News

Campaign reform act may go to Supreme Court

Since the new national campaign finance law took effect Nov. 6, a growing number of activist organizations, politicians, lobbyist groups and states are taking sides in a court challenge to the law that could end up in the Supreme Court within months. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act aims to change the current trend of campaign finance by banning soft money contributions to national political parties, increasing hard money contribution limits and restricting corporations and labor unions from running ads explicitly in favor of one candidate. More than 80 plaintiffs are challenging the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in federal court, arguing that the ban of "soft money" contributions represents an encroachment on First Amendment rights. Sens.

News in Brief

Correction: Tuesday's article, "Committee asks Britt to speak at May graduation," incorrectly stated that Dr. L.

City considers zoning near Grounds

Earlier this week members of the Charlottesville community and local government officials met to discuss changes to commercial and residential developments surrounding the University. The changes were among many issues discussed Tuesday night at a public hearing on the city's draft zoning ordinance. Neighborhood Development Services, a branch of the city government, first proposed the ordinance change to the Charlottesville City Council on Nov.

Union seeks administration's recognition

Five months after the Staff Union at the University staged a protest voicing their objections to hospital job realignment -- and the lack of an active dialogue between the University and themselves -- they are again vying for the administration's attention. The union was formed last February with only eight members and since has grown to a membership of 150. Despite several attempts to attract University attention, including a protest on the Corner last June, the University administration has yet to recognize or meet with the union. Union President Jan Cornell said her organization is planning a rally, set for noon on Friday, to voice their demands to the administration.

Students split over support for possible war on Iraq

The University has a history of political activism, and in the coming weeks students could see this activism in action. A rally -- labeled "Dissent is Patriotic" -- and a debate over the United States' possible invasion of Iraq are scheduled for next week, representing a broad spectrum of beliefs. Political activism at the University is not new.

Police arrest basketball guard on DUI charges

Albemarle County Police arrested Virginia sophomore shooting guard Jermaine Harper early yesterday morning for driving under the influence after his blood alcohol level was measured at .17 percent. According to Albemarle County police records, Harper was arrested at 3:36 a.m.

City police search for assailant in recent attacks

Charlottesville and Albemarle County police are investigating a possible link between the assault of a city resident Monday morning and two similar September incidents in the county. A woman in her 40s was attacked in her home in the Willoughby subdivision between 8 and 9:30 a.m.

Greek committee starts up agenda

In collaboration with Madison House, the newly established Inter-Greek Committee held its first significant community event Saturday as a means of kicking off its long-term agenda. The IGC, founded last spring, is a 12 member organization comprised of two executive and one non-executive member from each of the four Greek governing bodies: the Inter-Fraternity, Inter-Sorority, Black Fraternal and Multicultural Greek Councils.

Cultural Lesson

NEWS IN BRIEF

Warner warns Virginia of an additional $1 billion cut Gov. Mark. R. Warner advised Virginia's local governments to rethink their budget cutting strategies as heannounced plans to cut the state budget by an additional $1 billion in January. At the annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Counties held Nov.

Students debate first year dorm decisions

Future first-year students may not have the option of suffering through the grueling Old Dorms vs.

University doctorates remain high in volume

American research universities awarded fewer doctorates to Ph.D. candidates in 2001, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported Monday.

Deconstructing Honor

Survey finds lack of faculty, student relationships

A new study released by the National Survey of Student Engagement closely examines the student college experience at schools across the nation, including the University. The survey discovered several trends, including a lack in student-professor relationships outside of the classroom.

Michigan basketball admits to illegal loans

Years of college hoops history disappeared last Thursday when the University of Michigan announced it will begin self-imposed sanctions in the aftermath of a massive athletics scandal. Michigan will forfeit all men's basketball victories that Chris Webber, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor and Louis Bullock played in because of illegitimate loans given to the students by Ed Martin, a Michigan booster now in prison for money laundering.

Sniper attacks refuel gun debates

State advocates for gun control and gun rights have stepped up their campaigns in response to the recent sniper shootings in Virginia and Maryland, said representatives from groups on both sides of the issue.

Committee asks Britt to speak at May graduation

The Class of 2003 graduating committee announced yesterday the selection of Dr. L. D. Britt as the keynote speaker for the graduation ceremonies in May 2003. Britt, a 1972 graduate of the College, received his masters in public health and a medical degree from Harvard University.

Religious institute expands overseas

What began as a group of religious scholars of different faiths gathering together to study scripture is now seeking to ease religious tensions across the world. The Children of Abraham Institute, which was founded at the University and Cambridge University in January of 2001, has since extended its reach both to the international stage and to university curriculums. In January 2001, Religious Studies Prof.

News in Brief

South Lawn to host giant pile of trash on Friday As part of its recognition of America Recycles Day, the University Division of Recoverable Disposable Resources will empty two giant bins of trash on the Lawn in front of Old Cabell Hall this Friday, totaling 108 cubic yards. The "dump dive," which will be on display from 9 a.m.

Schools across the state raise tuition

University students are not the only ones in Virginia who will pay a higher tuition in January. Colleges and universities across the Commonwealth implemented surcharges and tuition increases for spring semester to offset hefty statewide budget cuts. Among others, James Madison University, Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary all installed permanent increases ranging from $170 to $400 to their semester tuition bases for both in-state and out-of-state students. George Mason University added a temporary surcharge of $192 to its spring tuition.