Wednesday, August 26th, 2026

News

VCU implements measures to address past cybersecurity threats

August 26, 2026

Olivia Rine, Contributing Writer VCU students raised concerns with campus online safety, following recent cyber attacks to VCU online systems.  Over 7,000 VCU students were sent phishing emails earlier this month from cybercriminals attempting to compromise their email accounts, according to VCU News. The scammers posed as “VCU IT Department,” threatening to remove students from their courses if they did not provide their login information. In late April, VCU students were met with ransom notes upon opening Canvas, according to ABC 8 News. The attack was a part of a national breach from hacking group ShinyHunters. After the initial Canvas hack, the platform faced another hack on the afternoon of May 7, where ransom notes appeared on the login pages of many universities, including VCU.  VCU’s chief information officer, Dan Han, acknowledged that as the use of technology rises, risks are predicted to rise as well. “Not only are we seeing a significant shortening of time between the disclosure of a vulnerability and the exploitation of such vulnerability, but the advancement of these adversarial technologies is also breaking down language barriers and allowing threat actors to rapidly create and deploy increasingly convincing scams intended to target our community,” Han stated

MASSEY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER RECEIVES $2.7 MILLION GRANT, AMONG OTHER CHANGES

August 26, 2026

Kayla Muñecas, Assistant News Editor  The VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer center underwent several recent changes, including a A $2.7 million grant, new leadership and a new workspace.  The Worta McCaskill-Stevens Grant is meant to facilitate the “training of clinical scientists in community cancer prevention, screening, intervention, control, and treatment research,” specifically clinical scientists whose focus includes enhancing care for minorities, according to the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Monica Baskin, the center’s new director, said she intends to make the care Massey provides accessible to all Virginians, particularly those in rural communities.  “When someone receives that news of ‘you have cancer,’ I want Massey to be among those top cancer centers that immediately come to mind, ” Baskin said.  Baskin explained that Massey’s “community-to-bench model” allows the center to perform research that is relevant to surrounding communities, from Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach to the Northern Neck. “By performing robust research that is driven by the needs of our catchment area, enhancing our Community Outreach and Engagement efforts, and recruiting and retaining an unparalleled bench of cancer researchers and providers who will lead future clinical breakthroughs, I know we will get there,” Baskin said.  Baskin previously served as interim director but was

700 pedestrian focused installations announced for high risk intersections

August 26, 2026

Mad Biondi, Contributing Writer The Richmond Department of Transportation via press release announced a two-phase plan with 700 quick-build improvements targeting intersections identified as statistically dangerous for pedestrians. The installations include high-visibility crosswalks and the introduction of scramble intersections, allowing pedestrians from all sides to cross.  Speed tables, centerline hardening and turn hardening installations ensure more controlled turning and speed. Richmond announced 244 different locations for these solutions. Each phase consists of 350 installations, with Phase 1occurring in Fall 2026. Phase 2 is estimated to be completed in Fall 2027.  Pedestrian safety was the top concern in the 2026 VCU Perception of Safety Survey at 57%.  Richmonders boast some of the most daily driving in the city, with 2 million cars passing through campus per month.  “This is an open campus,” VCU Police Lt. Greer said, “This isn’t a campus where it’s enclosed, you’re going from class to class. You’re in the middle — the heart of the city. We doubled our traffic division because of that need.”  Lt. Greer said the number of contributors when planning, involving the city, VCU planners, RPD, VCUPD, and the DMV.  The RDOT uses data from the High Injury Network (HIN), an identification of

VCU expands transportation services for students with disabilities

August 26, 2026

Maddy Thurber, Contributing Writer VCU is expanding the universities transportation options, providing a new point-to-point service for students with disabilities. VCU now offers the RamsLink Paratransit Service for students, faculty and staff with temporary, permanent or long-term disabilities. RamsLink operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering direct point to point transit with advanced scheduling. Riders can order vehicles through the Ride Pingo app. “The ultimate goal of that is for disability to be taken into consideration prior to any program being enacted,” said Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus Chair, Shady Habib. According to Virginia’s Public Media, 31 locations need improvements to make pedestrian infrastructure more accessible. Habib said that VCU’s integration with the surrounding city limits its control over the sidewalks students use. He noted that poor sidewalk conditions can create significant accessibility barriers and force some students to take much longer routes to get to and from class. “Another big thing that has been a barrier is actually the commercial scooter, like Lime and Bird, where students don’t necessarily park them in the most respectable sort of area and so they may block off an entire sidewalk where it becomes dangerous for a person who

