Friday, April 24th, 2026

News

Board of visitors approves 3.9% tuition increase

April 24, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor  The VCU Board of Visitors voted on Friday to approve a 3.9% tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students. Housing fees and meal plans will see a 5% increase across the board: an extra $441-525 for housing and $160-194 for meal plans.  The typical in-state undergraduate student enrolled in 15 credits per semester will pay $17,963 in tuition and mandatory fees during the 2026-27 academic year — an increase of $723, according to VCU. Out-of-state undergraduate students’ tuition and mandatory fees will be set at $41,127, also an increase of $723. Overall, in-state undergraduate students will pay around $31,000-33,000 for a full year of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board. The board previously cited increased costs under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, or VMSDEP, and the university’s high rate of in-state students as key reasons to raise tuition. The board was considering tuition increase options between 2.5% and 4.9%. By going with the 3.9% option VCU will be able to better support internships, stipends for graduate students — and partially commit to investing in academic programs with increasing demand. Without a higher tuition increase, VCU will not be able

Arturo Saavedra named VCU’s permanent provost 

April 23, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor VCU’s year-long search for a new second-in-command and chief academic officer has come to a close. Arturo Saavedra, VCU’s current interim provost, will take up the role permanently. The leadership change comes after the departure of former Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos last spring.  Saavedra previously served as dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice president for medical affairs.  After President Michael Rao, the provost is the second-ranking executive officer at VCU and is in charge of academic affairs. “I am honored to serve as executive vice president and provost in a permanent capacity and thank President Rao and the board of visitors for their confidence,” Saavedra said in a press release. “VCU’s strength comes from its people and its mission, and I am committed to supporting faculty excellence, student success and the continued evolution of the university in ways that are bold, distinctive and mission-driven. I look forward to working with colleagues across VCU to build on the strong momentum already underway.” The effort to find a new provost was led by a search committee consisting of administrators, board of visitors members and student and faculty representatives. “There was widespread agreement that Art is the

Over 200 VCU community members share concerns with post-tenure review proposal

April 22, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer  Many VCU faculty and staff have called on their peers and administrative representatives to stop a change to VCU’s tenure policy from going through, citing a rushed schedule and evidence it would harm the university. VCU interim provost Arturo Saavedra proposed a post-tenure review policy in a March faculty senate meeting, according to a previous report by The CT. The proposal was unpopular with faculty who decried its inconsistency with existing policies at VCU. The policy is open for a public comment period until April 24. Over 270 comments have been submitted so far — the majority of which either disapproved of the changes wholesale or decried the approval schedule and what many deemed to be insufficient faculty input. What is the policy? Faculty typically go through a cycle of evaluations to receive tenure, culminating in an evaluation every six years thereafter. Tenure generally comes with more permanent employment, more benefits and greater discretion to pursue research. Post-tenure review would add an additional cyclical review to keep or lose tenure and a “trigger” when professors receive low marks for their performance or are otherwise put on notice by the Provost’s office, which would hold final say

ELECTION: Virginians pass redistricting measure, giving Democrats 10-1 map

April 22, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor The people of Virginia voted on Tuesday to pass the mid-decade redistricting amendment by a nearly three point margin — allowing the General Assembly to redraw Congressional district lines in a way that favors Democrats 10-1. Virginia’s redistricting referendum was set up by Democrats, in their words, as a measure to fight President Donald Trump and his pressures to redistrict in other states to favor Republicans. With the proposal’s passage, Virginia has a new Congressional map that will take effect immediately — opening the door for Democratic challengers in previously-solid red districts across the commonwealth. Democrats spent over $64 million and Republicans spent over $21 million trying to swing the results in their favor, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Over 3 million people voted in the referendum. Alyssa Morris, a first-year art foundation student, voted “yes” on the referendum because even though people have called the new map “gerrymandered,” Republicans are guilty of doing the same in other states. “We may as well try to do that too, level out the playing field,” Morris said. Alex Keena, an associate professor who studies political representation and elections, stated that, under the new map, voters will

