1. Title: More TV Channels anda Wireless Internet Feature Available with Shentel Partnership
According to an email sent out to the student body on Jan. 7 by Director of User Support Services Kim Redford, Longwood University partnered with Shenandoah Telecommunications Company and Internet and TV service provider Shentel.
Effective Jan. 10, Shentel became available in all on- campus residence halls, except the Cunningham Residence Halls who will remain on the university network until May 2014.
Shentel was already Longwood University’s cable TV service provider as well as Internet provider for all off-campus housing.
New changes also include additional TV channels as well as wireless network service. The wireless feature will not be installed until later in 2014.
2. Title: No Tolerance for Noise Complaints
In an email sent out this Tuesday, the Longwood University community learned that the Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) and the Farmville Police Department (FPD) will no longer issue warnings for noise complaints.
According to the email, there have been numerous complaints due to the “behavior resulting in issues” on Buffalo Street, Appomattox Street and Oak Street.
Not only will tenants potentially be evicted from their homes if they create a “common nuisance,” but they will also be charged.
3. Title: Student Financial Aid Less Than Before
Usually, $400 million is issued to cover financial aid for colleges, but now, it's been reduced to $125 million, according to President of Student Government Association Haley Vest in the Jan. 14 SGA meeting. With this, there is a decrease not only in the amount of financial aid given, but in the availability of it for college students.
Vest stated that she has beendiscussing with Virginia21, a student-run higher education advocacy group. The goal is to raise the amount by $25 million. By raising the amount to around $150 million, there would be enough to maintain financial aid as it has been with no growth and no loss.
Vest hopes for the SGA to gain signatures for the “Stop the Drop and Fund Financial Aid” petition in support of this goal. Publicity efforts will involve tabling and being on Brock Commons with iPads.
4. Title: Cover Your Mouth, H1N1 Widespread in VA
H1N1, or swine flu, is the dominant flu strain this winter and is already widespread in the state of Virginia, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Virginia is one of 14 states experiencing a high level of influenza-like illness (ILI).
During the Jan. 14 Student Government Association meeting, President of the Student Government Association (SGA) Haley Vest expressed the interest to inform the student body of the issue. She commented that she hopes for flu shots to be available at more locations on campus for easier access.
To prevent the spread of swine flu, students are recommended to wash their hands regularly with soap and water and use tissues when sneezing.
Flu vaccines are available at the Health & Wellness Center.
5. Title: Town of Farmville Increases Parking Fines on High Street
According to The Farmville Herald, the Farmville Town Council voted unanimously to increase for parking meter and overtime parking violations from $10 to $25.
With this change, the Town of Farmville is also able to tow vehicles away at the owners’ expense if “left illegally parked for more than two hours after the ticket is written,” reports The Farmville Herald.
The Town of Farmville reportedly experiences issues collecting fines. Raising the ticketing violation by more than double is hoped to lessen the number of notices to violators to pay their tickets.
