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University ponders future tuition hike

Although final decisions concerning changes to tuition rates will not be made until April, the Board of Visitors met over the weekend to begin preliminary discussions on future costs of attending the University. According to University officials, the amount of tuition increase relies heavily upon the funding the University receives from the state. "We are at the mercy of the legislature," said Board member William Goodwin, chair of the finance committee.


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Drug bust details emerge, suspects face prison time

The 15 suspects arrested on charges of alleged narcotics and drug distribution last week in "Operation Spring Break Down" each could face up to 10 years in prison and a $2,500 fine for each felony offense if convicted. Although the penalties for drug distribution are intentionally harsh, Charlottesville Police Officer Jeff Sandridge said many suspects may be able to negotiate for lighter sentences. "If it's a first offense, they could plead it down and just get a few days of jail time and probation for two years," he said. University Law Prof.


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Activities Center re-opens support program

The Student Activities Center's Guest Consulting Program kicked off its second year of operation yesterday in a continuing effort to provide support for student organizations. The program's primary function, student involvement intern Lesley-Anne Pittard said, consists of providing a guest counselor almost every weekday in the Student Activities Center.


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ISC reforms recruitment guidelines

As always, first-year sorority hopefuls will move back into their dorm rooms well before the spring semester begins, ready to brave freezing weather and occasional snow in high heels and dresses.


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University Democrats host non-partisan series

The University Democrats are hosting the first lecture in a "Principles in Politics" series tonight in hopes of providing non-partisan accounts of public service to the University community. "Basically, the speaker series was started because we feel that people today have forgotten that there are people in politics who are passionate about issues," University Democrats Research Coordinator Allyson Gold said. The club has invited both Republicans and Democrats to participate in the lecture series, describing the lectures as autobiographical accounts highlighting how the speakers became involved in politics. "We have no partisan intentions," University Democrats President Ian Amelkin said.


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Board of Visitors approves compensation for employees

The Board of Visitors decided to supplement the Commonwealth's compensation measures for the University's faculty and staff in a meeting held Saturday. As a result of the continuing statewide budget crisis, University employees have not received either pay raises or bonuses for the past three years.


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Diversity Commission chairs meet with Board

Politics Prof. Michael J. Smith and Angela Davis, associate dean of students for student life, met for the first time with the Board of Visitors' Special Committee on Diversity in the board room of the Rotunda yesterday. Davis and Smith are co-chairs of the President's Commission on Diversity and Equity, which is charged with assessing the quality of the student experience within the University with special attention to the experiences of women and minorities. Davis and Smith reiterated the themes, such as retention and recruitment of minority faculty, which were discussed at the President's Commission's first meeting last month. The Commission will hold meetings throughout the fall, including a mid-October retreat, and will present a report to the Board at the beginning of spring semester. The President's Commission will look to peer institutions to identify "best practices" models that may then be implemented at the University, Smith said. "We will look seriously at practices at our peer institutions -- and have already, with the help of staff, gathered considerable data," he said.


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UNC moves to eliminate student debt for neediest

Under a new policy known as the Carolina Covenant, low-income students entering the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill next year will be able to attend college without incurring debt. Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser announced the new policy Wednesday evening during his annual State of the University address. The Carolina Covenant allows students whose families' incomes fall below 150 percent of the poverty level -- roughly $28,000 for a family of four -- to attend UNC virtually for free.


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Dominion to fully restore power

Dominion Virginia Power's goal to restore all power to its entire service territory by today following Hurricane Isabel will be realized on schedule, Dominion Virginia Power spokesperson David Botkins said yesterday. "We hope to have virtually all power restored by the end of the day" today, Botkins said. While most areas currently have power, Botkins said there are a few areas in the state still suffering from power outages. "There are a few small pockets of outages primarily in Gloucester, Northern Neck and Peninsula areas of the state, which were some of the hardest-hit areas," Botkins said. Botkins said customers will not pay for power they did not use. "Every customer has to pay their electric bill, but no customer has to pay for any electricity not used as a result of being without power," Botkins said. In response to the mass power outages, Botkins said Dominion Virginia Power sent out employees to all areas of Virginia. "We were all over the state in mass with personnel that totaled 12,000 at its peak," Botkins said. Botkins said Dominion Virginia Power is satisfied with the actions it took in the wake of the hurricane. "We're very pleased with our response across the state," Botkins said.


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Many rental companies urge early lease signing

For students wishing to live off-Grounds next year, it may be true that the early bird catches the worm when it comes to signing apartment leases in Charlottesville. Because of the high demand for off-Grounds apartments and rapidly approaching deadlines, many area leasing agencies are urging prospective tenants to begin the lease signing process as soon as possible. Several companies cited deadlines for renewals and new leases in the next two weeks. "It's important for prospective residents to stop by rental companies to see what's available," Woodward Properties Marketing Director Jaclyn Lucca said.


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CIOs hawk wares at football games

In an effort to aid financially strapped Contracted Independent Organizations, Student Council has teamed with the University Bookstore to offer these groups selling time at a concession stand at home football games. Since Sept.


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Campusfood.com to offer online delivery options to University

Busy students in need of nourishment now have a new way to have tasty foods delivered to their homes. Campusfood.com, a New York-based delivery system allows customers to order food online for delivery. Participating restaurants around the University include Panda Garden, The White Spot, Peking Chinese Restaurant, Good Fortune and Gumby's Pizza. To promote the new service, the company will be offering a free meal to new users who log on between Oct.


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Accidental shooting leaves Albemarle County Police officer injured

An unintended shooting injured an Albemarle County police officer yesterday morning, as he prepared for an annual firearms qualification session. The shooting occurred at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club on Old Lynchburg Road. Officer David Wallace's own standard-issue service weapon accidentally discharged one shot, striking him in the knee. He is listed in good condition at the University Hospital. In addition to his duties as a patrol officer with the Community Policing Division, Wallace is a firearms instructor for the police department. The police department is investigating the incident.


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Study shows fewer identify as Southerners

A recent study by researchers at Vanderbilt University reports a decline in the number of Americans identifying themselves as Southerners. Between 1991-2001, the number of people living in the South who consider themselves Southern dropped by 7.4 percent, from about 78 to 70 percent. Vanderbilt Sociology Prof.

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Indieheads is one of many Contracted Independent Organizations at the University dedicated to music, though it stands out to students for many reasons. Indieheads President Brian Tafazoli describes his experience and involvement in Indieheads over the years, as well as the impact that the organization has had on his personal and musical development.