VCU Students face higher than average tuition increase

August 19, 2026

Sal Orlando, News Editor Maeve Bauer, Executive Editor VCU in-state undergraduate students are now paying 3.9% more on their tuition this academic year.  In-state undergraduate students enrolled in 15 credits per semester are now paying $17,963 in tuition and mandatory fees, according to VCU News. Virginia’s average increase in tuition for in-state undergraduates is 3.2%, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. VCU had the second highest percentage increase in the state, behind Old Dominion University. Almost 80% of registered voters in Virginia’s July 2026 Commonwealth Poll believe that cost is too high to attend college in Virginia, reflecting a 10% increase since the winter poll. VCU cited that the tuition increase covered mandated costs, which includes salary increases, student internships, security and service contracts, graduate stipends and military tuition waivers, per a previous CT report. “VCU has the highest percentage of VMSDEP-eligible students among Virginia’s public institutions, with approximately 6% of our in-state undergraduate population participating in the program,” Brian McNeill, a VCU spokesperson, stated in an email. “As a result, VCU also has the highest VMSDEP waiver costs in the state.” McNeill stated that VCU’s average net price has stayed flat for families earning under

Unionized workers reject contract offer from Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

August 19, 2026

Harshini Kanala, Contributing Writer Workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden rejected their employer’s final contract offer after unionizing for increased wages and benefits since November 2024. The LGBG Workers United are the second group of LGBG workers in the US to unionize.  Eligible staff voted to organize for “living wages, safer working conditions, better benefits, and a seat at the table where the decisions that affected our well-being are made,” LGBG Workers United stated in a social media post. “We are wrapping up a 2-year-long, $31 Million Expansion at the garden, but union-eligible garden staff (everyone but the managers) haven’t seen a raise in 2 years,” LGBG Workers United stated. As of Aug. 13, LGBG Workers United announced that they chose to reject the employer’s “last, best and final offer” and will “go through internal procedures and notifications before details and next steps are released.” The LGBG Workers United declined a request for comment from The Commonwealth Times due to time conflicts. Singer-Songwriter Jesse Welles, known for his folk protest songs, moved his concert at the garden to the National on July 15 in solidarity with the union. He offered refunds for participants who could no longer attend. “To the

New VCU office looks to turn work experience into college credit

August 19, 2026

Maddy Thurber, Contributing writer VCU’s Office of Prior Learning began an initiative that offers non-traditional students the option to turn professional experience into college credit.  Students who may have worked in a professional sphere prior to the enrollment at VCU have the option to use that as credit toward an Interdisciplinary Studies diplomat.  “Credit for prior learning pathways are built for nontraditional students, which VCU defines as students who are married/widowed/divorced, have children/dependents or who are military-affiliated), who have an abundance of professional experience that may be equivalent to some of the courses they would take at VCU,” Associate Director Mia Liadis stated in an email.  Credit is available to adult learners with years of experience who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. Mariah Crilley, VCU Assistant Vice Provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs stated in an email she quickly learned the value of adult learners. They challenged me to be a better teacher by considering the deep expertise that all students, nontraditional or otherwise, bring to the classroom, and inspired me to develop a space that honored that expertise,” Crilley stated. Transfer Coordinator for Adult and Nontraditional Students, Tori Kesling said prior learning helps recognize when students have

ELECCIONES 2026: LO QUE HAY QUE SABER SOBRE LAS PRÓXIMAS ELECCIONES ESTATALES

August 19, 2026

Kayla Muñecas, editora asistente de noticias  Los habitantes de Virginia votaran por quien ocupará los escaños del estado en el Congreso, junto a tres enmiendas propuestas a la constitución de Virginia el 3 de Noviembre.  CANDIDATOS DEL SENADO El senador demócrata Mark Warner se postula al Senado por cuarta vez este año. Warner ocupó el puesto de gobernador de Virginia entre 2002 y 2006, y ahora está cumpliendo su tercer periodo como senador.   Las promesas de campaña de Warner incluyen reducir costos de vivienda, garantizar atención médica universal, y preparar para la “próxima crisis laboral causada por IA,” según su sitio web de campaña.   Warner se enfrentará al republicano Bert Mizusawa, un general retirado del Ejército de EE.UU. Sus principales propuestas incluyen reducir la deuda nacional, establecer un código fiscal con menos códigos impositivos, y proteger la Segunda Enmienda. Mizusawa también apoya simplificar el proceso migratorio, pero sostiene que los inmigrantes que llegan legalmente deben estar preparados para integrarse a la cultura estadounidense.  Mizusawa anteriormente trabajó como asesor principal del director de la CIA y también como asesor de política exterior para la campaña presidencial de Donald Trump en 2016. En 2018, intentó postularse para desafiar al senador Tim Kaine,