Latino Virginia project captures untold oral history 

April 22, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor “[In Spanish] I feel that I have found [Richmond] needs many changes. And that there is a lot of need out there. And before, when I had recently arrived, I couldn’t see that either — because normally when we arrive we submerge ourselves in a job, in long hours, and we don’t see that.” That is the experience of Richmond resident Claudia Leolo, captured in the Latino Virginia Oral History Project, which involved conducting over 140 interviews with Virginians who share a background or heritage in Latin America. The research was led by VCU associate professor of sociology Gabriela León-Pérez and associate professor of history Daniel Morales. León-Pérez said their main goal with the interviews was to dispel myths and stereotypes about Latin American migration. “In some cases, yes, it’s because of better economic opportunities, but also it can be for family reunification for families that have been separated, it can be due to domestic violence in the country of origin, or for better educational opportunities,” León-Pérez said. Research dives into identity, diversity of experience Virginia was home to more than 1.19 million immigrant residents in 2024, according to the Migration Policy Institute, more than

VCU to create two new STEM degrees, discontinue physical education concentration

April 22, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor The VCU Board of Visitors will vote this week on whether to create two new STEM degrees and discontinue the bachelor of science in health and physical education. The proposed degrees are a master of science in pharmaceutical engineering and a bachelor of science in public health. The proposals have already been approved by the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, University Committee on Academic Affairs, University Council and the President’s Cabinet. If passed by the board of visitors they would be targeted for implementation in 2027. The master of science in pharmaceutical engineering would be jointly administered by the College of Engineering and the School of Pharmacy — the first of its kind for Virginia universities, according to the board’s agenda. The program is meant to prepare students in health sciences that lead to therapeutic drug discovery, development and manufacturing — supporting local pharmaceutical industry needs. Faculty from both the Department of Pharmaceutics and the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering would teach the discipline. The bachelor of science in public health will be a new undergraduate option for its school — which currently only has masters, graduate and Ph.D programs listed on its website. The

Unions push back against Spanberger’s collective bargaining changes

April 22, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Gov. Abigail Spanberger proposed amendments to dilute the bill repealing Virginia’s ban on collective bargaining for public employees, drawing ire from unions and Democratic lawmakers. The proposed changes would delay the bill’s implementation for local governments until 2030 and remove the ability for third-party mediators to force an agreement through a negotiation process. Spanberger gave updates on her legislative priorities ranging from data centers to burying utility lines to collective bargaining during a virtual press call on April 14. She spent much of that time defending her decision to recommend delaying the parts of the collective bargaining bill’s implementation. The governor argued that a Public Employee Relations Board, a state agency the bill would create by 2028 to govern the relationship between public unions and employers, should “lead by example” by only dealing with state workers for the first 18 months to ensure the process works. “I think that lead time matters, because we’re going to have an entirely new process here in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Spanberger said. “Bringing in state and local employees across bargaining units, from law enforcement to local employees to teachers to firefighters across every locality in Virginia, for those

Spanberger signs remodel of VCU Health board, removing Rao as chair

April 22, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor VCU Health System will remove university President Michael Rao as chair of its board of directors as part of leadership changes recently approved by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Rao will still serve as president of VCU. The change follows a failed redevelopment plan that cost the health system nearly $80 million, according to a previous report by The CT. The VCU Health System Board of Directors governs the academic health system, patient care, teaching and medical research, according to Virginia law. The law previously required the president of VCU to also serve as the chair of the VCU Health board. The newly signed legislation, patroned by Del. Betsy Carr and Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Richmond, also reduces the number of members on the board from 21 to 16, lengthens their terms from three to four years and requires an election every other year for the chairman and vice chairman of the board. Bagby is also a member of the board. The law will take effect starting July 1. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the same proposal last year, citing “a material and unnecessary shift in the governmental balance of powers, changing the board from a majority of

