Aashir Nasim wears many hats, and he’s about to add another one: VCU’s chief diversity officer
The Division for Inclusive Excellence is VCU’s most important asset, according to the department’s newest vice president, Aashir Nasim. “You have seen the surveys and you’ve heard the anecdotal evidence — the comments from faculty, staff and students that say, ‘what attracted you to VCU?’,” Nasim said. “Almost everyone says it’s the diversity.” Nasim’s appointment […]
VCU partners with CVS Health to increase Spanish-speaking students in medical field
VCU announced a partnership with CVS Health to increase the number of Spanish-speaking applicants to the School of Pharmacy on March 9. The company will be giving $248,500 to the School of Pharmacy to create a Spanish-speaking applicant pipeline and increase cultural awareness within the school. The program aims to help students provide better care […]
VCU names new VP for inclusive excellence
Scholar and academic administrator Aashir Nasim has been named Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, effective April 2. Nasim currently serves as interim senior vice provost for faculty affairs and director of the Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry & Innovation (iCubed) at VCU. As vice president, Nasim will lead the Division for Inclusive Excellence and implement the […]
Commonwealth Times panel on gun laws draws high profile panelists
This Friday, The Commonwealth Times, VCU’s award-winning student press, will host “Beyond Politics,” a town-hall-style panel discussion on gun violence in the United States. The forum will look to respond to America’s gun violence crisis with a civil and solution-oriented tone. It will be an opportunity for students and faculty to engage in discourse regarding […]
University real estate purchase leaves adjuncts demanding fair salary
Adjunct professors are looking for answers as to why university money isn’t being put toward equitable pay in the wake of VCU’s latest multi-million dollar purchase of the Mansion 534 nightclub’s property. Tom Burkett, an adjunct professor in School of the Arts, is active with VCUarts Adjuncts Organizing for Fair Pay, a group seeking equitable […]
Current DACA recipients may apply for renewal, but the fate of the program remains unclear
The once-looming March 5 deadline President Donald Trump set for Congress to create a solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has passed. However, the program has not ended. The Supreme Court declined to take on a case about Trump’s termination of the program, meaning those protected may still apply for renewal. Lana Heath […]
Richmond Public Schools doesn’t want students walking out. This is what they’re planning instead.
Youth activists are encouraging students and faculty across the country to walk out of school for 17 minutes to recognize the victims of the Florida shooting last month. Richmond area school districts are creating policy to prepare for the event. Student-activists are working with Women’s March Youth, the group behind the anti-Trump Women’s March in […]
Protestors Demand Fair Pay, Locked Tuition
Dozens of students, faculty members, alumni, and community members took to the street on the evening of February 28 to protest Virginia Commonwealth University’s acquisition of the Mansion 534 building on February 8. The event, which was organized by VCUarts Adjuncts Organizing for Fair Pay, Students for Equal Adjunct Pay and Young Democratic Socialists at […]
New program at VCU targets international students
Navitas, a global education company with more than 120 associated colleges, recently announced a partnership with VCU to create the Global Student Success program — a move intended to make the university a more ideal destination for international study. “VCU was chosen because of its academic reputation, diverse student body, size and location.” said Ian […]
In the wake of school mass shootings, VCU says they are prepared for the worst
The Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — which left 17 dead and 14 injured — has schools all over the country reconsidering their protocols for active shooter situations. Officials at VCU say they have a plan in place for if anything similar happens here. In 2016 and 2017, […]