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.

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.

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.

Foundation gives Nursing $800,000 gift

The University's Nursing School recently surpassed its Capital Campaign goal of $10.2 million, following a pledge of $800,000 from the Theresa A.

Advisory Board elects Purnell to fill Council seat

First-year College student Lauren Purnell was elected by members of the College Advisory Board to fill an open Student Council seat last night. College Rep.

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.

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.

Computer program compares genetic sequences

How closely related are you to a flower? This question could not have been answered 10 years ago, but thanks to a powerful sequencing tool developed by Biochemistry Prof.

U-Guides introduce tour about women, minorities

The University Guide Service is introducing a new tour focusing on the history of women and minorities in an effort to integrate more inclusive history into its tours. Still in its preliminary stages, the new tour was given to a few small groups of students, administrators, faculty and staff members yesterday. Tour organizers said they have not decided when the tours will be given in the future, but are planning on making them available regularly starting next semester. Peter Yu, assistant dean in the Office of African-American Affairs, attended one of the tours and applauded the Guide Service's initiative. "It's a good alternative for minority students to learn about their past presence at the University," Yu said. All students could benefit from this information, he said. "It's a good and natural learning experience," he added. Asst.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Council hears proposition to end SAF fund

Student Council nearly unanimously rejected a proposal that called for the Board of Visitors to abolish the Student Activity Fee at its meeting last night. College Rep.

Charlottesville, county officials

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

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.

Project consolidates informational systems

In the next five years, the ISIS man may become a thing of the past. The Integrated Systems Project, a five-year effort to overhaul the University's administrative software, advanced from its planning stages to implementation today.

Athletics stays self-sufficient, uses small student tuition fee

Do you ever stop to think about where the funding for your student admission to athletic events comes from when they swipe your student ID at the Scott Stadium gate? Miscelaneous student fees are included in each full-time student's University tuition and fees.

Budget reveals allocation priorities

From the English Department with a yearly budget of over $5 million to the Women's Studies Department with its share of the budgetary pie at just over $200,000, University allocation of funds to different departments is influenced by several factors. Department size, the technology it uses, and the faculty it attracts all contribute to how money is allocated.