New app gives virtual tour of Monument Avenue, illustrates Richmond history
Mackenzie Meleski, Contributing Writer Richmond residents are now able to get an in-depth look at the history of the city through the landmarks that define them. The new app, “Monumental Conversations,” allows community members to get a spoken history of the city they live in. Sponsored by a few museums throughout the city, including the […]
Students contemplate safety on campus following shooting
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor Richmond ranked No. 11 in the United States’ most deadly cities, according to an article by CBS, which utilized the latest data available by the FBI from 2019. For every 100,000 residents in Richmond city, 227.7 are victims of violent crimes, according to the FBI. Three student dorms — Grace and […]
The removal of the Lee monument is a step forward, but we can’t get complacent
Ishaan Nandwani, Contributing Writer I remember the first time I drove on Monument Avenue my freshman year. As an out-of-state student at VCU — and a newbie to Richmond — I was blissfully unaware of the abundance of history my new home came with. At over 60 feet tall — towering over all other monuments […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: Environmentally conscious fashion is unaffordable to the poor
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, fashion has been around since the dawn of time. From the first realization of the need for clothes in prehistoric times, to the reveal of new gowns during royal times; from expressive fashion during the Civil Rights era to catwalk shows at New York Fashion Week — fashion is […]
McKinney begins junior year season with offensive explosion
Joe Dodson, Contributing Writer After her first two seasons, forward Lonica McKinney began her junior year with a bang by scoring five goals in two games. “Usually I struggle a bit with getting the ball in the back of the net so to start off like that, I was really excited for the season,” McKinney […]
PRESS BOX: Sports shouldn’t take priority over mental health
Kaitlyn Fulmore, Contributing Writer The importance of mental health in athletes has been given public attention thanks to courageous professional athletes in the public eye. Tennis player Naomi Osaka and gymnast Simone Biles — both regarded as top players in their sports — have recently prioritized their mental health over competition, earning both applause and […]
Elite Rams redefines Stomp ‘N’ Shake at VCU, hosts communitywide field day
Jiana Smith, Contributing Writer VCU senior Raven Jefferson said she grew up around Stomp ‘N’ Shake cheer, the predominant style of cheer in her hometown of Norfolk, Virginia. When she came to VCU after participating on her high school’s Stomp ‘N’ Shake team and serving as junior varsity captain, she said she felt like she […]
Former women’s basketball athlete alleges unfair treatment from program
Iman Mekonen, Executive Editor Sarah Elson, Managing Editor Former VCU women’s basketball player Jenna Nelson is alleging unfair treatment and long-standing opposition from the women’s basketball program, brought on by “retaliation over ongoing issues in the treatment of walk-on players.” Jada Nelson, the athlete’s sister, posted a five-paragraph statement on Instagram announcing her sister’s release […]
VCU alumna signs with international modeling agency
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor VCU alumna Tirtha Ratnam never thought she would be a well-known Richmond runway model, let alone an international one. However, four years after she went to her first casting call on an impulse, she’s signed with IMG Models, an international modeling agency. “It was something I wanted to do for a […]
VCU struggles to staff on-campus dining locations
Lindsey West, Contributing Writer VCU Dining Services is currently 175 people short of its employment goal according to Pam Neff, Aramark’s resident district manager. Dining locations are currently plagued by long lines, shortened hours and hiring signs across campus. The decrease in foot traffic at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic forced staff cuts to […]