🌱 See how UVA’s new Contemplative Commons is reshaping daily campus life

Greetings University of Virginia! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• See how UVA’s new Contemplative Commons is reshaping daily campus life
• What a UVA doctor wants you to know about the Cicada variant
• Why UVA psychologists say AI “friends” can quietly endanger your child

Also on today's calendar: University Singers Spring 2026 Concert and 2 more events.

Friendly reminder: know of a great event coming up in University of Virginia or nearby? Post it to the University of Virginia calendar! Did you know it's free to post locally? It's also inexpensive to share to nearby towns. 📅

Today's riddle: Why is it so hot after a ball game? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 87 and low of 61 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: Cloudy with a passing shower, temps: high: 84, low: 60.
• Friday: Variable cloudiness, with a high of 84 and low of 61 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• A Campus Building That Asks Students to Slow Down (metropolismag.com) — A major new Contemplative Commons building on the University of Virginia Grounds has turned a former parking lot into a wellness-focused hub linking key parts of campus. The 57,000-square-foot facility blends Jeffersonian architectural traditions with modern, sustainable design, offering flexible learning studios, quiet spaces, and a heavily used accessible bridge that supports collaboration and student mental health across all 11 UVA schools.
   

• The ‘Cicada' Variant of Covid-19 Is Spreading in the United States. Here's What You Need to Know (smithsonianmag.com) — A University of Virginia critical care doctor is helping explain the new “Cicada” Covid-19 variant and what it means for your protection this year. He stresses vaccines still reduce severe illness, that home tests remain reliable, and that simple steps—handwashing, avoiding crowded indoor spaces when sick, and consulting your clinician—remain key as this highly mutated strain spreads.
   

• UVA experts warn of risks as children turn to AI for emotional support (29news.com) — University of Virginia experts in Charlottesville are warning local parents that AI chatbots, while convenient and sometimes helpful, are no replacement for real mental health care for children. They explain how systems like ChatGPT can feel human, reinforce harmful beliefs, mishandle crises, and leak private information, while also suggesting safer ways families can use AI to find legitimate, low-cost support.
   

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📸 Around University of Virginia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in University of Virginia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday April 9

• UVA HSPC 2026
  University of Virginia, Charlottesville
  10:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Thursday April 9

• Waynesboro Chapter Meeting
  Rosenwald Community Center , 413 Port Republic Rd. , Waynesboro
  6:00 pm

Friday April 10

• University Singers Spring 2026 Concert
  University of Virginia , Charlottesville
  8:00 pm

Tuesday April 14

• Digitalis - Electronic Music Festival 2026
  University of Virginia , Charlottesville
  11:30 am

Saturday April 25

• Sherri Shepherd
  The Paramount Theater , 215 E Main St , Charlottesville
  7:00 pm

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📣 University of Virginia Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday April 1

• Rising Professionals Presentation Party
  The Arrowood , 4010 Entrada Dr , Charlottesville
  5:30 pm

Thursday April 2

• Startup Series
  Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce , 225 East Main Street , Charlottesville
  12:00 pm
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
  Charlottesville, VA Calendar
  5:00 pm
• CHS Boys Tennis Home Opener
  Charlottesville High Charlottesville, VA 22901
  5:00 pm
• City Council Special Meeting - FY27 Budget Wrap Up
  Charlottesville, VA Calendar , 100 Fifth St NE , Charlottesville
  6:00 pm
• CHS Baseball Home Opener vs Louisa
  Charlottesville High Charlottesville, VA 22901
  6:30 pm
• CHS Boys Soccer Home Opener vs Louisa
  Charlottesville High Charlottesville, VA 22901
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🗞 Nearby News

Charlottesville

• 2191 Silk Wood Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22911 (realtor.com)
• Longtime Charlottesville radio host Sherry Taylor leaving Z95.1 (29news.com)
• Albemarle Supervisors to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month (cvillerightnow.com)

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Ok University of Virginia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because all the fans leave. (Thank you Shirley J. F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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