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Honor sets date for referendum vote, plans paper ballot system

In an Honor Committee meeting last night, current and newly-elected members met to decide how to run the Committee's most recent referendum and set a date for the student vote. If passed, the referendum would remove seriousness as a consideration in determining guilt in honor cases concerning academic cheating.


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Harvard study finds high off-campus drinking

Although colleges across the country have launched extensive alcohol prevention programs, a Harvard University study indicates that these efforts may have proved effective only for students living on campus. Incidents of binge drinking among college students living in off-campus housing increased from 1997 to 1999, but decreased among students living on campus during the same time period, according to the Harvard School of Public Health 1999 College Alcohol Study (CAS). While the study found no overall increase in binge drinking, there were increases in percentages of students who binge drink more than once a week and students abstaining from alcohol consumption. Binge drinking is defined as five drinks at one sitting for men and four drinks at one sitting for women. An increase in binge drinking was found among off-campus residents while the increase in abstention was attributed to dormitory residents. But University officials said this trend does not seem to apply to the University. A report on alcohol use within the University indicates that there has been a decrease in binge drinking both on and off Grounds in recent years, said Marianne Bell, health educator at the Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education. Henry Wechsler, principal investigator of CAS and Director of the College Alcohol Studies Program at the Harvard School of Public Health, said he believes the findings indicate a need for greater cooperation between colleges and the outside community in alcohol abuse prevention issues. "A big part of the problem involves off-campus parties and drinking in local bars," Wechsler said. He said he advocates working with bar owners and other merchants to restrict alcohol sales to college students, especially to minors. "Elimination of specials, free ladies' nights, and happy hours ... is a priority," he said. The study also suggested that colleges should focus more on punishment for alcohol violations than on educating students about the dangers of alcohol abuse. But Director of Student Health James C.


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Bilby defeats Dignan in run-off

After three days of student voting, third-year College student Joe Bilby captured the Student Council presidency, defeating Brendan Dignan, also a third-year College student, by 661 votes in a run-off election. Bilby won with 1,444 votes to Dignan's 783, with 12 percent of the student body voting in the election.


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City Council candidates prepare for race

The upcoming City Council elections look to be one of the most competitive races in recent memory as many consider the Republican Party to have a strong chance of winning at least one seat on Council for the first time in 12 years. But this election could see different results because of growing voter discontent with the status quo, Elizabeth Fortune associate dean of the Architecture School and Republican candidate said. "Voters see the need for change.


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University researchers look at effects of Ritalin on driving

If you are facing a long drive home and suffer from ADHD, Ritalin may help you get home safely. Three recent University studies are shedding light on the controversial stimulant Ritalin, which doctors say has been over-prescribed in recent years and is sometimes touted as a miracle drug to improve concentration. A report published last week by University Health System researchers in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that Ritalin, the drug commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, can improve driving in young men with ADHD. ADHD is a common disorder which prevents individuals from focusing their attention on specific tasks for an extended amount of time. Dr. Daniel Cox, principal investigator of the study, said that individuals with ADHD are three to five times more likely to receive traffic violations and get into automobile accidents than those without ADHD. Cox tested men between the ages of 19 and 25 in a computerized simulation that generated rush-hour driving conditions. Cox and Dr. Larry Merkel, a co-investigator in the study, tested two groups of six men -- half that took a placebo drug and half that took Ritalin.


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Republican contenders look to fill Bliley's Congress seat

After 20 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Thomas J. Bliley (R-7th) announced this week that he will retire from the House at the end of this term. Bliley, from Richmond, has served as chairman of the House Commerce Committee since January 1995.


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Bradley likely to abandon nomination bid

After devastating losses in all 16 Super Tuesday primaries, former Sen. Bill Bradley (D) is expected to bow out of the nominating process today in a press conference at his New Jersey campaign headquarters. While the Bradley camp would not confirm the candidate's withdrawal officially, many political experts believe retreating from the race is Bradley's only option. "He's absolutely foolish not to" drop out of the race, said Robert Holsworth, chair of the department of international and public affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Bradley collapsed," said Larry J.


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Conference to discuss religion, bioethics issues

It is a thin line between medical miracles and playing God. This intertwining relationship between religion and ethics in medicine has brought the University and its bioethics program, which examines moral issues within the field of medicine, to the forefront of academic discussion. Exploring just how far scientists can go in their medical advances without violating religious principles will be the focus of the University's Center for Biomedical Ethics-sponsored bioethics conference, "Belief and Bioethics: Religious Faith and Secular Medical Ethics." A variety of issues relating to both research advancements and basic medical treatment will be the topics for discussion.


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Honor forms new Alumni Advisory Group

In order to facilitate dialogue between past and current Committee members, the Honor Committee is creating a formal Alumni Advisory Group that will meet twice each year to advise the Committee on constitutional and operational concerns. Committee Chairman Hunter Ferguson brought this proposal to the Committee last week as a replacement for the former Old Chair's Conference.


News

University faces nursing shortage

Many nurses at the University Health System are facing longer hours and busier days as a result of a nursing staff shortage. According to Marlene Bond, University associate vice president for nursing, there are about 50 nursing vacancies in the Health System.


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Local man shot, killed in area near 10th Street

A Charlottesville resident died early yesterday morning after being shot in the head late Monday night. The shooting occurred in the 900th block of Paoli Street at approximately 11:45 p.m.. Authorities identified the victim as Jonathan Tibbs, a man in his early 20s. Charlottesville Police responded within 60 seconds to a 911 call Monday night and found the victim lying on the ground, Police Detective Blaine Cosgro said. Police recovered several shell casings from the scene of the shooting and now are investigating the incident.


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Internet gains value as important

The Internet's political prowess is being tested this week during the Super Tuesday presidential primaries. This date marks one of the most important times in the primary season when vote-swinging states like New York and California enter the electoral ring. This week's primaries predict more than just the presidential chances of the five hopefuls; they also help assess the Internet's potential to shape the political process. This week will "tell the tale" and determine just how much impact the Internet will have at the voting booth, Politics Online site editor Tom Kennedy said. Related Links Cavalier Daily Election 2000 Coverage Already, Arizona Senator John McCain (R) has used the medium to his advantage, racking up donations and enlisting campaign volunteers online. For most of the cadidates, once the Web site is accessed a box pops up offering an easy way to donate money. "The Internet provided rocket fuel for McCain after New Hampshire," said Michael Cornfield, spokesman for the Democracy Online project at George Washington University.


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Bush, McCain focus on education, ethics

PLEASANT HILL, Calif.-Arizona Sen. John McCain and Texas Gov. George W. Bush stomped through the Golden State yesterday, each hoping to take home California's 162 Republican delegates and capture the GOP presidential nomination. North of San Francisco at Diablo Valley College Sunday, McCain urged Californians to participate in today's Super Tuesday primaries and emphasized the bipartisan strength of his campaign. "I'm the only candidate that can beat Al Gore," McCain said at the rally.

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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.