News

Officials seek to increase minority faculty numbers

By Anthony LaMesa Cavalier Daily Associate Editor Though the University continues to grapple with limited funds for faculty salaries, faculty and administrators say the recruitment and retention of minority faculty will remain a priority when active hiring begins again. The percentage of full-time black faculty members at the University has dropped from 3 percent in 1998 to 2 percent in 2002, according to statistics from the University's Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies. In 2001 the University had the 11th highest percentage of black faculty out of a field of 25 peer institutions, ranking above the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California-Berkeley. "In terms of statistical analysis, we're actually pretty good, but we're not where we want to be," said Karen Ryan, associate dean for arts, humanities and social sciences.

Center for Politics to save Birdwood

Birdwood Pavilion, a Georgian mansion in the Jeffersonian style, will soon become the Center for Politics' new home if the Center can raise $8 million dollars for its renovation. If funds are acquired for renovation, the building, which has not been occupied since 1996, will provide space for conferences, visiting scholars, and staff of the Center and University at large. The building, constructed in 1819, the same year as the University's founding, desperately requires a complete renovation. Its Jeffersonian features include a Palladian portico and balcony over the front door.Many of the same craftsmen who worked on the University also worked on Birdwood. Located just beyond the Central Grounds to the west near the Birdwood golf course, the property also includes 20 acres of gardens and a breathtaking view of the Ragged Mountains. Because the early 19th century, when Birdwood was constructed, was characterized by energetic political involvement, Center officials say the building will make a fitting home.

Darden profesor retires after 42 years

With the retirement of Business Prof. C. Ray Smith in August, the Darden School will lose its longest serving faculty member. Smith, a 1958 Darden graduate, will retire after 42 years of educational and administrative service to the University. "You need to retire when you still have enough sense to know to retire," Smith said. Smith's retirement coincides with the 45th reunion of his Darden class. In a resolution commending Smith, the Board of Visitors acknowledged that the professor has taught "virtually every living alumnus" of the Darden School. Smith joined the Darden faculty just three years after receiving his MBA degree.

New housing options alter rental market

While the lease-signing debate continues, alternative housing options ranging from resort-style apartments to cooperative housing programs have the potential to change the Charlottesville housing market. Eagle's Landing and Sterling University Place, two resort-style apartment complexes opening this fall and summer, respectively, have the potential to lure around 800 students from the traditional off-Grounds market.

Honor releases student poll results

The Honor Committee recently released the results of the 2002 Honor Survey, which details student responses to questions such as "How do you feel about the Honor System?" Committee Chair Carey Mignerey said though it is impossible to conclude any absolute policy recommendations from the survey, the Committee now can take the results into account in their general procedures. "The most direct facts to pull out of the survey are, first, students feel positive about the system, second, they see benefits from the system, and third, they feel generally informed about the Honor System," Mignerey said. Random undergraduate students within all schools of the University were polled.

Mass-sickness strikes at Boston Univ.

Hundreds of students claiming symptoms similar to those attributed to food poisoning fell sick at Boston University last weekend.Four students were reportedly hospitalized. Symptoms included intense vomiting, fevers, body aches, and extreme dehydration.

Third-year College student Danny Rubin, a brother in Alpha Epsilon Pi, reads the Kiddish, a blessing of wine, to a group of students gathered at the fraternity's house for the Greek Jewish Council's second annual Passover Sederlast night, the first night of Passover.

Thomas Jefferson Center recognizes annual 'muzzle award' winners

To celebrate Thomas Jefferson's April 13 birthday, and to honor his legacy of advocacy for freedom of speech, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, announced the 10 recipients of its 'muzzle award' Saturday.

