Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

‘A real second chance’ Restoration of voting rights on the ballot for formerly incarcerated people

September 2, 2026

Sal Orlando, News Editor “It makes you still feel like you have a scarlet letter in your head, like I’m less than, or that I’m not a full citizen,” Sam Harris, a Suffolk resident, said about previously losing his voting rights. Harris was granted his right to vote back by Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month, along with over 66,000 other people who were previously convicted of a felony, in her time in office. Under the Virginia Constitution, no person convicted of a felony is qualified to vote unless their civil rights are restored by the governor. The immediate reenfranchisement for over a quarter million people will be on the ballot this November in Virginia, the first time in 44 years. Reenfranchisement is the granting of rights back to people who had them taken away, according to Oxford Dictionary. Harris reflected on not voting in the 1993 gubernatorial election and former Gov. George Allen signing a bill abolishing parole. “That was in the 90s, and imagine me going to prison in 99, 2000 and being affected by something that the government came in and did,” Harris said.  Harris mentioned he regretted not voting prior to his incarceration, and would vote if

VCU Police survey shows 3% drop in campus safety perception

September 2, 2026

Contributing Writer, Olivia Rine Over 90% of VCU students, staff and faculty reported feeling “very safe or safe,” showing a 3% drop from last year, according to its annual Perception of Safety Survey. This is a 6% drop from the 2020 survey. This year, a quarter of respondents expressed concern with their safety at night, particularly on weekends.  On Aug. 30, around 9 p.m., an unidentified individual was found in a verbal dispute, which turned into a physical attack conducted by multiple people, according to ABC News 8. The victim’s injuries were considered minor. According to Clarence T. Hunter, VCU chief of police, robberies this year decreased by 42%, property theft went down 7% and sexual offenses went down 20%.  This year’s perception of safety survey dropped three points based on what people consider crime to be at VCU, Hunter said. “I have come to learn that in law enforcement, we battle two different things,” Hunter said. “One is perception of crime and one is actual crime.”  According to the poll, 57% of respondents were concerned about pedestrian safety.  Hunter and VCU’s police department have acted on resident concerns by changing the timing of lights and left-turn hardening structures in

The ‘Men’s Rights’ crowd exploits men’s issues

September 2, 2026

Shiny Chandravel, Assistant Opinions Editor Andrew Tate is facing 42 criminal charges including rape, human trafficking and possession and distribution of child pornography.  Andrew Tate also has 10.8 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter. When I was 16, Andrew Tate, social media personality and former professional kickboxer, became the third most globally Googled person of 2023. When scrolling through TikToks of baking recipes and dance tutorials, I occasionally stumbled on his videos. One video featured him stating, “I’m a realist and when you’re a realist, you’re sexist. There’s no way you can be rooted in reality and not be sexist.”    In another video, he stated, “The masculine perspective is you have to understand that life is war. It’s a war for the female you want. … It’s a war for the car you want. It’s a war for the money you want. It’s a war for status. It’s a war, masculine life is war.” In similar viral videos, Tate perpetuated the ideology that women belong to men, women bare responsibility for being raped and encouraged sexual slavery.  At first when witnessing these jarring videos, I honestly did not think too much of it. I had learned from a

The ‘Love Island USA’ fandom has repopularized digital blackface

September 2, 2026

Maritza Baptiste, Staff Writer This past summer, many of us tuned in to the reality television series “Love Island USA.” In this show, contestants are taken to a villa in Fiji to hopefully find love and win the $100,000 cash prize.  The show not only draws fans in with its heightened drama, but draws a second following on social media with viewers and non-viewers reposting clips, sharing memes and posting opinion commentary on the dynamics between contestants.  “Love Island USA” has grown far beyond just a summertime reality TV spectacle — its cultural relevance and unique perspective on modern dating make it a case study on our generation in all of its provocative and problematic glory.  The most recent season of “Love Island USA” was the first to feature a cast of all Black female finalists. This season’s representation meant a lot for the show’s Black fanbase and that support was shown through the cultivation of fan accounts and fandom spaces, mainly on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.  Fan accounts would feature a profile picture with the face of their favored contestant and the owner(s) would post content featuring said Islander. These accounts built communities around Black female

