Home - The Commonwealth Times

Students, faculty express concerns over icy walkways as VCU returns in-person

January 30, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor Faculty from at least ten different VCU schools and departments cancelled class or moved to virtual learning on Thursday as the university reopened after a major snowstorm covered Richmond’s streets in ice. VCU encouraged students to travel back to their hometowns ahead of the weekend snowstorm, and then asked them to return to campus on Thursday with caution. “Parking lots, sidewalks and public spaces are largely clear of snow and ice on campus, but there may be varying travel conditions and potential icing due to freeze-thaw cycles on your commute,” the university stated on Wednesday. Many side streets and walkways in neighborhoods around Richmond are still covered in ice. Clearing it has been mostly a losing battle, according to The Richmonder. City officials said their plows are largely ineffective against the giant sheets of ice. Salt stops working to melt ice when temperatures drop below 20 degrees, as they have each night throughout the week. Virginia is also on winter storm watch again this weekend. “The university prioritizes safety and made the decision to open in-person based on current and expected conditions, and after consulting with many subject matter experts,” stated VCU Police spokesperson Jake Burns.

Departamento simplificado de Transportación, obras de seguridad toman forma en Richmond

January 28, 2026

Sal Orlando, Editor Adjunto de Noticias La Ciudad de Richmond creó un nuevo Departamento de Transportación (DOT en inglés) dentro del Departamento de Obras Públicas (DPW en inglés) en enero, respondiendo a un aumento en muertes peatonales relacionadas al tráfico este año nuevo. El DOT será la autoridad principal para la planificación, el diseño, el mantenimiento y la entrega de un sistema de transportación en Richmond, según el anuncio del alcalde Danny Avula. El director nuevamente asignado del DOT, Andy Boenau, dijo que integrarlo en el DPW permitirá a la ciudad a manejar emergencias grandes, simplificar conecciones entre los gerentes de proyectos en el DPW y su personal de apoyo, y dejar que el director del DPW tenga autoridad para gobernar el sistema de transporte terreno — Convirtiendo el DOT en un ‘sistema de apoyo’ incorporado. El nuevo departamento combinará la planificación e ingeniería de transporte con el contacto con la comunidad para mejorar la coordinación, según Boenau. “La tarea del DOT es continuar y acelerar la planificación y el diseño de una red de carreteras que provee acceso seguro para todas edades y capacidades,” dijo Boenau. La formación del departamento es parte de la estrategia “Visión Cero” de la

MLK week focus shifts from remembrance to action

January 28, 2026

Streamlined Richmond Transportation Department, safety efforts take shape

January 28, 2026

Renee Good shouldn’t have been the tipping point

January 28, 2026

Maritza Baptiste, Contributing Writer Every time the state kills someone, our reaction is tainted by racial bias — whether we realize it or not. We watched as President Donald Trump increased the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in cities across the country. We watched as people were dragged out of their homes and thrown into detention camps. We watched as at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025. The deaths of these individuals — most of whom were people of color — passed through the news cycle with little to no coverage. Now the city of Minneapolis is in unrest over the killing of Renee Good, a white woman, at the hands of an ICE officer. There were general protests against ICE across the country, but not like what we are seeing in Minneapolis. The cause has garnered national attention and outrage online. Politicians are rushing to either defend ICE or condemn “violent” protests. The unrest has only been exacerbated further by the ruthless killing of Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE officers this past Saturday. We are witnessing the appointment of a new martyr in a cause that fights against authoritarian practices that

The Democratic Party is ruining its reputation with the trans community

January 21, 2026

Laurel Bowen, Contributing Writer The transgender community is under threat from both Republicans and Democrats — yet it hasn’t been painted as such. It is often the opinion of Democratic editorialists, voters and cisgender allies that transgender people simply must vote for the Democrats and they will be safe. It is preached that if we don’t vote for them, the Republicans will annihilate us — they will rip away every right we have won. The truth of the matter, unfortunately, is not so. Even during Democratic presidencies such as the Biden administration, the Republican Party continued to attack us. In the midst of those attacks, the Democratic Party only became a bastion of indifference and hostility — both with the wholesale abandonment of efforts to protect transgender people and with some politicians even actively working against us. For example, Rep. Thomas Souzzi, D-New York, stated, “I don’t want to discriminate against anybody, but I don’t think biological boys should be playing in girls’ sports.” The use of “biological boys” itself is an act of de-legitimization of trans women who do participate in these sports. It also erases the existence of transgender men by not acknowledging them. The transgender community does

