Virginians know about spellcheck, but it may not have permeated the rarefied bubble of UVa. Mr Jefferson probably spelled "research" that way back in the 19th century when planning his Academical Village. Or perhaps this was written by a thoughtless mere first-year.
Oh, I'm glad! I have several friends who are UVA grads (graduate and undergrad levels), and so I say it with love. Mockery is the sincerest form of flattery.