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Student concerns rank at top of list

While the Cheez-Its box was being passed around the room, the Richmond College Student Government Association had its first meeting of the year where the members discussed student concerns, coming events and issues on which the different councils are focusing. One member brought up a student concern about the difficulties with getting cell phone service on campus, especially in Lakeview.

University scrambles to save bus route from cuts

Richmond's major mass transit company is considering eliminating the only bus route between the university and downtown because not enough people use the service. Greater Richmond Transit Company conducted an 18-month analysis starting in 2006 that labeled seven "problem" bus routes in its system, including Westhampton Route 16.

Climate change addressed at public forum

The Governor's Commission on Climate Change heard statements from the community and accepted proposals from environmental groups from across Virginia Wednesday night. A consortium of environmental organizations aided by the University of Richmond student group RENEW, including the Sierra Club and Chesapeake Climate Action Network, submitted written recommendations to the commission. Carly Vendegna-Ramirez of RENEW said the group has been dedicated to showing students how to live more sustainable lives. "We want to get students thinking about things like how they are using energy in their dorms and their driving habits," she said. Vendegna-Ramirez said RENEW had been asked to attend the public forum to demonstrate to the commission that young people were committed to combating climate change. Some of the recommendations included establishing a mandatory renewable energy portfolio, establishing a program for decentralized solar, wind and similar renewable energy production and opposing the development offshore drilling for oil and natural gas. Many community members attended the meeting in the student commons at Virginia Commonwealth University to fight a proposed coal fired power plant in Wise County Virginia. "Coal is killing us out in southwestern Virginia," said Larry Bush, a 26-year veteran of the Virginia coal mine industry.

CAPS sees record number of students in 2007

The university's Counseling and Psychological Services saw a record 469 students last year, and of those students more than 50 percent were seeking help to cope with stress. Since 2000, CAPS has seen a steadily increasing number of students -- about 20 students more per year, on average. The reason for the increase is debatable, but what is certain is that most students who visit CAPS are dealing with high levels of stress or coping with stress-related disorders. Peter LeViness, director of CAPS, said most Richmond students are stressed from being "typical," defined as someone who is working toward a double major and is involved in multiple extracurricular activities. "A common pattern we see among the students that come through here is that they are taking on too much," LeViness said.

Library intruder faces new charges, jail time

The man who police say triggered the May 6 campus lockdown faces new charges of drug possession and a felony charge of wearing a mask in public. Tim Mihalcoe, University of Richmond Police Department investigator, obtained two new arrest warrants for the man, 19-year-old Seth Newman, based on lab results showing he had possessed marijuana and an undefined schedule-three drug. On July 29, Newman was arrested for the second time since the incident at Boatwright Memorial Library and was taken to Henrico County Jail. Newman will have a hearing at Henrico County General District Court on Sept.

Energy use to be monitored in residence halls next year

A campus-wide push toward environmental sustainability has been boosted by a $100,000 donation from The Dominion Foundation, granted to pay for installing energy monitoring systems in 14 residence halls. The system is an Internet-based technology that will provide data detailing the amount of energy used by each student as well as dorm-by-dorm energy consumption.

Warner says Obama ready to lead nation in race for future

RICHMOND -- Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner declared Tuesday night that the nation was engaged in a race for the future and that Barack Obama was the presidential candidate who could best lead the American people to win it. "This election isn't about liberal versus conservative," Warner said in his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Ayers urges new students to engage in school's future

President Edward Ayers called on new students Monday afternoon to actively shape the school's identity, and also acknowledged that increasing diversity was "an obligation" the university was still trying to fulfill. The remarks, delivered at a welcome address attended by about 400 students at the Robins Center, offered the first glimpse of Ayers' completed transition from a freshman president to a now firmly established leader.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Richmond 33rd on annual list

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Richmond at No. 33 on this year's list of top liberal arts colleges, tying Trinity College of Hartford, Conn., and propelling the school to its highest ranking since it moved from the "Best Master's Universities" category in 2006. Last year, Richmond ranked 40th on the U.S.

Obama and V.P. contender Kaine campaign in Richmond

CHESTER, Va. -- Barack Obama campaigned at John Tyler Community College with Gov.

Dry James River prompts mandatory water restrictions

The City of Richmond and Henrico County announced mandatory water restrictions on Thursday as a dry summer and low water levels in the James River continue to plague the area. "All of us are the trustees of our environment and we must take every step possible to conserve water for the sake of our community," Chris Beschler, the city's public utilities director, said in a statement. University facilities officials warned that the campus's appearance, which already appears dry in several places, may worsen while water is conserved.

October trial set for charged campus gunman

A grand jury in Richmond has ruled enough evidence exists to try Seth A. Newman, the 19-year-old charged in relation to a May 6 campus lockdown, on a felony charge of wearing a mask in public. Newman's trial is set to begin in Richmond City Circuit Court at 9 a.m.

Princeton Review gives university mixed ratings

The University of Richmond has landed on the Princeton Review's 2009 list of schools with homogeneous populations and little race or class interaction, but made the cut for most beautiful campus and best classroom experience, leading university officials to question the study's survey methodology. Of the 368 colleges the Review selected to participate in its annual survey, released Tuesday, Richmond ranked eighth for homogeneous population, seventh for little race class interaction, eighth for most beautiful campus, and 20th for best classroom experience. The survey results come at a time when the university and President Edward Ayers have put renewed focus on diversity after the simulated lynching in spring of a black doll in the Cousins Studio Theater, an incident that some students said showed the school's lack of racial tolerance.

Campus gunman suspect to face grand jury

The suspect charged in connection with the May 6 campus lockdown will appear before a grand jury Aug.

Route 16 decision pending until at least September

The Richmond City Council will wait until at least September to decide whether it will allow Greater Richmond Transit Company to shut down Route 16, the main bus line that connects the university to downtown. City council's Land Use, Housing and Transportation committee met July 22 to discuss GRTC's proposal to eliminate seven bus routes in its system.

City Council committee to hear Route 16 arguments

WASHINGTON -- A meeting of the city council's Land Use, Housing and Transportation committee today will provide the first forum for discussing Greater Richmond Transit Company's proposal to eliminate seven bus routes in its system, including Route 16 between the university and downtown. Bruce W.

University scrambles to save bus route from cuts

WASHINGTON -- Richmond's major mass transit company is planning to eliminate the sole bus route between the university and downtown Richmond because too few passengers use the service. The announcement about Greater Richmond Transit Company's plans comes on the heels of a school initiative that issued more than 150 employees free bus passes to commute to and from the university for work.

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