Student group petitions for mandatory racial literacy course
Sagal Ahmed, Contributing Writer Some students are calling on VCU to implement a mandatory course at the university on racial literacy, or anti-racist cultural and societal teachings designed to educate and promote discussions about race and racism. Marie Vergamini, co-director of the student advisory group within VCU’s Committee on Racial Equity, said she joined the […]
Virginia on track to meet Biden’s vaccination goals
Anya Sczerzenie, Contributing Writer An average of 50,000 vaccine doses are being administered in Virginia each day as the commonwealth begins using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Gov. Ralph Northam stated in a Facebook post that Virginia would be able to meet President Joe Biden’s vaccination goal […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: In-person classes are an unnecessary risk
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, I remember how badly I wanted to be on campus this time last year. With grocery stores empty, stores closed and classes moved online, life felt extremely abnormal. We were dealing with the new normal, but we didn’t know it yet. When two of my classes got moved back […]
Latina women are the unsung heroes of women’s history
Monica Alarcon-Najarro, Contributing Writer Like a flower blooming — just as Selena Quintanilla said in her song, “Como la Flor” — Latina women are taking over various industries in the U.S. It’s never too late to put our Latino roots in a country that has had so much systemic racism against the Latino community. Our […]
Black-owned Richmond art gallery debuts new exhibit
Grace McOmber, Contributing Writer Pink and yellow butterflies frame a Black woman dressed in a blue, floral dress. Shades of green, purple, blue and pink paint her skin as she confidently looks over her shoulder at the viewer. “Daisy” is one of two paintings by Richmond artist Justice Dwight that will be showcased in “The […]
‘Feeling Distance’: VCUarts students explore isolation through interactive dance routine
Claire Darcy, Contributing Writer Kate Sicchio, assistant professor of dance and media technologies, said she is thankful her toddler still gives her hugs. “I’m lucky that I have my family and I’m really lucky that I have a toddler because they just want to touch all the time,” Sicchio said, “but I miss hugging friends […]
Year in review: COVID-19, isolation transformed VCU students’ lives
Ebonique Little, Spectrum Editor A university-wide announcement on March 11, 2020, upended the lives of many VCU students, who learned that a typical one-week spring break would be extended to two. The COVID-19 pandemic, which felt so distant before, was then present in the lives of college students worldwide. A safe return seemed far. VCU […]
VCU begins Greek life cessation period following Adam Oakes’ death
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Leaders of Greek life organizations sent an email to all members on Friday detailing a cessation of university fraternities and sororities, as well as the steps those groups are now required to take. The announcement follows recent national outcry over freshman Adam Oakes, who was found dead on Feb. 27 in […]
‘It’s not exactly what it was before’: Students, faculty return to campus midsemester
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Freshman graphic design student Ariadna Perez couldn’t have been happier about VCU’s decision to resume in-person classes on March 4, she said. Like most VCUarts students in virtual classes this semester, it was difficult for Perez to stay on top of assignments. “I physically need to be there, or I literally […]
Spectrum editor’s list of films to watch for March 17
“Coming 2 America” (2021) The highly anticipated sequel to Eddie Murphy’s 1988 comedic classic “Coming to America” finds African monarch Prince Akeem returning to Queens, New York, to meet his long-lost son. Prince Akeem unknowingly became a father on his first trip to America, when he was looking for a queen to his royal throne. […]