President Teresa Sullivan sent a University wide email today also condemning the action and supporting the messages of the Black Student Alliance and Student Council. In her message to the University community, she called the vandalism an “abhorrent act” that “will not be tolerated.” Unfortunately, this is not the only message about hate motivated actions Sullivan has had to send this year. In November, following the assault of a student motivated by his sexual orientation, she sent an email regarding the meaning of the community of trust at the University that encouraged more responsible bystander behavior.

The Sevens have also spoken out against these kinds of actions occurring at the University, although in a more indirect way. In December, the secret society hung seven large banners in an unprecedented public display. The banners encouraged the University to become a more caring, inclusive institution and called on students to be more tolerant towards their peers. In an accompanying letter, the Sevens reminded the University of the value of community by saying “we, in all of our diversity, are brothers and sisters” and that every act of intolerance is an act against everyone at the University.

Sadly, the Sevens’ message was not heeded this week. While it is impossible to take active measures to stop this kind of isolated intolerance, the strong condemnation and response of the students to this hateful speech will be perhaps the most resonant deterrence. As Student Council noted in their statement, the University community’s response to this act was more notable than the act itself, which is apparent by that fact that “thousands of Wahoos reacted to hatred by a cowardly few not with hatred of their own, but with conviction, with constructive conversation, and with steadfast dedication to a community that opens its arms to people of all kinds.”

There has been no report that the group or persons who vandalized Beta Bridge have been identified.

Full Text of President Sullivan’s Message: 

To the University community:

On the morning of Wednesday, May 1, a display of hate and bias was discovered painted on Beta Bridge.

The individuals responsible for this derogatory message were trying to intimidate and isolate members of our University community. We reject this expression of hatred, and we stand by the University’s commitment to promote an inclusive and welcoming environment that embraces the full spectrum of human attributes, perspectives, and disciplines.

There is no place for intolerance, bigotry, or hatred in such an environment. We condemn this abhorrent act, which is disruptive to civility and community life, is not representative of our values, and will not be tolerated.

The administration supports the statements issued by the Black Student Alliance and the Student Council condemning this incident.

This spring, we visited the lawn on a gorgeous sunny day and asked current fourth years to reflect on their favorite things about UVA. What would they miss most? From the UVA community to hanging out on the Corner and the Lawn, fourth years certainly have many reasons to be nostalgic as their final semester comes to a close.

I’ve always thought horse races were a rather odd occasion—Or rather I find it odd that we find it appropriate to wear preppy attire and flamboyant hats to watch horses run in circles on a track. I will admit it is my own fault for not appreciating the patience, skill and determination it takes to train a racehorse (although I did shed a tear during Secretariat), and I’m sure there are people who sympathize with my lack of understanding. Nevertheless, we consider this environment-abundant with mud and poignant with the scent of manure- the perfect place to wear our most expensive spring outfits and celebrate with the ones we love most.

Oh, and don’t get me wrong. In no way do I think Foxfield is about the horses (sorry Seabiscut). God forbid anyone is ambitious enough to stumble far away enough from the plots to actually see a horse. No no no, we college students much prefer watching each other prance around, dodging ABC in our unstable wedges and taking pictures with our ‘doyouthinkPrincessKatewouldwearthistoahorserace’ hats.

As you know, it’s required that you have your Foxfield outfit picked and prepared by October, or else you will never have any friends or get a job or get married or have children (right?).  Thus, as the week of Foxfield approaches, the outfits are slowly breaking out of the closet, ready to emerge and show the world all they’re capable of.

Simple spring chic. If you’re someone who doesn’t feel confident sporting the loud floral print, playing it safe with an informal and colorful dress is always and option. You could really wear just about anything and make it suitable for Foxfield by wearing a hat. The wedges also give the dress a boost. Here’s to saving money and re-wearing clothes! Whoo!

Here is an outfit you can expect to see this weekend.  The entire ensemble could be described as “southern prep” or “fratty” as many students would simply say. The combination of the sunglasses strap, the Chubbies (shorts) and the Sperrys make this young man a fine suitor.

Another look you will surely see. The floral cotton dress, pearl necklace, cowgirl boots and obligatory sunhat all create this southern bell look (not to mention the knee-pop and hands-on-the-hip pose, BAM).

Lilly Pulitzer prints, although not featured in this picture, will surely be everywhere. Nothing says Foxfield like a brightly colored floral dress! Thanks, Lilly.

Foxfield is about tradition. Students go each year hoping to make new memories in their snazzy clothes and celebrate once more, together, before parting ways for the summer.

Reporters: Shannon Power and Emily Lang

Producers: Chanel Parks and Lena Richards

“I took my suitcase and said I was leaving, and I was told that if I tried to leave again I would be leaving in the suitcase.”

The International Justice Mission chapter at UVa put on a screening of the documentary film, Very Young Girls, as a part of Justice Week. The film, directed by David Schisgall and Nina Alvarez, is an exposé of the commercial human trafficking industry and follows the stories of several barely adolescent girls as they are seduced, abused and sold on the streets of New York City by their pimps.

The average age of entry into the sex industry is thirteen years old.

The young girls that are targeted often have difficult home lives and the pimps present the possibility of a family by portraying themselves as either a father figure or significant other. The footage shows a startling contrast between what the girls believe and the reality of their situation. Many girls in the film justified continuing to return to “the life” because their pimp was the only person in their lives who had loved and cared for them. The pimps were shown again and again to be painting a false picture of a future life together free from the sex industry.

