News

News

News in brief

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 28, 2002

Washington & Lee University names Burish new president Thomas G. Burish, a faculty member at Vanderbilt University, was named Washington & Lee University's next president yesterday. Burish, an expert on the psychology of cancer patients, will begin his new position July 1. He will replace John Elrod, who died of cancer last July. Laurent Boetsch, W&L's vice president for academic affairs, had been the acting president since Elrod's death. After 10 years of serving Vanderbilt University, Burish resigned from his position as provost this month.

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Eastern religions enlighten world of science

By Sreejit Nair | March 28, 2002

College students routinely express great apathy toward religion, thinking the answers to the "how" and "why" of the world can be found in science alone. Others, however, ignore science and stick to the teachings of their religion instead. Both such groups would be surprised to learn science and religion parallel each other in many interesting ways. These parallels grow especially obvious in the doctrines of Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. Astronomy Prof.

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U. Md. hazing death sparks discussion

By Sharon Lynch | March 28, 2002

Nearly a month after University of Maryland student Daniel F. Reardon died following a bid-night party for Phi Sigma Kappa, investigations continue into the events surrounding his death and its implications.

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Americans glued to the tube more than ever before

By Alice Chiu | March 28, 2002

If television were a chemical, it probably would be America's favorite drug. According to some experts, Americans glued to the television face a greater risk of experiencing stress in their family relationships as well as psychological discomfort. Health experts carefully avoid using the word "addiction" to describe long hours in front of the tube. "Drug addicts might readily steal or commit crimes to get money to buy drugs whereas people might not rob a convenience store to watch television," said Gary Miller, a pharmacology and toxicology professor at the University of Texas-Austin. TV-Free America conducted a survey in 1999 revealing the average American spends the equivalent of 11 years in front of a television set over an average lifespan of 72 years. According to the group's survey, the average American watches 3.7 hours of television a day, which amounts to an astonishing figure of 56 days a year. The average American household owns 2.5 televisions, collectively switched on for six hours and 47 minutes every day.

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A method to March Madness?

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 28, 2002

The month is March, and that means only one thing -- it's time yet again for the NCAA basketball tournament. Individuals often select their teams without much thought, but professional gambling houses have it down to a science, bringing in millions in the process. So is there a method behind the madness? Although no one can predict the outcome of a sporting event with complete accuracy, a careful analysis of statistical data can reveal tendencies that boost the bottom line. For instance, 16th seeds are 0-52 since 1979, while 15th seeds have only a slightly better record of 3-52 in the same time period. Thus, the smart money is on the first and second seeds in the first round. Likewise, the 13th and 14th seeds pull upsets 25 percent of the time.

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College Board may change SAT

By Adrienne So | March 27, 2002

Following criticism of the SAT's accuracy as a gauge of college success, the College Board is considering making extensive changes to the content of the test. The proposed changes might include the addition of a writing section and more difficult math problems using advanced algebra and trigonometry.

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Student's letter leads to federal indictment

By Paul Quinlan | March 27, 2002

A letter written by a University student became the crux of an FBI investigation of two men who were denied entry into Israel in December based on suspicions that they were planning a suicide attack, according to court papers unsealed yesterday. In the sworn document, a copy of which The Cavalier Daily has obtained, one of the two suspects, Mohammed Osman Idris of Annandale, Va., is accused of lying to a grand jury.

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University explores uses for vast Kluge property

By Chris Wilson | March 27, 2002

Planning for the 7,400 acres of land that philanthropist John Kluge donated to the University continued Monday afternoon in a presentation to interested University and community members. Morven Farms Director Heather Craddock spoke with a small group in Newcomb Hall, presenting an in depth description of the property and discussing plans to organize proposals for how best to use the land. The donated properties, which spread over southeastern Albemarle county, total to an acreage greater than the city of Charlottesville and more than double the University's land holdings. "Morven Farms is a very precious gift and is a very exciting opportunity for the University," said Clo Phillips, special projects director in the Office of the Provost. Kluge divided the estates into core and non-core land.

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Lawmakers seek to loosen underage drinking laws

By Paul Quinlan | March 27, 2002

The Virginia General Assembly passed a bill now awaiting Gov. Mark R. Warner's signature that could loosen laws related to the underage purchase or possession of alcohol. Sponsored by Del.

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Council changes committee structure

By Alexis Unkovic | March 27, 2002

Last night, Student Council unanimously voted to divide the ethnic and religious affairs committee, thereby creating two separate committees. Bill SB02-2 amends the Council by-laws which now will provide for both the racial and ethnic affairs committee and the religious affairs committee.