A chapter for everyone

September 2, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Richmond Public Library is a place for more than just book borrowing. Throughout the year, its programs give adults, seniors and families opportunities to learn, create and connect at no cost. In an age of instant messages, Hannah Kilgore, an adult services senior librarian at Richmond Public Library, opens the room for something slower: handwritten letters. Kilgore has hosted many events, including snail mail, a quarterly program where participants can write letters to friends and family or sign up for a pen pal. The program typically draws four or five people, many of them younger adults wanting to reclaim their time and space.  Kilgore became interested in the program after her own experiences with pen pals, including a long-distance friend she has exchanged physical mail with over the years. Handwritten correspondence offers a different experience from digital communication because it requires people to slow down and be more intentional about what they say, Kilgore said.  “I think something like sending letters or physical media is something that can preserve sort of regionalism, in a way, and then you’re sharing a piece of your home with someone else,” Kilgore said. The library gives people a space to

New leadership opportunities on campus at Saxbys student-led cafe

September 2, 2026

Zahraa Hadi, Contributing Writer The line stretched outside Snead Hall, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, as students gathered to celebrate the opening of Saxbys, a new cafe. However, this was more than a place to grab coffee. Saxbys held its grand opening on Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring balloons, speeches, free meal samples and merchandise. At the center of the celebration was a student: Saxby’s first VCU student CEO, Sean Campbell, who cut a ceremonial ribbon to officially open the cafe. The cafe is designed to give students more than just an ordinary job. Through Saxbys, students can take on leadership roles and gain hands-on experience running a business, from operations, to marketing, to finance while still in school.  The program reflects the school’s emphasis on transformative leadership, said Bryan Brown, dean of the School of Business. Students can take on meaningful responsibilities while learning to lead ethically and support the people around them.  “When we think about leadership, we don’t just think about any form of leadership,” Brown said. “We talk about transformative leadership, where we want to create and encourage leaders to be ethical and to care about others.” Their emphasis on students

PRESS BOX: ​​How the U.S. government is using sports to brainwash you

September 2, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor Sportswashing, a term first coined in 2015, describes how governments use sports and celebrity athletes to manipulate public opinion. Some governments use sport as a red herring, a means of diverting scrutiny from real issues. Others use it as a means to inspire the masses and encourage nationalist fervor. In 1936, Germany hosted the Summer Olympic Games. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime used the games to distract the world from reports of human rights violations and Jewish discrimination that were beginning to circulate at the time. The Nazis would begin their systemic murder of the Jewish people in 1941. In 2014, Vladimir Putin hoped to use the Sochi Olympic Games as a means of promoting Russian excellence, and in doing so, further his own personal strongman image. To ensure Russian success, the state facilitated what would become the largest doping scandal in sports history. The scheme, which enabled athletes to utilize banned steroids, implicated over 1,000 Russian athletes and was facilitated by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and high ranking government officials, according to NPR. In 2016, Saudi Arabia unveiled Vision 2030, a program designed to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil reserves and rehabilitate

RECAP: VCU athletics on the road

September 2, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor 8/27 – Women’s Soccer vs University of North Carolina VCU women’s soccer battled to a 1-1 draw on the road against UNC. Third-year midfielder Shiori Shintaku scored her first goal as a Ram, assisted by fourth-year forward Jazmin Jackson. Fourth-year goalkeeper Mia Pongratz recorded eight saves in her season debut, combining with Cameryn Nunn for 10 total team saves.  8/28 – Field Hockey vs Northwestern University VCU field hockey lost its 2026 season opener to Northwestern in a 2-0 match. The Rams’ were unable to score any goals. Redshirt third-year goalkeeper Emma Clements made three saves throughout the match to help alongside the Rams’ defense. 8/28 – Volleyball vs Florida Golf Coast University VCU volleyball lost its 2026 season opener in a 3-1 match on the road at Florida Gulf Coast. Fourth-year middle blocker Nina Boledovicova led the attack with nine kills, three aces, and two blocks. Third-year setter Cansin Sendir recorded a double-double with 30 assists and 10 digs. Second-year middle blocker Sarah Dibbs-Frantz and first-year outside hitter Molly McCall chipped in seven kills apiece.  8/28 – Men’s Soccer vs University of North Carolina VCU men’s soccer lost in a 1-0 match on the

