Missing mouse balls
What could anyone possibly want to do with mouse balls? Massive amounts of mouse balls? Although mediocre at best when used as a bouncy ball, someone felt possessed to remove all the mouse balls from the labs in Thorton stacks Friday night.
"Not a funny practical joke," said Andrew Westbrook, third-year Engineering student and chair of the Student Information Technology Advisory Committee.
Ultimately, all the balls were found together in a plastic bag at the lab's consultant desk.
Back to the earth
If it seems ghastly impossible any other times, this is the week to pamper the earth that nurtures human life. Shave off those few extra luxurious minutes in the shower, refrain from tossing that soda can out the car window, or simply attempt to flick cigarette butts in the ashtray by the door.
Earth Week 2000 has arrived, attempting to increase environmental awareness throughout the University community and challenging students to take action on environmental issues. The week's events are designed to spark interest in Earth Day, the April 22 national holiday.
"It is a celebration of the world in which we live," said Katie Bolcar, fourth-year College student and member of Student Environmental Action.
An informal panel discussion on ways individuals can live in a more environmentally friendly manner will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the Pav, promoting a coffee house atmosphere. Local experts will lead the free discussion entitled "Living lightly on the earth: Reducing personal impact through habits and diet."
"It's important to see how we fit into the world and realize how what we do as humans affects other species as well as our own," Bolcar said.
A local trade fair exhibiting environmentally-conscious Charlottesville businesses will be held Tuesday night. The following night, Amnesty International will lead a workshop on environmental justice and human rights issues. The week concludes with an afternoon discussion in the amphitheater on civic participation and an evening forum on environmental citizenship.
Tie on a red ribbon
"AIDS and STDs are present on our campus. No matter who you are, it's what you do," said Katherine Kimbrell, second-year College student and executive director-elect of Promoting Negativity.
The group, which strives to promote an HIV-negative University, will be passing out red ribbons to passersby on the Lawn today, as the red ribbon has become the adopted symbol for AIDS awareness.
In addition to encouraging students to don a ribbon for Red Ribbon Day, Promoting Negativity will hang larger red ribbons on every Lawn room door, as well as on Clemons and Alderman Libraries.
"It's a good visual way to get people to notice what we are doing," Kimbrell said.
AIDS Awareness Week began Saturday with the AIDS-WALK in front of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and will conclude Thursday evening with a free showing of "And the Band Played On" at 7 p.m. in Wilson Auditorium.
The movie, based on AIDS victim Randy Shilts' book, is credited for bringing the AIDS epidemic to the public's attention. A star-filled cast boasting actors such as Richard Gere, Phil Collins and Steve Martin, the 1993 film confronts misinterpretations of the disease.
Kimbrell said that many people, especially those of college-age, often think they're immune to diseases, and she hopes the University's AIDS Awareness Week will help students realize the disease is a real problem.
Compiled by Josie Roberts
Odds ideas? Call Ryann or D.J. at 924-1092.
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