City of Charlottesville Police will receive pay raises while City residents enjoy decreased property tax rates because of the 2005-2006 City budget, passed by City Council Tuesday evening. The $106 million budget, prepared by City Manager Gary O'Connell, was adopted by the Council in a 4-1 vote.
Two Charlottesville police officers were indicted Thursday on charges of bribery, conspiracy, witness tampering and giving false statements.
The Virginia General Assembly wrapped up this year's legislative session yesterday, approving Gov.
The Student Council Executive Committee called a special meeting yesterday to approve adjustments to previous Appropriations Committee allocations. The 2005-2006 academic-year budget will reflect increased funding for travel expenses and decreased funding for operational expenses, such as photocopies, as compared with earlier 2005-2006 budget estimates. The budget originally allocated 15 percent of funds for travel expenses.
Third-year College student Matthew Allen was notified Tuesday of his selection to spend the 2005-2006 school year residing in Room 15 of the West Lawn, an endowed room commonly known as the "Good Guy Room." "The only reason I can see myself being the 'good guy' is for people seeing that character in me because of my faith and the grace of God," Allen said. Allen currently serves as the Treasurer of Sigma Chi and is involved in the Committee for Abundant Life Christmas Banquet, Inter-Fraternity Fellowship and Reformed University Fellowship. Allen chose not to apply to live on the Lawn through the Lawn Selection Committee earlier this school year. "There are friends of mine that got on the Lawn through regular admissions that I thought would make better applications," Allen said.
Replacement of Alderman Road dormitories was discussed by the University Board of Visitors' Student Affairs and Athletic Committee at their meeting Monday. The Committee adopted a resolution stating that "most of the residence halls on Alderman Road must be replaced" and that the BOV "endorses and supports" the replacement of Alderman Road residences. In addition, the Committee outlined plans to add 400 beds for first-year student housing and 250 beds for upperclassmen housing -- including newly acquired Brandon Avenue and Valley Road apartments -- according to a University Relations press release. The Committee recommended that first-year students continue to live in dorms primarily occupied by students of the same academic level. "We support the notion that all first years should live in University housing," Committee Chair Thomas Farrell, II said.
International students may have difficulty getting errors in federal tracking records corrected, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Thursday. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is a detailed compilation of the travel plans and academic and criminal records of international students studying in the United States. SEVIS has been found to contain minor errors, and continuing technical problems can potentially cause travel and enrollment difficulties for foreign students, according to the GAO study. Though the report cited progress in the usability of SEVIS's Help Desk support since a June 2004 report, some students still experience difficulties. The GAO report was issued in connection with a Congressional hearing request regarding SEVIS. An Institute for International Education report, released last November, cited a decrease in the number of international students studying in the United States during the 2003-2004 academic year. The GAO report attributes the decline, to changing visa policies and "increased global competition," not SEVIS difficulties. SEVIS staff was increased in 2003 to improve Help Desk accessibility, and requests for data error corrections have decreased since 2003. The SEVIS records are maintained by U.S.
The Downtown Business Association of Charlottesville began circulating a petition last week among Downtown Mall business owners who would like to see a cross-street opened to pedestrian traffic. "Customers can't navigate from the north to south side of the Mall," said Alaina Tucker, Downtown Business Association intern and fourth-year College student. The Downtown Business Association has suggested that 4th or 5th streets be opened to vehicular traffic because current traffic patterns do not allow sufficient access to businesses on the Mall. "We are working on a petition for it to see how much support there is in the community," Tucker said.
David Delong Gerald was charged last week for his alleged involvement in a February armed assault of two University students, according to Charlottesville City Police Sergeant Richard Hudson. Gerald allegedly robbed fourth-year College students Josh Hailey and Emily Sigmon at gunpoint before midnight Feb.
Jequeatta Upton, a second-year College student and outgoing Student Council representative, was elected Student Council president with 2,993 votes, edging out second place Thomas Gibson, a third-year College student and outgoing Council representative, by 438 votes. Upton originally entered the race for Council executive vice president but said she decided to switch when she realized she had a lot of student-body support for a presidential run. Upton said she was excited about working with the newly-elected Council and looks forward to a smooth transition. "I know I have great personal relationships with everyone that was elected," Upton said. Curran Jhanjee, a third-year College student, came in third place in the presidential race. Jhanjee laughed when asked about the results. "Probably the best person won," Jhanjee said.
