Digest -- U.Va. Top News Daily

Andrew Shurtlett

U.Va. funds new housing inspector position
A new inspector is coming to town. The University’s growing concern for the well-being of its students living off-Grounds prompted officials to enter into an agreement to boost the city of Charlottesville’s housing inspection operations. On. Jan. 19, Charlottesville’s City Council gave final approval to the two-year pilot program, under which U.Va. will fund an additional property maintenance inspector position at an approximate total cost of $115,000. The new inspector will concentrate his or her efforts on off-Grounds student housing areas within the city, primarily in the Lewis Mountain, Jefferson Park Avenue, Venable and 10th Street/Page Street neighborhoods.
(Jan. 22)

Center receives funding to educate students about dangers of alcohol abuse
The University has received a stipend for drinking — or for controlling drinking, to be more precise. The Center for Alcohol and Substance Education has received a three-year, $675,600 grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The grant, aimed at educating fraternities and sororities, will fund programs that provide students with information on their peers’ behaviors and attitudes surrounding alcohol use. U.Va. is one of seven colleges and universities to receive funding through the Rapid Response to College Drinking Problems grant competition and will receive $223,700 in the first year of the grant. (Jan. 21)

Employees in Peabody Hall get an unexpected rain date
Employees are working out of temporary space now after water poured through the second-floor ceiling in Peabody Hall on Jan. 18. A meeting room in the admissions office on the first floor also was damaged. Dean of Students Penny Rue said the water affected two offices and two workstations in her area. Rue said all affected employees have been relocated within Peabody Hall. Leonard T. “Spike” Weeks, a superintendent at Facilities Management, said recent low temperatures had frozen water that is normally used to heat or cool fresh air brought into the building. Several coils in the air intakes, which are located in the attic of Peabody Hall, burst and as the ice thawed, water started running out onto the ceiling. (Jan. 20)