs for Kerry, Washington Literary Society and Debating Union Office: Member of Student Council Appropriations Committee Why did you decide to run for office? I feel that participation in CIOs is a fundamental part of the University experience for most students on Grounds.

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Last-minute Council bill sent to ballot

By Timothy Lee | February 25, 2004

Student Council sent a referendum to the spring ballot last night that would effectively eliminate the executive vice president's ability to vote except in case of a tie and give all other Council officers, including the president, the same voting powers as other Council members. The measure passed only after hours of heated debate and political maneuvering. The bill, which had to be approved last night in order to be placed on the spring ballot, was not on last night's original agenda. Leah Eads, chair of the ad-hoc committee for the revision of constitution and bylaws, acting as a proxy for Vice President for Organizations Eli DeJarnette, disputed the agenda, citing repeated failed attempts to get the bill on the agenda. "I feel that it is a grievance against me and my committee," Eads said. Executive Vice President Rebeen Pasha, however, said all amendments to the constitution had to be considered for one full week before the body could vote on them.

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Institute backers aim to bolster area economy

By Adam Kendrick | February 24, 2004

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, which is scheduled to open in the late spring, is expected to bring economic opportunity to the Southside Virginia region, Institute spokesperson Curtis Callaway said. With an economy largely dependent on tobacco and textiles, the Institute is designed to bring an increase in technology and advanced education, Callaway said, adding that the Institute aims to bolster the region's economy after an increasing loss of jobs in the area. Callaway expressed optimism concerning the range of opportunities the Institute is planned to make possible. "There is a need to embrace the new technical economy," Callaway said.

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Students surprised by decal enforcement

By Kathleen Meyers | February 24, 2004

Charlottesville Police have been ticketing vehicles in the City with Virginia license plates that do not display current vehicle decals since the annual Jan.

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Nelson withdraws from presidential race

By Natasha Altamirano | February 24, 2004

Four days after the official campaigning and endorsing period began, Student Council College Representative Marisa Nelson withdrew from the race for Council president Sunday night. Nelson said after going through several endorsement interviews over the weekend, she realized she could accomplish her goals of making change without the formal title of Council president. "I will make change regardless of what capacity I serve and will be a happier person working on those things that I truly am passionate about," she said. Nelson said she plans to continue her involvement with Council. "The resources are too great to bypass that opportunity, but I haven't decided in what capacity I will be working," she said. Nelson said she does not plan to endorse a specific candidate for Council president. "I hope that in choosing [a president] students can find someone that is both realistic and passionate about their goals," she said. Council presidential candidate Curtis Ofori, who has worked on Council with Nelson in the past, commended her accomplishments as College representative. "She did great work on the Off-Grounds Housing Office," Ofori said.

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Policy group issues college access guides

By Sarah R. Gatsos | February 24, 2004

In order to better prepare students and increase their potential for success in college, the Pathways to College Network has proposed guidelines for improving access to college, according to Ann Coles, director of the network. Pathways is a Massachusetts-based advocacy group that targets educational policies for low-income and minority students. "There has been a lot of effort in the past four years for better access to college for underprivileged and minority students, but despite that effort, there are still gaps," Coles said. While Pathways issued almost 100 guidelines, Coles said there are three main goals. The first goal seeks to make college preparatory courses the core curriculum for all students, Coles said. The second goal, she added, requires that students receive financial aid packages earlier, so they would not worry about paying for school. The third goal encourages colleges and universities to make changes to the campus culture so it is more conducive to all students, Coles said. Brian Pusser, assistant professor of higher education in the Education School, said the University already maintains a number of Pathways' goals.

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University addresses nursing shortage

By Shannon Sturcken | February 24, 2004

The University is undertaking efforts to address a nationwide nursing shortage by hiring more faculty and increasing space in nursing school facilities, Nursing School Dean B.

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U.S. Supreme Court Justice to speak at U.Va. Law School Conference

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 24, 2004

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will present the keynote address at the Fifth Annual Conference on Public Service and the Law at the University Feb.

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Student groups push for same-sex benefits

By Christopher Jones | February 24, 2004

In response to controversy concerning whether the University can or should offer benefits to same-sex domestic partners, several students are attempting to highlight what they say is student support for such a move. Fourth-year College student Blair Reeves is spearheading an effort to place a referendum on the March election ballot asking students whether the University should extend health benefits to domestic partners of University employees if it becomes legally possible under Virginia law.

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Scientist says winter one of harshest in recent past

By Justin Villegas | February 23, 2004

Although recent warm temperatures may have lulled students into a false sense of security that winter's end is near, Environmental Sciences Prof.

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Range constitution drafted

By AJ Frank | February 23, 2004

The Range Council, a body composed of elected Range residents, recently drafted a constitution outlining Range Council election procedures and the application process for living in the historic rooms located on the outskirts of the Lawn. "The purpose of creating the constitution was to set some governing principles for future Range residents," Range Council President Christopher Colby said.

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Fake wedding at Virginia Tech held to support gay marriage

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 23, 2004

Four nontraditional pairs exchanged symbolic vows Thursday in front of one of Virginia Tech's main campus buildings, Burruss Hall, in order to protest laws banning same-sex civil unions and marriages in Virginia and across the country, the Roanoke Times reported. Virginia Tech's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Alliance sponsored the event. Organizers told the Roanoke Times, turnout for the event was greater than anticipated and those in attendance were delighted that forces opposing gay marriage failed to protest.

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Study reports gender plays role in quitting smoking

By Cavalier Daily Staff | February 23, 2004

Women and men experience unique reactions to attempts at smoking cessation and different variables make them more vulnerable to relapse, according to a study recently conducted by the University of Minnesota-Duluth Behavioral Medicine Laboratories, as reported by the Minnesota Daily. When women try to quit smoking there is a greater chance they will relapse because of psychological effects, while men are more apt to begin smoking again because of biological triggers like the smell of smoke, the study said. The three-year study reported that both genders experience the same withdrawal symptoms, but relapse in different ways because men and women respond to stress differently. "The most important aspect of this study is that when we treat men and women, we have to be concerned about how they experience these [withdrawal] symptoms and tailor our treatment accordingly," Mustafa al'Absi, lead researcher of the behavioral medicine laboratories, told the Minnesota Daily. The research was presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Seattle two weeks ago. --Compiled by Anthony LaMesa