News

Out-of-state tuition supports salaries

How is a University student's tuition determined and where does it go? As the University's two-volume budget reveals, tuition comprises about 22 percent of the total revenue for the 1999-2000 fiscal year, a number weighing in at $719.9 million. The tuition cost for Virginia residents is determined first at the state level in the Governor's Office. "It starts with the governor and legislators who set broad tuition legislation," said Colette Sheehy, University vice president for management and budget. The Board of Visitors, which must approve tuition, then looks at factors such as national and state rank of the school as well as how many tax dollars the state will provide to the school, Sheehy said. Last year, the Board moved to cut Virginia residents' tuition by 20 percent from the previous year. When Gov.

Charlottesville, county officials

Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials continue to negotiate problems in their fire services contract as the December deadline for renewal approaches.

Senate members deliberate

Representatives from Dining Services and the Faculty Senate met Nov. 18 to discuss the state of the Garden Room dining facility, which opened last fall to help foster the Faculty Senate "intellectual community" initiative. Robert Grainger, Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee chair, said the meeting's participants focused on thinking of new ways to revitalize the Garden Room rather than whether to close it. "The meeting wasn't to decide the ultimate fate of the Garden Room - it was more of a serious look at how we stand," Grainger said. Dining Services Director Edward Gutauskas said he discussed "what might be done differently to reduce costs." "The Faculty Senate [has] a real interest in it staying open," Gutauskas said. Faculty Senate Chairman David T.

Officials work for more Interstate 81 safety

Intimidating traffic and severe accidents on state roadways, especially Interstate 81, have prompted state and federal government officials to take steps toward improving highway safety. High traffic volumes on I-81 have attracted the attention of U.S.

Burress reinstated, can wear $8 button

James English, senior director of Nutrition Services at the University Health System, announced yesterday that Hospital cafeteria employee Richelle Burress will be reinstated and that she would be allowed to wear her $8 pin to work. Burress was asked to leave her job last Wednesday because she refused to remove a pin that supported the living wage campaign, a campaign to raise the minimum wage of all University and contracted employees.

University officials question state faculty salary goals even after funding increase

A 6.5 percent increase in state funding for faculty salaries went into effect Thanksgiving Day, but questions remain over whether this boost will be enough to keep the University on top of its competitors. The increase is the final step in a state plan to bring the average faculty salary up to the 60th percentile of the average salary among its peer group institutions, which include Boston University, Duke University and the University of California at Berkeley, among others (see box). Members of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, who proposed the 60th percentile benchmark in the late 1980s, created the peer institution list. But University and state officials disagree over whether the 60th percentile truly is the best target for which to aim. "I don't think the 60th percentile is an adequate goal.

Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials continue to negotiate problems in their fire services contract as the December deadline for renewal approaches.

Hospital employee fights to wear pin

The Labor Action Group sent letters to two top administrators yesterday to request support for a University Hospital cafeteria employee's right to wear an $8 living wage campaign pin under freedom of speech laws. Richelle Burress, a Hospital cafeteria cashier, was sent home Wednesday after refusing to remove her $8 pin.

Lloyd pleads guilty to sorority break-in

Orange County resident James Garnett Lloyd pleaded guilty to breaking into the Delta Zeta sorority house in March during Charlottesville Circuit Court proceedings Wednesday.

Student wins slot to appear on Jeopardy!

While sitting in her U.S. Military History Class before Thanksgiving, fourth-year College student Molley Jesse found herself faced with a Charlottesville television crew.

Center gets $1 million in funds for youth program

The Center for Governmental Studies will receive $1 million in funding from the federal government to use to further develop its Youth Leadership Initiative -- a program designed to introduce young people to politics. The million-dollar appropriation was attached as a part of the Department of Education's budget for the 2000 fiscal year, Center Program Director Alex Theodoridis said. But the government funding is less than half of the amount needed to implement the Initiative on a state-wide level, Youth Leadership Initiative Director Ken Stroupe said.

Blue Ribbon Commission calls for funding changes

Gov. James Gilmore, III's (R) Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education is recommending that all state public institutions of higher learning should receive funding based on how well the colleges and universities meet performance standards.

Vandals damage student artwork, Buddha figures

Following the vandalism of a Chinese mosaic outside Brown College last Tuesday night, the University students who worked on the project hope to put the incident behind them and finish building the piece. The vandalism occurred between 12:30 and 1 a.m.

Study abroad participation increases

An increasing number of University students are considering study abroad programs this year, Overseas Study Advisor Jessica Roberts said yesterday. Roberts said she anticipates about 20 to 25 more students will study in a foreign country in the spring semester.

Virginia drives past Terps for 34-31 victory

Go to the Cavalier Daily's report of Virginia's 34-30 defeat of the Maryland Terrapins.

Forum addresses women in business

The McIntire Women's Business Forum, in conjunction with the Commerce Student Affairs Office, held its annual fall workshop Saturday in Monroe Hall. Sixty first and second-year women interested in applying to the Commerce School participated in the four-hour workshop, which also was attended by Commerce students and faculty members.

Students start new financial web site

If history repeats itself, three University students may be looking at a very prosperous future.

Couric wants more funds allotted to schools

State Sen. Emily Couric (D-Charlottesville) said she wants to devote state lottery funds solely to education yesterday during a speech to several Education School honors candidates in the Dome room of the Rotunda. Couric said she disagreed with the General Assembly's decision to divert lottery funds from education in favor of other projects. "The electorate was told that the lottery money would be going solely to education.

University restructures vice presidential duties

University President John T. Casteen III announced plans Thursday to reorganize the top echelons of the University's administration in preparation for development in the coming century. "President Casteen has been in the long-range process of looking at how the University is structured," University Relations Director Louise Dudley said.

City considers ending drive for town status

The city of Charlottesville is considering ending its five-year campaign to revert to town status. Charlottesville Mayor Virginia Daugherty announced last week that City Council would consider a resolution to reject the transformation of Charlottesville from an independent city to the largest town in Albemarle County. Daugherty, Vice Mayor Meredith Richards and Councilman David J.