The Pew Internet and American Life Project, the section of the Pew Research Center specializing in studying the effect of the Internet on society, released a report Dec.
President Bush celebrated yesterday afternoon after being declared the winner of the 2004 presidential election. The president delivered his victory speech at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.
Last night, the Kaleidoscope Center for Cultural Fluency hosted "When Words Offend: A Conversation on Political Correctness and Free Speech in College Media," a panel discussion between students and the editors of various University publications. Panelists included Individual Rights Coalition President Anthony Dick, Declaration Literary Editor Andrew Pratt, Declaration News Editor David Dexter, Virginia Advocate Executive Editor Chris Vickers, Critical Mass editorial board member Matt Kindig, All Women Attaining Knowledge and Enrichment President Jill Raney and Cavalier Daily Editor-in-Chief Chris Wilson. University spokesperson Carol Wood served as moderator. Wood began the discussion by pointing to Thomas Jefferson's belief in the necessity of the press in protecting the opinion of the people. Wood asked the audience to put themselves in the shoes of the editors and ask: Do the articles in the publications "reflect what you see and how you live in the University community?" The panelists then discussed potential reactions to media coverage of University issues. "People have opinions whether intentional or otherwise," Kindig said.
The leading national organization that provides funds to humanities projects recently announced a $577,500 grant to the University's Miller Center for Public Affairs. The National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent federal agency, will endow the funds as part of its "We the People" initiative to research important ideas and events in American history and share this information with the public, according to the NEH Web site. The funds will be allocated to the Miller Center's AmericanPresident.org program. "AmericanPresident.org is an outreach to teachers, students and the general public to strengthen teaching and knowledge about the American presidency," said Margaret Edwards, Miller Center director for external relations.
Former University President Frank Hereford, known for his success in attracting premier faculty, generating finance and establishing the University as a revered public institution, died Tuesday in Charlottesville at the age of 81. "Frank Hereford contributed in every important way to the University's development and progress over the course of 35-plus years," current University President John T.
The 2004 Greek Awards Ceremony was held yesterday at Old Cabell Hall, honoring Greek achievement throughout this past year. The third annual event was sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Inter-Greek Committee, featuring representatives from the Black Fraternal Council, Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. "The event is an expression of the purpose of the IGC -- to promote cooperation among the four councils," said Aaron Laushway, associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life. Award recipients are selected by the IGC based on nomination forms completed by each chapter, said Ann Thorne, an undergraduate intern in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. The representatives of the IGC are asked to step out of their roles as chapter members and into the impartial role of committee representative. Melody Han, MGC President and Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority member, received awards for outstanding contributions to the University and MGC person of the year. "I am a little overwhelmed," Han said.
In a report set for release today, the University Board of Elections recommended that new UBE members make better use of Internet capabilities and that the University adopt a uniform policy on chalking and fliers. The report advised the incoming UBE to consider adding a write-in voting option in the future.
Engineering students were prevented from accessing MathCAD, a commonly used calculation program produced by the Mathsoft Company, in Thornton Library after the server temporarily crashed Sunday. The program is designed to increase engineers' productivity by allowing access to a framework that creates and shares engineering calculations, according to the Mathsoft Web site.
In response to 2003-2004 tuition hikes, officials at the Virginia Prepaid Education Program have delayed enrollment in their program from February 2004 until after most colleges and universities set tuition rates for the 2004-2005 academic year this spring, said Diana Cantor, executive director of the Virginia College Savings Plan, a state-sponsored financial aid program. The Virginia Prepaid Education Program enables families to save early and prepare for their children's college education through contracts, Cantor said. Any tuition increase beyond what is projected by those operating the Virginia College Savings Plan "will cause a potential financial strain" on the program, Cantor said. She noted that with the rise in tuition costs, families will be more apt to invest in these tuition programs, thus providing additional funding. Cantor said the program is tentatively slated to reopen in the fall. "We will not reopen unless we are relatively sure that the contracts will be financially sound," Cantor said. The VPEP encourages and provides a tax-exempt environment for investment.
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, which is scheduled to open in the late spring, is expected to bring economic opportunity to the Southside Virginia region, Institute spokesperson Curtis Callaway said. With an economy largely dependent on tobacco and textiles, the Institute is designed to bring an increase in technology and advanced education, Callaway said, adding that the Institute aims to bolster the region's economy after an increasing loss of jobs in the area. Callaway expressed optimism concerning the range of opportunities the Institute is planned to make possible. "There is a need to embrace the new technical economy," Callaway said.