Cary Street Gym prepares for overcrowding as MCV gym undergoes renovations

September 2, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor In recent years, gym culture has exploded in popularity across the U.S. A record high 81 million Americans have gym or fitness club memberships, according to the Health and Fitness Association. Cary Street Gym, the only gym on the Monroe Park campus, is owned by VCU and operated by Recreation and Wellbeing, also known as RecWell. The location has been a beloved training ground for VCU students since it was first converted into a gym in the late 1970s. In 2007, the gym underwent major renovations to keep up with the ever growing student body. “Cary Street Gym is awesome,” said Kyrie Currie, a fourth-year at VCU. “Cary St. is a beginner, intermediate, expert friendly gym. If you’re just starting or doing it for 10 years, it’s an awesome place to be.” Training partners fourth-year Olivia McGowan and third-year Keilani Procopio have been training at the gym for years. They echoed Currie’s appreciation for the community feel at Cary St., but warned against training during peak hours due to overcrowding. “When it gets crowded, you’re really fighting for the machines,” Procopio said. Fourth-year Lynise Grigsby said that she enjoyed training at Cary St., but recommended people

Young VCU cross country teams chase fall improvement and success

September 2, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU women and men’s cross country teams will make their 2026 season debuts Sept. 5 at the Spider Alumni Open, returning to the same course that will host the Atlantic 10 Championships later this fall. Last season, the team’s primary focus was development. First-year Jonathan Hess had a strong start to his collegiate career as his performances set him apart among VCU’s top performing runners. Last year Hess earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors twice and finished at the podium three times as a rookie across five meets. Hess was also able to finish fourth at the South Region Showdown with an 8K personal best of 24:39.9 at the A-10 Championships. He led the Rams finishing 49th overall with a time of 25:11.4. Redshirt fifth-years Julian Lawson and Nahim Abdallah also recorded personal bests at the South Region Showdown. The two were important depth pieces for the team and served as mentors for the rest of the young roster.  Lawson and Abdallah have since graduated, leaving VCU with some new faces heading into the fall. First-year Ethan Havran joins the Rams, along with second-year transfer Jayden Curry, who comes to VCU from LIU. Last season,

SCOUTING REPORT: Women’s volleyball players to look out for at invitational

September 2, 2026

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer The VCU Invitational will give the Rams’ an early-season test against familiar opponents. The invitational runs from Sept. 4-5 at Siegel Center and features VCU, East Tennessee State University, the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary. VCU will face ETSU and UVA, opponents that the Rams have seen recently. UVA and William & Mary last met in 2024, while ETSU and William & Mary have not faced each other since 2014. VCU Lannah Price, a second-year outside hitter, will look to carry over her preseason momentum into the VCU Invitational. Price, who primarily contributed on the defensive side of the ball last season, showed an expanded offensive presence during VCU’s exhibition match against Christopher Newport University. Price will look to build on last season, where she recorded 76 digs and 14 kills across 54 sets. ETSU Makayla Bays, a third-year outside hitter, enters the invitational as one of ETSU’s primary offensive weapons. Bays was selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team, recording 443 kills, 45 aces, 281 digs and 33 total blocks last season. Her production on both sides of the net makes her a player VCU will have to account for at

‘A real second chance’ Restoration of voting rights on the ballot for formerly incarcerated people

