Waiting for Cheney to take Bush hunting since 1920
Volume 84, Number ÂŤ <k
Inside: Activist: Dispelling Stereotypes: Tru it Sometime Opinion, Page 3
Movie Review: Do the Right thins A & E, Page 7 Speaker Box Features, Page 11
Preview: Logo Unveiling Sports, p. 13
Same-sex Marriage Ban Up lor Nov. Vote Leslie Smith Design I'.ditor
Last month, the Virginia Senate gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday that prohibits samesex marriage, a matter that The House of Delegates has already endorsed. Virginia voters will have the final say in a November referendum. The amendment reads: "That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is
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assigned the rights, benefits, obliinition of marriage, the gations, qualities, or effects of family, too, would be redemarriage." fined, ultimately destroying This matter has been seen in the traditional family. And courts all over the United States. if the traditional structure Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, of family no longer matMichigan, Mississippi, Montana, ters, what is marriage for?" North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Many opponents point Oregon and Utah all banned out, though, that the prosame-sex marriage in 2004 elec- A protester holds a sign. "Civil posal will threaten heterotions. Marriage is a Civil Right." sexual relationships as well As of 2006, Connecticut, - the amendment outlaws hup: I /medhjS. mashlngtonpaa.com Massachusetts, New Jersey, New gay marriage, civil unions, Mexico, New York and Rhode domestic partnerships and passed last year also prevented Island do not have laws explicitly recognition of same-sex civil common law marriages between barring same-sex marriage. unions and partnership agree- unmarried heterosexuals. However, with the exception of ments to the state's Affirmation It specifically bars the state and Massachusetts, officials in these of Marriage Act its jurisdictions from "creating or states have refused to issue mar"We're advancing this amend- recognizing another union, partriage licenses to same-sex couples. ment today because we trust the nership, or other legal status to Last month a Baltimore judge judgment of the people of which is assigned the rights, beneruled that Maryland's law banning Virginia and not the courts," fits, obligations, qualities, or same-sex marriage is discrimina- amendment-supporter Del. effects of marriage." tor)- and "cannot withstand con- Kathy J. Byron (R-Lynchburg), Many sides to this argument stitutional challenge." said in Richmond recently, will surely come up in the next Virginia is only one of the "Marriage is much more than just few months, as Virginia gets closother 43 states explicitly barring two people sharing a committed cr to the November voting dates, homosexual marriage - a bill relationship. By changing the def-
Science Department Undergoes More Changes Sara Bonovitch
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February 17, 2006
The College of Arts and Sciences is currendy undergoinga major transformations in the science department. Next fall the department will be split into two individual departments which will separate physics and chemistry from earth science and biology with geography. The decision to split the department is not a new one and the idea has been under consideration for several years. Last year the transformation came one step closer to reality thanks to Dr. Wayne McWce, Vice President for Academic Affairs. "Most of the faculty felt that the split would be positive," said Dr. Michelle Parry, Interim Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.
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earth science or geography. The science department split will help in the formation in an environmental science major. The current science faculty has been workState-of-the-art science building-site of ing on the upcoming departmental fission. change since winr.hiHfnoi.tam last year and "Having two departments will will likely allow a clear vision to be devel- continue through this semester. The process requires hiring oped and will give the department chairs an opportunity to better additional administrative personmanage the departments." nel, choosing department chairs One of the primary reasons for for each department, and estabthe department separation is to lishing a budget for each separate help the College of Arts and department Sciences form a new major. "Departmental by-laws and There is currendy no major in specifications for tenure and pro-
motion must be developed for each department," Parry added. While the projected separation date is July 1,2006, names for each new department have not yet been chosen. One department will have eight faculty members while the other will have 14 members. The course catalog will not change much. Current classes will continue to be offered. The significant changes will be in the area of the new major as additional courses will be offered in environmental science studies. "Having been the department chair for the current department, I believe that a split is necessary," said Parry. "I believe this will give us the opportunity to focus on and strengthen our programs... Longwood students and prospective students will benefit from a more organized, cohesive department."