VCU approves removal of on-campus Confederate names, symbols
Eduardo Acevedo, News Editor Hannah Eason, Managing Editor Names of medical professionals, majors and families affiliated with the Confederate army before establishing colleges, facilities and auditoriums in Richmond will soon disappear from VCU’s campuses. Following a summer of statue teardowns by the City of Richmond, the university is moving forward in its plan to remove […]
Broad Street storefronts reopen despite delays, lessened foot traffic
Katharine DeRosa, Staff Writer After COVID-19 brought comic book distribution to a halt, forcing Richmond business Velocity Comics to shut its doors, co-owner Rawn Gandy said he and his partner faced difficulties in reopening their Broad Street location. “My partner and I started working harder and longer for less money,” Gandy said of him and […]
University site facilitates student connections, some with disregard to gathering guidelines
Sagal Ahmed, Contributing Writer Students may be meeting up through an online university resource with a heavy presence of clubs and organizations, despite a ban on student gatherings of 10 or more people on or off campus. University Student Commons & Activities Director David Greene said his department monitors student engagement on RamsConnect, a site […]
Downtown Richmond vigil honors RBG
Anya Sczerzenie, Staff Writer Richmonders mourned the death of an influential Supreme Court justice with candles and Jewish blessings on Sunday, as people across the nation continued to wonder when her spot on the nation’s highest bench will be filled and if her dying wish will be honored. Around 150 people gathered outside the Virginia […]
VCU considers change to COVID-19 testing eligibility
Katharine DeRosa, Staff Writer When sophomore Kristin Townsend heard a friend of hers had been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, she asked VCU to be tested for the virus. Townsend was shocked when a VCU Health representative told her they would not be testing her. “I was kind of confused […]
VCU approves removal of on-campus Confederate names, symbols
Eduardo Acevedo, News Editor The VCU Board of Visitors unanimously approved measures Friday to de-commemorate and rename campus buildings named after members of the Confederacy. “The symbols of the Confederacy have come to impede our mission to serve all, and that’s why I have recommended we no longer honor those symbols,” university president Michael Rao […]
Study finds active shooter drills have negative impacts on students
Katharine DeRosa, Staff Writer A recent study suggests active shooter drills in U.S. schools could lead to depression and anxiety among families and employees. The report analyzed social media posts from elementary, middle and high school students, teachers and parents before and after participating in emergency preparedness drills. Participants showed increases in the following mental […]
VCU program facilitates connection between students and administration
Katharine DeRosa, Staff Writer Anya Sczerzenie, Staff Writer Students can share their opinions with the VCU administration through a program that uses text messages to streamline communication. VCU Universe, a program developed by the Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success, began in September of 2019. It has now grown to include more than 700 […]
Fear of misuse overshadows VCU’s COVID-19 student absence policy
Sagal Ahmed, Contributing Writer VCU’s temporary COVID-19 protocol allows students in quarantine and isolation to take 14 days of excused absences, and although classwork isn’t automatically pardoned, some are worried that students will misuse the policy. Students do not have to specify to their professors that they are in quarantine or isolation, but the honor […]
What you need to know about COVID-19 at VCU
Anya Sczerzenie, Staff Writer VCU and other Virginia universities continue to report new COVID-19 cases as the fall semester continues, using online dashboards, prevalence testing and isolation housing to monitor and prevent the risk of outbreaks. Here’s a breakdown of how VCU’s cases compare to Richmond and other universities, as well as what students should […]