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Photo illustration by BLADEN FINCH
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Gov. Mark Warner made a speech to the General Assembly on Oct. 10, regarding budget cuts that were going to occur, one of which is the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG). The VTAG has been cut again by 13 percent due to Virginia's budget deficit. According to an article entitled "Newest round of cuts targets staff; agencies could be next" by Christina Nuckols in The Virginian-Pilot, Warner is being "forced to make emergency cuts because of an unexpected decline in tax collections this year caused by high unemployment and stock market declines."
One of those affected by the emergency budget cut was the VTAG. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia reports the VTAG was "established in 1972... designed to assist Virginia residents who attend accredited private, non-profit colleges and universities in Virginia for other than religious training or theological education." Students must be considered full-time to receive the grant. The estimated VTAG award for the 2002-2003 academic year is $2,625 for undergraduate students and $2,000 for graduate students.
The purpose of VTAG is to give students a choice of which school they go to, hopefully helping to even out the cost of a public institution and a private college. "We are all affected by the budget deficit," said Director of Financial Aid Deanie Hickman. "The State Council in Higher Education will let us know how that cut will affect VTAG here."
Please see VTAG, News page.
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Photo illustration by BLADEN FINCH
Students often leave their mailboxes unlocked so they will be easily accessible in the future. Mailboxes were tampered with a few weeks ago when someone pulled mail from the boxes and scattered it in the hall. Inset: This sign advising students to keep their boxes locked hangs above the mailboxes. |
On a routine check Sgt. Terry Robertson found 56 mailboxes open with mail thrown all over the floor early Sun., Oct. 13. The next day each mailbox received red warning notices to inform them of the situation. The scattered mail was put into a bag to save so that it can be put back to it's original location.
"We should have enough trust in our campus so that they can do whatever they do near the cafeteria, instead of us having to be there," said Leo R. Therrien director of Campus Security. Immediately U.S. Postal Service Inspection was informed of the situation, but because there wasn't any sign of forced entry, no charges were pursued.
Once in a while VWC student mailboxes might have signs that they could have been tampered with. However, nothing of this magnitude has been brought to attention; in the three years Ms. Midge Zimmerman, mail and copy services manager, has been working there. There have been no reports that mail may have been taken.
"We're not here at night to watch the mailboxes every second," said Zimmerman. "The mailroom is open 24 hours for the students. Security does all they can, so the rest is up to students." The main cause of the problem appears to be students checking their mail and then leaving the lock with a slight turn to easily access their mailbox in the future.
"If you can't remember or can't get in," says Zimmerman, "come and get us. Leaving your mailbox easily accessible is almost like leaving your purse out in the open." The mail room staff consists of mail clerks Kim Brown and Thelma Muchlenbroch, as well as Tia Whitehurst, who works with the print shop. "Now that I know that my mailbox can be broken into, I will definitely think twice before leaving my mailbox basically almost open," said senior Bryan Jerningan.
A portion of the U.S. Postal code states, "Whoever buys, receives, or conceals, or unlawfully has in his possession, any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or any article or thing contained therein, which has been so stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted, as herein described, knowing the same to have been stolen, taken, embezzled, or abstracted" can be charged with a federal offense. If convicted, the person may be fined or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. No one has yet been linked to the event.
"After 9-11, the immediate reaction of the British people was to support America in its hour of need," said British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer in his speech entitled "Can Diplomats Justify Their Existence?" Meyer was the guest speaker at the World Affairs Council (WAC) dinner held on Oct. 10.
"It's been spontaneous and widespread,” said Meyer “And since then, Tony Blair has been unwavering backing President Bush in the War against Terrorism and the drive to disarm Saddam. Why? Because when the terrorists struck on the 11th of Sept. of 2001, it was not only an atrocity perpetrated on the people of the United States, it was an assault on all of us who how life, liberty, and democracy dear. Aside from United States, the British had more casualties at the World Trade Center, I believe, than any other country."
Meyer "was selected because he was highly regarded by members of the Board," said Political Science professor and WAC Board Member, Dr. Bill Jones. "And he was willing to come. He is a man qualified to address many aspects in the international environment."
Please see Ambassador, News page.
As of Sept. 13, Tom Nelson can add being one of the newest associates of Phi Kappa Tau (PKT) to his list of accomplishments. Nelson feels honored that they would extend him a bid to be a part of their organization. "I've worked with them," Nelson said. "I respect them."
Nelson has told members that if he were to join a fraternity, it would be Phi Tau. He was given that chance the night of the Lake Taylor Music Festival when he was approached by the members of PKT and extended a personal invitation to become an associate. Nelson said the unexpected bid was "an extremely humbling experience." Knowing that they respected him because of the way he performs his job on campus made it even more special.
"I think it's flattering that students would want to ask him to join," said Dean David Buckingham. It speaks volumes about Nelson's character that the students view him as a friend, recognize that he is here to serve the campus and has their best interests at heart. "Personally, I have known Tom since my sophomore year and have really liked him as a person," said George Rogers, president of PKT. "And since becoming an RA, I have gotten to know him even better, and he is one of the nicest people I have ever met."
Please see Fraternity, News page.
Site created and maintained by Linda De Rosa.