Yesterday was Tornado Preparedness Day in Virginia, as proclaimed by Gov. Mark Warner. A state-wide drill took place at 9:45 a.m.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to the "Voluntary Support of Education" survey conducted by the Council for Aid to Education, donations to colleges and universities leveled off nationally in the 2003 fiscal year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A bomb threat derailed midterm examinations yesterday in both New and Old Cabell Halls and Wilson Hall, causing confusion and scheduling difficulties. University Police Sgt.
Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner announced his most recent appointments to the University Board of Visitors yesterday.
University Police officials are investigating an alleged suicide that occurred yesterday morning near the Alderman Road residence halls, according to University Police Capt.
The University Health System will open a brand new infusion center across from the Medical Center on the fourth floor of the West Complex Monday. The new facility allows for a friendlier atmosphere for chemotherapy patients, said Peyton Taylor, medical director of the Cancer Center. "We created a space which we thought was open, cheerful and comfortable, and also accessible to patients with disabilities," Taylor said. Some features of the new facility include more space for large groups or individuals to meet and interact.
University Engineering students now have a chance to take advantage of a new minor that brings together the Engineering School and the Commerce School. The 18-credit Engineering-Business minor, launched by the Engineering School this spring, is a spin off of the Technology Management and Policy minor.
Members of the Black Student Alliance issued a complaint to Student Council Tuesday night, citing questionable behavior on the part of Council's Appropriations Committee. The committee oversees allocation of approximately $500,000 to University Contracted Independent Organizations.
Virginia21, a group that promotes political involvement among young people, coordinated the sending of 4,569 letters within 100 hours from students to their hometown General Assembly representatives, supporting the Senate budget for higher education. The program, dubbed "e-Storm the Statehouse," organized the students to send the letters supporting the allocation of $200 million to higher education and $15 million to financial aid. Virginia21 Executive Director Jesse Ferguson said the program started out as an outgrowth of higher education in conjunction with student leaders from all colleges throughout the commonwealth. "One of our largest principles is that in order to be effective the legislation needs to hear from their constituents," Ferguson said.
