It’s been a busy week on Grounds, so we’re offering a look at some of the most interesting news coming out of UVA in recent days.
What brings Ellen Degeneres and UVA Law together?
A UVA law student made an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show Wednesday, where she was presented with $20,000 in recognition of her work with local youth. Danna Tapper, a third-year law student, helps youth with the transition out of Virginia juvenile detention centers, according to an article on the University School of Law website. Degeneres learned of the story from letter sent by one of Tapper’s friends, fellow third year law student Kathryn Cragg, detailing Tapper’s important work and strong connection with youth.
New tuition structure for doctoral students in the Gradual School of Arts & Sciences
Some doctoral candidates in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences may be facing higher tuition costs next fall, according to the Cavalier Daily. Provost John Simon approved a plan to make graduate tuition work more like undergraduate tuition with an annual flat rate. Right now, doctoral students pay different rates on graded courses and non graded research courses, meaning that those in departments with more required coursework pay more money.
The proposal comes from the internal financial model developed and launched by President Sullivan’s office in May 2011. “The goal of this model is to create incentives for individual schools to control costs, improve productivity and enable entrepreneurial activity,” explains the Cav Daily report.
UVA gets “smart” with HIV treatment: a new smartphone app to help HIV patients
The UVA School of Medicine recently developed a plan, dubbed the ‘Positive Links’ program, to help new HIV patients navigate their treatment. According to UVA Today, those newly diagnosed with HIV miss about 1.7 appoints before coming to UVA’s Ryan White Clinic. The plan involves a smartphone app that will send reminders about appointments, monitor treatment, and connect patients with an online community. The program will also offer counseling sessions and the guarantee through “a priority access pathway” that newly diagnosed patients will get care in no more than 24 hours after contacting the Positive Links coordinator. According to CBS19, program recruitment begins this summer.
Why the 30s aren’t the new 20s: Curry prof Meg Jay’s TED talk
UVA Curry School of Education professor Meg Jay gave a talk during February’s TED2013 conference, highlighting why the 20s are not an extension of adolescence. In Making the Most of Your 20s, Jay explains that people in their 20s should be intentional about their actions, especially when it comes to love, family, and jobs. She points out that the brain experiences an important growth spurt during a person’s 20s, so it is important to take advantage of the developmental stage.
According to the TED blog’s recap, Jay says most people solidify their career and how much they are going to make within the first ten years (which most likely take place during a person’s 20s) and half meet the person they’re going to be with long-term before they’re 30. The bottom line? Don’t waste your 20s.—Allie Cooper