VCU researches receive grant for $1.3 million for e-cigarette study
Katrina Lee, Contributing Writer Researchers at VCU will conduct a study in early 2022 to examine electronic cigarette flavor regulations and their effect on African American menthol smokers. VCU Massey Cancer Center researchers Caroline Cobb and Andrew Barnes were awarded a three-year grant of $1.3 million on July 1 from the National Institution on Drug […]
University to honor previous graduates this fall
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor The university will honor May 2020, December 2020 and May 2021 graduates after the cancellation of their commencement ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a VCU News article. Previous graduates will be welcomed back to campus earlier this fall as well for the university’s homecoming celebration. Graduate portraits will […]
VCU begins efforts to reduce plastic waste in dining locations
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer The university has begun efforts to reduce plastic waste around campus by offering reusable, recyclable or compostable alternatives to single-use plastics, notably at VCUDine locations, such as Bleecker St. Gov. Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 77 on March 23 to reduce waste caused by single-use plastics in Virginia. Non-medical single-use plastic […]
Professors call on VCU to enforce vaccine mandate
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer The university announced disciplinary measures leading to possible withdrawal for students who do not comply with VCU’s vaccine mandate, on Friday. The university announced a vaccine requirement for students on June 7 and again for faculty and staff on Aug. 9, stating that students who do not comply with the mandate […]
Virginia, nation prepare for vaccine booster shots
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer The delta variant of COVID-19 continues to dominate new cases nationally and locally. With Virginia cases continuing to rise, experts weigh in on distributing booster doses for vaccinated individuals. The increase of cases of the delta variant caused VCU to reimplement its indoor mask mandate before the start of the fall […]
VCU students eager to return to the classroom
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor Junior public relations major Francesca Tilden called her dad right after her first in-person class this semester to tell him the good news. “I feel like a real student again,” Tilden said. Tilden is taking four classes this semester, two of which have an in-person component. She said she tried her […]
Athletics returns with high vaccination rates, new COVID-19 protocol
Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor As vaccination rates increase on campus this semester, they’re rising even higher within the VCU Athletic department. The department’s vaccination rate is higher than the university-wide statistic with 100% of tier-one staff and 96% of student-athletes being vaccinated, VCU Athletics spokesperson Chris Kowalczyk confirmed on Tuesday. The university-wide confirmed vaccination rate […]
A not-so-normal welcome back to college
Monica Alarcon-Najarro, Contributing Writer It was an early summer morning in 2019. I woke up in my bed back at home while boxes filled with dorm essentials and books littered my living room. It was the moment I had been waiting for the entire summer — my freshman move-in day. An exciting new era of my […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: First world privilege at its finest
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, let me start by asking you what’s seeming to be the most controversial question of the summer: are you vaccinated? For some of you, the answer is yes. Others, no. But for most of you, the answer is obvious. You see, the conversation of the vaccine seems to be […]
Mask mandate returns, some students skeptical
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer Students across campus are feeling the full effects of a reinstated mask mandate with the fall semester beginning. Psychology graduate student Patricia Basta expressed disappointment with the return of the mask mandate. “It’s a little frustrating because you started getting used to having to not wear masks, and now they’re bringing […]