The Cavalier Daily
Serving the University Community Since 1890

Amir Khoddami


Study: Youth turnout increased

Despite national reports that the turnout rate for young voters in the presidential election was no higher than in 2000, a University of Maryland study found that 20.9 million voters between the ages of 18 and 29 participated -- 4.6 million more young voters than the 2000 election. Similarly, the number of youth voters in Virginia between the ages of 18 and 29 reached 550,000, reflecting a 12 percent increase from the 2000 election, according to statistics compiled by Virginia21, a Richmond-based political action tank.

Consent Campaign focuses on education

The University Sexual Assault Board, along with the Parents Program and other student organizations held one of two presentations last night in the Newcomb Art Gallery as part of a three-week Consent Campaign. "The campaign is aimed at raising the level of awareness in the University community about how often consent is not clear in intimate relationships and to educate individuals on how to be sure that it is present," Sexual Assault Board Chair Shamim Sisson said. In order to publicize the campaign, a planning committee was formed to get out the word by distributing materials such as flyers, brochures and bookmarks, as well as getting interest from students. Last night's presentation was given by Katrina Salmons, president of the Sexual Assault Facts and Education Organization, along with Sloane Kuney, coordinator of the Sexual Assault Leadership Council. "The posters will give you the basic info about what consent is and how to ask for it, the presentations explore more fully the grey areas," Salmons said. In the presentation, Salmons and Kuney further presented consent guidelines, answered student inquiries, and facilitated discussion among the audience. They ended the presentation by encouraging those in attendance to continue to discuss and voice issues of consent and sexual assault with other members of the community. "Silence is a huge enemy to anyone suffering any kind of violence, especially sexual," Kuney said. The idea for the campaign began when Alan Berkowitz, an independent consultant and activist, met with the Sexual Assault Board.

Web site promotes academic debate

Thanks to a new Web site, University faculty and administrators have a new tool that allows them to make their opinions available to the public for debate and discussion. The Web site, Faculty Opinions, allows faculty to electronically publish papers in op-ed or short essay form. "The style essentially means the length is usually from 600 to 800 words and in a conversational newspaper style," said Charlotte Crystal, opinion editor of the new Web site. Crystal said the essays will include a wide range of topical issues. "Hopefully, if an op-ed is going to be good, it has to be very timely, very targeted, and a pointed piece with a strong opinion," University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. The site -- linked off of U.Va.

Drum majors complete marching band

The appointment of two drum majors Tuesday completes the leadership staff of the Cavalier Marching Band, who will make their debut performance at the first home football game of the 2004 season on Sept.

Graduate student arrested during ambassador's speech

Rich Felker, a Graduate Arts and Sciences student and member of Students for a Free Tibet, was arrested in the Rotunda Monday for attempting to chain himself to a banister inside the building during a speech by Yang Jiechi, the Chinese ambassador to the United States. University Police arrested Felker and charged him with two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct and an attempt to participate in and/or incite a riot, University Police Capt.

Airport officials tout passenger increase

Despite the economic downturn in the nation's airline industry after Sept. 11, 2001, a record-setting number of passengers utilized the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport in February. A total of 26,775 travelers either arrived at or departed from the airport last month.

IRO issues inaugural publication

The International Relations Organization held an inaugural ceremony last night in Jefferson Hall to introduce the first edition of the Wilson Journal of International Affairs. "Other institutions of equal or even less caliber have publications of this sort so it was a shame for the University not to have its own international affairs publication," said fourth-year College student Omeed Jafari, who pioneered the journal while doing independent study research last spring. The journal is now one of two publications at the University that showcases undergraduate research. "[Jafari] thought that the International Relations Organization could do a better job at enabling the student body to express their interest about international affairs," IRO President Laura Fairneny said. The ceremony's speakers included Fairneny, journal Editor-in-Chief Kurt Mitman and keynote speaker Michael J.

IMPs apologize for setting fire on Lawn

The IMP Society apologized to the administration and Lawn residents yesterday after dousing a pile of logs with gasoline and setting them ablaze last Thursday night, igniting a bonfire several feet high in the middle of the Lawn. IMP Society Leader Vicky Jones and the IMPs accepted responsibility for the fire in an e-mail apologizing to Lawn residents last night. "We hope to continue to stay in the favor of the prestigious Lawn community and will continue to uphold the traditions of the University in the most appropriate forms as possible," the e-mail said. Later, Jones emphasized the contributions the IMP Society makes to the University. "We understand the seriousness of the situation," Jones said.

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