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A Fine Romance

By Abby Fox | March 27, 2002

It sounds like the ideal life: dedicating the working hours to your passion, knowing the one whom you love and live with shares your interests and dedicates his or her life to similar endeavors. The dreamy vision translates into reality for many married professors at the University. Karen Chase, English professor and wife of English professor Michael Levenson, said the hard work of writing books with and team-teaching with her husband would hardly dim the romantic notions of academia many students have. "We really love working together," Chase said. She concentrates on the nineteenth century, and he focuses on modern literature and culture.

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University student sues law professor

By Nick Chapin | March 27, 2002

First-year Law student Marta Sanchez is filing a complaint against Law Prof. Kenneth Abraham claiming she experienced "extreme discomfort" in an introductory Law School program last summer and is considering action against the Commonwealth. On February 26, Sanchez filed a claim of assault and battery in Albemarle Circuit Court, seeking $25,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages. Sanchez attended an "Introduction to Law School and Legal Methodology" program, a presentation Abraham volunteered to teach to 20 selected incoming students.

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Garson to oversee medical school

By Josh Goodman | March 26, 2002

University President John T. Casteen III named Dr. Arthur "Tim" Garson Jr. the University's new vice president and dean of the School of Medicine yesterday afternoon. Garson, who now serves as senior vice president and academic dean for operations at Baylor College of Medicine, will begin his new position June 25, replacing outgoing Medical School Dean Robert Carey. "He's an excellent physician," Carey said of Garson.

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Fifth bomb threat puts new protocol to test

By Jen Michaels | March 26, 2002

A bomb threat on New and Old Cabell Halls yesterday tested the effectiveness of the University's bomb threat protocol and created a hectic and unique situation for students and visitors alike. During the incident, the new University protocol, which designates alternative class meeting sites, came into effect for the first time.

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BFC elects Dunkley, Webb as next co-chairmen

By Chris Wilson | March 26, 2002

The Black Fraternal Council elected third-year College student Michael A. Dunkley, a member of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., and second-year College student Rowland Webb Jr., a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the new co-chairmen of the Council yesterday evening in Newcomb Hall. Dunkley and Webb both were highly optimistic about their new positions. "We as co-chairs in our newly appointed positions want to keep the BFC as one of the more powerful organizations on campus through positive programming, community service, social events, forums and the principles that unite us all," Dunkley said after the elections. Webb expressed similar goals for an atmosphere of activism. Our goal is "an energetic environment in which there are always programs available," Webb said.

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Guster, Virginia Coalition to play free April concert

By Ben Sellers | March 26, 2002

The University Programs Council officially announced yesterday that national recording artist Guster will headline Springfest, a free event for University students to take place Saturday, April 13 in the Mad Bowl. Guster will be one of six bands performing at Springfest, said Jbeau Lewis, programs coordinator for PK German, the committee that organizes on-Grounds concerts within UPC. The daylong Springfest, which starts at noon, also will feature Texas country star Pat Green, Northern Virginia's Virginia Coalition and local acts Benny Dodd, Dogger and Vandyke Brown. In addition, the festival will include its annual Gusburger competition to see how many of the White Spot's signature hamburgers students can eat.

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Harvard study finds binge drinking remains common

By Martin Olivier | March 26, 2002

A Harvard University report published yesterday finds that, despite efforts on the part of colleges to reduce heavy drinking, the percentage of college students across the country engaging in binge drinking remains the same as it was eight years ago. Officials at the University, while largely rejecting the usefulness of the binge drinking statistic, maintained that the incidence of dangerous drinking at the University has decreased in recent years. The study, conducted by Harvard University Professor Henry Wechsler, found that 44 percent of college students between the ages of 18 and 23 had engaged in binge drinking -t defined as the consumption of five or more drinks in a row for men, and four in a row for women - within two weeks of taking the study.

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News in brief

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 26, 2002

Warner, Kilgore declare truce over judge's gerrymandering decision After two weeks of bantering, mainly through press releases, Gov.

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Kmart prepares to close 283 retail chains

By Kadie Bye | March 25, 2002

After a judge approved the closure of nearly 300 underperforming Kmart stores last week, the company's trademark "Blue Light Special" for sale merchandise will encompass nearly every store item in a complete liquidation of those stores. U.S.

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Fraternities, BOV discuss house renovations

By Alexis Unkovic | March 25, 2002

The Greek community met with members of the University administration in Minor Hall on Saturday to discuss the new loan incentive program created by the Board of Visitors in January. "This is the first opportunity we had to explain the program since the Board of Visitors approved it," said Leonard W.