Life

Mass Migration

For many upcoming Cavaliers, the word "college" triggers feelings of anxiety: Unknown buildings, unknown cafeteria food, unknown roommates and particularly a mass of unknown faces. Beginning afresh at a new school can inspire many mixed feelings, but overall there is a dominating feeling of excitement for a clean slate in life. Starting college is a chance to rid oneself of that heinous nickname you acquired in ninth grade and have not had the chance to shed until now.

A few of my friends and I were eating lunch one day at O'Hill, and we were so surprised to hear that our friend didn't know who dropped the atomic bomb, whether it was the United States, or Japan, or where it was dropped.

First take

Three months of preparation culminated last night as the First Year Players put on their first performance of the spring semester, "Guys and Dolls." Those who missed last night's performance will have other opportunities to attend, either tonight, Saturday or Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Shed a little light

"Once every 18 minutes someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. Every 19 minutes someone is left to make sense of it." On this statistic from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the University begins Depression and Suicide Awareness week. "Lifting the Darkness" was started last year by fourth-year College student Samantha Gavin. "I lost my dad to suicide at the age of 15.

One fine day: Spring fever causes caffeine-high euphoria

All right, so I'm sitting around, and it is Thursday, and I just love Thursday -- it has a good vibe -- vitality, pep and a punch.

Rotunda Stop

Q: What are you tabling for? A: Our Greek Explosion Step Show that will be on Thursday. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Undercover

Some students attend the University for free, but they don't want you to know who they are. Lauded as some of the best and the brightest students in the country, Jefferson Scholars receive huge incentives to choose the University over their numerous other potential choices. Despite their achievements, Jefferson Scholars frequently are indistinguishable from other students during casual interactions, a fact many of them appreciate. This anonymity has led to a desire by many Jeff Scholars not to flaunt their esteemed status to fellow students.

Sharing Faiths

First is the call to prayer.On the lawn outside the Hillel Center, Muslim students prostrate themselves before God, facing in the direction of Mecca. Inside, Jewish students recite the services for Shabbat, or the day of rest.

VIEWPOINT:Judaism

The similarities were the most striking. The languages, the customs, the values and the American experiences of the Muslim and Jewish communities are incredibly.

Odds & Ends

The depth of information available to students on health issues can seem too vast to absorb. Organizations like ADAPT, HOPE and SAFE provide helpful outlets but sometimes overwhelm students with resources.

For baby boomers and those half your age, summer tunes ring with friendly flirtation

It may only be April, but for me, this weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. No, it's not because of the gorgeous weather outside.

VIEWPOINT:Islam

In the name of God the most beneficent most merciful. "O mankind! We created you ... and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (and not despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.

Bells, Bells, Bells

We have all been rather startled to find each day in Cabell Hall that a whole network of ringing, clanging, etc, bells signals the start and finish of each class.

Professor Profile

Printmaking 200-400 Post baccalaureate seminar Q: Outside of your classes, what do you do academically? A: All of the faculty are professional artists here.

Deaf Voices

Many University classes are difficult to get into, but the American Sign Language program is arguably the hardest.

Proud to be out

Sex, drag queens, dinner in a Garden and a trip to Washington, D.C. all come together this week during "Proud to be Out" week sponsored by the Queer Student Union. Last night featured Justin Lee addressing "Christians, Gays and God: finding truth in a biased world." The Queer Christian Fellowship and the Serpentine Society cosponsored the event. Sex columnist Eric Garrison is speaking about "The G-Spot" at 7 p.m.

Odds & Ends

Sunshine, a booming bass line and the smell of spicy chili wafting through the air drew students away from Cabell and toward the parking lot behind Sigma Pi Epsilon last Friday afternoon.

Say What?

I think it was Thomas Wolfe who said, "You can't go home again ... because every time you do, you find out someone from high school is pregnant." For me, this quote is especially poignant because I went to high school with a bunch of girls with on-the-verge wombs and well-oiled ovaries.

From the locker room... to the Library

They're the ones plastered on the posters in every first year's dorm room. They're No. 34, the quarterback, the recruit.

Historian's Corner

When the University of Virginia opened its doors on March 7, 1825, it started a new trend in education.