
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991                   TAG: 9104190196
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

UVA STUDENTS HOLDING VIGIL TO PROTEST RAPE

A small group of University of Virginia students began a six-day vigil Thursday to protest the school's failure to prevent sexual assaults on campus.

Soon afterward, a UVa official said the university plans to hire a part-time sexual-assault prevention coordinator next school year.

"It has been considered as part of the regular budget process this spring," said Leonard Sandridge, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

The budget - to be presented to the UVa Board of Visitors next month - includes $20,000 for a half-time coordinator on the staff of the University Women's Center, he said in a statement.

About 10 students spread a banner across the steps of the Rotunda and read from a book about rape.

Alexia Pittas, one of the organizers, said the group is angry because school administrators have not hired a sexual-assault prevention coordinator.

The position was recommended nearly three years ago by an administrative committee on women's concerns.

"People are sick and tired of working politely through the administration," Pittas said.

The demonstration came one day after the first meeting of a task force appointed by Gov. Douglas Wilder to study drug abuse and sexual assaults on college campuses.

by CNB