News

Historical marker dedicated Monday outside Poe room on Range

The University and the City of Charlottesville honored author Edgar Allan Poe Monday by unveiling a historical marker outside he occupied on the Range for one academic session in 1826. Charlottesville Mayor Maurice Cox spoke outside Poe's room, reminiscing about his first experience with Poe's literature and praising the author's prose and poetry. Cox and other officials congratulated the city's Historic Resources Task Force for initiating the historical sign project. Satyendra S.

Policy expert calls for more state revenue, reforms to tax code

If Virginia's antiquated tax code is not reformed to provide new state revenue, the Commonwealth will be unable to fund basic services such as public education at former levels of quality, a University economist said.

UTS bus hits health system employee

In what officials are calling the most serious accident in University Transit System history, a UTS bus traveling on the Green route struck a pedestrian in the early morning hours Friday. The bus, driven by Clarence Feggans Jr., a full-time non-student driver, struck Margaret Potts, an animal caretaker at the University Health System's Center for Comparative Medicine, as she attempted to cross Jefferson Park Avenue, according to Rebecca White, director of University parking and transportation. Potts' condition was listed as critical as of yesterday afternoon, University Health Center spokesperson Margurite Beck said.

Legislators respond to comment by U. Md. head

In the wake of University of Maryland President C. D. Mote, Jr.'s controversial remarks about the University of Virginia, some state legislators asked for a clarification while others downplayed the import of the statement. The Oct.

MIT students unveil file-sharing alternative

Amid a continuing campaign by the Recording Industry Association of America to crack down on Internet users suspected of illegal file sharing, two students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology unveiled yesterday a new system to legally distribute music to students and faculty on campus. The Library Access to Music Project uses the campus television cable system to broadcast music to listeners, who can go online and sign up to customize the playlist on any one of 16 available music channels.

Health reports show critical violations in University dining halls

Virginia Department of Health inspection records show that every University dining facility, with the exception of Newcomb dining hall, Java City and the French House, was cited with at least one critical violation at its most recent inspection. Routine health department inspections take place at random without warning to facilities.

Feds ready plan to track international students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will announce regulations next week that will include an additional visa fee for all international students. The $100 fee will cover the cost of adding them to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database created to track all international students within the country. Officials say the government hopes to have the final system up and running next fall.

Parent slams gay pride stickers in schools

A local parent is lobbying the Albemarle County School Board to order the removal of the upside- down, rainbow triangle stickers that some high school guidance counselors display outside their offices. Crozet resident Bill Rossberg, father two Western Albemarle High School students, said he believes the stickers, representing what is commonly considered a symbol of gay pride, have no place in schools. "Western Albemarle is a really conservative area," Rossberg said.

UMD president: University overrated

University of Maryland President C. D. Mote, Jr. inspired consternation and criticism throughout Virginia recently when he declared the University's top ranking "ridiculous." In an article published in The Diamondback, Maryland's student newspaper, Mote is quoted calling into question the University's number one placement in the U.S.

FUTURE FOOTBRIDGE

Student Council gears up for fall elections

Students disconcerted by the Student Council elections process will have an opportunity to change the procedure by which student governors are elected in the upcoming elections. On Nov.

City announces free leaf collection program

Beginning Nov. 3, the Charlottesville Department of Public Works will offer free leaf collection to city trash customers. Public Works employees will distribute clear plastic bags for leaf collection to customers this week.

Illinois professor to speak on post-war housing boom

Dianne Harris will give a lecture on post- World War II houses and their role in forming American culture Thursday, Nov.

Support for Bush strong on campuses

Long believed to be havens for hippies and bastions of liberalism ringed with high ivory towers, American campuses can no longer be painted with such broad strokes, according to a Harvard study. A survey recently conducted by Harvard University's Institute for Politics found 61 percent of college students approve of President George W.

Albemarle county police officer dismissed after internal investigation

Officer Carl Graves, a 20-year veteran of the police force, was dismissed from the Albermarle County Police Department Oct.

Serpentine society celebrates fifth year

The Serpentine Society, a network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender alumni, celebrated its fifth anniversary with a three-day event coinciding with the University's Homecomings weekend. The weekend's events included a tailgate party, a board meeting and a fifth anniversary celebration dinner and awards gala at Alumni Hall. Saturday's banquet featured the presentation of the Bernard D.

Panel discusses Monacan history

Mr. Jefferson was wrong on at least one count: Although he wrote that the Monacan Indian Nation likely was doomed to extinction, a panel discussion in the Rotunda Dome room yesterday afternoon comprised of four tribal leaders and University Anthropology Prof.

Student groups discover thefts

As a result of the concerns of Newcomb management officials, many student organizations soon will have easier access and increased security with the advent of card swipe entries to their Newcomb Hall offices.

Recent graduate receives Bronze Star for valor in Iraq

Since graduating from the University in May 2001, Jon "Tyler" McGaughey has confirmed time and again his place among the few and the proud. As a second lieutenant in Operation Iraqi Freedom, McGaughey led a platoon of Marines through enemy fire, arranged for the evacuation of wounded individuals and calmly avoided confrontation with anti-American demonstrators. On Sept.

Arrests made in June robbery

Charlottesville Police have charged two men in the robbery of a University student which occurred in June on the railroad tracks between Virginia Avenue and Chancellor Street.