Board of visitors approves 3.9% tuition increase

April 24, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor  The VCU Board of Visitors voted on Friday to approve a 3.9% tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students. Housing fees and meal plans will see a 5% increase across the board: an extra $441-525 for housing and $160-194 for meal plans.  The typical in-state undergraduate student enrolled in 15 credits per semester will pay $17,963 in tuition and mandatory fees during the 2026-27 academic year — an increase of $723, according to VCU. Out-of-state undergraduate students’ tuition and mandatory fees will be set at $41,127, also an increase of $723. Overall, in-state undergraduate students will pay around $31,000-33,000 for a full year of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board. The board previously cited increased costs under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, or VMSDEP, and the university’s high rate of in-state students as key reasons to raise tuition. The board was considering tuition increase options between 2.5% and 4.9%. By going with the 3.9% option VCU will be able to better support internships, stipends for graduate students — and partially commit to investing in academic programs with increasing demand. Without a higher tuition increase, VCU will not be able to hire six additional in emerging and high-demand areas, as well as boost advising and financial counseling, according to a board presentation. $2 million in cuts and efficiencies will still be needed to balance the budget. “VCU is committed to keeping costs as low as possible for our students,” President Michael Rao stated in a press release. “Today’s board’s action allows the university to manage rising external costs while continuing to strengthen our investment in student success at all levels of learning and to raise further the value of a VCU degree.” VCU also listed potential 3% “state mandated faculty and staff increases” to salaries among its budget pressures, pending legislative outcomes. The state budget has yet to be finalized, and lawmakers have said they do not expect it to be complete until June.  The university’s priorities in lobbying to Virginia lawmakers include more support for VMSDEP, which VCU has repeatedly cited as a primary pressure on its budget. Other priorities include support for “high-cost health science degrees,” support for the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and Pauley Heart Center, help with buying the Altria building, money for a School of Dentistry building and support for the College of Engineering to

Arturo Saavedra named VCU’s permanent provost 

April 23, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor VCU’s year-long search for a new second-in-command and chief academic officer has come to a close. Arturo Saavedra, VCU’s current interim provost, will take up the role permanently. The leadership change comes after the departure of former Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos last spring.  Saavedra previously served as dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice president for medical affairs.  After President Michael Rao, the provost is the second-ranking executive officer at VCU and is in charge of academic affairs. “I am honored to serve as executive vice president and provost in a permanent capacity and thank President Rao and the board of visitors for their confidence,” Saavedra said in a press release. “VCU’s strength comes from its people and its mission, and I am committed to supporting faculty excellence, student success and the continued evolution of the university in ways that are bold, distinctive and mission-driven. I look forward to working with colleagues across VCU to build on the strong momentum already underway.” The effort to find a new provost was led by a search committee consisting of administrators, board of visitors members and student and faculty representatives. “There was widespread agreement that Art is the

Over 200 VCU community members share concerns with post-tenure review proposal

April 22, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer  Many VCU faculty and staff have called on their peers and administrative representatives to stop a change to VCU’s tenure policy from going through, citing a rushed schedule and evidence it would harm the university. VCU interim provost Arturo Saavedra proposed a post-tenure review policy in a March faculty senate meeting, according to a previous report by The CT. The proposal was unpopular with faculty who decried its inconsistency with existing policies at VCU. The policy is open for a public comment period until April 24. Over 270 comments have been submitted so far — the majority of which either disapproved of the changes wholesale or decried the approval schedule and what many deemed to be insufficient faculty input. What is the policy? Faculty typically go through a cycle of evaluations to receive tenure, culminating in an evaluation every six years thereafter. Tenure generally comes with more permanent employment, more benefits and greater discretion to pursue research. Post-tenure review would add an additional cyclical review to keep or lose tenure and a “trigger” when professors receive low marks for their performance or are otherwise put on notice by the Provost’s office, which would hold final say

