News

News

Darden elects to build new office in Northern Virginia

By Barbara Krabill | April 14, 2000

The Darden School has decided to build a Northern Virginia office in the heart of the high-tech corridor running from Tysons Corner to Dulles Airport. The office will not function as a satellite campus, but will instead promote Darden student business projects, foster executive education with area corporations and provide opportunities for case writing with such corporations. Classes may be offered at the Northern Virginia office in the future. "There needed to be a stronger relationship between Darden and the high-tech communities," Darden Vice President of Communications Phil Giaramata said.

---

News

Robb, Allen begin partisan battle over tax cut policies

By Emily Roper | April 14, 2000

Although several months remain before November's U.S. Senate general election, Sen. Chuck Robb (D) and Republican candidate former-Governor George Allen already have begun to clash over tax-cut proposals. Allen recently revealed his tax cut package, which includes tax relief for parents of school-aged children.

---

News

Strength in numbers

By Jacqueline Roper | April 14, 2000

"I'd like to say I'm happy to be here, but I'm not," said Aretha Donolie of the Sexual Assault Resource Agency, echoing the sentiments of the crowd gathered on the steps of City Hall for last night's Take Back the Night rally. Her remark caused reflection among the crowd as they realized if it wasn't for the presence of violence, there would be no need for a rally. Between 300 and 400 women and men gathered on the Downtown Mall to protest violence against women. The rally is an annual event organized by the National Organization for Women at the University. The spectators rallied together before marching to the Rotunda for a candlelight vigil. Related Links Take Back the Night homepage &nbsp During her speech, Dean of Students Penny Rue emphasized the importance of eliminating what she referred to as the "blame and shame mentality," in which the victim suffers the responsibility of the attack. She also recognized and thanked Commonwealth Attorney Dave Chapman, "who last week put one of the most heinous rapists away for a long, long time." Chapman successfully prosecuted Montaret Davis last week in Charlottesville Circuit Court for raping a female University student last August. Charlottesville Mayor Virginia Daughtery called for everyone to band together against sexual assault. Daugherty emphasized that everyone must hold on to their "sense of humor because this is an issue we don't want to get burned out on.

---

News

Council turns attention to Latino student concerns, bridge incident

By Sarah Marchetti | April 13, 2000

After a Beta Bridge Hispanic Heritage Week message was painted over with a racially offensive slogan, Student Council passed a resolution Tuesday to paint the bridge with a message promoting cultural tolerance. On March 27, La Sociedad Latina painted the bridge for Hispanic Heritage Week only to discover the next day that it had been painted over with the words "Durty Sanchez, Donde Está?" and a painting of a Mexican sombrero. In response to offended students, College Rep.

---

News

Students explore Blandy Farm research options

By Ashley Townsend | April 13, 2000

A whisper came from a small shadow that had just appeared in Janel Chou's room for the night. "Janel, it's 6:30." "Janel?" It was Melissa Kenney, Environmental Sciences Organization president, beckoning Chou to join her to watch the sunrise.

---

News

Researchers uncover mummy diets through hair analysis

By Lisa Manning | April 13, 2000

Environmental Science Professor Stephen Macko can tell exactly what you ate just by analyzing a snip of your hair.

---

News

Boyd prepares to campaign for Goode's position

By Emily Roper | April 13, 2000

Political activist and president of the National Black Farmers Association John Boyd appealed to student voters yesterday as he spoke to the University Democrats about his upcoming U.S.

---

News

Monroe Institute uses stereo sound to alter brain states

By Shetal Patel | April 13, 2000

It's three o'clock in the morning the day of the organic chemistry final exam. You can barely keep your eyes open, and several weeks of material is still left unstudied in your notebook.

---

News

JRB issues Phi Delt FOA decision

By Maria Tor | April 13, 2000

A panel of faculty and administrators overturned the University Judiciary Committee's decision to revoke Phi Delta Theta fraternity's Fraternal Organization Agreement, a document that establishes the formal relationship between a fraternity, the Inter-Fraternity Council and the University. This week, the JRB found that the Committee violated a judiciary bylaw when it revoked Phi Delt's FOA without holding a sanction evaluation hearing. The Committee rescinded Phi Delt's FOA after Phi Delt rejected a Committee sanction prohibiting the fraternity from participating in "open house," the first day of spring fraternity rush.

---

News

University lead paint project continues with Monroe Hall

By John McArdle | April 13, 2000

As a result of an ongoing Facilities Management project to remove lead-based paint from Monroe Hall, students recently have had to maneuver around "hazardous material" caution tape and information stations to get to class. According to Mark Webb, associate director of work management for Facilities Management, most University buildings are repainted every seven years, and this year marks Monroe Hall's turn to be repainted.

---

News

Bliley brings congressional expertise to BOV

By Jaime Levi | April 12, 2000

(This is the third article in a three-part weekly series about the new Board of Visitors members.) Although the U.S.

