News

Leaders ponder file-sharing at University

Members of the University community have paid careful attention to Penn State University's innovative file-sharing program launched last November. The program, which resulted from a business agreement between Penn State and Napster, allows students to listen to songs over streaming audio for free. "The Penn State program is in its trial stages," said Shirley Payne, ITC director for security coordination and policy.

University Board of Elections sets dates for spring elections

University elections will be more secure and more transparent this spring, according to University Board of Elections officials, who finalized the UBE elections calendar and its rules and regulations yesterday. The Office of the General Council approved both documents yesterday afternoon, said Madelyn Wessel, special advisor to the vice president for student affairs. Voting for spring elections will begin March 2 and end March 4. There are several changes in the procedure designed to make elections more secure. "First and foremost we've upped all security aspects of the system," said Chris Husser, Student Council chief technology adviser. Husser said students will be able to use their e-mail ID instead of their social security number when logging on to the system. Voters also will no longer be allowed to write in votes. "The fact that there is no write-in capacity on the ballot was a major concern for the UBE, but the rules and regulations and elections calendar were crafted in order to make the balloting procedure as open as possible so that write-in candidates would basically become superfluous," UBE Chair Brian Cook said. The UBE's rules and regulations state that candidates must submit a petition signed by a specific number of students in order to be placed on the ballot.

Tuition increases, academic selectivity proposed across Europe

The international student population may be affected by higher education proposals in Europe. Governments in Germany, France and Britain, among others, recently have proposed raising tuition at public universities and making admissions processes more selective, according to the New York Times. In Europe, the Times reports, higher education is viewed the same way secondary education is in the United States: As a public good with free or close-to-free tuition.

Virginia Blood supplies remain at critical level

Current stocks of blood at Charlottesville hospitals have reached a dangerously low level, according to Virginia Blood Services. "Starting with the holidays, blood supply is always low," Virginia Blood Services spokesperson Nancy Deane said.

Med. School reevaluates live animal use in classes

The University Medical School announced yesterday that it will temporarily stop acquiring or using live animals for medical education pending a review by a special committee. The Medical School also suspended the Life Saving Techniques Lab that uses the animal models for the duration of the review. The announcement came after the Citizens for Humane Medicine attracted attention last week by questioning the Medical School's use of animals in its medical classes, and it is designed to resolve the questions which have been raised, Medical School Dean Arthur Garson Jr.

UBE to hold mock presidential election

The newly formed University Board of Elections has arranged for a mock presidential election to be held this Tuesday to test a new online program for single-position elections. The mock polls will open at 8 a.m.

House committee leaves Warner tax plan stranded

The House of Delegates Finance Committee voted yesterday to put the brakes on Gov. Mark R. Warner's tax reform plan. The committee voted 13 to 7 with two abstentions to pass by the bill indefinitely, which leaves it stranded in committee for the rest of the session. Both supporters and opponents of Warner's plan agreed the vote was only the first step in a long, protracted struggle that would eventually determine what tax changes would be passed into law by the General Assembly. Entering the meeting, delegates expected that the bill would be defeated. "This was something the House leadership had telegraphed for several weeks now, that this was how they would handle the issue," Warner spokesperson Ellen Qualls said. The defeat, however, did not spell the end of Warner's tax plan in the House, University Politics Prof.

Honor slated to vote on removal of major clause

The Honor Committee will vote Sunday on a proposal to eliminate the seriousness clause in the Committee constitution. The measure would end the current practice of student jurors voting first to convict an accused student on act and intent before determining whether the offense was serious enough to merit expulsion. Currently, students found guilty of act and intent but not guilty through the seriousness clause receive no punishment.

General Assembly considers alcohol-related bills

Legislators in the General Assembly currently are faced with dozens of bills to create stricter laws relating to driving under the influence, including one proposal that would implement a mandatory three-day minimum jail sentence for first-time offenders. Meanwhile, the Senate is reviewing a bill approved by the House of Delegates Monday that would allow state-operated liquor stores in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads to open on Sundays. Del.

University practitioners cited among

Over 100 University physicians were named among the "best doctors" in America by Best Doctor, Inc., according to a University Health System press release. The results were compiled through a biennial peer review survey of the medical profession. The 35,000 doctors, who were ranked among the best in their specialties in previous surveys, were asked the question, "If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty, to whom would you refer them?" The methodology of the poll mimicked the informal process by which doctors often refer patients to various specialists. The database, representing the top 5 percent of physicians in more than 400 medical specialties, aims to help people find appropriate specialists for their medical needs. --Compiled by A.J.

CAVALIERS FALL TO MARYLAND

Budget provision to raise freshman loans

President Bush sent a $2.4 trillion budget to Congress Monday that included an education proposal to raise federal college freshman loan limits, but few other increases in student financial aid. Bush's plan calls for an increase in first-year student subsidized Stafford Loan limits from $2,625 to $3,000, according to a White House press release. The current caps on Stafford Loans for upperclassmen are $3,500 for second years and $5,500 for third, fourth and fifth year undergraduates, according to the StaffordLoan.com Web site. "We think it is a step in the right direction," said Chris Simmons, assistant director of government relations for the American Council of Higher Education.

Judge deems abortion ban illegal

A United States District Court judge ruled Virginia's ban on late-term abortions unconstitutional Monday, declaring that the act violated women's right to privacy. "The act is unconstitutional on its face," Judge Richard L.

Addressing college concerns

As the remaining Democratic presidential candidates enter two hectic, make-or-break months of campaigning, they continue to refine their policy stands and initiatives.

Prof. commemorates 'Brown' ruling

Almost 50 years since the Supreme Court ruled the practice of separating black and white children in public schools unconstitutional, Urban Education Prof.

Student Council stands by Pep Band

Student Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution last night supporting the Virginia Pep Band's participation in certain athletic and University events. "Council supports the co-existence of two bands, the Virginia Pep Band and the U.Va.

Looking toward the White House

With the Democratic primaries in full swing and the eventual nominee still undecided, President Bush has been stockpiling his resources in preparation for November's campaign. At the end of 2003, he had raised $132.7 million, according to a finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Ethics board denies Ofori's Council appeal

Curtis Ofori was officially dismissed from Student Council Sunday after the Council Rules and Ethics Board denied his Thursday appeal to continue serving as a College representative. The board found Ofori in violation of Student Council by-laws requiring Council representatives to be enrolled as full-time students in their respective schools. "It was evident that Curtis was an excellent representative, and we lament the decision we had to make," Rules and Ethics Board Chair Lee Hark said.

Virginia primary a rare opportunity

For the first time in 16 years, Virginia Democrats are holding a presidential primary, which state party officials said they anticipate will have a meaningful impact on the race for the presidential nomination. Last year, the General Assembly approved pushing up the primary from Feb.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

Officials examine a burst pipe in the Newcomb parking garage last night. The pipe exploded with a bang that sounded like a "freight train," one bystander reported.