News

Richards addresses mail allegations

Meredith Richards and the University Democrats have both offered to reimburse the University for the cost of using the internal messenger mail service to distribute 600 political fundraiser invitations to faculty mailboxes. Richards is challenging Republican Virgil Goode for Virginia's 5th District Congressional seat. Dave Sagarin, Richards' campaign spokesman, said Richards thought the invitations would be hand-delivered to faculty mailboxes around Grounds by members of the University Democrats. "Although the Richards for Congress campaign was under the impression that the invitations would be stuffed in individual mailboxes, they were not, and we are ultimately responsible for actions taken on our behalf," Sagarin said. According to University Mail Services policy, student groups, known as Contracted Independent Organizations, are permitted to communicate with faculty via messenger mail, provided mail "be related to University business." After receiving complaints from faculty members about the mailing, Mail Services Manager Jack Parker obtained a copy of the invitation and said it represented an inappropriate use of the system. But because of the student organization's involvement in the event, both Sagarin and Katie Hamm, vice president of the University Democrats, questioned whether a clear-cut violation occurred. "Nobody really knows what the limitations are," Sagarin said.

Athlete graduation percentages steadily improve nationwide

College athletes are graduating at a higher rate than in years past, both nationally and at the University, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported Friday. At Division I schools across the country, 60 percent of athletes are graduating within six years of entering college -- the highest rate since the NCAA started tracking the incoming classes in 1984.

New center sponsors undergraduate research search

In a collaboration among administrators, faculty and students, the Center for Undergraduate Excellence will serve as the University's headquarters for undergraduate research, fellowships and interdisciplinary majors. The new center, housed in the basement of Garrett Hall, combines offices that formerly were separate, including the Fellowships Office and other departments that served as resources for undergraduates. President John T.

Police look into second sexual assault incident

Albemarle County police are investigating two assaults that occurred last Thursday within 13 hours of one another. The two assaults, which occurred in the Ivy Gardens apartment complex off Ivy Road and in the Georgetown Greens apartments off Barracks Road, both were made on young women in their homes. Albemarle County police believe the same person might have committed both crimes. "The incident locations are within four or five miles of each other and are similar in nature as far as neighborhood dynamics," Albemarle County Police Sgt.

Students take practice exams, donate $345 to Special Friends

Last Saturday, University students willingly dragged themselves out of bed to take practice exams at 10 a.m.

Board of Visitors to discuss $200 mid-year tuition hike for spring

In the shadow of state budget cuts and with the prospect of $20 million in additional cuts in University funding, the Board of Visitors will meet Friday to discuss a proposal for a possible mid-year tuition increase for all University students. The proposal would raise University tuition by $200 for the spring semester for both in-state and out-of-state students. William H.

It's a Small World after all for Disney

In the 20th century, childhood in America was defined by three constants: good food, loving parents and the presence of the Big M. No, not McDonald

News in Brief

IMF protestors arrested for carrying explosives Four protestors arrested Saturday during the demonstrations outside the International Monetary Fund building in Washington, D.C., yesterday were charged with carrying explosives. Coffee cans full of nails and blasting caps were found along with smoke bombs in backpacks carried by the two men and two women, who were apprehended leaving an alley next to the IMF building.

CROWD SURFING

Corruption threatens to cripple Mexican oil industry

Since it was nationalized in 1938, Mexico's oil industry has been a symbol of national pride

Honor Committee works to diversify its participants

Members of the Honor Committee's Diversity Advisory Board say they are working hard to change the face of the honor system. After their first meeting of the academic year, DAB members are rallying to bring minority student representation and the Committee together through increased outreach. "Our goal is to improve the experience of minority students with the Honor Committee," DAB Chairman Saket Narula said.

Recent rainfall delays depletion but does not permanently ease shortage

Despite several inches of rainfall last week, the area's water crisis is still "very serious," according to University and local water officials. Richard Collins, chairman of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, said the rainfall did "not really change" Charlottesville's water supply. Thursday and Friday's showers raised the Rivanna reservoir, the main source of University water, by almost 1 percent, or 22 million gallons.

Recent rainfall delays depletion but does not permanently ease shortage

Despite several inches of rainfall last week, the area's water crisis is still "very serious," according to University and local water officials. Richard Collins, chairman of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, said the rainfall did "not really change" Charlottesville's water supply. Thursday and Friday's showers raised the Rivanna reservoir, the main source of University water, by almost 1 percent, or 22 million gallons.

News in Brief

Local Wal-Mart violatesCity water restrictions The local Wal-Mart retail store, located on Rte.

Foreign student tracking system delayed

Recent Congressional subcommittee hearings have brought to light the possibility that an indeterminate number of foreign students could be unable to enter U.S.

Woman assaulted at Ivy Gardens apartments

A woman was physically and sexually assaulted in her apartment on Ivy Drive early yesterday morning. An unidentified male entered her third-floor apartment through an unlocked balcony door at approximately 2 a.m.

Messenger mail used for political fundraising

A printed invitation to a political fundraiser that solicited a $125 donation for Democrat Meredith Richards' Congressional campaign recently was mass-mailed through the University's free, intra-departmental postal service -- in a possible effort to cut campaign costs. This constitutes an abuse of University resources by an outside party, internal mail officials said. Richards is challenging the Republican incumbent Virgil H.

Virginia Film Festival plans celebrity hosting

A slice of Hollywood will be coming to Charlottesville next month as the 15th annual Virginia Film Festival arrives on Grounds. The three-day festival, scheduled for the fourth weekend in October, will present screenings of old and new films, as well as workshops and discussions. Festival Artistic Director Richard Herskowitz said the festival is unique among events of its kind. "Instead of just featuring premieres, we design it as though it is a three-day course," he said. The theme of this year's festival is "wet," so many of the films shown will use water imagery. "Water is an inspirational theme for movie makers.

Women's Center awarded $10,000

The project of a former Education School doctoral student has resulted in the presentation of a $10,000 award to the University Women's Center by a national gender equity organization. The American Association of University Women's Legal Advocacy Fund chose the Women's Center as this year's recipient of their Progress in Equity Award last week. Education doctoral student Cathy Barefoot nominated the center last spring after she focused on the Women's Center for an education course project. Barefoot found information about the award on the AAUW Web site and nominated the Women's Center. The Legal Advocacy Fund "supports women seeking judicial redress for sex-discrimination in higher education and it gives awards to institutions that advance equity," said Willa Lawall, president of the Charlottesville chapter of AAUW. The national chapter of AAUW chose the winner and will present the award to the Women's Center. According to a press release, the Progress in Equity award recognizes innovative programs that further gender equity at their institutions and in the community and provide diverse programs that can be emulated by other universities. Women's Center Director Sharon Davie said the AAUW award came as a surprise to the center when they received a congratulatory call last week. "The AAUW really were just so positive, and said that they wanted to support what the center was doing," Davie said.

Chewing the fat bad for health experts say

With McDonald's recent announcement that they will reduce the trans fatty acid content of its cooking oils by 48 percent, the restaurant industry has seen a resurgence of interest about the health risks associated with these unnaturally modified fats.