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Proudly representing the student voice at Virginia State University since 1930. www.TheVirginiaStatesman.com Volume XC Issue 1 - February 2, 2022

MISTER

HBCU

Mister Virginia State University Isaiah K. Matthews-Braxton wins 18th Annual Mister HBCU Kings Competition p. 2 Photo by Gibran Godfrey. Inside: Wellness Days p. 2 , Black History Month events p. 4, & Spring Sports preview p. 7

NEWS

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THEVIRGINIASTATESMAN

Isaiah Matthews-Braxton wins 18th Annual Mister HBCU Anjel-Ali Ormond Executive Editor

ister Virginia State University Isaiah Matthews-Braxton is now holding a new title: Mister HBCU. On Saturday, January 29th the Mister HBCU Kings’ Leadership Conference and Competition took place in St. Louis, Missouri, with attendees representing 20 different universities. The mission of the Mister HBCU Kings’ Leadership Conference and Competition is, “To enhance the leadership skills of males attending HBCUs by creating an infrastructure for leadership that enables them to develop as spokespersons, role models and leaders in their respective universities and communities, while participating in competition to serve as the reigning Mister HBCU.” At the competition candidates were judged in three main categories: oratory,

talent, and presentation/image. Finalists additionally were judged on ease of manner. In the oratory competition candidates delivered a three minute speech responding to a prompt focused on mental health: “You good, bruh? What influences Black men to access mental health services, or not, and how can we reduce barriers to seeking mental health services in our community?” Articulation, elocution, content, presentation, and projection during delivery were scored during the delivery of the three minute speech with a total points possible of 45. The Leadership Conference provides registered Kings the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops that focus on: Leadership Development, Personal and Professional Development, Community and Social Engagement. A video of the competition can be accessed through the Facebook page of the Kings’ Leadership Conference at https://www.facebook.com/misterhbcu/

Mister Virginia State University Isaiah Matthews-Braxton encourages the crowd at the homecoming pep rally. Photo by Gibran Godfrey.

Wellness Days added to academic calendar, replace spring break Anjel-Ali Ormond

Executive Editor

ue to the rise of COVID-19 cases, Virginia State University is replacing Spring Break, which is usually held from Mar. 6 through Mar. 12, with more Trojan Wellness Days. Along with Spring Break comes with it the possibility of students further being exposed to Covid, as they leave and return to campus. Wellness days will hopefully provide the needed break and reduce the risk of exposure. On a Trojan Wellness Day, no classes are held, and faculty can take the day off. According to an article by Virginia State, the goal of Trojan Wellness Days is to “mitigate the increased loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression, in part caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” While students would still have days free of instruction on Trojan Wellness Days, many are disappointed with the change.

News Briefs

Mask mandate remains in effect to fight spread of Omicron Masks must be worn at all times on campus except when eating or alone in an office/dorm room. In addition, VSU will require surveillance testing for students.

“I believe that the University replacing Spring Break with Trojan Wellness Days takes away from the excitement and relief that students are supposed to get in the middle of the semester,” said freshman Political Science major Malaika Shields. Others understand that the university is in a tough situation and faces a dilemma in light of the recent orders from the state about masks and vaccines. “I sympathize with the Administration having to make decisions of this nature in an attempt to neutralize the possible outbreak of COVID-19 campus-wide,” Mass Communications Office Manager Ms. Rose Coley said. “It was very considerate of them to provide Wellness Days for the VSU Community. That action shows that they consider the safety and wellness of the VSU Community a top priority.” In the fall, the University gave students a Wellness Day and brought a yoga instructor and a massage therapist on campus for the students. In the future, some students want to see more stress relieving activities. “The University should ask students want they would like for each wellness day,”

Shields said. “For example, they should ask the students if they want an art workshop, a music events, etc. Anything that students would collectively want to participate in that makes us feel like we are live and still get to enjoy our lives now while we are working towards the next chapter of our lives.” The decision to replace Spring Break with Wellness Days has been met with scrutiny from students. “I believe that the University should retract their decision to change our Spring Break into Wellness Days,” said freshman Computer Science major Darien Walker. “It’s inconsiderate. Many students use that time to go home and see their family or get in some much needed rest and relaxation. Some students have to cancel plans they’ve made months in advance.” Some students feel like Spring Break gave them a chance to get away. “The point is to reward students with a break for working so hard and to give them an entire week to not worry about assignments, meetings, internships, and just live life as young adults,” Shields said.

