AI use by VCUarts department angers, scares students
Max Walpole, Contributing Writer The VCU Department of Communication Arts made an Instagram post on Oct. 10 that students accused of using artificial intelligence-generated images. In response, the communication arts department chair, Jason Bennett, released a statement in which he said the post was not vetted before it was published. The department will hold a […]
Demolition commences on West Grace Street
Max Walpole, Contributing Writer Construction workers spent the past few weeks demolishing several buildings on West Grace Street. The buildings are the former sites of Erika’s Restaurant and Cloud Hookah Bar & Grill, which have sat abandoned since 2021. Neither site is owned by VCU. Construction supervisor Scott Messe said once the demolition was done, […]
Guest speaker emphasizes peace, justice amid war in the Middle East
Abdullah Karabatek, Contributing Writer Palestinian anthropologist and professor Sa’ed Atshan visited VCU’s campus on Oct. 9 for a guest speaker event titled “On Faith, Peace, and Justice: Reflections from a Queer Palestinian Quaker.” Atshan spoke about trying to instill peace and creating a peaceful environment in the Middle East and beyond. He said this starts […]
VCU looking to purchase new research building
Annabel Granger, Contributing Writer VCU may expand its campus again with the potential purchase of the Altria Center located at 601 E. Jackson St. The building would be turned into a research center, Grant Heston, a VCU spokesperson, told Virginia Business. “The building holds tremendous potential to accelerate VCU’s nationally recognized research programs that improve […]
U.S. News ranks VCU as No. 69 public university
Emily Grinstead, Contributing Writer Virginia Commonwealth University was recently ranked No. 69 among top public universities by the U.S. News & World Report in the 2025 ranking released on Sept. 24. This is a seven-point increase from the previous year, when VCU ranked No. 76, according to VCU News. VCU now ranks higher than James […]
Virginia Governor, legislators work to ban cell phones in schools
Annabel Granger, Contributing Writer Abdullah Karabatek, Contributing Writer Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 this past summer to keep phones out of the classroom to create a more focused and successful educational environment for Virginia students, according to a press release. The goal is to “protect the health and safety of students in Virginia’s […]
Amidst heavy rain, Richmonders to prepare for emergencies
Ellie Waltman, Contributing Writer The City of Richmond collaborated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to urge residents to plan and prepare for potential emergencies year-round as part of National Preparedness Month, which took place in September, according to a press release. NPM is an annual campaign sponsored by FEMA to raise awareness about steps […]
City closes Pipeline Trail citing safety concerns
Molly Manning, Contributing Writer The City of Richmond announced on Sept. 13 that the Pipeline Trail, located west of 14th Street behind the flood wall, will be closed indefinitely to the public due to safety concerns noticed during repairs to the sewage pipe, according to an announcement. The trail is in fact a maintenance catwalk […]
‘Speak out’: Political experts talk shop at annual symposium
Jack Glagola, News Editor Harshini Kanala, Contributing Writer Students, faculty, Virginia politicians and more packed the Singleton Center on Sept. 17 for this year’s Wilder Symposium, featuring a panel of top political experts from Virginia and focusing on dialogue between politicians and the electorate. The panelists discussed their thoughts and predictions about November’s elections, former […]
New election poll released, students react
Max Walpole, Contributing Writer Vice President Kamala Harris is ahead of former President Donald Trump in Virginia by 10 points, 46% to 36%, according to the latest Commonwealth Poll released by the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs on Sept. 11. Trump previously led President Joe Biden by three points, 39% […]