September 2, 2026

Sal Orlando, News Editor “It makes you still feel like you have a scarlet letter in your head, like I’m less than, or that I’m not a full citizen,” Sam Harris, a Suffolk resident, said about previously losing his voting rights. Harris was granted his right to vote back by Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month, along with over 66,000 other people who were previously convicted of a felony, in her time in office. Under the Virginia Constitution, no person convicted of a felony is qualified to vote unless their civil rights are restored by the governor. The immediate reenfranchisement for over a quarter million people will be on the ballot this November in Virginia, the first time in 44 years. Reenfranchisement is the granting of rights back to people who had them taken away, according to Oxford Dictionary. Harris reflected on not voting in the 1993 gubernatorial election and former Gov. George Allen signing a bill abolishing parole. “That was in the 90s, and imagine me going to prison in 99, 2000 and being affected by something that the government came in and did,” Harris said.  Harris mentioned he regretted not voting prior to his incarceration, and would vote if

VCU Police survey shows 3% drop in campus safety perception

September 2, 2026

Contributing Writer, Olivia Rine Over 90% of VCU students, staff and faculty reported feeling “very safe or safe,” showing a 3% drop from last year, according to its annual Perception of Safety Survey. This is a 6% drop from the 2020 survey. This year, a quarter of respondents expressed concern with their safety at night, particularly on weekends.  On Aug. 30, around 9 p.m., an unidentified individual was found in a verbal dispute, which turned into a physical attack conducted by multiple people, according to ABC News 8. The victim’s injuries were considered minor. According to Clarence T. Hunter, VCU chief of police, robberies this year decreased by 42%, property theft went down 7% and sexual offenses went down 20%.  This year’s perception of safety survey dropped three points based on what people consider crime to be at VCU, Hunter said. “I have come to learn that in law enforcement, we battle two different things,” Hunter said. “One is perception of crime and one is actual crime.”  According to the poll, 57% of respondents were concerned about pedestrian safety.  Hunter and VCU’s police department have acted on resident concerns by changing the timing of lights and left-turn hardening structures in

Opinion

The ‘Men’s Rights’ crowd exploits men’s issues

September 2, 2026

Shiny Chandravel, Assistant Opinions Editor Andrew Tate is facing 42 criminal charges including rape, human trafficking and possession and distribution of child pornography.  Andrew Tate also has 10.8 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter. When I was 16, Andrew Tate, social media personality and former professional kickboxer, became the third most globally Googled person of 2023. When scrolling through TikToks of baking recipes and dance tutorials, I occasionally stumbled on his videos. One video featured him stating, “I’m a realist and when you’re a realist, you’re sexist. There’s no way you can be rooted in reality and not be sexist.”    In another video, he stated, “The masculine perspective is you have to understand that life is war. It’s a war for the female you want. … It’s a war for the car you want. It’s a war for the money you want. It’s a war for status. It’s a war, masculine life is war.” In similar viral videos, Tate perpetuated the ideology that women belong to men, women bare responsibility for being raped and encouraged sexual slavery.  At first when witnessing these jarring videos, I honestly did not think too much of it. I had learned from a

The ‘Love Island USA’ fandom has repopularized digital blackface

September 2, 2026

Maritza Baptiste, Staff Writer This past summer, many of us tuned in to the reality television series “Love Island USA.” In this show, contestants are taken to a villa in Fiji to hopefully find love and win the $100,000 cash prize.  The show not only draws fans in with its heightened drama, but draws a second following on social media with viewers and non-viewers reposting clips, sharing memes and posting opinion commentary on the dynamics between contestants.  “Love Island USA” has grown far beyond just a summertime reality TV spectacle — its cultural relevance and unique perspective on modern dating make it a case study on our generation in all of its provocative and problematic glory.  The most recent season of “Love Island USA” was the first to feature a cast of all Black female finalists. This season’s representation meant a lot for the show’s Black fanbase and that support was shown through the cultivation of fan accounts and fandom spaces, mainly on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.  Fan accounts would feature a profile picture with the face of their favored contestant and the owner(s) would post content featuring said Islander. These accounts built communities around Black female

