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University reports rise in crime rates

Despite stepping up its crime prevention strategies, the University faced a 13-percent overall increase in crime last year, even as the city saw an overall decrease in crime. The number of reported incidents at the University in 1999 totaled 418, compared to 370 for 1998. In each category except for rape, which decreased to one from two incidents, the number of crimes increased. The categories of crime included in the statistics are homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. Despite the University's crime increase, the overall crime rate for Charlottesville dropped 9 percent last year.


News

Education finance bill provokes controversy

The U.S. Senate passed a controversial - and expensive - college education finance bill Thursday that may face opposition because of one section that critics say would benefit only well-off families. The $4.3 billion legislation uses tax breaks to help students and families save for college tuition, pay back college loans and attend graduate school. While these aspects of the bill have met with little dispute, controversy surrounds a section which allows parents to put up to $2,000 a year into a tax-free, federal government-sponsored savings account specially earmarked for their children's education.


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Council, Honor to discuss bylaw

Student Council will decide tonight whether to support the Honor Committee in its decision to hold a special election to vote eliminating the consideration of seriousness in cases of academic cheating. Now a student only can be convicted of an honor offense if the action is deemed serious enough to compromise the University's community of trust. The Committee's decision to move forward on holding a University-wide election to consider this matter has provoked tension between the two governing bodies. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous," Council Chief Financial Officer John Finley said.


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University to begin drug testing for hospital jobs

Applicants for employment in certain health and security-related University positions will be required to undergo screening for drugs and alcohol beginning April 1. The policy will apply to about 35,000 University jobs, mostly in the Medical Center. The policy will affect only applicants for positions that directly impact individuals' safety, including hospital staff, University Police, security officers and operators of hazardous equipment. Thomas Gausvik, University chief human resource officer, emphasized that "this is not a random screening process." Testing is not required for those who currently are employed by the University unless there is sufficient reason to believe that an employee may be using a controlled substance, Gausvik said. He emphasized that there is no provision for random testing, except when offenders return to work. The University Health System proposed this policy four years ago, and it had been in development until now, he said. Board of Visitors Rector John P.


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Council EVP faces assault allegations

Ronnie Washington, third-year Commerce student and Student Council executive vice president, was arrested on assault and battery charges following an alleged dispute at Jones Wrecker, 420 West Main St., Thursday afternoon. Washington's arrest followed shortly after the dispute, which took place at approximately 5 p.m. Washington's car had been towed to Jones Wrecker when a scuffle with the Jones' employee ensued, allegedly resulting in Washington striking the employee, Charlottesville Police Sgt.


News

Robertson denounces liberal leanings in American politics

Pat Robertson, a prominent figure in the Virginia Republican Party and founder of the Christian Coalition, denounced government intervention in private affairs and reaffirmed his belief in individual rights in a speech to about 300 students in Minor Hall Friday night. Robertson said the liberal political movement has caused many negative changes in the country. He said he disapproves of the high taxation in the country and the current complex tax code, which is "bigger than the Holy Bible." Robertson added that he founded the American Center for Law and Justice, in order to fight this "tyranny." The Center has a case before the Supreme Court, Santa Fe Independent School District v.


News

Commerce club imparts venture wisdom

In abstraction, the flash of a light bulb often symbolizes a novice entrepreneur's idea; in the real world, however, an idea can stagger its conceiver like a bolt of lightning, rendering his vision blind to practicalities, and the fledgling startup that had shown so much promise spirals subsequently into ruin. The McIntire Entrepreneurs' Group was formed last spring to help make students aware of the myriad issues facing the potential venture, to provide guidance on getting a start-up company to work and to help foster and promote the entrepreneurial spirit. "It is a blessing and a curse that the momentum and euphoria a great idea imparts can also make its believer think he can do anything," Commerce Professor David LaRue said. Founding a business enterprise on one's own requires a different mindset than the traditional risk-averse business philosophy might allow.


News

Honor opts to extend power to hold referendum election

The Honor Committee overwhelmingly passed a bylaw allowing them to hold special elections without the consent of Student Council last night in response to previous problems involving an attempt to remove the consideration of seriousness from cases of academic cheating. The proposal was initially put to vote in light of the recent problems with a referendum that would have called for students to vote on eliminating the seriousness clause in cases of academic cheating.


News

Bayh advocates careers in public service

U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), considered to be on the short list of running mates for likely Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore, encouraged over 100 Law students to seek careers in public service at a student-organized conference Saturday evening. Bayh was the keynote speaker at the Law School's Conference on Public Service and the Law, a weekend-long event that Law School Dean Robert E.


News

Gore, Bradley battle tomorrow in 15 vital Democratic elections

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-For lifelong Democrat and boat captain Dominic Papetti, a rugged native Californian who has been fishing the waters off San Francisco for 27 years, his daily catch is his livelihood. As he stood on Pier 45 repairing his 65-fathom herring net and trying to ignore the seagulls squawking overhead and the bay seals frolicking next to his boat, Papetti expressed deep concerns for the future of his profession and about Vice President Al Gore. "I'm afraid of Gore because he wants to make the whole Pacific coast a sanctuary.


News

Bilby, Dignan to face run-off election

After four days of Student Council elections and a high voter turnout, third-year College students Brendan Dignan and Joe Bilby will compete in a run-off election for the Council presidency. Bilby was the leading candidate and received 1,054 votes while Dignan received 953.


News

Students elect new UJC, Honor reps

College students elected three new representatives to both the Honor and Judiciary Committees during this week's elections. Third-year College student Forrest Jones was the top vote-getter in the honor race.


News

LAG objects to possible privatization of staff pay

The Labor Action Group denounced a government commission's proposals yesterday intended to make University employee wages more market-driven. In a press conference held during workers' lunch breaks, LAG leaders explained to University workers why they should lobby against the proposed plan, now being considered by the General Assembly. "The workers are under attack by the establishment," said Larry Henry, a lobbyist for state employees.


News

Hospital sees fewer alcohol related visits

The number ofstudents'alcohol-related emergency room visits has decreased so far this year compared to previous years, but there was an unusually high number of such visits during the first three weeks of this semester. Director of Student Health Dr. James C.


News

Bauer discusses migrant workers' plight

In Virginia, many migrant workers - mostly immigrants from Latin-American countries - work nine-hour days in manual labor jobs and only earn $3 an hour despite the national minimum wage of $5.15. During the weekly Latino Roundtable at La Casa Bolivar yesterday, Mary Bauer, the legal director of the Virginia Justice Center for Farm and Immigrant Workers, spoke about how her organization is helping migrant workers receive just pay and fair working conditions. But the Center's funding recently came under scrutiny because of a bill introduced in the General Assembly directly attacking their organization, Bauer said. State Sen.

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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.