Monk ‘Walk for Peace’ comes through Richmond

February 3, 2026

Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor Thousands of people visited downtown Richmond on Monday to catch a glimpse of the Buddhist Monk “Walk for Peace,” a group of 17 venerable monks — and one dog — from Fort Worth, Texas making their way to Washington, D.C. The Monks’ visit to Richmond marked the 100th day of their 2,000-plus mile journey. They are set to arrive at the United States Capitol on Feb. 10-11. The monks walked from Richmond Fire Station 17 and across the bridge to City Hall, where they were met by Mayor Danny Avula and Gov. Abigail Spanberger. “This pilgrimage comes at a critical time when communities across our nation face rising mental health challenges, divisions and global uncertainty — serving as a reminder that peace is not merely a destination, but a practice that begins within and radiates outward to families, to communities and to our nation,” Avula said. Gov. Abigail Spanberger officially proclaimed Feb. 2, 2026 as “Walk for Peace Day” in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was her first proclamation as governor. “The venerable monks who have been walking for 100 days to make clear to the people of the United States and the world that when

With another on the way, here’s how students made the most of Richmond’s snowstorm

January 30, 2026

Lelia Contee, Contributing Writer As a winter storm last weekend swept through Virginia, froze over Richmond’s streets and forced VCU to cancel in-person learning, many students found their schedules open and routines disrupted. Some students embraced the sudden break to slow down and appreciate the little things. Aja Williams, a third-year painting and printmaking student, spent the snow day baking brownies with her sorority sister and watching “They Cloned Tyrone.” The snowy weekend was “a double edge sword,” as Williams put it. While it is important for her painting classes to be in-person, the break allowed her to slow down and consider her next steps, especially after a hectic start to the semester. “With everything going on in the world right now, it was very nice to just slow down and enjoy the little things,” Aja Williams said. Aja Williams hopes people stay safe during the harsh weather conditions and appreciate essential workers. Allison Music, a first-year biology student, used some of her free time to catch up on schoolwork, chat with friends, spend time with her cat Takashi and read the bible. “I’m really bad with change and stuff, so like the snow, it took me out of my

Women’s basketball coach Beth O’Boyle ‘relieved of duties’ after 12 seasons

February 2, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor Alexis Washington, Assistant Sports Editor VCU women’s basketball head coach Beth O’Boyle was relieved of her duties at noon on Feb. 2. She will not coach the remainder of the season and will not return to VCU after the season, according to Evan Nicely, VCU Athletics associate athletic director for external affairs. “We want to thank Coach O’Boyle for her service to VCU and her dedication to our student-athletes. We will not renew her contract and she will not coach the remainder of the season,” said VCU Athletics director Ed McLaughlin in a press release. “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors. We will begin a national search immediately.” The news came out following the Feb. 1 loss to the University of Richmond, 65-77 in the annual SupportHer game. O’Boyle was the head coach for 12 seasons. She held an overall record of 191-168, won one Atlantic 10 tournament title in 2021 and reached the NCAA tournament that same year. O’Boyle was hired as head coach in 2014 after serving as head coach for Stony Brook University. She holds the record for the most coaching victories in VCU basketball history. Despite holding the