The film uses both interviews with survivors of sexual exploitation and home videos made by two pimps who believed that their footage would eventually be used for a reality television show based on their lives. Instead, the videos helped them get ten years in federal prison. As a viewer I had a visceral reaction to the home videos, which depicted the stark reality of the emotional manipulation and physical abuse endured by the victims.

Of the victims who attempted to leave their pimps, many experienced death threats or were otherwise coerced into staying.

“I took my suitcase and said I was leaving, and I was told that if I tried to leave again I would be leaving in the suitcase.”

Despite the depiction of the vicious cycle of sexual exploitation, much of the film documents the optimistic work of the Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS) program. Founded by Rachel Lloyd, a fellow survivor, GEMS seeks to help girls currently or formerly in the sex industry leave their pimps and start to piece their lives back together.

When the filmmakers interviewed an ex-pimp, he stated: “Life goes on.” The pimp meant that there will always be another girl to exploit even after losing one to GEMS, but he couldn’t have known that he was giving voice to the exact sentiment that would propel the survivors to leave the industry and begin to rediscover the dreams that were taken from them.

One survivor, Ebony, wants to eventually become a lawyer or a veterinarian. She was forced into the sex industry at age twelve but with the help of Rachel Lloyd and GEMS, she is working on her G.E.D.

Life goes on.

But for girls like Ebony, it’s a better life.

If you want more information about GEMS and how to help, you can visit their website or text GEMS to 85944 to donate $10. IJM at UVa will continue Justice Week with a panel titled “In Your Backyard” on Thursday at 7:30 in Minor 125, which will address the issue of human trafficking in Virginia.

I’m driving tuned into the Corner Radio Station, and the talk show hosts are chatting about a newly released statistic that polled young women concerning female liberation. Out of the options that lead to a young woman obtaining freedom, the top rated answer was having a one-night stand. What?! My mind is blown to pieces, and I almost ran a red light.

I can’t speak for everyone, but my observations regarding the hook-up culture are that one-night stands breed shallow relationships and manipulate a substantial portion of our generation into feeling worthless and unwanted. Among my friends, there is a collective heart break when it comes to crushing on a guy, never getting asked on a date, but always receiving 3 am booty calls. Yes, there are young adults who can navigate the hook-up scene successfully; but, most of us cannot remove our feelings and entertain/exploit the possibilities of having multiple sexual partners no strings attached. Kudos to those individuals who can.

However, I am still sitting at the stop light frantically looking for my phone to call the radio station. My qualms and questions with this poll need to be answered. A) Who took this poll? Is it a recognized organization? B) And what were the options beside one-night stands that these young women could pick? What about high salary? Home ownership? Motherhood? And they chose one-night stands?!The light turns green, and I miss my opportunity to interrogate the talk show hosts.

I’m a 22 year old UVA student, and I have spent the last four years of my life resisting the hook-up culture because I refuse to lower my standards. I also refuse to passively wait around for Mr. Right to come around and pick me. As a result of putting myself out there, high-standards rule book in hand, I have experienced an array of ridiculous dates, perfect dates, and tragic dates within every facet of UVA culture from our law school to our humanities graduate department to local bartenders. I know through every failed relationship and every setback, there are other students at this school going through the same hardships.

With this in mind, I started writing an explicit UVA dating/sex blog chronicling my personal experiences as a way to encourage young woman to not settle for less, keep true to their standards (not someone else’s), and seek liberation resisting the temptation of answering a drunken 3am booty-call from a silly boy only interested in sex. Moreover, I began writing to let my UVA peers know they are not the only ones struggling in a decade that brought the death of dating as well as sharing they are not the only ones making dating/sex faux-pas – I’ve done more than my fair share. So if you are a male or female, undergrad or grad, Charlottesville local or 20 yr old in Canada, this blog may be relevant to you as it speaks to the universal hook-up culture of the 2010’s . Check it out at TwentiesForTwo.com.

- Dixie

Read an Excerpt of Dixie’s blog here:

Let’s evaluate the handsome, smooth talking, yuppie, C’ville special. Breed?  The Darden graduate student aka Dardenz. Darden School of Business has the reputation of one of the top MBA’s in the world – ranked third according to The Economist – and I can’t correct them. But I can counter- offer another ranking: #1 Darden School of Douches. And yes disclaimer*: #stereotype  #overgeneralization  #downrightrude. My path has only crossed with Darden in bars. Take One: Accidently attending a Darden 2014 mixer at The Biltmore August 2012 where I got caught in their networking/mingling/mating frenzy. Take Two: Darden boy asking my gay friend to bring easy undergrad girls to their pre-games. Dunzo. Thanks but no thanks, RSVP that as respectfully not attending.

I avoid Dardenz like students avoid homeless people. We won’t admit it but when we pass them on The Corner, we inadvertently sidestep as far away from them as possible. The only exchange between us and the other is monetary: I will bum booze off of Dardenz and the homeless will bum booze off of students.

But tonight, I can’t escape them. Propped on a bar stool at The Virginian, my heart cringes as I see King Henry walk in with other Dardenz  – he hit on me at the mixer but has no recollection of me.  He glides nonchalantly towards the bar, orders shooters for the group plus two extra, and gives a wink to my friend and I. Shooters appear, and he slowly slides two towards us and smiles. No words, just a grin while slowly wrapping his arm around my friend. To my right, swoops in an average looking guy but quick talking relying on his wit to get girls. Cocky and confident, he skips the small talk, and claims to be the best dancer in the bar.

“Haha I’ll be the judge of that. Let me see your moves.”

Keep reading here!