VCU
Robberies demand security
The series of robberies that have hit the VCU Monroe Park Campus in recent weeks has been met with an appropriate response from VCU and Richmond police forces, who no doubt are working to keep our campus as safe as possible. The usual advice applies: don’t walk alone at night, especially in deserted areas. But because many people have to walk home alone after studying late at night, VCU should expand its security escort program to accommodate demand so that students don’t have to wait for hours at a time.
Energetic challenge
This week VCU announced a new plan to reduce its energy consumption by 10 percent over the next year in response to an executive order from Gov. Mark Warner. This is a common-sense idea that helps to reduce waste, protect the environment and save the state and university some money. Our first suggestion: as long as our library isn’t open 24 hours a day like other universities in Virginia, how about turning off the lights inside once it’s closed?
Richmond
Backing the Bottom
Applause is in order for Capital One, who donated $300,000 to the Shockoe Bottom Relief Fund – just before announcing new job cuts in Richmond, bringing the total job loss to about 2,000. Of course, any support for the Bottom is welcome, and the Back the Bottom concert held Sunday was an important first step in getting the area back on its feet. For more information about the relief fund, visit http://www.richmond.com/
riverdistrict/shockoerelief.
Gas prices rising
According to the American Automobile Association, the national average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline costs 12 cents more than it did in September, an increase from $1.86 to $1.98. Gas prices in Richmond, thankfully, remain below-average at $1.89 per gallon, up 10 cents since September. With gas prices hinging on the stability of the world’s oil supply, owners of more fuel-efficient cars have that much more reason to drive happy.
Virginia
In the money
The state is on sound financial footing, as the Richmond Times-Dispatch announced Friday that Gov. Warner will have a “huge surplus, perhaps $1 billion, during his last year in office.” The governor campaigned for a mixture of tax cuts and increases to help bridge a projected budget shortfall left by his predecessor. Good job, Mr. Governor. Now could you use some of that surplus to help lower our tuition?
Nation/World
‘Opening for peace’
The death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat left an “opening for peace” in the Middle East, says President George W. Bush. “Not to worry” though, retorted Amy Poehler on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, Bush “will soon close it.” With the exception of producing a “road map” to peace that both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict claim has been violated, the president has been largely standoffish in letting events in Israel take their course. Hopefully, he will take this opening and use it for the better.