Robert E. Lee monument to come down
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor The towering Robert E. Lee monument is set to come down on Wednesday morning after over a year of legal entanglements. Gov. Ralph Northam ordered for the statue to be removed on June 4, 2020, 10 days after the murder of George Floyd in Minneanpolis. However, Northam’s executive order was blocked […]
University freezes Greek life recruitment
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor Greek life organizations gave away free goodies, taught chants to students and created email sign-up lists in anticipation of recruitment at the Student Organization Fair. One week later, the university announced a freeze on fraternity and sorority recruitment and intake. “All new fraternity and sorority member activities, including recruitment and intake, […]
Professors call on VCU to enforce vaccine mandate
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer The university announced disciplinary measures leading to possible withdrawal for students who do not comply with VCU’s vaccine mandate, on Friday. The university announced a vaccine requirement for students on June 7 and again for faculty and staff on Aug. 9, stating that students who do not comply with the mandate […]
First Fridays Art Walk continues to shape Richmond arts community during pandemic
Swaay Cook, Contributing Writer Music erupts from all around. Chatter can be heard from onlooking crowds. The galleries and museums are visited slowly at first, but as the night goes on the crowds begin to grow. The First Fridays Art Walk, hosted by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, has been a monthly event highlighting Richmond arts […]
VCUarts sophomores reflect on virtual Art Foundation classes, freshmen enjoy hands-on learning
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor Freshman Charlotte Abrams never thought she would learn and grow so much as an artist in her first month at VCUarts. She credits the support of her in-person Art Foundation classes to her progress. Abrams, an art foundation major, said that she has enjoyed all of her program classes, most of […]
VA Pridefest postponed due to COVID-19, offers other LGBTQ events instead
Milo Richards, Contributing Writer With the rise of COVID-19 cases and the delta variant in the city of Richmond, the decision to postpone this year’s Virginia Pridefest on Sept. 25 was not made lightly by the event’s organizers. The Richmond event that celebrates LGBTQ diversity and inclusivity, annually held at Brown’s Island, is now rescheduled […]
Local organizations work to help Afghan refugees
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer As Afghan refugees enter the United States seeking asylum, many are landing at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, before making their way to military bases in the state, as well as in Texas, New Jersey and Wisconsin, according to a National Public Radio article. Many local organizations are providing services […]
Spectrum editor’s list of films to watch for Sept. 8
“Promising Young Woman” (2020) Cassie Thomas, played by Carey Mulligan, keeps a list of men who sexually assault women while they’re drunk to ensure they don’t take advantage of women. She uses this vigilantism to come to terms with her friend’s traumatic sexual assault and death. After finding out more about the people from her […]
Educational racism is stopping bright minds from excelling in school
Monica Alarcon-Najarro, Contributing Writer As I nervously walked into my high school class the morning Virginia Standards of Learning, or SOL, exams were taking place, I remember the daunting feeling of relying on a test score in order to pass my classes. Preparation for these exams is not easy and outside factors such as jobs, […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: Caring about the environment is a privilege not many have
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, our planet is dying. This isn’t a new discovery. It isn’t something that comes as a surprise. Throughout the last few decades, the topic of saving our environment has made its way to the forefront of discussion. From politics to classrooms, living rooms to debate floors; we’ve pleaded with […]