News

Medical School introduces online cardiology training

The University Medical School, sponsor of the CardioVillage continuing medical education Web site, will launch a free comprehensive training curriculum for cardiologists with the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions this semester. The program will be available through both CardioVillage and SCAI's Web site, according to Jane Fruchtnicht, continuing medical education faculty coordinator. "This is a special curriculum that is going to be developed, and the primary objective is to make it available to the interventional cardiology fellows," Fruchtnicht said.

GLORIOUS SOUND

Juvenile charged in double stabbings at bar

Charlottesville Police responded to a multiple-stabbing incident in the parking lot of the Outback Lodge and Down Under Club, a bar and night club located at 917 Preston Avenue, early Saturday morning. The victims were 22 and 26-year-old female Charlottesville residents, City Police Sgt.

Bid Night less unruly than in previous years

Though Bid Night is known for being a notoriously chaotic event, this year's activities went off with few reported hitches, much to the delight of University officials. Inter-Fraternity Council President Ryan Ewalt said he was pleased with this year's Bid Day and Bid Night. "In my opinion this has been the most successful Bid Night over the past four years," Ewalt said. No major incidents relating to the festivities were reported by the Charlottesville Police.

Plan would integrate city, students

In an effort to improve relations and communication between the University student body and Charlottesville City Council, Student Council began formulating a city liaison position this academic year. "The position is a way to institutionalize the relationship between students and the City Council," Student Council Chief of Staff Noah Sullivan said. Student Council is creating a proposal that will be submitted to City Council in two weeks.

Few universities offer paid parenting leave

A study recently released by University researchers reports that nationwide a majority of institutions of higher learning are not offering paid parenting leave to faculty. Only 26 percent of institutions offer paid parenting leaves beyond the standard maternity leave of six weeks, a University press release said. Male faculty face even more challenges in earning paid parenting leave.

Cost of textbooks soar

The Oregon Student Public Interest Research group recently reported that the average college student spends $800 on textbooks every academic year, with the average textbook costing more than $100, The Dartmouth reported.

Foundation gives $12.5 million for new building

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation of Fairfax announced a $12.5 million challenge gift to the University Medical School in order to finance the construction of a new and advanced medical education building last month. The gift -- the largest private donation to date for a Medical School building project -- will provide half of the necessary funding for the structure, leaving the University to raise the remainder of the building's $25 million anticipated cost. In keeping with the Moore Foundation's stated mission to "enhance educational opportunities for young people," the building will contain the newest technologies for medical education, a Moore Foundation press release said.

Study finds unemployed Virginians receive less aid than in other states

Unemployed Virginians receive fewer benefits than most other unemployed Americans, according to a recent study released by the University's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. The study reported that 35 percent of unemployed Virginians receive benefits, which is lower than the national average of 44 percent. According to John L.

House passes proposed constitutional changes

The Virginia House of Delegates approved proposed changes to the state Constitution regarding gubernatorial succession in the event of an emergency or enemy attack in Virginia. The changes expand the list of gubernatorial successors in the event of an emergency or attack and the resulting inability of the House of Delegates to meet and fill a vacancy in the Governor's office.

Proposal to mitigate SOLs discarded

Since Virginia implemented the Standards of Learning graduation requirements in 1998, the pressure is on for Charlottesville High School to reach full accreditation before its provisional status expires at the end of next year. Beginning this year, Virginia students who fail required SOL tests will not receive high school diplomas, regardless of their school's accreditation status. The situation troubles Del.

University staff honored for service

Hundreds of University employees were honored for their volunteer work at the "Celebration of Community Spirit" in Newcomb Hall Ballroom yesterday. The 650 employees raised more than $600,000 for the 2003 United Way Laurence E.

Report projects high school grad rates will increase across nation

Despite an ever-increasing high school graduation rate across the nation and in Virginia, the University does not plan to significantly expand its undergraduate population. According to a report released yesterday by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the number of high school graduates will rise by 17.7 percent in the Commonwealth over the next 14 years. Nationwide, the graduating class of 2008-09 is projected at 3.2 million students, the most in the history of the United States.

Winners of annual poetry, prose competition announced

University of Virginia Art Museum officials announced the winners of the museum's 17th annual Writer's Eye competition this week. Ranging in age from third-graders to adults, more than 940 students participated in the event, which was organized by museum docents.

Council committee hears appeal of dismissed rep

In a rare convening of the Student Council Rules and Ethics Board, Curtis Ofori appealed Council Executive Vice President Rabeen Pasha's decision to prematurely end his term as a College representative to Council. "Rep.

House of Delegates passes new abortion regulations

Students from colleges across Virginia gathered at Richmond City Council chambers Wednesday to lobby for and against abortion and emergency contraception regulations.

Officers promote unbiased policing

The Charlottesville Police Department and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives held instructional training sessions last week in an attempt to educate officers and the community on bias-based policing. City Police Chief Tim Longo invited representatives from NOBLE, of which the University is a member agency, to explain racial profiling and help train officers how to utilize race-neutral means of law enforcement. "We care about the issue," Longo said.

Looking back at SARS

Maybe it is from watching Bowling for Columbine too many times, but whenever I see a huge news story about the horrific potential of (fill-in-the-blank) I am automatically suspect. When news stories began to surface about SARS during 2002-2003, I began to look closely at the numbers that were being discussed.According to the World Health Organization, the number of deaths reported during the outbreak period between November 2002 and August 2003 totaled almost 1,000 persons. I admit that any number of deaths from infection is frightening, largely because of the "equal opportunity" nature of the agents.True, poorer conditions lead to greater chance of infection, but such things equalized, a virus such as SARS doesn't take into account whether you are a young father of three kids or a one-hundred-year-old great grandmother in her last few days of life -- it will infect you regardless.

Assembly approves Mary Washington name change

Mary Washington College's days are numbered: soon, the 95-year old school officially will be renamed the University of Mary Washington. The Virginia Senate yesterday approved the name change by a 37-2 vote.

Author discusses primaries' volatility

"There still is a tremendous amount of unpredictability in this race." This was he message presented to the audience in Newcomb Hall last night by Rhodes Cook, author of "The Presidential Nominating Process, a Place for Us?" Cook, the featured speaker at a discussion on the presidential primary system hosted by the University Center for Politics, explained how the circumstances in this election's primary race are rare. Cook said the leading fundraiser for the primary election has won every race since 1984.