News

Staff responds to new HR system

As the result of 2005 legislation, the University is gaining autonomy from the Commonwealth in employee management; however, University employees expressed concerns at yesterday's Town Hall meeting about whether the University's new system will be more effective than the Commonwealth's strategy. At the meeting held in Newcomb Ballroom, Susan Carkeek, vice president and chief human resources officer, discussed positive and negative responses from an recent employee survey, which revealed both employee loyalty to the University as well as dissatisfaction with current policies under the state-controlled system. The survey was distributed in the spring "to ask questions about portions of the human resources department that could be affected by restructuring," said Alexandra Rebhorn, human resources communications coordinator.

Michaels resigns as state climatologist

After years of receiving heat for his controversial theories about global warming, University Environmental Science Prof.

Millions pledged to LGBT group

Two generous

First signs of fall

Tech officials discuss panel, committee recommendations

This past weekend the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors and university officials met to determine how to process recommendations the university has received since the April 16 shootings that paralyzed the Blacksburg campus.

Prof. speaks about race in elections

Who will be the second black president of the United States? This was the controversial question posed by Assoc.

University officials opt not to demolish New Cabell Hall

University officials have decided not to knock down New Cabell Hall as part of the plans for the South Lawn Project, but will instead renovate the building.

Faculty Senate outlines academic semester plans

The Faculty Senate discussed Commonwealth budget cuts, the Three Plus Five Plan and the Commission for the Future of the University at yesterday's meeting. Senate Chair Ricardo Padron opened the meeting by discussing key issues for the upcoming academic year, noting that "the University stands perched at the edge of important changes." Padron said the vacant dean positions, as well as several faculty members poised for retirement, leave an opening for the University to rethink current programs and to create a more diverse faculty. President John T.

StudCo looks at student-initiated courses

Student Council discussed a resolution to seek funding for a student-initiated courses scholarship fund last night.

Changes on the south lawn

The Campaign Comes to C'Ville

As best-selling novelist John Grisham introduced Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton at her Charlottesville fundraiser Sunday, he exclaimed, "Everybody's coming to Charlottesville." He was referring not only to the New York senator's recent stop in the city, but also to the rumored Oct.

Authorities maintain city water cutbacks

A drought warning and water use regulations will persist in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, as the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority announced Monday it will continue restrictions because of persistent drought conditions in the area. The restrictions include limits on outdoor watering, such as watering lawns and washing paved surfaces, said Thomas Frederick, executive director of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority. Frederick added that restaurants are asked not to serve water unless a patron specifically requests it. Charlottesville communications director Ric Barrick said violating the water restrictions is a Class I misdemeanor, but added that Charlottesville residents have been cooperative. "The biggest drought we've seen in a long time is 2002 and that was when we had a drought emergency," Barrick said, adding that residents then were forced to conserve water by limiting showers and not flushing toilets.

Prof. Lyons earns French Legion of Honor distinction

French Department Chair John D. Lyons received the Legion of Honor, France's most prestigious award, Friday.

BREAK TIME ON THE LAWN

Trust looks to aid affordability

While the high price of housing in Charlottesville has made headlines and plagued buyers in the real estate market for quite some time, a potential solution was recently introduced that would aim to increase the supply of affordable housing in the area.

MCAT, grades key to admission

For those students hoping to attend medical school, findings from a recent survey by Kaplan may shed some light on the increasingly competitive applications process.

Profs. provide alternative for evaluating universities

Many consider the US News & World Report ranking system to be the most important resource when comparing colleges and universities; however, two economics professors from William & Mary are looking into ways of improving current methods in evaluating higher education institutions.

Study urges colleges to ease app. process

High school students are at their wits' end when it comes to the college application process, an Education Conservancy study revealed. The study, released yesterday by the nonprofit organization, suggested American universities should consider changing current admissions processes due to the increased frustration and pessimism of high school students across the country concerning the college admissions experience, according to Education Conservancy Founder Lloyd Thacker. "We learned that, when kids go through the college admissions process, they learn some good things, for example how to manage their time, and they learn to think for themselves," Thacker said.

Meeting in the Grass

University professor receives award from Virginia Health Department

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, chair of the University department of orthopaedic surgery, recently received the Commissioner's Healthcare Workforce Recognition Award from the Virginia Department of Health.