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Different Santa Clauses across world join together into mainstream figure

If you were to meet the Santa Claus of the past, you would find an unmarried, slim religious man living in Europe. Far from a jolly round man with a long white beard who dresses in red, the historic characteristics of the Christmas figure are unfamiliar to the current conception. This is not surprising, said Natalie Kononenko, associate professor of Slavic language and literature, because pagan tradition slowly has invaded what was once a predominantly Christian holiday. Kononenko said the idea of Santa Claus originated from an actual man, Saint Nicholas, who was the patron saint of children.


News

Up on the rooftop

Santa Claus is coming to town in a few weeks, and at the nation's top watch-center of the North American skies, North American Aerospace Defense Command, some people are checking their lists and watching for the fabled gift-giver. Although the folklore of Santa Claus, the bringer of presents to all good children on Christmas day, has been around for several centuries, the technologically modern tradition of "tracking" Santa Claus for Canadian and American children has been around for 45 years. The practice began in 1955 when a Sears store put an advertisement in a local newspaper, saying children could call a hotline to get an update on where Santa Claus was, Project Coordinator Maj.


News

Alta Vista buys Raging Bull

The Alta Vista company, a leading online media and commerce site, announced Monday Nov. 29 that it acquired Raging Bull, a financial-oriented Web site with stock quotes, news and message boards. Alta Vista acquired Raging Bull for an undisclosed sum.


News

Does anyone know the bottom line on Y2K?

My friends often ask me questions they feel I can deal with, since I'm a computer science major and thus, a "techno-geek". The questions range from what kind of computer to buy to the more esoteric ones where they try to stump a computer science major. But recently, the most popular questions have been about Y2K. "On the eve of the new millennium should I avoid flying?


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Direct student loans save federal funding

U.S. Department of Education officials told Congress Tuesday that the five-year-old direct-student-loan program will save the government more money than the federally guaranteed loan program. "Department of Education analyses indicate that overall per-loan Federal costs for the William D.


News

Council takes first steps for new student activities offices

A plan for a new student activities center is in its initial stages, after several members of Student Council met yesterday to discuss the logistics of the installation of such a facility at the University. The need for a new student activities center was first proposed by last year's Executive Committee under the direction of former Council President Howard A.


News

Center to sponsor democracy talks

Several of the nation's leading political figures will meet Monday in the Rotunda for American Democracy Conference '99, addressing "the health of democracy" in the United States today.


News

Casteen taps faculty for Harrison Awards

In a yearly attempt to promote excellence in teaching, the University bestowed its annual Harrison Teaching Awards on eight outstanding faculty members. The awards first were given out three years ago to reward exceptional professors who demonstrate dedication, creativity and leadership in their classroom endeavors. Members of the Provost's Promotion and Tenure Committee, department chairmen and students were eligible to nominate award recipients.


News

University offers option for degree in speech pathology

Local speech pathologists that need to fulfill a recently enforced master's degree requirement now can apply to the University if they want to work at state public schools. Carol Dudding, part-time program coordinator for the Communication Disorders Program, said the Virginia Department of Education is enforcing a requirement that all public school speech pathologists must have a graduate degree by 2005 or they will lose their jobs. "The Virginia Department of Education requires that all speech pathologists working in the schools have a master's degree or were grandfathered in," meaning that they received sufficient training and education equivalent to the master's instruction, Dudding said. "Five percent of speech pathologists currently have a bachelor's degree and a provisional license from the Board of Education - those are the people who need a master's by 2005," she said.


News

Revolution in the air

If you've ever questioned the worth of scientific research, its utility to mankind, and the justification for spending vast amounts of the government's money on something that just may result in nothing - sometimes you might have a case.


News

Burress' supporters rally for free speech

Protesters raised signs and chanted slogans on the Lawn yesterday as about 60 students, faculty members and University employees gathered to rally in support of Richelle Burress and the $8 Living Wage Campaign. Last week, Burress, a hospital cafeteria cashier, was sent home after refusing to remove a button supporting the $8 living wage.


News

Public colleges see high income levels

A recent study shows that wealthy students increasingly are choosing to attend public universities, despite being able to afford the higher cost of private colleges and universities. The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities reached this conclusion after analyzing data from the U.S.


News

Winter's reduced light leaves people feeling SAD

Every year the holiday season brings many Americans tidings of sorrow and loneliness rather than peace and good cheer. About 20 percent of Americans suffer from some sort of increased depression during the wintertime, and 5 percent of Americans endure symptoms of severe depression during the winter months, Asst.

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All University students are required to live on Grounds in their first year, but they have many on and off-Grounds housing options going into their second year. Students face immense pressure to decide on housing as soon as possible, and this high demand has strained the capacities of both on and off-Grounds accommodations. Lauren Seeliger and Brandon Kile, two third-year Cavalier Daily News writers, discuss the impact of the student housing frenzy on both University students and the Charlottesville community.