VCU implements measures to address past cybersecurity threats

August 26, 2026

Olivia Rine, Contributing Writer VCU students raised concerns with campus online safety, following recent cyber attacks to VCU online systems.  Over 7,000 VCU students were sent phishing emails earlier this month from cybercriminals attempting to compromise their email accounts, according to VCU News. The scammers posed as “VCU IT Department,” threatening to remove students from their courses if they did not provide their login information. In late April, VCU students were met with ransom notes upon opening Canvas, according to ABC 8 News. The attack was a part of a national breach from hacking group ShinyHunters. After the initial Canvas hack, the platform faced another hack on the afternoon of May 7, where ransom notes appeared on the login pages of many universities, including VCU.  VCU’s chief information officer, Dan Han, acknowledged that as the use of technology rises, risks are predicted to rise as well. “Not only are we seeing a significant shortening of time between the disclosure of a vulnerability and the exploitation of such vulnerability, but the advancement of these adversarial technologies is also breaking down language barriers and allowing threat actors to rapidly create and deploy increasingly convincing scams intended to target our community,” Han stated in an email. Han assured that this was not solely an issue with VCU’s Canvas platform, but other universities and colleges as well. He encouraged students and staff to exercise  caution when using technology by keeping an eye out for cyber criminals targeting their emails, cell phones and other personal technologies. “As organizational cyber defenses mature, we are also seeing cyber criminals target individuals through their personal email accounts or cell phones, thus keeping the scam away from any safeguards organizations may have in place,” Han stated. VCU’s Enterprise Marketing and Communications, Information Security Office, Student Affairs and VCU Police, collaborated to form an awareness campaign called “Stop, Verify, Report,” to educate students on different scams to look out for to ensure their cybersecurity and safety, according to Han.  “Online safety and security is a collective responsibility, and as each of us are more aware of the threat and how to report them, we can collectively make our community a safer place for everyone,” Han stated. Jake Burns, VCU Police spokesperson, suggested that students  avoid cybersecurity compromises by not engaging in suspicious outreaches, including emails, texts and phone calls. Students should instead use verified VCU platforms and report any suspicious

MASSEY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER RECEIVES $2.7 MILLION GRANT, AMONG OTHER CHANGES

August 26, 2026

Kayla Muñecas, Assistant News Editor  The VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer center underwent several recent changes, including a A $2.7 million grant, new leadership and a new workspace.  The Worta McCaskill-Stevens Grant is meant to facilitate the “training of clinical scientists in community cancer prevention, screening, intervention, control, and treatment research,” specifically clinical scientists whose focus includes enhancing care for minorities, according to the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Monica Baskin, the center’s new director, said she intends to make the care Massey provides accessible to all Virginians, particularly those in rural communities.  “When someone receives that news of ‘you have cancer,’ I want Massey to be among those top cancer centers that immediately come to mind, ” Baskin said.  Baskin explained that Massey’s “community-to-bench model” allows the center to perform research that is relevant to surrounding communities, from Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach to the Northern Neck. “By performing robust research that is driven by the needs of our catchment area, enhancing our Community Outreach and Engagement efforts, and recruiting and retaining an unparalleled bench of cancer researchers and providers who will lead future clinical breakthroughs, I know we will get there,” Baskin said.  Baskin previously served as interim director but was

700 pedestrian focused installations announced for high risk intersections

August 26, 2026

Mad Biondi, Contributing Writer The Richmond Department of Transportation via press release announced a two-phase plan with 700 quick-build improvements targeting intersections identified as statistically dangerous for pedestrians. The installations include high-visibility crosswalks and the introduction of scramble intersections, allowing pedestrians from all sides to cross.  Speed tables, centerline hardening and turn hardening installations ensure more controlled turning and speed. Richmond announced 244 different locations for these solutions. Each phase consists of 350 installations, with Phase 1occurring in Fall 2026. Phase 2 is estimated to be completed in Fall 2027.  Pedestrian safety was the top concern in the 2026 VCU Perception of Safety Survey at 57%.  Richmonders boast some of the most daily driving in the city, with 2 million cars passing through campus per month.  “This is an open campus,” VCU Police Lt. Greer said, “This isn’t a campus where it’s enclosed, you’re going from class to class. You’re in the middle — the heart of the city. We doubled our traffic division because of that need.”  Lt. Greer said the number of contributors when planning, involving the city, VCU planners, RPD, VCUPD, and the DMV.  The RDOT uses data from the High Injury Network (HIN), an identification of

