‘A crisis we must confront’: Richmond grapples after spike in shooting deaths
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Anya Sczerzenie, Contributing Writer Eleven shootings that left eight people dead between April 4 and Sunday marked one of the most violent weeks Richmond has seen since the end of September, when there were four shooting deaths, according to the Richmond Police Department. Two shooting deaths on April 4 and 5 […]
VCU plans 2021 virtual commencement, departments plan in-person celebrations
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer With spring commencement drawing closer, VCU’s departments and schools are attempting to organize in-person celebrations to honor students while following COVID-19 safety guidelines. VCU announced on March 25 its final plan: a virtual university-wide commencement. The announcement stated that in-person celebrations would be up to departments and schools. Craft and material […]
A month after Adam Oakes’ death, VCU grapples with misconduct in Greek life
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Although sophomore bioinformatics major Disha Trivedi had a positive experience during her first year with Kappa Phi Gamma, a South Asian interest sorority at VCU, she said she knows that’s not common for all Greek life members. Trivedi, who is also the president of Kappa Phi Gamma, said she’s heard of […]
VCU hires consulting firm in Greek life review
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer VCU’s Division of Student Affairs has hired a consulting firm that specializes in fraternities and sororities to conduct a review of the university’s Greek life following the death of freshman Adam Oakes, according to a release sent on Monday. Dyad Strategies serves schools and universities nationwide, offering courses on recruitment, hazing […]
VCU begins Greek life cessation period following Adam Oakes’ death
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Leaders of Greek life organizations sent an email to all members on Friday detailing a cessation of university fraternities and sororities, as well as the steps those groups are now required to take. The announcement follows recent national outcry over freshman Adam Oakes, who was found dead on Feb. 27 in […]
‘It’s not exactly what it was before’: Students, faculty return to campus midsemester
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Freshman graphic design student Ariadna Perez couldn’t have been happier about VCU’s decision to resume in-person classes on March 4, she said. Like most VCUarts students in virtual classes this semester, it was difficult for Perez to stay on top of assignments. “I physically need to be there, or I literally […]
‘Adam had a big heart’: Family, university respond to death of VCU freshman
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Adam Oakes, a 19-year-old VCU freshman, was found dead this past Saturday at a residence on West Clay Street. His family says a Delta Chi fraternity hazing event resulted in Adam’s death. Courtney White, Adam’s cousin, said Adam had a huge heart and was a nurturer, which set him apart from […]
VCU community reacts to in-person return
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer VCU’s decision to allow some students back for in-person and hybrid classes on March 4 has been met with opposition by students and professors. David Coogan, an associate professor in English, said professors were given the choice when deciding to teach virtually or in person. He teaches a class in the […]
Death of VCU freshman at Delta Chi event prompts investigation
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer VCU freshman Adam Oakes died over the weekend at a Delta Chi fraternity event. The university acknowledged the death and announced an investigation into the incident in a press release on Sunday. VCU mourns the death of student Adam Oakes. This is a tragic loss for Adam's family and members of […]
VCU implements changes to popular student dining locations
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer VCU has made major modifications to dining locations on campus as of Feb. 15, including closures and hour changes, in order to adapt to changing circumstances from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. VCUDine hosted a student roundtable on Feb. 4 in order to get students’ opinions on specific dining plan changes. After […]