News

University Library puts Washington texts online

An archive of letters written by George Washington now will be available through the University Library's Electronic Text site -- the result of a collaborative effort between the University's E-Text Center and the Papers of George Washington, a modern scholarly editing project. The Web site will make thousands of George Washington documents available for the general public to browse. "We provide the technological expertise and guidance," said Matt Gibson, associate director of the Electronic Text Center.

Fatalities prompt new traffic measures

Motorists can expect to see more traffic enforcement on the streets of Charlottesville in the coming months, Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin said. According to Catlin, the number of annual traffic fatalities in Albemarle County has reached an all-time high. "This year's number of traffic fatalities to date is 20, and the total fatalities last year were 10 -- this is very distressing," Catlin said.

News in Brief

Police investigate assault at Poolside Cafe University police currently are searching for a 5-foot-10 black male who allegedly attacked an employee outside of the Poolside Caf in the Aquatic & Fitness Center.

Admission changes show no impact on diversity

In a recent report, University of California faculty found that changes to their school's admissions policies had no significant impact on the racial makeup or academic quality of its incoming freshman class. The study, made public this week, examined the repercussions of a new policy in effect at the university's six most selective campuses: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara. Under new policies adopted in November of last year, the admissions criteria of these institutions have been expanded to include non-academic factors, such as special talents and encounters with adversity. Called "comprehensive review" by the university's admissions officials, the policy already has sparked controversy as a potential means of averting Proposition 209, which outlaws the use of race in University of California admissions.

Assault victim requests safety changes

A victim of an October assault is voicing her concern about safety in the University Health System through letters to University authorities. Heather, who requested that her last name be withheld, was the victim of an Oct.

Virginia Senator elected to serve NRSC

Virginia Sen. George Allen was elected Wednesday to serve as the new chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, placing him in a key Senate leadership position. "It's an important post," Allen spokeswoman Carrie Cantrell said.

Good Eats

Privatization of University finds sparse support

Despite Virginia's statewide budget crunch, almost no officials in state government or at the University say they want to end permanently the relationship between the state and higher education. Even in tough financial times, when relations between government and school officials often are strained, support for privatization of the state schools is nearly non-existent among both top elected and University officials. Privatization has "been mentioned, particularly over the last year," Board of Visitors Secretary Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam Jr.

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.