The Rundown

Spectrum

A chapter for everyone

September 2, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Richmond Public Library is a place for more than just book borrowing. Throughout the year, its programs give adults, seniors and families opportunities to learn, create and connect at no cost. In an age of instant messages, Hannah Kilgore, an adult services senior librarian at Richmond Public Library, opens the room for something slower: handwritten letters. Kilgore has hosted many events, including snail mail, a quarterly program where participants can write letters to friends and family or sign up for a pen pal. The program typically draws four or five people, many of them younger adults wanting to reclaim their time and space.  Kilgore became interested in the program after her own experiences with pen pals, including a long-distance friend she has exchanged physical mail with over the years. Handwritten correspondence offers a different experience from digital communication because it requires people to slow down and be more intentional about what they say, Kilgore said.  “I think something like sending letters or physical media is something that can preserve sort of regionalism, in a way, and then you’re sharing a piece of your home with someone else,” Kilgore said. The library gives people a space to

New leadership opportunities on campus at Saxbys student-led cafe

September 2, 2026

Zahraa Hadi, Contributing Writer The line stretched outside Snead Hall, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, as students gathered to celebrate the opening of Saxbys, a new cafe. However, this was more than a place to grab coffee. Saxbys held its grand opening on Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring balloons, speeches, free meal samples and merchandise. At the center of the celebration was a student: Saxby’s first VCU student CEO, Sean Campbell, who cut a ceremonial ribbon to officially open the cafe. The cafe is designed to give students more than just an ordinary job. Through Saxbys, students can take on leadership roles and gain hands-on experience running a business, from operations, to marketing, to finance while still in school.  The program reflects the school’s emphasis on transformative leadership, said Bryan Brown, dean of the School of Business. Students can take on meaningful responsibilities while learning to lead ethically and support the people around them.  “When we think about leadership, we don’t just think about any form of leadership,” Brown said. “We talk about transformative leadership, where we want to create and encourage leaders to be ethical and to care about others.” Their emphasis on students

Sports

PRESS BOX: ​​How the U.S. government is using sports to brainwash you

September 2, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor Sportswashing, a term first coined in 2015, describes how governments use sports and celebrity athletes to manipulate public opinion. Some governments use sport as a red herring, a means of diverting scrutiny from real issues. Others use it as a means to inspire the masses and encourage nationalist fervor. In 1936, Germany hosted the Summer Olympic Games. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime used the games to distract the world from reports of human rights violations and Jewish discrimination that were beginning to circulate at the time. The Nazis would begin their systemic murder of the Jewish people in 1941. In 2014, Vladimir Putin hoped to use the Sochi Olympic Games as a means of promoting Russian excellence, and in doing so, further his own personal strongman image. To ensure Russian success, the state facilitated what would become the largest doping scandal in sports history. The scheme, which enabled athletes to utilize banned steroids, implicated over 1,000 Russian athletes and was facilitated by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and high ranking government officials, according to NPR. In 2016, Saudi Arabia unveiled Vision 2030, a program designed to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil reserves and rehabilitate

RECAP: VCU athletics on the road

September 2, 2026

Tyrese Perkins, Assistant Sports Editor 8/27 – Women’s Soccer vs University of North Carolina VCU women’s soccer battled to a 1-1 draw on the road against UNC. Third-year midfielder Shiori Shintaku scored her first goal as a Ram, assisted by fourth-year forward Jazmin Jackson. Fourth-year goalkeeper Mia Pongratz recorded eight saves in her season debut, combining with Cameryn Nunn for 10 total team saves.  8/28 – Field Hockey vs Northwestern University VCU field hockey lost its 2026 season opener to Northwestern in a 2-0 match. The Rams’ were unable to score any goals. Redshirt third-year goalkeeper Emma Clements made three saves throughout the match to help alongside the Rams’ defense. 8/28 – Volleyball vs Florida Golf Coast University VCU volleyball lost its 2026 season opener in a 3-1 match on the road at Florida Gulf Coast. Fourth-year middle blocker Nina Boledovicova led the attack with nine kills, three aces, and two blocks. Third-year setter Cansin Sendir recorded a double-double with 30 assists and 10 digs. Second-year middle blocker Sarah Dibbs-Frantz and first-year outside hitter Molly McCall chipped in seven kills apiece.  8/28 – Men’s Soccer vs University of North Carolina VCU men’s soccer lost in a 1-0 match on the

