Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

News

VCU Qatar goes remote after Iran threatens to strike college campuses

March 30, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor VCUarts Qatar has closed its campus in Doha and moved classes fully online after Iran threatened to strike American college campuses in the Middle East on Sunday. “Amid the ongoing regional situation the university has moved to remote operations and public access to its premises are not available,” a statement posted on the VCUarts Qatar website reads. “Information on scheduled activities will be communicated to individuals directly.” VCU did not respond to requests for further comment by The CT.  The decision came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made a post on X stating all American universities in the region are now “legitimate targets,” warning students, faculty and staff to stay away for their own safety. The threats by the Iranian government were a response to reported strikes by the United States that damaged buildings belonging to Tehran’s University of Science and Technology and the Isfahan University of Technology.  “The reckless rulers of the White House should know that from now on, all universities of the occupying regime and American universities in the West Asia region are legitimate targets for us until two universities are struck in retaliation for the Iranian

Natalie Bowen wins SGA Presidential election 

March 29, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor VCU Student Government Association Press Secretary Natalie Bowen has won the race to become the body’s next president for the 2026-27 academic year.  Bowen — a third-year history and mass communications student — won with 44%, or 634 votes, according to the SGA. They noted “record-breaking” participation with 1,441 total votes cast.  Bowen wrote in an email that she has congratulated her fellow electeds for senators and other positions, and is grateful for the conversations she has had with students and her fellow student government members. “I’ve been in SGA for three years, and I have never felt so inspired by and proud of a group of senators, and I know we will make a really great team,” Bowen stated. “SGA is here to help in any way we can, and we have a huge team of hard-working and passionate Senators, so please never hesitate to connect with us.” During SGA’s Presidential debate on Monday, Bowen made a case for increasing efficiencies in the organization and engagement with VCU administration, according to a previous report by The CT.  “A big part of the role of president is to meet with administration multiple times a week,

El sistema de alcantarillado de Richmond se enfrenta a un futuro incierto de financiación

March 26, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, Editor de Noticias El plan para fortalecer el sistema de aguas de Richmond podría recibir $50 millones de dólares en fondos estatales durante el siguiente año. Sin embargo, un aumento a las tasas de servicios en el plan de presupuesto del alcalde Danny Avula indica que se necesitan más fondos para las necesidades infraestructurales de la ciudad. Los fondos estatales se dirigirán a apoyar al proyecto para el control del desbordamiento de alcantarillado combinado de Richmond, y forma parte del siguiente presupuesto de Virgina que se finalizará durante una sesión especial legislativa que empieza el 23 de abril. El proyecto de alcantarillado que quieren financiar los legisladores es uno de varios mejoramientos al sistema de aguas en el plan pasado para mejoras de capital de la ciudad, el cual cubrió los años fiscales 2022 al 2026. Este se trata de construir estructuras para desviar el agua durante eventos de toma alta de aguas y de mejorar la capacidad de la planta para el tratamiento de aguas residuales — una instalación en el sur de la ciudad. La encargada de información pública del departamento de servicios públicos (DPU en inglés), Rhonda Johnson, dijo que los fondos estatales propuestos

Meal swipe donation proposal pushed to 2027

March 25, 2026

Kayla Munecas, Contributing Writer The bill that would allow Virginia university students to donate their unused meal plan credits did not pass the General Assembly this year. State lawmakers voted to continue debating the proposal in the 2027 session. The bill was introduced by Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, and would have allowed students to voluntarily donate their unused meal swipes to be distributed for use by other students at campus dining halls or on-campus food pantries, such as the VCU Ram Pantry, according to a previous report by The CT. Roem was successful in establishing the “Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program” in 2025 to fund campus pantries and fight food insecurity. The new bill would have required universities to allow students to donate their swipes in order to remain in the program and receive grants. Roem told The CT one issue lawmakers took with that part of the proposal was a perceived unfairness of students donating swipes their parents had paid for. Roem feels that assertion assumes students have a traditional, nuclear family, middle-and-upper class path through college and ignores the many students who put themselves through college with grants and with alternative family structures. “Then the next part

