Digest — U.Va. Top News Daily

P&T wins DEQ award for environmental excellence

P&T director Becca White accepts U.Va.’s award from DEQ’s Larry Simmons.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality certified the
University of Virginia’s Parking and Transportation department as
an “environmental enterprise,” or “e2,” making it the first U.Va. division to receive that distinction, and only the second e2 unit at any university in the state. The e2 certification is earned when the DEQ approves an organization’s environmental management system, an action plan based on“ investigating the source and preventing pollution before it occurs rather than abatement after pollution occurs,” explained Larry Simmons, the deputy regional director for the DEQ,
during the ceremony. (May 23)

Vision statement, salary issues and capital campaign round out Faculty Senate meeting

The Faculty Senate gave its stamp of approval for a new vision statement for the University during its meeting on April 28. Initiatives of the plan include a 20 percent increase in faculty to bring the faculty/student ratio to 1:15 over the next seven years; building internationally prominent research programs in science, social science, humanities and professional schools; including writing instruction for all undergraduates; and increasing diversity of the faculty and student body. U.Va. President John T. Casteen III led discussion on compensation issues and gave an update on the $3 billion capital campaign, which officially kicks off on Sept. 30. Other business included the approval of two new degree programs and the naming of a new senate chairman. (May 2)

Health Partnership Act introduced to Senate; aims to expand coverage to millions of uninsured Americans

Dr. Arthur Garson Jr., vice president and dean of the School of Medicine joined Senators George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) at a Capitol Hill news conference on May 9, to announce the introduction of the Health Partnership Act. In what has been labeled the “Senate Health Week,” the focus of this bill is to expand healthcare coverage for the millions of uninsured in America. Speaking at the conference, Garson said the bill will allow states to determine the best way to help the uninsured. (May 10)