Women’s basketball trapped by Richmond in third annual SupportHer game

February 1, 2026

Drew Thompson, Sports Editor VCU women’s basketball played its third annual SupportHer game against the University of Richmond on Feb. 1, ending with a 77-65 loss. The SupportHer game is an initiative to get the Richmond community more involved with women’s athletics at VCU. The game drew a crowd of over 5,000, something that the players and coaches want to become the norm. “If we could have this type of crowd every game, we would play even better,” second-year forward Katarina Kneževic said. “That’s something that should be a standard for women’s basketball as we are all developing the sport.” The Spiders jumped out to a quick four-point lead before the Rams found themselves on the board off a jumper from first-year guard Daija Preston. Richmond stayed in front for the opening five minutes primarily through its efforts to get to the free throw line, as both teams looked streaky from the field. Both teams began to find their stride after the Rams brought the game to 10-10. VCU made four straight field goals while Richmond went four for five in the same stretch. The Spiders continued to hold the lead but the Rams would not back down easily. A

Men’s basketball fights back against Loyola after a slow start, wins 89-75

January 31, 2026

Assistant Sports Editor, Alexis Washington VCU men’s basketball entered its matchup against Loyola Chicago with a four-game winning streak on Friday night at the Siegel Center. The Rams came off a big win against cross town rival the University of Richmond on Tuesday, following a road victory against Davidson College on Jan. 24. VCU won the tip-off but immediately turned the ball over and remained scoreless for four minutes. Loyola came in hot with third-year center Miles Rubin driving the ball to the basket. The Ramblers offense became untouchable going on an 8-0 run, forcing VCU to go into a time out. Third-year forward Michael Belle put up the first points for the Rams with a free throw. The Ramblers responded with an alleyoop dunk from Rubin. Both teams played at a fast, aggressive pace, trading baskets throughout the stretch. Rams second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. shot a deep three and Ramblers answered back with a three of their own from third-year guard Justin Moore. In an effort to put more points on the board, VCU found its rhythm. Belle sparked the run with a three pointer off a turnover at the ten-minute mark. The momentum continued as VCU fourth-year

Women’s basketball gets much needed home win against Fordham 69-58

January 28, 2026

Ben Martindale, Staff Writer VCU women’s basketball took the Siegel Center Wednesday as Richmond defrosts after a winter storm. Despite the icy conditions outside, the stands were scattered with a dedicated group of faithful Ram fans. After the game, VCU head coach Beth O’Boyle took the time to thank the fans who showed up to support the team. “Thank you for coming out on this snowy, icy day to support us,” O’Boyle said. “It always means so much to our players and we really appreciate it.” Fordham University won the tip, but VCU showed its heart early — taking a charge and forcing a turnover on the first possession of the game. Almost three minutes into the game both teams remained scoreless as they attempted to find a way past the other squads defense. Second-year guard Cyriah Griffin got VCU on the board first, hitting a ball fake that would have made former NBA guard Rajon Rondo proud, before spinning and finishing the layup. Griffin has been good for VCU all season, but has really stepped her play lately, scoring in double figures in three of her last four appearances. Second-year forward Katarina Knežević scored her first points of the

Men’s basketball scrapes out win against Spiders in Capital City Classic

January 28, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Contributing Writer While Richmond was frozen over, VCU faced its crosstown archrival, the University of Richmond Spiders at the Siegel Center Tuesday night, marking the 33rd matchup between the two programs. VCU now holds a 24-9 lead all time. VCU built off its three-game winning streak and recent on-the-road win against the Davidson College Wildcats on Jan. 24. VCU won the tip-off and second-year guard Brandon Jennings scored the opening bucket. It was followed by a dunk from third-year forward Lazar Djokovic — starting the game 4-0. However, Richmond’s fifth-year guard AJ Lopez responded with a top-of-the-key three-pointer, silencing the crowd. Capitalizing off of the Spiders’ missed shots, the Rams’ redshirt fourth-year guard Jadrian Tracey knocked down back-to-back three-pointers. VCU gained a 12-5 lead just three minutes into the opening half. Richmond quickly responded with a 6-0 run as it scored around the rim. VCU second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. scored a 17-footer. On the next possession, Djokovic stole the ball from Richmond third-year forward Jaden Daughtry, and in the fast break he passed it to Hill, who threw up an alley-oop to third-year guard Tyrell Ward. The Rams stayed in the lead throughout the half. Djokovic scored