Richmond’s sewer system fixes see mixed funding future

March 25, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor The plan to strengthen Richmond’s water system could receive $50 million in state funding over the next year — but a utility cost hike in Mayor Danny Avula’s proposed city budget indicate a need for further funding for the city’s infrastructure needs. The state funding is meant to support Richmond’s combined sewer overflow control project and is part of Virginia’s next budget set to be finalized during a special legislative session starting April 23. The sewer project legislators plan to fund is one of several water system improvements in the city’s last capital improvement plan, which covered fiscal years 2022-2026. It involves building structures to divert water during high water intake events, and improving the capacity of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, a different facility in Southside. DPU public information manager Rhonda Johnson said the proposed state funding would specifically support the design and construction of the Shockoe High Rate Disinfection facility, the largest item in the project and a key element of controlling James River contamination. The $50 million to continue the project is short of the $80 million for several water infrastructure projects Avula requested last year in a letter to former Gov.

Virginia Democrats pass gun reforms following ODU shooting, campus threats

March 25, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor The Virginia General Assembly recently passed several bills reforming gun laws, limiting who can obtain firearms, where firearms are allowed and the movement of select classifications. Debates around the legislation — which is heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk — heated up following a deadly shooting at Old Dominion university and threats to universities across the state. Deadly ODU shooting, campus threats On March 12, 39-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh entered the campus of Old Dominion University, shooting and killing ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. The shooting was not the first in Virginia. It follows the deaths of University of Virginia student athletes Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. at the hands of another shooter in 2022. Virginia Tech notoriously experienced a mass shooting in 2007 that resulted in the deaths of 32 people and the wounding of dozens of others. Following the ODU shooting — the University of Virginia, Bridgewater College, George Mason University, Randolph-Macon College and Longwood University all faced bomb threats. Timothy Porter, a second-year math student, said he feels safe on campus regarding guns, but does not feel the same in the broader Richmond area. “The area on campus

Remembering VCU icon Jackie ‘Miss Peaches’ Cherry 

March 25, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer Jackie “Miss Peaches” Cherry, a warm, familiar figure to many students at VCU, passed away on March 8 at the age of 61. Miss Peaches worked at Shafer Dining Court for 15 years and is fondly remembered for always greeting students with a smile whenever they walked up the stairs. During an interview with VCU News last year, Miss Peaches said she was motivated in her position by her connection to her family and her “other family” in the Dining Services staff, and strived to be kind to students she came across. “I treat people decent every day,” Miss Peaches said. “It’s just my humble way. I’m only doing God’s work. If my grandkids were going to college, I would want somebody to treat them with respect and show them support.” Aramark, the company partnered with VCU to run VCUDine and which employed many of her colleagues, offered a statement on Miss Peaches’s passing. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our long‑time and cherished colleague, Jacquelyn Cherry, known as Miss Peaches, whose dedication and kindness touched our entire organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones,” Aramark stated. While born in Fauquier

Who are the VCU student government presidential candidates?

March 23, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor VCU’s Student Government Association held a debate for its next president on Monday, beginning a three day voting period for students.  The candidates flexed varying platforms with similar goals of increasing the organization’s outreach, relevance on campus and power in administrative decisions.  The candidates are third-year history and mass communications student and SGA press secretary Natalie Bowen, third-year information systems student and senator Jamal Henry and second-year biomedical engineering student and senator Sadman Mahmood.  The latter two are also members of SGA’s independent financial board, which reviews proposals and disperses funds to student organizations supported by the student activity fee.  Natalie Bowen Bowen is running to increase the SGA’s efficiency and engagement with administration and the student body. She wants to continue what the association is currently doing, but would seek more power that would give weight to its decisions.  “A big part of the role of president is to meet with administration multiple times a week, and I want to be a president that puts my foot down in what the student body wants, and not let the administration try to take advantage of our close position,” Bowen said. Bowen wants to encourage senators

