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Supreme court revives discrimination case Leonard Edelman, a former Lynchburg biology professor, sent a complaint letter to the employment commission in November 1997, six months after he was allegedly fired by the college


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Gym germs might make working out hazardous to your health

Hitting the gym for some exercise and stress relief could put you in a dangerous situation - entering the gym potentially exposes you to a variety of infectious viruses, bacteria and fungi. Thousands of people can use a single gym on any given day, leaving behind germs that could make you sick. The germs lurk on weight benches, treadmills and floor mats - just about everywhere. Scientists call these common surfaces fomites, which harbor harmful microbes that can infect unsuspecting passersby. John MacKnight, professor of clinical internal medicine and orthopedics, has witnessed first-hand the effects of germs at the gym. University athletes who use the same training room often experience infection in waves. "If someone has a stomach flu and they have a little viral contamination on their hands at the gym, it is on the machine for the next person to pick up," Mac-Knight said. "How long the pathogen can live depends on the type of surface it is on and the moisture and humidity level," Immunology Prof.


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New drug seen as rising threat on the East Coast, Virginia

Due in part to an alarming rise in the illicit usage of the painkiller drug OxyContin, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation earlier this month which will require the Director of the Department of Health Professions to establish the Prescription Monitoring Program.


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New arena plans increase student seating

The Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors decided before Spring Break that the new basketball arena should contain 15,000 seats, perhaps 4,000 to 5,000 of which would be reserved for students. The University hired a Charlottesville-based architectural firm, V.M.D.O., which works in conjunction with a Kansas City firm called Ellerbee Becket, to design the arena, which would replace the over 35-year-old University Hall where the University's basketball teams now play. Ellerbee Becket is "the preeminent basketball arena design firm in the country," University architect Pete Anderson said. In a March 7 meeting with representatives of the firms, the committee decided the arena should contain 15,000 seats, Board member Terence P.


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Department undergoes name change

In a move that reflects years of gradual reform, the department of government and foreign affairs changed its name to the department of politics. The Board of Visitors approved the change at their Jan.


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University heating plant concerns community

Controversy abounds over the University's most recent requests to increase the amount of fuel used at its main heating facility on Jefferson Park Avenue. Both state and local officials have voiced their apprehensions about the consequences of burning coal. In a letter to area neighborhoods, City Councilman Kevin Lynch said he was "very concerned about the potential adverse effects of operating a large coal burning facility in an urban area." These effects include possible health risks to area residents such as respiratory trouble and environmental effects such as acid rain and smog, Lynch said.


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News in Brief

Hoping to combat childhood hunger in the Charlottesville community, University coaches announced they will host the first-ever Taste of the Game fund-raiser May 5. Twelve University coaches will offer training on fundamentals and advanced strategies to local area youth and families who participate. Coaches also will speak in a number of information sessions on a range of topics including sports conditioning and maintaining a balance between academics and athletics. Tickets for the one-day event will be $15.


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Va. Tech increases tuition

Responding to fiscal pressure from higher education budget cuts, Virginia Tech on Monday became the first state school in seven years to raise tuition for in-state students. Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors approved 4.8 percent and 7 percent total cost increases for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively. "Like [the University] we are taking the largest cuts in the state," Virginia Tech Spokesman Larry Hincker said.


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Mellon estate endows scholarships

University students from Fauquier County, Va., now may find it easier to receive financial aid, thanks to a gift from the estate of renowned philanthropist Paul Mellon. All students from Fauquier County applying for financial aid automatically will be considered for the Paul Mellon Scholarships, which will be completely need based. "The credit belongs to the executors and Mr. Mellon himself, and his long term relationship with the University," said Charles Fitzgerald, associate vice president of development, who helped Mellon's estate establish the fund. Mellon's estate gave a $3 million endowment to establish the scholarship, along with $150,000 to cover the aid of Fauquier County students already enrolled and incoming students next year. "It was very thoughtful to give the extra $150,000.


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General Assembly passes budget

Following weeks of speculation and debate, the Virginia General Assembly overwhelmingly passed its $50.5 billion budget for 2003-2004 on March 9. The budget calls for intense cuts to funding for higher education institutions across the state.


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Student's death raises issue of depression

The death of third-year College student Aaron John Fox in his father's home over Spring Break has brought the issue of suicide among college students to the University community. The details of Fox's death have not been released as of yesterday but it has been identified as suicide. The Office of the Dean of Students "received word from his father saying he was comfortable with people knowing the manner of his [Aaron's] death," Dean of Students Penny Rue said. A memorial service for Fox was held last Friday in Fairfax at Everly Funeral Home.


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Rash of bomb threats leads to policy changes

Following a string of erroneous bomb threats on University buildings, the administration has revised and clarified its policies for such situations. Five bomb threats have been made on University buildings over the past five weeks.


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Fire razes Chiang House restaurant

A fire destroyed the Chiang House restaurant early morning Saturday, March 9, causing $750,000 in damage. The Albemarle Fire Marshal's Office ruled the fire accidental, Fire Marshal Mark K.


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News in brief

Second-year student drowns in Cancun Second-year College student Julia G. Nystrom, who was on leave this semester, drowned in Cancun, Mexico sometime in February, Dean of Students Penny Rue said in a press release.


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Wasting away in Margaritaville

The sun, the surf and binge drinking, lots of binge drinking - it's how many students envision Spring Break. The spring vacation is a time when many students plan to have fun, be daring and act crazy.


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Employee arrested for bomb threat

University Police charged an Observatory Hill dining hall employee yesterday with threatening to bomb the dining hall last Friday. Police arrested Danielle Patrice Carr, 18, for allegedly writing a note stating that a bomb was on the premises.


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Honor completes Bloomfield investigations

Eleven months and 158 charges later, the Honor Committee has finished all the investigations for the Bloomfield plagiarism cases. So far, 38 students who took the Physics 105 and 106 courses, How Things Work, have been dismissed from the University, including those who admitted guilt before and after their investigation panels. Of 59 cases referred to trial, twenty still are pending, and Committee Chairman Thomas Hall estimates they will not be completed until the end of the semester. "We obviously are glad to have the investigation stage completed, and the process has been quite smooth," Hall said. Trial Statistics click here Hall said he expected the trials to be finished last semester but now is confident they will finish by the end of the semester. "The cases may have moved slower than anticipated, but the truth has been found in every case," he said.

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Latest Podcast

TEDxUVA is an entirely student-run organization, hosting TED-style events under official TEDx licensing. Reeya Verma, former president and fourth-year College student, describes her experience leading the organization when its ability to host TEDx events was challenged, working to regain official TEDx licensure and the True North conference, which prominently featured University alumni.