The University of Virginia is embarking on a project to create its own personnel system, after being given that new authority by the state under a restructuring agreement. Heading up that effort will be UVa's new human resources director, Susan Carkeek, who came to the university last fall from the University of New Mexico...
Until yesterday, Virginia Tech was on a roll. The university's reputation for academic excellence and old-fashioned fun had been soaring. For Northern Virginians, it had become one of the most sought-after college destinations. "It is one of those schools that has had a really solid regional reputation but in the last five to seven years has been growing rapidly into a strong national reputation as well," said Robert Franek, author of the Princeton Review guide "The Best 361 Colleges."
President John Casteen declared Monday that UVA's thoughts and prayers belong to those who must deal with the carnage. Casteen says there is "a grief that must seem almost more than mind and spirit can bear."
Security was heightened yesterday at some colleges and universities in the Washington area, and officials began reviewing procedures in reaction to the fatal shootings at Virginia Tech. ... Schools immediately began offering condolences and assistance to Virginia Tech while trying to reassure their own students. The University of Virginia offered counseling services and police assistance.
The on-campus killings at Virginia Tech likely will affect how University of Virginia authorities approach campus security, a UVa police captain said Monday. "I can't tell you at this point what that effect will be, but I'm sure this will be something we'll be looking at very closely," Capt. Michael Coleman said Monday afternoon. UVa officials have plans in place for on-campus emergencies ranging from natural disasters to plane crashes, he said.
...Carol S. Wood, assistant vice president for public affairs at the University of Virginia, said the university has a plan for handling critical incidents, including criminal acts, but doesn't discuss its details. The university's emphasis now, she said, is providing whatever help Virginia Tech needs.
At the University of Virginia on Monday, the televisions at Newcomb Hall's student center became a center of gravity. As the tragedy in Blacksburg unfolded, students stood transfixed as cable news channels updated the latest casualties. First it was one dead. Then 22. Then more than 30. It was almost impossible to believe, and too much to bear. Many students in Newcomb's lounge Monday afternoon were Virginia natives who had high school friends at Virginia Tech.
UVA spokesperson Carol Wood said that UVA is supporting Virginia Tech during this difficult time. "This is a horrific tragedy for Va. Tech. The magnitude of it is incomprehensible. We have offered our assistance to our colleagues at Va. Tech and stand ready to do whatever they ask of us. The students, staff and faculty of Va. Tech are part of our extended family. And in the coming days, each of us is going to be touched by this tragedy in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend." UVA also posted a message about Tech's campus closing on their homepage, www.virginia.edu, when Tech's websit...
U.Va. Recruits World-Renowned Circadian Biologist
U.Va. to Host National Physics Day Show on Wednesday
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Working to Improve
http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/
Honor opts not to reestablish single sanction committee
U.Va. hosts ACC research forum
Universities increase efforts to ensure application legitimacy
Report reveals narrower public-private income gap
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/
Negotiators Say Sallie Mae to Be Sold for $25 Billion
New York Times / April 16
Sallie Mae agreed late last night to be sold to JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and two private equity firms for $25 billion, said people involved in the negotiations. The deal would move the nation's largest education lender, officially known as the SLM Corporation, into private control amid increasing turmoil for the company.
http://tinyurl.com/yq4625
Anxiety, Values and Undergrad Education
Inside Higher Ed / April 16
Presidents and professors gather to consider and share deep worries about who goes to coll...
Eric Anderson
Who studied aerospace engineering at U.Va.
Riches to Ride / Local Firm Launches Wealthy Thrill-Seekers Into Space
Washington Post / April 16
http://tinyurl.com/253qbt
Tiki Barber
Former Cavalier and NFL football star who starts today as a correspondent on NBC's Today Show
Tiki Barber Makes Debut on Today Show Monday
WVIR NBC-29 / April 13
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=6368779&nav=menu496_4_1
Douglas A. Barry
1979 graduate
Allen Firm Names New President / It's the First Time Someone Not a Part of the Richmond Family Is Picked for the Post
Richmond Times-Dispatch / Apri...
Sahar Adish
College third-year pre-med major
Small film, big award– teens nab a Peabody
The Hook / April 12
http://www.thehook.net/2007/04/10/small-film-big-award-teens-nab-a-peabody/
Ross Baird
College fourth-year and winner of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship
Is the SAT S.O.L.? / Why Putting Down the No. 2 Pencil May Level the Admissions Playing Field.
Current Magazine / April 13
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18059471/site/newsweek/
Erika Stiene and Alana McMillan
College students and coachs in the Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle (SOCA)
Soccer: The International La...
Timothy Beatley
A professor of architecture
D.C. Needs to Capitalize On Its City-Like Qualities
Washington Post / April 14
http://tinyurl.com/3dzl3z
John Blackburn
Dean of admission
UVa Struggles to Draw Community College Transfers / University Recruiting More Aggressively
Charlottesville Daily Progress / April 14
http://tinyurl.com/2woo3n
Susan Carkeek
Chief Human Resource Officer
UVa's Carkeek to Oversee Switch to New HR System
Charlottesville Daily Progress / April 16
http://tinyurl.com/2759xl
John T. Casteen III
President of the University
Greenspan Honored at Monticello / Ex-Fed Chief ...
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awarded ten $1 million grants to initiatives in nine states aimed at significantly increasing college enrollment and graduation among low-income high school and community college students. The grant recipients are... The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in partnership with the National College Access Network, will also house the National College Advising Corps Coordinating Office to support the development of the programs and encourage other universities to start similar programs.
University of Virginia President John Casteen announced today that retired media mogul Frank Batten, Sr. has donated $100 million– the largest gift in UVA's history– to establish the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. ...
...UVA announced the hiring of [Joseph] Takahashi, a cellular and molecular biologist and one of the world's preeminent biological clock researchers. He will arrive in Charlottesville in September 2008 to head a new Center for Circadian and Systems Biology housed in a new building at UVA's Fontaine Research Park. Takahashi, a member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, will hold an endowed chair in biology... Takahashi is the sixth top National Academy-level researcher UVA has recruited, on its way to a total of 10.
A former UVa rector and pillar of the Charlottesville community was honored today. A white ash tree was planted on the lawn at UVa in memory of Hovey Dabney, who died in February at the age of 83.
A big name athlete is in town this weekend visiting the UVa Children's Hospital. Sister Andrea Jaeger, a former WTA tennis superstar, is in town for the annual Mac McDonald Invitational. The weekend-long event raises money for the Children's Hospital. Saturday night is the Bad Pants Bash at the John Paul Jones Arena, and Monday is the golf tournament...