VCU Qatar goes remote after Iran threatens to strike college campuses

March 30, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor VCUarts Qatar has closed its campus in Doha and moved classes fully online after Iran threatened to strike American college campuses in the Middle East on Sunday. “Amid the ongoing regional situation the university has moved to remote operations and public access to its premises are not available,” a statement posted on the VCUarts Qatar website reads. “Information on scheduled activities will be communicated to individuals directly.” VCU did not respond to requests for further comment by The CT.  The decision came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made a post on X stating all American universities in the region are now “legitimate targets,” warning students, faculty and staff to stay away for their own safety. The threats by the Iranian government were a response to reported strikes by the United States that damaged buildings belonging to Tehran’s University of Science and Technology and the Isfahan University of Technology.  “The reckless rulers of the White House should know that from now on, all universities of the occupying regime and American universities in the West Asia region are legitimate targets for us until two universities are struck in retaliation for the Iranian universities that have been destroyed,” the threat reads. The Iranian government demanded the U.S. to release a statement condemning the strikes on their universities, otherwise they would retaliate. The U.S. has not released a statement as of the date of this article’s publication.  VCUarts Qatar is one of many American campuses in Doha’s Education City — including a satellite campus for Georgetown University, the dean of which has assured students that university administration is taking all necessary steps to ensure their safety, according to the Georgetown Voice.  In a statement released earlier this month, VCUarts Qatar dean Amir Berbić announced the school has permitted a temporary, out-of-county remote work option for students, faculty and staff. The choice is available to all, not just American citizens, according to a previous report by The CT. “I have spoken daily with VCU President Michael Rao, who expresses his strong support and encouragement for our community,” Berbić said. “Please know that our Richmond colleagues are standing with us and holding us in their thoughts during these difficult days.” The war in Iran and the Middle East has continued to escalate. The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the Pentagon is preparing for “weeks of

Natalie Bowen wins SGA Presidential election 

March 29, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor VCU Student Government Association Press Secretary Natalie Bowen has won the race to become the body’s next president for the 2026-27 academic year.  Bowen — a third-year history and mass communications student — won with 44%, or 634 votes, according to the SGA. They noted “record-breaking” participation with 1,441 total votes cast.  Bowen wrote in an email that she has congratulated her fellow electeds for senators and other positions, and is grateful for the conversations she has had with students and her fellow student government members. “I’ve been in SGA for three years, and I have never felt so inspired by and proud of a group of senators, and I know we will make a really great team,” Bowen stated. “SGA is here to help in any way we can, and we have a huge team of hard-working and passionate Senators, so please never hesitate to connect with us.” During SGA’s Presidential debate on Monday, Bowen made a case for increasing efficiencies in the organization and engagement with VCU administration, according to a previous report by The CT.  “A big part of the role of president is to meet with administration multiple times a week,

El sistema de alcantarillado de Richmond se enfrenta a un futuro incierto de financiación

March 26, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, Editor de Noticias El plan para fortalecer el sistema de aguas de Richmond podría recibir $50 millones de dólares en fondos estatales durante el siguiente año. Sin embargo, un aumento a las tasas de servicios en el plan de presupuesto del alcalde Danny Avula indica que se necesitan más fondos para las necesidades infraestructurales de la ciudad. Los fondos estatales se dirigirán a apoyar al proyecto para el control del desbordamiento de alcantarillado combinado de Richmond, y forma parte del siguiente presupuesto de Virgina que se finalizará durante una sesión especial legislativa que empieza el 23 de abril. El proyecto de alcantarillado que quieren financiar los legisladores es uno de varios mejoramientos al sistema de aguas en el plan pasado para mejoras de capital de la ciudad, el cual cubrió los años fiscales 2022 al 2026. Este se trata de construir estructuras para desviar el agua durante eventos de toma alta de aguas y de mejorar la capacidad de la planta para el tratamiento de aguas residuales — una instalación en el sur de la ciudad. La encargada de información pública del departamento de servicios públicos (DPU en inglés), Rhonda Johnson, dijo que los fondos estatales propuestos

Meal swipe donation proposal pushed to 2027

March 25, 2026

Kayla Munecas, Contributing Writer The bill that would allow Virginia university students to donate their unused meal plan credits did not pass the General Assembly this year. State lawmakers voted to continue debating the proposal in the 2027 session. The bill was introduced by Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, and would have allowed students to voluntarily donate their unused meal swipes to be distributed for use by other students at campus dining halls or on-campus food pantries, such as the VCU Ram Pantry, according to a previous report by The CT. Roem was successful in establishing the “Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program” in 2025 to fund campus pantries and fight food insecurity. The new bill would have required universities to allow students to donate their swipes in order to remain in the program and receive grants. Roem told The CT one issue lawmakers took with that part of the proposal was a perceived unfairness of students donating swipes their parents had paid for. Roem feels that assertion assumes students have a traditional, nuclear family, middle-and-upper class path through college and ignores the many students who put themselves through college with grants and with alternative family structures. “Then the next part

