Community Relations News, Community Relations, U.Va.

University of Virginia Finals Weekend Scheduled for May 18 and 19
More than 30,000 people are expected on Grounds for the University’s 184th Final Exercises. Class Valedictory Exercises will be held at 11 a.m. on the Lawn on Saturday, May 18. Stephen Colbert, the host, co-writer and executive producer of “The Colbert Report,” will be the keynote speaker. Former U.S. Senator (D-Va.) and Secretary of the Navy, Jim Webb, will give the commencement address on Sunday, May 19, following the 10 a.m. academic procession.

For more information and a schedule of weekend events, visit www.virginia.edu/finals.

Reunions Weekend Begins June 6
Increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic is expected as more than 5,000 alumni return to Grounds for Reunions Weekend, June 6 through 9. Some planned outdoor activities that may include amplified sound are listed below:

Thursday, June 6, Movie on the Lawn, 9 to 11 p.m., South Lawn
Friday, June 7, Band Party, 9:30 p.m. to midnight, South end of the Lawn
Saturday, June 8, Kids Carnival, 3 to 5 p.m., Madison Bowl on Madison Lane

For additional information, visit http://alumni.virginia.edu/events-reunions/reunions/.

Road Projects to Affect Area Travel
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is scheduled to begin replacement of the McCormick Road Bridge, which crosses over Emmet Street just south of the Central Grounds Parking Garage, on Monday, May 20. During the work, the bridge will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Signage will be in place to direct motorists and pedestrians to alternate routes.

A section of Emmet Street in the vicinity of the bridge will be closed to traffic the evenings of Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., to perform demolition of the existing bridge structure. Emmet Street will be closed during another two-night period in mid-June to install the beams for the new structure.

The bridge replacement is expected to be complete by July 20.

Beginning Wednesday, May 22, VDOT is scheduled to repave Cabell Drive behind Bryan and Clark Halls. Milling of the roadway should begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Flag persons will be on site to direct both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Repaving is expected to be complete by 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, weather permitting.

VDOT also plans to repave Lane Road between Jeanette Lancaster Way and Crispell Drive on Thursday, May 23. The VDOT contractor performing the work will provide flaggers and will maintain one open lane to allow access to the area.

Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed on Friday, May 24.

For more information about the VDOT work, visit www.virginia.edu/communityrelations.

Partnership Helps Low-Income Residents Navigate Legal Hurdles
In its first two years, the Access to Justice Partnership – which pairs U.Va. law students with local attorneys to provide free legal services to low-income, Charlottesville-area residents – has assisted about 294 clients, benefiting nearly 700 individuals in the community.

To learn more about the partnership, visit http://news.virginia.edu/content/access-justice-partnership-helps-low-income-charlottesville-residents-navigate-legal-hurdles.

U.Va. Class Awards $100,000 to 14 Nonprofits
Students in a U.Va. philanthropy course spent the semester researching, deliberating and deciding how to award $100,000 to charitable organizations. The awards ranged from $3,000 to $12,000, and the largest awards went to 11 local organizations. The funds for the course in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy were provided by the Philanthropy Lab of the Once Upon A Time Foundation of Forth Worth, Texas, to encourage students to think about philanthropy.

To learn more about the grants and grant recipients, visit http://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-philanthropy-class-awards-100000-grants-14-nonprofits.

Program Celebrates Continued Success
The Day in the Life Program connects at-risk elementary, middle and high school students with U.Va. students who serve as tutors and mentors. Participating U.Va. students help local youth build or regain an appreciation for education. In academic year 2012/13, a record 846 U.Va. students had more than 5,794 interactions with area youth, eclipsing last year’s 4,300. The Day in the Life Program recently celebrated its success at a year-end celebration at Buford Middle School.

To learn more about Day in the Life, visit www.virginia.edu/communityrelations.

As a service to the U.Va. Community, U.Va. Community Relations offers area-specific traffic alerts at www.virginia.edu/communityrelations.

To learn more about other University events and activities, visit calendar.virginia.edu.