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Drivers injured in Interstate 64 shootings

No fewer than six vehicles were the targets of an unidentified shooter or shooters in and around Interstate 64 in Albemarle County early Thursday morning, according to a Virginia State Police press release. Shortly after midnight, police received a call from the driver of a vehicle that had been hit by gunfire as it approached the Route 690 overpass, traveling westbound, the press release stated.


News

Correction

The Thursday, March 27 News article "Barefoot scrutinizes honor's history" identifies Coy Barefoot as "director of alumni relations and communications." The Cavalier Daily would like to clarify that Barefoot is director of communications and alumni relations at the University's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. The Thursday, March 27 News article "Gibson will head Sorenson political institute" stated that "former executive director Sean O'Brien left the institute in January to become executive director of James Madison University's Center of the Constitution." O'Brien actually left the institute to become executive director of the Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier.


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ACLU debates attorney general's in-state ruling

In response to a memorandum sent by Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently sent a letter to the presidents of all public universities in Virginia urging them not to deny in-state tuition to students whose parents are illegal immigrants.


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Student groups fill Lawn rooms

Recent changes to the now complete Lawn room selection process have meant that organizations with administrative agreements for Lawn rooms had to jump through additional hoops these past few months to ensure a member of those organizations would reside next year in their traditional Lawn room. Patricia Lampkin, vice president for student affairs, said the changes restore the original spirit of the agreements that are in place. "We're trying to both weigh the history of it and honor its original intent," Lampkin said. Next year's residents of the Lawn rooms traditionally awarded to members of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, Trigon Engineering Society, Kappa Sigma fraternity and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity applied through the regular Lawn application process as a result of the changes. Of the eight rooms claimed by organizations through special agreements, four -- the Honor Committee room, the Crispell room, the Residence Life room and the Gus Blagden "Good Guy" room -- have contracts with the Board of Visitors, Lampkin said.


News

University to use Common Application

Starting in fall 2009 the University Office of Admission will begin accepting the Common Application from prospective students in place of the traditional University application. "We felt strongly that having a universal application would make it easier for students," Associate Dean of Admissions Greg Roberts said, adding that the Common Application will completely replace the University's old application. According to the Common Application Web site, students can fill out one standardized Common Application and use it for any of the more than 300 participating colleges and universities.


News

Springtime tours take over Grounds

During the past few weeks, University students have shared Central Grounds walkways with groups of prospective students hoping to learn more about the University. The level of participation in tours for this school year is about the same as past years, Associate Dean of Admissions Greg Roberts said, noting that neither the amount of participation nor the popularity of spring tours have been affected by the University's decision to no longer offer early admissions. According to fourth-year College student Blake Segal, a University Guide, the spring is the most popular time of year for admissions tours.


News

Families of victims of April 16 Virginia Tech shooting offered settlement from commonwealth

In an effort to head off future lawsuits stemming from the Virginia Tech shootings, the commonwealth has proposed a settlement available to all of the families of victims. Each of the families has been offered a settlement of up to $100,000, in addition to medical and counseling expenses, if they give up their right to sue the commonwealth's government or Virginia Tech, according to Associated Press reports.


News

Committee discusses investigation transformation

The Honor Committee presented assessments on transformation and heard community concerns about the cancellation of the upcoming open forum during Monday night's meeting. Asian Student Union President Carlos Oronce said he was disappointed in the Committee's decision to cancel the event. The forum, according to Josh Hess, vice chair for community relations, was cancelled because of low expected turnout after the Committee "tried to generate turnout with typical methods such as e-mail." Minority Rights Coalition Co-Chair Patrick Lee said he felt the lack of expected turnout was reflective of how the public generally views Honor. The Committee's goal was to cosponsor the forum with another student organization, Hess said, but none expressed significant interest. "Historically these type of events have low turnouts," Hess said.


News

Contest to Change seeks alumni fundraising ideas

The Young Alumni Council and the Office of Development and Public Affairs have joined forces to find new ways to connect with the University's young alumni base, recently launching the "Contest to Change" competition. The contest, also known as C2C, seeks to develop a plan to increase young alumni giving by incorporating the best ideas from current students, alumni, faculty and staff, Young Alumni Council President Brian Johnson said. Members of the University community can submit proposals for project ideas through the contest's Web site until April 22 in the medium of their choice, Johnson said.


News

Council to consider leading protest against Juicy Campus

It might not be juicy, but it is serious: A group of University students recently gathered to discuss concerns about the college gossip Web site Juicy Campus, and now Student Council is considering action against the site. Alexandra Arango, co-chair of the Resident Staff Program, said she coordinated a small meeting on the steps of the Rotunda Sunday afternoon, during which she and other concerned students discussed the Web site.


News

Curry School names first associate research dean

In an effort to boost research excellence and provide faculty with a research consultant, the Education School recently named its first associate dean for research and faculty development. Daniel Berch, former associate chief of the child development and behavior branch at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, will fill the new position, Education School Dean Robert Pianta said. "Dan comes with a wealth of experience in every area of the position," Pianta said, noting that Berch's qualifications stood out from those of the other candidates. Berch said he is excited by the opportunities his new job offers. "Developing this position, which is somewhat unique, represents the dean's and the school's vision to attain an even higher level of research excellence," Berch said. Berch explained that his new position deals with both the administrative and developmental aspects of educational research.

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Indieheads is one of many Contracted Independent Organizations at the University dedicated to music, though it stands out to students for many reasons. Indieheads President Brian Tafazoli describes his experience and involvement in Indieheads over the years, as well as the impact that the organization has had on his personal and musical development.