Foxfield loses license suspension appeal

A hearing held at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control office in Richmond yesterday morning could cause lower ticket sales and deter planning for the annual spring Foxfield races, scheduled to take place in 10 days. As a result of a decision made after the hearing, the Equine Sporting Event license of the Foxfield Racing Association will be suspended for 15 months, but the races will continue as planned, assuming Foxfield complies with three conditions set by the hearing. The conditions require the presence of one uniformed security officer for every 200 tickets sold, the addressing of all violations of public intoxication by Foxfield's private security force and a payment of $8,000 by Foxfield to Virginia ABC for the cost of the investigation. Foxfield Marketing Director Anne Browne said she believes the hearing was an effort by Virginia ABC to hinder plans and attendance to the races. "This is definitely planned to coincide with our race time," Browne said.

Landlords consider later lease-signing possibilities

As University students and administrators lobby local realtors to push back lease-signing dates, Charlottesville landlords say they are hesitant to comply unless all rental companies can reach a consensus for the earliest date at which students can sign leases. Following a March 26 meeting with University students and administrators, area landlords expressed concern over problems securing leases at later dates. Stadium Properties Owner Richard Ward, whose property primarily is located in the Jefferson Park Avenue area, said his company usually rents out 90 percent of its places before Nov.

City considers panhandling restriction

Following several incidents of aggressive panhandling on the Downtown Mall, City Council will consider an ordinance to restrict the practice citywide at its meeting next Monday. The proposed ordinance would prohibit aggressive panhandling in public areas such as parks and all panhandling on private property, around outdoor caf?

Students report registration success

As students begin registering for fall classes this week, the Office of the University Registrar expressed confidence that a sequel to the ISIS registration nightmare of last semester will be averted. Last fall, when a glitch in the code allowed only a few students onto the online registration system at a time, administrators were forced to delay registration in order to fix the system.

A community of jurors

It is a letter that alternately incites groans and quickens the pulses of University students. A long envelope, with an Honor Committee seal, opens to reveal script beckoning the recipient to jury duty. "Last spring, they picked me for jury duty, and I was like 'Oh, man,'" second-year College student Patrick Cole said.

Students panelists debate legitimacy of war in Iraq

Though the intense combat phase of the United States' war with Iraq essentially has ended, many agree that the questions posed by the conflict still linger. In an attempt to predict the likely direction of these future discussions, University students met last night in Rouss Hall for a debate sponsored by the Student Council legislative affairs committee and the Anti-War Coalition at U.Va. First-year College student Daniel Eaton and second-year College student Jeremy Williams spoke in support of the resolution.

Stetson University closes school paper following uncouth April Fool's edition

Officials at Florida's Stetson University closed down the school's newspaper after some alumni, faculty and students reacted unfavorably to content in the paper's April Fool's Day issue. The April Fool's issue included profanity and articles that critics charged were racist and advocated domestic violence. Administrators closed the newspaper, which is known as The Reporter, for the remainder of the year.

Honor statistics for 2002-2003 show case load has decreased

The Honor Committee released its 2002-2003 case statistics last week, which reveal an overall decrease in cases brought before the Committee.

Vandal smashes Irish glass exhibit outside art museum

"Stones in Place," an outdoor art exhibit at the University of Virginia Art Museum was vandalized this past weekend.

Center for Politics continues series on political humor

The Center for Politics will present a panel discussion on political humor tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Newcomb hall theater. According to a press release from the Center for Politics, the panel will discuss "the serious side of political humor." Panel participants include Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist, and James Downey, a writer for Saturday Night Live. The panel discussion, which will be narrated by politics prof.

Professors, students speak out against war in Iraq at teach-in

Last night at 7 p.m. in Rouss Hall, the Anti-War Coalition sponsored "War with Iraq: a teach-in," to educate University students about conflict in Iraq and potential consequences. Nine speakers detailed several topics stemming from the war, such as media coverage, motives of the United States and the United Kingdom, the war at home, exploitation, post-war consequences, long-term political implications, civil disobedience and treatment of Muslims and immigrants. English Prof.

HOT UNDER THE HOOD

Two firefighters from the City Fire Dept.'s Engine 6 hose down a car which caught fire in the University parking lot at Scott Stadium yesterday afternoon.