Academic Calendar Dates (February and March) 2/9 - Assessment Day All Classes canceled from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2/15 - Trojan Wellness Day (No Classes) 2/25 - Last day to file an Application for Spring Commencement 2/28 - Midterm Exams Begin 3/5 - Midterm Exams End 3/7 - Trojan Wellness Day (No Classes) 3/14 - Midterm Grades due 3/17 - Founder’s Day 3/21 - Registration Begins Fall 2022 3/30 - Trojan Wellness Day (No Classes)

University announces it can no longer require vaccines

Parking passes required for second semester

VSU selected for $2.5 million digital learning initiative

VSU will no longer mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employees or students as a general condition of employment, enrollment or in-person attendance.

Enforcement of decal parking protocols will begin on February 10, 2022. All decals can be purchased online by visiting https://parking.vsu.edu/

VSU has been selected as one of six Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) across the country to take part in a research and design project focused on building an integrated framework for digital learning at HBCUs.

VSU encourages individuals to get vaccinated to keep the campus open, healthy, & safe.

FEATURES

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

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BLACK 82

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Black 82 events fill calendar

Charnese Small Writer

eginning with the first week of February, organizations are involved in Black 82, a series of events which celebrate Black History Month. Junior Mass Communications major Jade Chance is involved with the VSU Gospel Choir and is also a new member of Urban Couture, an award-winning non-profit organization at Virginia State that focuses on confidence, walking as a model, and tapping into your alter ego when modeling. “In GC we have a theme for the performance, based on movies, TV shows, anything that brings music to your ears. And for Urban Couture, and many other social organizations, they are coming together to make a grand opening dance performance for Black 82,” Chance said. Some of the specific events Chance wanted to highlight involved the choir. “I would say depending on what dynamic of students they are, they might be more intrigued with the opening performance, and the gospel performance always draws students attention,” Chance said. Junior Psychology major Deondre Davis is currently involved in many organi-

Students rehearse for Black 82. Photo by Gibran Godfrey. zations: the NAACP, Prep Inc., and also the Nu Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. “I will be representing the Nu Psi Chapter for the National Pan Helic Council All Star Step Team. We are creating a step ad performing for the Black 82 event,” Davis said. Davis suggests everyone try to attend all of the events. “It’s a great experience to learn not only the history of the campus and organizations, but of our culture as a whole,”

Davis said. Taylor Richardson, a junior Business Management major is part of the VSU Woo Cheer Squad. They are making a tribute to the movie “Bring It On,” specifically where the Toros steal the Clovers’ routine during the football game. “I think the Black 82 main event show is definitely a must see; you don’t want to miss it,” Richardson said. In the end, all of the participants feel like this is an important event. “As students at an HBCU, not just Black 82, but Black history in general is a celebration for us. It’s why we’re here and we should honor those who created for us to be in this establishment. Black 82 month is a kick off for the whole celebration,” Chance said. Davis agrees, “Yes I do believe that it is important for students to celebrate Black history month because I believe as African Americans we should all want to indulge more into our history and expand knowledge of our past.” “Yes. because a lot of VSU history within the Black culture is amazing, not only VSU but other HBCUs as well. There’s always something for everyone to be a part of, and once that happens you’ll end up making history for yourself,” Richardson said.

Artwork by Art Editor Jalynn White.