VCU expands transportation services for students with disabilities

August 26, 2026

Maddy Thurber, Contributing Writer VCU is expanding the universities transportation options, providing a new point-to-point service for students with disabilities. VCU now offers the RamsLink Paratransit Service for students, faculty and staff with temporary, permanent or long-term disabilities. RamsLink operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering direct point to point transit with advanced scheduling. Riders can order vehicles through the Ride Pingo app. “The ultimate goal of that is for disability to be taken into consideration prior to any program being enacted,” said Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus Chair, Shady Habib. According to Virginia’s Public Media, 31 locations need improvements to make pedestrian infrastructure more accessible. Habib said that VCU’s integration with the surrounding city limits its control over the sidewalks students use. He noted that poor sidewalk conditions can create significant accessibility barriers and force some students to take much longer routes to get to and from class. “Another big thing that has been a barrier is actually the commercial scooter, like Lime and Bird, where students don’t necessarily park them in the most respectable sort of area and so they may block off an entire sidewalk where it becomes dangerous for a person who

VCU Students face higher than average tuition increase

August 19, 2026

Sal Orlando, News Editor Maeve Bauer, Executive Editor VCU in-state undergraduate students are now paying 3.9% more on their tuition this academic year.  In-state undergraduate students enrolled in 15 credits per semester are now paying $17,963 in tuition and mandatory fees, according to VCU News. Virginia’s average increase in tuition for in-state undergraduates is 3.2%, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. VCU had the second highest percentage increase in the state, behind Old Dominion University. Almost 80% of registered voters in Virginia’s July 2026 Commonwealth Poll believe that cost is too high to attend college in Virginia, reflecting a 10% increase since the winter poll. VCU cited that the tuition increase covered mandated costs, which includes salary increases, student internships, security and service contracts, graduate stipends and military tuition waivers, per a previous CT report. “VCU has the highest percentage of VMSDEP-eligible students among Virginia’s public institutions, with approximately 6% of our in-state undergraduate population participating in the program,” Brian McNeill, a VCU spokesperson, stated in an email. “As a result, VCU also has the highest VMSDEP waiver costs in the state.” McNeill stated that VCU’s average net price has stayed flat for families earning under

Unionized workers reject contract offer from Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

August 19, 2026

Harshini Kanala, Contributing Writer Workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden rejected their employer’s final contract offer after unionizing for increased wages and benefits since November 2024. The LGBG Workers United are the second group of LGBG workers in the US to unionize.  Eligible staff voted to organize for “living wages, safer working conditions, better benefits, and a seat at the table where the decisions that affected our well-being are made,” LGBG Workers United stated in a social media post. “We are wrapping up a 2-year-long, $31 Million Expansion at the garden, but union-eligible garden staff (everyone but the managers) haven’t seen a raise in 2 years,” LGBG Workers United stated. As of Aug. 13, LGBG Workers United announced that they chose to reject the employer’s “last, best and final offer” and will “go through internal procedures and notifications before details and next steps are released.” The LGBG Workers United declined a request for comment from The Commonwealth Times due to time conflicts. Singer-Songwriter Jesse Welles, known for his folk protest songs, moved his concert at the garden to the National on July 15 in solidarity with the union. He offered refunds for participants who could no longer attend. “To the

New VCU office looks to turn work experience into college credit

August 19, 2026

Maddy Thurber, Contributing writer VCU’s Office of Prior Learning began an initiative that offers non-traditional students the option to turn professional experience into college credit.  Students who may have worked in a professional sphere prior to the enrollment at VCU have the option to use that as credit toward an Interdisciplinary Studies diplomat.  “Credit for prior learning pathways are built for nontraditional students, which VCU defines as students who are married/widowed/divorced, have children/dependents or who are military-affiliated), who have an abundance of professional experience that may be equivalent to some of the courses they would take at VCU,” Associate Director Mia Liadis stated in an email.  Credit is available to adult learners with years of experience who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. Mariah Crilley, VCU Assistant Vice Provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs stated in an email she quickly learned the value of adult learners. They challenged me to be a better teacher by considering the deep expertise that all students, nontraditional or otherwise, bring to the classroom, and inspired me to develop a space that honored that expertise,” Crilley stated. Transfer Coordinator for Adult and Nontraditional Students, Tori Kesling said prior learning helps recognize when students have