News

Quandt to speak at fall convocation

Politics Prof. William Quandt, an international affairs expert and the outgoing vice provost for international affairs at the University, will speak to students and professors receiving honors at Fall Convocation next Friday. "We're very excited about having him here to speak," Director of Major Events Pam Higgins said. Quandt was a member of the National Security Council during the negotiations leading to the Camp David Accords under President Jimmy Carter.

One overlooked weapon against depression: Each other

My dad was not a huge television watcher, but every once and a while a show would hook him. As his love for M.A.S.H.

U.S. Senate unanimously approves anti-spam legislation by 97-0 vote

The Senate approved a measure 97-0 yesterday that would outlaw many business techniques used by advertisers who send unsolicited e-mails to millions of Americans. Sponsored by Sens.

Commission on Diversity holds retreat

The President's Commission on Diversity and Equity held a two-day retreat at Sweet Briar College over the fall reading holiday to make plans to help address diversity issues at the University. The commission, co-chaired by Angela Davis, associate dean of students for student life, and Politics Prof.

Honor Committee recruits reflect student population

The Honor Committee's recruitment of advisors, counsels and educators this year drew a group of students closely representative of the University's student population, according to statistics the Committee released Sunday night. Facing a longstanding concern about the role of minority groups in the trial process -- racial minorities, international students and athletes traditionally are over-represented as accused students and under-represented on Honor -- Committee members said they made an effort to target those minority groups in their support officer recruitment this year. For the first time in its history, the Committee released statistics reporting the demographics of students attending support officer tryouts.

Study shows nationwide tuition trends

In the wake of proposed Congressional legislation that would penalize schools for tuition increases which outpace inflation, new College Board reports show the average tuition increase at public universities for 2003-2004 was the highest in the 27 years statistics have been kept. This year, the weighted average tuition and fees at four-year public institutions was $4,694, up from $4,155 last year, a 13 percent increase according to two reports released Tuesday, Trends in College Pricing 2003 and Trends in Student Aid 2003.

Vaccinations offered soon

The University Department of Student Health recently signed a contract with a new vaccine provider to offer flu shots in Newcomb Hall this year.

ALWAYS AN EMPTY SEAT FOR HOMER...

Plans dropped for underground visitor's center

The National Park Service, after encountering a lack of support from Congress and the public, has decided to drop plans for an underground visitor's center at the Washington Monument. After Sen.

Visit by Polish First Lady cancelled due to conflict with charity efforts

Jolanta Kwasniewska, the First Lady of Poland, has cancelled her visit to University tomorrow. According to University News Services, the cancellation was due to a conflict with her charity efforts.

CIOs fundraise through 'Hoo-bay'

The Student Council committee for community affairs held Hoo-bay, a flea market-style fundraising event, yesterday in the Amphitheater. The committee planned the fundraising event in order to allow Contracted Independent Organizations with financial need to boost their funds.

Injuries at Tech parties spark concern

Since the beginning of the academic year, numerous injuries and one death have occurred at Virginia Tech parties, all but one of which were the result of falls from balconies and windows. Officials at both Virginia Tech and the University said these incidents serve as a reminder for students to care for their personal safety.

IGC hosts 'State of the Greek System' address

Students, faculty and administrators gathered in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom last night for the Inter-Greek Committee's first annual State of the Greek System Address. The IGC is comprised of representatives from the University's four Greek governing councils:the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Inter-Sorority Council, the Black Fraternal Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. IFC President Ryan Ewalt, ISC President Cahill Zoeller, MGC President Melody Han and BFC Co-Chairs Jason Bell and Darren Kelly each discussed significant past, current and future initiatives of their respective councils. "One of the things we want to accomplish through the [address] is to show the University community where the Greek system has been, where it is now and where it is going," said Ann Thorne, the undergraduate intern for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, who helped plan the event. The event was open to all members of the University community to provide an opportunity for both involved and uninvolved people with the Greek system to voice any questions or concerns, Thorne said. The address commenced with a brief synopsis of the history of the Greek system given by Aaron Laushway, associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life. "The students have heard me say for many years now that fraternities and sororities are the best vehicles for student self-governance," Laushway said. The IGC originally had planned for the first State of the Greek System address to occur in November 2002, but it was canceled in part as a result of the death of Jack Chen, a member of the Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, he said. Following Laushway's presentation, each Greek council leader addressed issues specific to his or her council, beginning with Bell and Kelly. Bell discussed BFC social events and both local and nationally-mandated service projects. Kelly then addressed some of the BFC's goals for the future, including an increased sense of presence and awareness of BFC organizations.

Reforming our electoral college

As the Supreme Court evaluates campaign finance reform this term, University students face an election reform of their own. Following a series of controversies during last spring's Student Council elections, Council instigated a restructuring of the election process that will culminate with a student vote to take place November 11-12. When they vote, students will face a series of referenda that will ask them to approve constitutional changes and the formation of a new organization to oversee elections called the University Board of Elections.

U. Maryland students fight cuts to education

In the wake of recently approved statewide tuition hikes, University of Maryland students are garnering support for a new political action and advocacy group dedicated to increasing state higher education funding. Born of student government activism at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Students Citizens Action Network is an independent organization created to fundraise and contribute money to the campaigns of state politicians. "It's a way to really be a serious part of the whole budget debate," said Drew Vetter, Network treasurer and a Maryland junior.

New SAT to include harder math, essay section

Beginning in the spring of 2005, a score of 1600 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test will not be quite the ego trip it is today. The changes to the test announced by the College Board last summer, in the second overhaul of the test in less than a decade, will be enacted in a year and a half. Modifications to the SAT will include the addition of an essay writing section and more rigorous math testing.

Parties prepare for upcoming state elections

Many voters heading to the polls this Nov. 4 to determine Virginia's next General Assembly will not be faced with a particularly difficult decision.

First Lady of Poland to visit University

Polish First Lady Jolanta Kwasniewska will visit Grounds Oct. 24. As part of her American cultural visit, she will make a stop at Alderman Library's Special Collections section. Kwasniewska, who will be accompanied by Slavic professor Darius Tolczyk, plans to view the papers of Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

Council reports loss of money in alleged theft

Student Council Vice President for Administration Will Sowers informed the University Police Department yesterday afternoon that an undisclosed amount of cash awaiting deposit had been removed from his desk in the Council offices. Although neither the University Police Department nor Council members would disclose the amount taken in the alleged theft due to the ongoing investigation, Council Chief Financial Officer Peter Ackerson said "the loss will have no material impact on the financial strength or operating ability of Student Council." Ackerson made a statement to Council last night regarding the incident. The statement said Sowers noticed the funds were missing before fall break and attempted to locate the money himself before informing any of the other executive officers.

Panel on blackface discusses law, history

The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society hosted a panel discussion last night entitled "Blackface and the First Amendment" to address both historical and constitutional issues surrounding blackface. The panel was purposely timed to occur just prior to Halloween, about one year after the controversial blackface incident at a joint Halloween party thrown by Kappa Alpha and Zeta Psi fraternities, said Wyeth Ruthven, programming director for the Center for the Study of Race and Law and Jefferson Society member. The Center, founded last spring to facilitate discussion of racial issues and the law, and to increase dialogue between the Law School and the rest of the University community, co-sponsored the event along with the Law for Us Student Mentoring Program, Ruthven said. "The panel is meant to explore two questions: The historical context of blackface and why it is offensive and [whether or not] blackface is considered protected speech under the First Amendment," he said. Panel organizers said they aimed to frame the debate on blackface and provide some background to contextualize the controversy. "If not malice, then there is a lot of ignorance surrounding blackface," Ruthven said.