Black 82 Event Calendar (February 1, 2022 February 28, 2022) 2/1 - Black History Month Opening Convocation | 10 a.m. Anderson Turner Auditorium 2/2 - The Opening | 7 p.m. Anderson Turner Auditorium 2/7 - Langston Blues | 7 p.m. Anderson Turner Auditorium 2/9 - Big Momma’s Dinner | 4 p.m. Daniel’s Gymnasium 2/10 - Take Me to Church | 7 p.m. Anderson Turner Auditorium 2/16 - I Have a Dream Career Expo | Virtual 2/16 - Above The Rim Basketball Game | Multipurpose Center 2/18 - The Juke Joint | 10 p.m. Daniel’s Gymnasium 2/24 - Beyond The Textbook | Vi

A&E

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THEVIRGINIASTATESMAN

SPORTS

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THEVIRGINIASTATESMAN

MEN’S BASKETBALL Nov. 12th Mansﬁeld Nov. 13th Shippensburg Nov. 19th Mount Olive Nov. 20th Barton Nov. 27th Indiana of Penn Nov. 28th Pitt-Johnstown Dec. 1st Fayetteville St. Dec. 9th St. Augustine Dec. 18th Fayetteville St. Dec. 20th Claﬂin Jan. 6th Winston-Salem Jan. 8th Livingstone Jan. 15th Virginia Union Jan. 19th Shaw Jan. 24th Johnson C. Smith Jan. 27th Bowie Jan. 29th Lincoln

W 101-73 W 85-75 W 99-95 L 90-105 L 45-97 L 63-74 L 66-69 L 59-68 L 65-69 W 84-70 L 88-90 W 68-65 L 70-88 L 60-63 W 68-67 W 70-67 L 56-65

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Nov. 13th Indiana of Penn L 42-51 Nov. 14th Seton Hill L 46-63 Nov. 17th Southern Virginia L 51-54 Nov. 26th Penn State GA W 72-36 Nov. 27th Alderson Broaddus L 83-86 Nov. 30th VA U. of Lynchburg W 56-35 Dec. 4th Regent W 83-43 Dec. 9th St. Augustine W 69-56 Dec. 11th Shepherd L 69-76 Dec. 14th Wilmington W 85-52 Dec. 18th Fayetteville St. W 60-55 Dec. 20th Claﬂin W 44-40 Jan. 6th Winston-Salem St. L 58-81 Jan. 8th Livingstone L 56-65 Jan. 10th Johnson C. Smith W 87-82 Jan. 15th Virginia Union W 62-59 Jan. 19th Shaw L 47-52 Jan. 25th Washington Adventist W 69-53 Jan. 27th Bowie L 57-63 Jan. 29th Lincoln L 45-67

OPINIONS

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VS STAFF

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THEVIRGINIASTATESMAN

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ANJEL-ALI ORMON MANAGING EDITOR GIBRAN GODFREY NEWS EDITOR NEEDED FEATURES EDITOR JADA CRIDER SPORTS EDITOR GIBRAN GODFREY OPINIONS EDITOR NEEDED ART EDITOR JALYNN WHITE PHOTO EDITOR GIBRAN GODFREY STAFF WRITERS JADA CRIDER ANJEL-ALI ORMON GIBRAN GODFREY CHARNESE SMALL STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS CHARNESE SMALL MAKYLA COLE JADA CRIDER ADVISER CHRIS WAUGAMAN

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The Virginia Statesman and www.TheVirginiaStatesman.com are the independent student newspaper and student news website at Virginia State University. Virginia State University recognizes the educational and societal value of encouraging the uninhibited, robust, free and open discussion of issues and ideas on America’s college and university campuses, as well as the legal protections afforded students’ exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom, especially by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. It is therefore the policy of the Virginia State University Board of Trustees that all student edited campus media have been established as designated public forums for student expression. For more information about The Virginia Statesman’s editorial policy please visit: www.TheVirginiaStatesman.com/editorial-policy/

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