Notice to reporters:  A dress rehearsal for the "Grounds for
Discussion" performances will be held on Friday, Aug. 23, at 9 a.m.
in Old Cabell Hall Auditorium. The initial performance for
first-year students will be Sunday, Aug. 25, at 2:30 p.m. in Old
Cabell Hall Auditorium.  Subsequent performances will be held in the
same location on Monday, Aug. 26, at 2:45 p.m. and on Tuesday, Aug.
27, at 2 p.m. A performance for transfer students will be held on
Sunday, Aug. 25, at 12:30 p.m. in McLeod Hall Auditorium.

LIFE ISSUES TAKE CENTER STAGE DURING U.VA. ORIENTATION

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 17 --The University of Virginia
has set the stage for entering students to examine their values and
responsibilities in life through "Grounds for Discussion," a new
series of theatrical performances that premieres Aug. 25 as part of
orientation.
	Entering students, in groups of approximately 1,000, will
attend performances of eight skits portraying a variety of
campus-life issues, such as multiculturalism, sexual conduct,
alcohol and substance abuse and eating disorders. Combining humor
with drama, each skit will end without resolution, allowing students
to form their own ideas about the behaviors and attitudes portrayed
by the upperclass actors in the scenarios.
	Immediately after each performance, the first years will
return to their residence halls, where trained student facilitators
will lead them in small group discussions about issues raised in the
skits.
	"Some of the upperclass students wanted the performances to
convey distinct messages," said Dean of Students Robert T.
Canevari.  "However, we are not the 'thought police.' We don't want
to make judgment calls.  Instead, we hope the skits will stimulate a
frank discussion of the decisions students must make, not only at
U.Va. but in life. We want students to know that they are
responsible for their actions and that the consequences of their
decisions will ripple into the University community and society as a
whole.  We are urging students not to take their new freedoms
lightly."
 	After evaluating the format of last year's orientation,
upperclass students and staff in the Dean of Students Office decided
to add skits to the First-Year Focus Program, designed to acquaint
new students with the freedoms and responsibilities associated with
self-governance.  Last year programs focusing on such campus-life
issues as personal safety, substance abuse and diversity were spread
throughout fall semester; student attendance in the programs dropped
sharply as the demands of course work and activities increased.  
	Organizers believe the performances followed by small-group
discussions will foster an early awareness of campus-life issues.
"We view 'Grounds for Discussion' as an empowering process.  We
think students will gain information they need to make responsible
decisions," said Michelle Samuels, interim assistant to the dean who
is a coordinator of the project.
	Before each performance, Canevari will address the new
students.  He will emphasize the importance of building a University
community. 
	The original skits were written and critiqued by
professionals in the Office of the Dean of Students, the Institute
for Substance Abuse Studies, the Office of African American Affairs,
the Women's Center/Sexual Assault Education Office, the University
Counseling Center, the University Police, the Elson Student Health
Center, with input from representatives of student organizations.
Each performance will last approximately 45 minutes.  
###
August 16, 1996
	FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:  Michelle Samuels; Melissa
Salva, a graduate student assistant working on the project; or
Robert Canevari at (804) 924-7133.