News

News in Brief

Public education advocates seek funding for colleges Parents and educators gathered for a rally Monday morning at the bell tower on the grounds of the state Capitol in Richmond to seek school funding from the Virginia General Assembly. About 1,000 education advocates from all over the state were expected to attend, including superintendents, members of local school boards, teachers and administrators. Del.

Professor, religious scholar dies at age 66

Religious Studies and Sociology Prof. Jeffrey K. Hadden died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday at the age of 66.

CIOs follow the appropriations road in search of SAF funding

Though money might not grow on trees, plenty of it is collected through the University's annual Student Activities Fees. Each year Student Council is in charge of divvying up the SAF funds, in a process that has the power to make or break the budgets of the University's contracted independent organizations. This year Council has about $700,000 to give to the approximately 275 to 305 CIOs that will seek part of the pot.

Bush addresses taxes, potential Iraq war

With the nation teetering on the brink of war, President George W. Bush warned a joint session of Congress that "decisive days lie ahead" last night in his State of the Union address. "Today, the greatest threat in the War on Terrorism is outlaw regimes that possess weapons of mass destruction," Bush said during the speech in which he called for the total disarmament of Iraq and a tougher stance against North Korea. "Iraq has shown utter contempt for the United Nations and the opinion of the world," Bush said. Though he stopped short of asking Congress for a declaration of war, the President said strong links exist between Iraqi President Saddam Hussien and the al Qaeda terrorist network and that the Iraqi leader has, since the close of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, "systematically violated an agreement" to disarm. The President defended his aggressive stance on Iraq, which critics condemn as a policy of preemptive strike, by stressing the need for a proactive foreign policy. "Peace must be defended," said Bush, who earlier equated Hussien's regime to "Hitlerism" and added "trusting in the restraint and sanity of Saddam Hussien is not an option." Bush also alleged that Iraq is monitoring and intimidating UN weapons inspectors and destroying incriminating documents.

Cold causes influx of shelter seekers

This winter's cold spell has created a difficult dilemma for David Gilbert, director of the Salvation Army's Charlottesville branch.

Casteen first to receive national award

In recognition of University President John T. Casteen III's continual dedication to alcohol and substance abuse prevention, the U.S.

Hospital employees clash with University

A bill up for third reading in the House of Delegates today has the Staff Union of the University of Virginia and University Medical Center administrators pitted against one another in a battle over the hospital's legal status. SUUVA is accusing hospital officials of taking measures toward eventual privatization, a move that they say would negatively impact employees. The bill, sponsored by Del.

'SQL Slammer' worm jams student networks

University students who experienced difficulty with their Internet connection over the weekend can blame SQL Slammer, a computer worm responsible for worldwide computer failures. The worm, which originated Friday evening, plagued the computers of Lawn residents and kept ITC's staff on-call. The Slammer worm, responsible for shutting down many ATM machines and U.S.

Anti-rush fliers blanket Grounds, spark debate

Throughout the past week, slogans such as "Be your own person. Join a sorority" and "Don't pay for friends" have appeared on fliers posted across Grounds.

Commerce application pool grows

This spring, 485 College second years applied for 300 spaces in the Commerce School, representing a 14 percent increase in applications over last year and the largest applicant pool since 1997. "We're all nervous until we get our acceptances back," said second-year College student Owen Jones, who turned in his application before the deadline last Friday afternoon. The 485 applicants, up from last year's pool of 428, are 57 people short of the record 542 that applied in 1997. The Commerce School generally receives between 400 and 450 applications from University students every year. "I don't think we'll enroll significantly more" students, said Rebecca Leonard, assistant dean for undergraduate student services at the Commerce School.

News in Brief

Car strikes pedestrian on Route 29 A driver traveling southbound on Emmet Street yesterday struck a pedestrian crossing from Lewis Mountain Road to Memorial Gym at 9:50 a.m., causing a traffic delay in the area due to emergency response and rubbernecking. Ronnie Roberts, a Charlottesville Police Sgt.

Community commemorates King's legacy

Students and community members were asked to examine the "legacy beyond the clich s" yesterday evening at the University's Martin Luther King, Jr.

Water rates may drop pending Rivanna vote

Board members of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority will vote today on whether to reduce wholesale water rates. Any reductions approved by the board, which determines water rates for the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, would take effect this Saturday, Feb.

Intoxicated man allegedly vandalizes 14 cars with hatchet

Broken glass still litters the 2100 block of Jefferson Park Avenue after an intoxicated man broke the rear windows of 14 cars with a hatchet Saturday morning, according to Charlottesville Police. The vandalism occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Commerce student passes away Friday Fourth-year Commerce student Ryan Crookston passed away last Friday, Jan.

Coalition proposes Diversity Center

A coalition of the five largest minority advocacy groups at the University proposed plans to University officials for a Diversity Resource Center last Friday, Jan.

Cheating scandal goes wireless

A cheating scandal that erupted last week at the University of Maryland has taken underhanded schoolyard behavior to a new level -- making it wireless. Maryland currently is investigating 12 students who allegedly used the text-messaging function on their cellular phones to relay answers to one another during last semester's finals.

Cavalier Daily elects Bernick editor-in-chief

The Cavalier Daily staff elected its 114th Managing Board Saturday with unusual speed and efficiency, entering Jefferson Hall at 9 a.m.

VIRGINIA TAKES ON DEMON DEACONS

AFC continues construction of 42,000-square foot fitness area

By the end of this year, the bland orange walls surrounding the Aquatic & Fitness Center should be gone -- revealing a new haven for both University fitness buffs and aspiring buffs alike, Intramural-Recreation officials said. The new wing of the AFC should be open to patrons by December 2003. The phase II project expansion, part of the original architectural plans drawn up in 1996 but delayed because of lack of funding, will enlarge the popular Alderman Road fitness center by 42,000 square feet. The new wing will include multipurpose rooms for yoga and aerobics, more cardiovascular equipment, a raised indoor track and three basketball courts. Doug Tammen, AFC associate director of informal recreation said the new space is sorely needed -- particularly when cold weather hits Charlottesville and students are forced to exercise indoors. "We're standing room only right now," Tammen said. When the new wing is finished late this year, there will be "no concern about not filling up," he added. Because of the building's expanded capacity, the facility is expecting more members and students to drive and park at the AFC, said Vicki Smith, also an AFC associate director.