Cary Street Gym prepares for overcrowding as MCV gym undergoes renovations

September 2, 2026

Ben Martindale, Sports Editor In recent years, gym culture has exploded in popularity across the U.S. A record high 81 million Americans have gym or fitness club memberships, according to the Health and Fitness Association. Cary Street Gym, the only gym on the Monroe Park campus, is owned by VCU and operated by Recreation and Wellbeing, also known as RecWell. The location has been a beloved training ground for VCU students since it was first converted into a gym in the late 1970s. In 2007, the gym underwent major renovations to keep up with the ever growing student body. “Cary Street Gym is awesome,” said Kyrie Currie, a fourth-year at VCU. “Cary St. is a beginner, intermediate, expert friendly gym. If you’re just starting or doing it for 10 years, it’s an awesome place to be.” Training partners fourth-year Olivia McGowan and third-year Keilani Procopio have been training at the gym for years. They echoed Currie’s appreciation for the community feel at Cary St., but warned against training during peak hours due to overcrowding. “When it gets crowded, you’re really fighting for the machines,” Procopio said. Fourth-year Lynise Grigsby said that she enjoyed training at Cary St., but recommended people

Young VCU cross country teams chase fall improvement and success

September 2, 2026

Benney Koch, Staff Writer VCU women and men’s cross country teams will make their 2026 season debuts Sept. 5 at the Spider Alumni Open, returning to the same course that will host the Atlantic 10 Championships later this fall. Last season, the team’s primary focus was development. First-year Jonathan Hess had a strong start to his collegiate career as his performances set him apart among VCU’s top performing runners. Last year Hess earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors twice and finished at the podium three times as a rookie across five meets. Hess was also able to finish fourth at the South Region Showdown with an 8K personal best of 24:39.9 at the A-10 Championships. He led the Rams finishing 49th overall with a time of 25:11.4. Redshirt fifth-years Julian Lawson and Nahim Abdallah also recorded personal bests at the South Region Showdown. The two were important depth pieces for the team and served as mentors for the rest of the young roster.  Lawson and Abdallah have since graduated, leaving VCU with some new faces heading into the fall. First-year Ethan Havran joins the Rams, along with second-year transfer Jayden Curry, who comes to VCU from LIU. Last season,

SCOUTING REPORT: Women’s volleyball players to look out for at invitational

September 2, 2026

Devynn Alston, Staff Writer The VCU Invitational will give the Rams’ an early-season test against familiar opponents. The invitational runs from Sept. 4-5 at Siegel Center and features VCU, East Tennessee State University, the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary. VCU will face ETSU and UVA, opponents that the Rams have seen recently. UVA and William & Mary last met in 2024, while ETSU and William & Mary have not faced each other since 2014. VCU Lannah Price, a second-year outside hitter, will look to carry over her preseason momentum into the VCU Invitational. Price, who primarily contributed on the defensive side of the ball last season, showed an expanded offensive presence during VCU’s exhibition match against Christopher Newport University. Price will look to build on last season, where she recorded 76 digs and 14 kills across 54 sets. ETSU Makayla Bays, a third-year outside hitter, enters the invitational as one of ETSU’s primary offensive weapons. Bays was selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team, recording 443 kills, 45 aces, 281 digs and 33 total blocks last season. Her production on both sides of the net makes her a player VCU will have to account for at

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