In abject disillusionment my professor referred to the United States Congress as a circus last week.Being wide-eyed, I thought, 'what a terrible thing to say about such a distinguished institution.' But then, once again, my optimism was undermined by the newly revealed indiscretions and inappropriate emails of Florida Republican Rep.
The University is a haven for scholars, with a library system featuring thousands of books from around the globe and international students galore.
LET ME begin with a sentence that, even as I repeat it, seems encumbered by predictable, propagandizing language: "We hope our administration can come to recognize that social justice is indeed part of our mission and paying our workers fairly is essential to living out our values." This came from the website of the U.VA.
THE LIVING Wage Campaign has done it's best to become insignificant at the University this fall. Compared to several large rallies last spring, their first rally this year, held this past Friday at the Rotunda, showed substantially lower turnout, and their shouts garnered little more than a few passing comments in the media the next day.This is a fortunate occurrence, as the campaign, often in the media spotlight, consistently drags the University through the mud with their disrespect shown towards both the University and the University administration.
ONCE, WHILE my friend and I were stopped at a red light, she spotted a group of anti-abortion protestors picketing on the street corner.
ST. ANTHONY Hall has been the locus of recent controversy stemming from an errant e-mail complete with a purported schedule of hazing activities.
WHEN STUDENTS come to the University, they expect a certain degree of freedom: academically, socially and (certainly) sexually.
IT'S A GREAT time to be a Wahoo. The weather is starting to cool, the leaves will be changing soon and fall break is just around the corner.
WIKIPEDIA is an excellent source of information. Founded in 2001, it has exploded into dozens of languages and millions of articles on just about every topic imaginable.
LAST WEEK, as both of my regular readers will recall, I wrote about the lack of enlightened values demonstrated in the reaction of Muslim leaders to comments made by the Pope.
LET'S SAY the latest Dave Matthews concert is coming up, and you can barely wait to hear the band's groovy tunes.
IN ITS half-century of existence, the United Nations has never been a universally praised, or even universally accepted, organization.
WHEN I was in high school, I once slipped while running up the stairs and wiped out spectacularly in front of a very pretty girl.Although I escaped unharmed, in one fell swoop I completely demolished the suave aura I was vainly trying to project.
FROM THEIR first stroll down the brick walkways flanking the Lawn, new University students fall in love with the breathtaking splendor of Mr. Jefferson's Academical Village.
GRADES are important. They reflect intelligence, interest in material, dedication and, of course, how expensive your calculator was.
SUPPORTING Student Council's latest plan to de-Westernize department curricula is not tenable. Authors in the Western tradition have for too long been neglected by students outside of the philosophy and politics departments.
TWO NOVEMBERS ago, the day of the University's football game against Virginia Tech, found me in Blacksburg, seated near a man wearing a bolo tie and cowboy boots discreetly emptying mouthfuls of tobacco spit into a cheap, stained mug. The man, who spoke authoritatively of matters ranging from good barbeque, defensive strategy and budgetary spending, seemed eager to convey his "normalcy" with his fawning attendants.
The University of Virginia's honor code has had an historic place in our University; interestingly, controversy has dominated much of its recent history and, doubtlessly, the single sanction has played a large role in that controversy.
IF STUDENT Council Diversity Initiatives chair Ryan McElveen has his way, students in the entering class of 2011 will be deprived of the education they anticipate receiving from the University.
WHEN SOMEONE says the words HIV/AIDS, in most people's minds it usually sparks images of a global epidemic and poor people dying in Africa.