---

News

Costa elected BSA president

By Christine Buurma | April 12, 2000

Citing low turnout at elections for the Black Student Alliance 2000-2001 executive board, BSA president-elect Michael Costa vowed to alleviate the "rampant apathy" he believes the University's black community has been demonstrating. Elections were held last night in Minor Hall with about 15 students in attendance. "There is a crisis ... throughout the black student population," Costa said in his speech. Costa's condemnation of the perceived lack of activism within the black community evidently registered with BSA members - they elected Costa, a third-year College student, as their president minutes later. Second-year College students Monique Miles and Chelsea Willis ran together as co-presidents against Costa.

---

News

City offers prospects to new residents

By Clark Williams | April 12, 2000

Whether or not they appreciate it, University students are living in what many magazines have voted one of the most pleasant communities in the nation, and that quality has led to an influx of jobs and people that is altering the area's small-town features. Charlottesville is attracting high-tech businesses and young professionals to the area, helping to push its unemployment rate down to 1.4 percent -- the lowest in the Commonwealth. And most of the newcomers are settling in Albemarle County, one of the wealthier counties in the state, forcing it to build schools and add public services at a rapid pace and prompting debates over growth. The area is known for its temperate weather, picturesque scenery and low pollution levels.

---

News

Financial hardships hinder city's growth

By Emily Rockwood | April 12, 2000

Charlottesville tourists often are impressed by the bustling Route 29 retail district and the University's fine architecture, but upon closer inspection, the city of Charlottesville is not all "red bricks and white columns," said Ryan Harvey, director of the Madison House Boosters program, a program that sends volunteers to help at Charlottesville public schools. While Charlottesville boasts a booming economy, spurred by an influx of small technology firms and a small 1.4 percent unemployment rate compared to the already-low national average of 4 percent, many Charlottesville residents still are underemployed and living in poverty. "The [economic] growth has escaped these pockets.

---

News

Professors' salaries increase nationally

By Maria Tor | April 12, 2000

American collegiate faculty members' salaries increased by 3.7 percent this year, according to the American Association of University Professors' annual salary report released this week. The AAUP reported that the average salary of a full-time faculty member rose from $56,282 last year to $58,352 this year. The report found full-time professors earn an average of $76,197 nationwide.

---

News

McPheeters to increase FSC's visibility

By Christine Buurma | April 12, 2000

In a closed-door meeting last night, members of the Fraternity-Sorority Council elected third-year College student Michael McPheeters as their organization's president for the 2000-2001 academic year. Third-year College student Sakwa Bunyasi will serve as FSC vice president.

---

News

Out-of-state costs rise by 5 percent

By Sarah Marchetti | April 12, 2000

Tuition for out-of-state students will increase by 5 percent from $15,617 to $16,393 if the Board of Visitors approves the tuition proposal by the University Budget Office this weekend. Out-of-state students now pay 133 percent of the actual cost of a University education, said Director of Budget Melody Bianchetto at an information session for students yesterday. The Budget Office did not propose an increase in tuition for in-state undergraduate students in compliance with the General Assembly's 1995-96 tuition freeze on in-state rates. Bianchetto said she does not believe the rise in out-of-state tuition costs will prevent students from attending the University. "We did a survey of students who were accepted but did not attend the University.

---

News

Cigarettes may have caused Ivy Gardens fire

By Jacqueline Roper | April 11, 2000

Discarded cigarette ashes appear to be the cause of the Thursday afternoon fire at the Ivy Gardens Apartment complex. Someone tossed the ashes into a garbage can and then left the building, giving the ashes time to smolder and cause the fire, Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin said. The fire, which Catlin said is assumed to be accidental, left five Darden and three Law School students homeless and caused an estimated $500,000 in damages - $380,000 for damages to the structure and $120,000 for the loss or damage to the contents of the affected apartments. While the majority of the damage was caused by smoke and water, especially in the apartments on the lower floors, some flame damage did occur, Catlin said.

---

News

U.S. Senate votes to increase Pell Grants by $400

By Margaret Chipowsky | April 11, 2000

The U.S. Senate narrowly approved legislation Friday that would increase the amount of Pell Grant financial aid available to eligible college students. Pell Grants, money given by the federal government to college students who demonstrate financial need, will now be available in sums up to $3,700 - a $400 increase from the current $3,300 maximum amount.

---

News

Construction relocates several Rotunda offices

By Margaret Chipowsky and John McArdle | April 11, 2000

Some University officials will be packing up and temporarily moving out of the Rotunda at the end of the semester. Some offices, including the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, will relocate for about six months while construction is done on the Rotunda, where the offices currently are housed. The main focus of the construction project will be to replace the slate that currently covers the terrace above the Rotunda offices with a more protective, waterproof foundation. Other officials, such as Board of Visitors Secretary Alexander "Sandy" Gilliam, said they intend to remain in their offices unless the noise and disruption prove to be too much of a hassle. "I'd almost do anything rather than move," Gilliam joked. He said some offices have a great deal of water dripping, but the situation in his office is not as bad. In addition to replacing the Rotunda portico, workers will be installing a ramp on the west side of the Lawn entrance to the Rotunda and replacing the Lawn sprinkler system.