News

Lawsuit alleges Web site touts misleading prices

A pending legal battle has ignited a debate pitting past and future business practices against each other. The National Association of College Stores, Inc. filed a lawsuit Monday accusing online bookseller Varsitybooks.com of false advertising. NACS is a trade association with 3,000 members, including the University Bookstore. According to a letter sent to all NACS members, the lawsuit alleges that discounted prices shown on the Varsitybooks.com Web site are inaccurate and misleading to consumers.

Charitable trust president urges civic leadership

Rebecca Rimel, president of Pew Charitable Trusts, urged an audience of about 90 people gathered in the Rotunda Dome Room yesterday to fulfill their civic duties through community activism. "People need to answer the call to civic leadership with humility and grace," Rimel said. Rimel is the recipient of this year's Distinguished Alumna Award, given by the University's Women's Center. Rimel was a '73 graduate of the Nursing school.

Police explore link between robberies

Bullet shells from last week's attempted armed robberies at a local 7-11 store and Arby's restaurant are being tested to see if there is a possible connection between the crimes, Albemarle County Police said. Although Detective Bill Giles said he does not necessarily believe the two crimes are related, the bullet shells will be "compared just to make sure." Results of the testing will not be known for several weeks, Giles said. It also is unknown if there is a connection between these crimes and an armed robbery that took place last week at a local video store by a man wearing a Halloween mask. "When you have this many robberies that close together in time, you're always looking for similarities," Albemarle County Police Sgt.

Cracking up

Between 1993 and 1994, Newcomb Hall officials found floor-to-ceiling cracks in a stairwell leading from the Newcomb Hall Theater to the projection room.

Scientists focus on medicine's future, use of technology

Over 150 scientists, students and health care professionals from throughout Virginia and as far away as Utah gathered at the Omni Hotel Monday and Tuesday for the Second Annual Conference on the Development of Technology in Medicine in Virginia. "What we're trying to do is develop an advocacy for biotechnology in Virginia," Conference Coordinator Roberta Nixon said.

Researcher receives grant to study grief

The National Institute of Nursing Research recently awarded Assoc. Nursing Prof. Richard Steeves with a Shannon Award for his research in helping families cope with the loss of a loved one. Steeves, who was among 12 end-of-life applicants out of over 100 chosen for the grant, will receive $100,000 over two years for his research. According to Daniel O'Neal, Chief Office of Science Policy and Public liaison for the National Institute of Nursing Research, the Shannon Award, given last month, is an alternative method for researchers to fund their work since resources are often limited. The award is given three times a year to hundreds of recipients as a supplement to regular National Institute of Health funding, O'Neal said. Steeves is studying the merits of bereaved people receiving a consultation-type intervention. When people "lose someone important a big part of their narrative is missing," Steeves said.

Harris maintains Assembly seat

As part of a historic Republican capture of the Virginia General Assembly, Del. Paul Harris (R-58) was reelected last night to his second, two-year term. At about 9 p.m., Harris victoriously told the crowd of several hundred supporters gathered at the Boar's Head Inn outside Charlottesville that "we've done it again." Harris won with 59 percent of the vote. Democratic challenger Ed Wayland only garnered 41 percent. Harris said repeatedly last night that he won the election, in contrast to Wayland's tactics, without negative campaigning. "We've lead a strong, hard, tough campaign," he said.

Council unanimously passes budget, resolution

Student Council unanimously approved both their 1999-2000 budget and a resolution concerning the amount of Student Activities Fee money Madison House will receive over the next nine years at their meeting last night.

GOP snags House, control of Senate

RICHMOND-The Republican Party made history in Virginia last night, taking both houses of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction in a state with a traditionally Democratic legislature. "Free at least - free at last," Gov.

Tracked applicants still make the grade

Students tracked during the admissions process for their potential to donate to the University are nearly as academically qualified as normal first-year students, according to statistics released by the University Monday. Last week the University acknowledged that Gordon C.

Maddux fails to oust Sen. Couric

The results of yesterday's General Assembly elections proved bittersweet for Republican State Senate candidate Jane Maddux. Although Maddux lost the election to incumbent State Sen.

Violence at parties sparks dialogue

Recent fights disrupting parties at rented-out fraternity houses not only have provoked concerns about safety, but also have sparked worry among students about a negative stigma associated with parties sponsored by black student organizations. This stigma, some student leaders said, has resulted in increased police presence at parties sponsored by black student groups and in students being increasingly wary about attending these off-Grounds parties for fear of violence.

Virginia Election Results

NEH gives University Web site $100,000 gift

A University Web site that provides a search engine for information about African-Americans living in the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area during the Jim Crow period has received a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Couric trounces Maddux to retain state senate seat

"Emily whipped her. And she whipped her good. There was no question about this race." With that statement, Del.

INCIDENTS

Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Maury Avenue *Two students assaulted, late Friday night, Feb.

Democrats face GOP power in state legislature

RICHMOND-Although the Democratic Party suffered an unprecedented loss in Virginia's General Assembly elections last night, democratic leaders said they hope to collaborate with the Republican Party on key issues including health care reform, transportation, and public and higher education. The Democratic Party now holds 19 seats in the Senate and 47 seats in the House of Delegates. Last night's election results give the Republican Party a majority in both the Senate and the House, a lead which has not occurred since the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. This shift of power probably will bring more emphasis to conservative issues in the General Assembly, officials said. "I think some right-wing social issues will come to the forefront," Virginia Democrats Executive Director Craig Bieber said. Issues including affirmative action and abortion will be more heavily influenced by the Republican Party, said Patrick Corey, a member of the Virginia Partisans, a gay and lesbian democratic club.

Wayland fails to capture Harris' seat

Ed Wayland, Democratic candidate for the 58th district House of Delegates seat, conceded victory to Republican incumbent Paul Harris last night shortly before 9 p.m.

Candidates show similar views on issues

As State Senate hopeful Jane Maddux (R) attempts to beat out incumbent Sen. Emily Couric, D-Charlottesville, her campaign is focusing on distinguishing herself from Couric, who is showing up much stronger in the polls. Couric has shown remarkable support, even though the ultimate goals of the two candidates are strikingly similar. Bettering education, lowering taxes, protecting the environment and reforming healthcare are some of the main promises made by both candidates. So what sets them apart? "The main difference is the philosophical difference on how much government should be involved in your life.

Police issue description of attackers

Police have released the physical descriptions of the two men who robbed a male University student at gunpoint on Alderman Road Sunday night.