News

Rainbow Painting owner claims he was treated unfairly

Ed Kirby, owner of Rainbow Painting, is considering taking legal action against the University as a result of having his contract terminated last spring. Kirby had been hired by Facilities Management to paint part of Maury Hall, and his workers were using electric guns to remove paint from the facing of the building's roof. Kirby partially attributed his company losing the job to the relationship between competitor John Sandalis, owner of Dalis Painting Inc., and L.T.

Petition asks Congress for delay in war against Iraq

As the United States and its allies amass troops in the Persian Gulf, many Americans at home continue to voice opposition to war in various forms. In this spirit, citizens across the country will deliver an online petition, sponsored by MoveOn.org, to every Congressman's office today. "The petition states simply we urge President Bush and the United Nations to let the inspections work," said Josef Beery, a local volunteer coordinator for MoveOn.org and 1980 Architecture School graduate.

Early admission acceptances more selective than last year

Even as the fate of binding early decision programs remain in limbo at the University and other schools around the country, 912 future members of the class of 2007 received admission offers last month. The accepted students represent 38 percent of 2,410 total students who applied for early admission -- an increase in selectivity over last year, when 41 percent of the 2,397 early applicants were accepted, 973 students. This year's accepted students "are at least as strong, probably stronger, than the group admitted last spring," Dean of Admissions John A.

News in Brief

New York Architects to speak this Friday Guiseppe Lignano and Ada Tolla from the New York based architecture firm LO/TEK will visit the University this Friday to discuss their work. Featured in the University of Virginia School of Architecture Michael Owen Jones Memorial lecture, the two will deliver a lecture on the topic of "Urban Scans," focusing on metropolitan design. The lecture begins at 5 pm on Friday, Jan.

Two professors among top ten in Virginia

Two of the University's professors were named among the top 10 in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia last week. Gov.

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Thousands turn out to Lewis and Clark final ceremonies

Despite morning temperatures that fell into single digits on Saturday, nearly 3,000 people assembled on the West Lawn of Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello for the beginning of a three-year, nationwide commemoration of Lewis and Clark's journey into America's Western frontier. "This is where it all started -- at Monticello, in the mind of Thomas Jefferson," said author and filmmaker Dayton Duncan, who served as the event's master of ceremonies.

Avoid getting Bushwacked by tax cut

The return of Reganomics and its tax cuts, curbed social spending and other supply-side economic concepts seems inevitable.

Man commits suicide in Chemistry building

On Thursday at approximately 9 p.m., a suicide occurred in the Chemistry building, according to University Police and departmental officials. Authorities have not yet released any details surrounding the incident and refused to identify the victim, who, though not a faculty member, held a position within the Chemistry Department. "He was a local employee who had an adjunct appointment," Chemistry Dept.

City celebrates Martin Luther King day

Although students will face the grind of classes as usual today, many Charlottesville and University community members will commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Virginia wine industry ripens for growth

As a business that has seen more than a 1,000 percent increase in wineries over the last 20 years, the Virginia wine industry is ripe to compete on a national level.

Officials announce results from new traffic study

After opponents of the future parking garage at Emmet Street and Ivy Road questioned the accuracy of a University-sponsored traffic study, preliminary results are in from a second study. "I'm encouraged that they're doing a new study," said Julie Gronlund, vice-president of the Lewis Mountain Neighborhood Association, which has voiced its opposition to the project. An original University-sponsored traffic study did not adequately assess potential traffic problems, according to those who oppose the construction of the new garage. "The first study had quite a few flaws in it," Gronlund said. The current study, conducted by the consulting firm Kimley-Horn and Associates, is being paid for by the University and managed jointly by the City of Charlottesville and the University. The previous traffic study was conducted by an outside consultant hired by the University, without involvement of city officials. The Kimley-Horn study showed the delay at Emmet and Ivy to be an average of 66.5 seconds between 5 and 6 p.m., compared to the previous study's results of 52.4 seconds.

Hundreds assemble downtown to voice opposition to war

The Downtown Mall echoed with chants of "Not my president! Not my war! Enron's president! Exxon's war!" on Saturday afternoon, when more than 500 demonstrators braved subfreezing temperatures in order to protest possible war with Iraq. "I think this war is wrong and I want to stand up for peace," said second-year College student Annis Steiner, who attended the protest. People from Bedford to Richmond joined Charlottesville residents and University students in one of many anti-war rallies across the country on Saturday.

News In Brief

Parts of Meadow Creek to resurface as part of a University drainage plan A project to control drain water from areas around the University, including the Massie Road Arena and the Emmet Street parking garage, will include draining some areas of Meadow Creek to accommodate rainwater. The plan is designed to help avoid erosion that can result from massive amounts of storm water runoff. The plan also will help avoid flooding and reduce the speed with which water flows into the storm drain network.

Sabato to replace Elzinga on the Lawn

Economics Prof. Ken Elzinga and his wife Terry are moving out of Pavilion IV at the end of this month. The Board of Visitors selected Politics Prof.

NEWS IN BRIEF

University employees commended for hefty donations to charity University employees once again proved their generous disposition in last fall's Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. The campaign, held each fall, asks state employees to make donations to Virginia charities. Of the $3.1 million raised in 2002, University employees led the state in donations, giving a collective $555,527 to the charity event. "I've long believed that the University of Virginia's strength lies in the exceptional quality of faculty and staff," University President John T.

State council recommends higher funds for colleges

A governor-appointed council in Richmond recommended Wednesday that more state resources be devoted to higher education -- but lawmakers and Virginia school administrators disagree on whether the funds are available. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said the state's higher education system needs greater funding to weather the Commonwealth's ballooning student bodies, declining national research standing and faltering job market. "The question isn't how can we do this, but how can we not find ways to address these concerns," SCHEV Acting Communication Director Fran Bradford said. But state officials say there simply is not enough money in state coffers for increased higher education funding. "Under the present environment in Richmond, there's no chance for passage" of the recommendations, said State Del.

College Board urges greater tuition aid

The results from the College Board are in: The U.S. government needs to invest more dollars in tuition aid for lower-income prospective college students. The organization concluded a yearlong study on Wednesday with recommendations that the federal government make a greater investment in need-based financial aid, according to a College Board press release.

University to offer a neuroscience major

This spring the University will join a growing number of institutions that offer a neuroscience major to undergraduate students.

Long-awaited fifth Harry Potter book to be released in June, publisher says After a two year stint on the big screen, Harry Potter will return to print this summer with the fifth installment of the seven-part series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Mr. Potter's publisher, Scholastic, announced yesterday that publication for the book will begin worldwide June 21, 2003.