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The Cavalier Daily
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Christine Buurma

French film attains 'Paradise'

By Christine Buurma | October 24, 2001

A word about movie length: Every moviegoer has experienced the extraordinary deceleration of time that occurs when one is compelled to sit through an indescribably bad film, shifting one's weight as the minutes crawl laboriously along.

Babyface comes back with new image

By Christine Buurma | September 14, 2001

Virtuoso behind-the-scenes man Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who has written and produced hits for stars including Madonna, Whitney Houston and Boyz II Men, was himself propelled into stardom's stratosphere in 1994 with the chart-topping ballad "When Can I See You Again." Although other successes followed, including 1996's "Every Time I Close My Eyes" with Mariah Carey, Babyface's recent work has veered dangerously into the territory of watered-down, adult contemporary R&B, and the degree of mainstream recognition his work enjoyed in the mid-1990s has largely eluded him since then.

Couple donates Buddhist texts to University

By Christine Buurma | January 24, 2001

In coming years, Mr. Jefferson's University may become as well known for its massive collection of East Asian Buddhist art and texts as for its neoclassical architecture. Stanley and Lucie Weinstein of Hamden, Conn., have announced plans to bequeath their extensive library of Buddhist scholarly materials -- one of the largest privately-owned collections in the western world - to the University's Alderman Library. Stanley Weinstein cited the University's commitment to Buddhist studies, exemplified by the four full-time professors of Buddhist studies in the Religious Studies Department, as his reason for choosing the University as the library's permanent home after his death and the death of his wife. Weinstein believes the University is a "dynamic center for Buddhist studies," said Deputy University Librarian Kendon Stubbs. Much of the collection of 10,658 books is comprised of 19th and 20th century publications on Buddhism, although it also includes texts dealing with other East Asian religions, history, literature, art and related subjects.

Charity honors Couric during illness

By Christine Buurma | November 30, 2000

Sen. Emily Couric (D-Charlottesville) used her speech at a Make a Difference Day Dinner in Charlottesville last night to praise those who have made a positive difference in her life as she battles advanced pancreatic cancer. All proceeds from the event - $46,200 so far - will go to Patient Support Services at the University's Cancer Center, where Couric is receiving treatment. In attendance were hundreds of members of the University and Charlottesville communities, including many whose lives have been affected by cancer. Couric, who withdrew from Virginia's lieutenant governor race after her diagnosis in July, described how the illness has changed her physically and emotionally.

SCHEV approves 14 performance standards

By Christine Buurma | November 28, 2000

Responding to demands by lawmakers and the public for greater accountability in higher education, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) unanimously approved last week the adoption of 14 performance measures for the 15 four-year public colleges and universities in Virginia. The performance standards include a measure of financial stability, the number of transfer students from two-year colleges and the percentage of classes, by course level, with enrollment less than 20 or more than 50 students. Smaller classes often are perceived as indicative of higher academic quality, whereas larger classes are seen as indicators of increases in institutional efficiency - a claim that Leonard Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, disputes. "In fact, the ideal size of a class is determined in large part by the subject matter being taught and the method of teaching that is used," Sandridge said. Regarding the ratio of debt service to revenue, Sandridge said this measure is not a problem for the University, citing its recent bond rating upgrade. The ratio "is a measure of credit worthiness and indicates the ability of the institution to take on debt," Sandridge said. The number of transfer students from two-year institutions is thought to be an indicator of how well four-year institutions serve the needs of transfer students from two-year colleges. The 2000 Appropriation Act, passed by the General Assembly and Gov.

Rally calls for extensions of wage increase

By Christine Buurma | November 20, 2000

Chanting "No justice, no peace" and "Hey, hey, U.Va., contract workers need more pay" as passing drivers honked their horns and waved, about 40 supporters of the University's Labor Action Group gathered in front of Madison Hall Friday to celebrate the University's new pay scale and to call for further action. LAG held its "Victory Rally" in response to the University's recent decision to raise the minimum wage of some classified employees to $8.19 - an act that University officials said had nothing to do with pressure from labor activists who have been working since 1997 to raise the minimum wage. According to federal guidelines, $8 is the minimum wage needed to bring a family of four up to the poverty line - a fact often cited by LAG activists. The new pay rate does not apply to contracted employees, such as those employed by ARAmark, the University's dining service. Although Colette Sheehy, University vice president for management and budget, has denied that the minimum wage increase was a result of pressure from LAG, speakers at the rally said they believed LAG played a direct role in the University's decision. Sue Herndon, University Hospital patient satisfaction analyst, said employee morale at the hospital was low before the pay scale increase and praised LAG's efforts to pressure the University into adopting an $8 minimum wage for all employees. "I thought there was no way you'd get the hospital to think of the employees before the bottom line.

U. Michigan student's death shows risk of binge drinking

By Christine Buurma | November 16, 2000

A University of Michigan student died Monday after attempting to drink 21 shots on his 21st birthday - one of the many binge drinking traditions that are becoming all too common on campuses across the country. Byung Soo Kim, a sophomore engineering student, passed out early Saturday morning after taking 20 shots of Scotch whiskey in about 10 minutes during a party.

Professors address escalating election crisis

By Christine Buurma | November 13, 2000

As the nation awaits the outcome of one of the most contentious presidential elections in U.S. history, University professors are adding their perspectives to the muddled political landscape. A Saturday afternoon forum in the Rotunda drew about 50 people to hear the experts discuss what they feel should be done to rectify the mind-boggling situation. Much of the debate focused on Florida, the state that most likely will prove to be the deciding factor in the election. Vice President Al Gore's campaign does not have to demonstrate evidence of ballot fraud in Florida in order to challenge the election results in the courts, University Law Prof.

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