Richmond’s sewer system fixes see mixed funding future

March 25, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor The plan to strengthen Richmond’s water system could receive $50 million in state funding over the next year — but a utility cost hike in Mayor Danny Avula’s proposed city budget indicate a need for further funding for the city’s infrastructure needs. The state funding is meant to support Richmond’s combined sewer overflow control project and is part of Virginia’s next budget set to be finalized during a special legislative session starting April 23. The sewer project legislators plan to fund is one of several water system improvements in the city’s last capital improvement plan, which covered fiscal years 2022-2026. It involves building structures to divert water during high water intake events, and improving the capacity of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, a different facility in Southside. DPU public information manager Rhonda Johnson said the proposed state funding would specifically support the design and construction of the Shockoe High Rate Disinfection facility, the largest item in the project and a key element of controlling James River contamination. The $50 million to continue the project is short of the $80 million for several water infrastructure projects Avula requested last year in a letter to former Gov.

Virginia Democrats pass gun reforms following ODU shooting, campus threats

March 25, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor The Virginia General Assembly recently passed several bills reforming gun laws, limiting who can obtain firearms, where firearms are allowed and the movement of select classifications. Debates around the legislation — which is heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk — heated up following a deadly shooting at Old Dominion university and threats to universities across the state. Deadly ODU shooting, campus threats On March 12, 39-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh entered the campus of Old Dominion University, shooting and killing ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. The shooting was not the first in Virginia. It follows the deaths of University of Virginia student athletes Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. at the hands of another shooter in 2022. Virginia Tech notoriously experienced a mass shooting in 2007 that resulted in the deaths of 32 people and the wounding of dozens of others. Following the ODU shooting — the University of Virginia, Bridgewater College, George Mason University, Randolph-Macon College and Longwood University all faced bomb threats. Timothy Porter, a second-year math student, said he feels safe on campus regarding guns, but does not feel the same in the broader Richmond area. “The area on campus

Remembering VCU icon Jackie ‘Miss Peaches’ Cherry 

March 25, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Staff Writer Jackie “Miss Peaches” Cherry, a warm, familiar figure to many students at VCU, passed away on March 8 at the age of 61. Miss Peaches worked at Shafer Dining Court for 15 years and is fondly remembered for always greeting students with a smile whenever they walked up the stairs. During an interview with VCU News last year, Miss Peaches said she was motivated in her position by her connection to her family and her “other family” in the Dining Services staff, and strived to be kind to students she came across. “I treat people decent every day,” Miss Peaches said. “It’s just my humble way. I’m only doing God’s work. If my grandkids were going to college, I would want somebody to treat them with respect and show them support.” Aramark, the company partnered with VCU to run VCUDine and which employed many of her colleagues, offered a statement on Miss Peaches’s passing. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our long‑time and cherished colleague, Jacquelyn Cherry, known as Miss Peaches, whose dedication and kindness touched our entire organization. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones,” Aramark stated. While born in Fauquier

Letters to the Editor

February 20, 2003

The fate of Social Security Editor’s Note: The following is an open letter to Congress addressing the reader’s concerns about Social Security reform. Dear Congress, I ask that you, on behalf of my fellow school mates, to strongly consider supporting Social Security reform.

The fascist state of America

February 13, 2003

How would you like to live in a country where the government, with no judicial oversight, can read your e-mails, tap your phones, authorize secret arrests, create a DNA database of suspected terrorists, create new death penalties and take away American citizenship from people who belong to or support disfavored political groups? All this and more could happen if Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Justice Department get their way.

Bystander critically injured in car crash

February 13, 2003

A 22-year-old male VCU student is in critical condition after being struck by a car a few blocks from campus.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. Monday when a black Ford Explorer, going west on Cumberland Avenue, collided in an intersection with a Chevrolet Camero, going south on Harrison Street, said Jennifer Reilly of the City of Richmond Police Department’s media relations division.