ELECTION: Virginians pass redistricting measure, giving Democrats 10-1 map

April 22, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor The people of Virginia voted on Tuesday to pass the mid-decade redistricting amendment by a nearly three point margin — allowing the General Assembly to redraw Congressional district lines in a way that favors Democrats 10-1. Virginia’s redistricting referendum was set up by Democrats, in their words, as a measure to fight President Donald Trump and his pressures to redistrict in other states to favor Republicans. With the proposal’s passage, Virginia has a new Congressional map that will take effect immediately — opening the door for Democratic challengers in previously-solid red districts across the commonwealth. Democrats spent over $64 million and Republicans spent over $21 million trying to swing the results in their favor, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Over 3 million people voted in the referendum. Alyssa Morris, a first-year art foundation student, voted “yes” on the referendum because even though people have called the new map “gerrymandered,” Republicans are guilty of doing the same in other states. “We may as well try to do that too, level out the playing field,” Morris said. Alex Keena, an associate professor who studies political representation and elections, stated that, under the new map, voters will

Latino Virginia project captures untold oral history 

April 22, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor “[In Spanish] I feel that I have found [Richmond] needs many changes. And that there is a lot of need out there. And before, when I had recently arrived, I couldn’t see that either — because normally when we arrive we submerge ourselves in a job, in long hours, and we don’t see that.” That is the experience of Richmond resident Claudia Leolo, captured in the Latino Virginia Oral History Project, which involved conducting over 140 interviews with Virginians who share a background or heritage in Latin America. The research was led by VCU associate professor of sociology Gabriela León-Pérez and associate professor of history Daniel Morales. León-Pérez said their main goal with the interviews was to dispel myths and stereotypes about Latin American migration. “In some cases, yes, it’s because of better economic opportunities, but also it can be for family reunification for families that have been separated, it can be due to domestic violence in the country of origin, or for better educational opportunities,” León-Pérez said. Research dives into identity, diversity of experience Virginia was home to more than 1.19 million immigrant residents in 2024, according to the Migration Policy Institute, more than

VCU to create two new STEM degrees, discontinue physical education concentration

April 22, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor The VCU Board of Visitors will vote this week on whether to create two new STEM degrees and discontinue the bachelor of science in health and physical education. The proposed degrees are a master of science in pharmaceutical engineering and a bachelor of science in public health. The proposals have already been approved by the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, University Committee on Academic Affairs, University Council and the President’s Cabinet. If passed by the board of visitors they would be targeted for implementation in 2027. The master of science in pharmaceutical engineering would be jointly administered by the College of Engineering and the School of Pharmacy — the first of its kind for Virginia universities, according to the board’s agenda. The program is meant to prepare students in health sciences that lead to therapeutic drug discovery, development and manufacturing — supporting local pharmaceutical industry needs. Faculty from both the Department of Pharmaceutics and the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering would teach the discipline. The bachelor of science in public health will be a new undergraduate option for its school — which currently only has masters, graduate and Ph.D programs listed on its website. The

Unions push back against Spanberger’s collective bargaining changes

April 22, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Gov. Abigail Spanberger proposed amendments to dilute the bill repealing Virginia’s ban on collective bargaining for public employees, drawing ire from unions and Democratic lawmakers. The proposed changes would delay the bill’s implementation for local governments until 2030 and remove the ability for third-party mediators to force an agreement through a negotiation process. Spanberger gave updates on her legislative priorities ranging from data centers to burying utility lines to collective bargaining during a virtual press call on April 14. She spent much of that time defending her decision to recommend delaying the parts of the collective bargaining bill’s implementation. The governor argued that a Public Employee Relations Board, a state agency the bill would create by 2028 to govern the relationship between public unions and employers, should “lead by example” by only dealing with state workers for the first 18 months to ensure the process works. “I think that lead time matters, because we’re going to have an entirely new process here in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Spanberger said. “Bringing in state and local employees across bargaining units, from law enforcement to local employees to teachers to firefighters across every locality in Virginia, for those