VCU students observe Ramadan despite new dining, COVID-19 limits
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Steaming samosas with a spicy filling, community prayers and close gatherings with loved ones are common elements observed during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The COVID-19 pandemic and limited on-campus dining hours have made it difficult for VCU students to observe the month normally. “I think it’s different for a […]
Proposed budget features new meal plan, increased dining prices
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor VCU’s proposed budget for 2021-22 features a new dining plan with unlimited meal swipes and an increase in current meal plan prices. The proposed new meal plan features unlimited swipes, meaning a student would have unfettered access to Market 810 and other swipe exchanges. The plan would either cost $2,910 or […]
Students contemplate housing options
Selna Shi, Contributing Writer It’s that time of the year again: VCU students are looking for places to live next year. Olivia Carlton, a freshman living in Brandt Hall, is planning to live on campus in Ackell Hall next year. “COVID prevented many social interactions in the dorms this year,” Carlton said. “So I want […]
We must take action to prevent gun violence
Ishaan Nandwani, Contributing Writer Five minutes. That’s how long it takes to get to my apartment at VCU from the 400 block of Gilmer Street, where two shooting deaths occurred on two consecutive days earlier this month. These shootings reflect a trend of an increased number of deaths due to gun violence in the Richmond […]
American policing: A history of racism and white supremacy
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor The year is 1770. The Colonies are near their breaking point with Great Britain. Intense policing by British soldiers has proven unbearable to colony citizens, especially those in Boston. British soldiers walk around with chips on their shoulders, entering any home they please simply because they wear the British flag. They […]
Honors College returns to residence hall one year after abrupt transformation
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer More than one year after workers removed student belongings from the Honors College to prepare the building for potential incoming COVID-19 patients, the building is returning to its regular use as a residence hall for incoming freshmen. Hospital beds placed in the dormitory were removed on April 7. VCU Residential Life […]
Richmond community reacts to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict
Iman Mekonen, Managing Editor Katharine DeRosa, News Editor Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges for the murder of George Floyd in a verdict decided Tuesday afternoon. Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed in May after Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck in […]
Richmond environmental groups seek to address greenery gaps in minority neighborhoods
Grace McOmber, Contributing Writer Richmond residents were given the chance to bring home a new addition to their yards last fall in the form of a free Eastern redbud seedling, courtesy of the Richmond Tree Committee. “We ended up giving away about 8,000 trees in about three weeks, which is kind of a stupidly big […]
PopUp Market promotes community interaction, supports small businesses
Claire Darcy, Contributing Writer Bustling rows of tents line the parking lot of a familiar Richmond baseball stadium as friends, families and dogs shop for trinkets from dozens of local small businesses from a variety of industries, such as baked goods, apparel, pet accessories and home decor. The PopUp Market, a new weekly outdoor event […]
‘Free Blockbuster’ fosters local movie exchange
Dayna Balough, Contributing Writer From the candy-filled aisles to giant buckets of popcorn, renting movies at Blockbuster used to be the highlight of anyone’s weekend in the ’90s and early 2000s. Now, four “Free Blockbuster” locations in Richmond seek to reinvigorate that nostalgia through its “take a movie, leave a movie” concept. In 2018, California […]