The Commonwealth TImes; January 27, 2021 by VCU Student Media Center

COMMONWEALTHTIMES.ORG @theCT

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2019, 2020 Newspaper Pacemaker Winner

VOL. 62, NO. 15 MARCH 4, 2020

CLOSED

CIRCLE

A “hercules fence” surrounds the entirety of the Robert E. Lee monument at Marcus-David Peters Circle to prepare for the statue’s removal. Virginia’s Department of General Services installed the fence on Monday. Photo by Enza Marcy

Fence surrounds Lee statue ahead of potential removal

KATHARINE DEROSA News Editor

HE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT of General Services erected a fence around Marcus-David Peters Circle on Monday in preparation for the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue. The department stated the fencing is not intended to be permanent. “As we await the resolution of legal challenges that have delayed the statue’s removal, DGS wants to be prepared to act quickly upon a final determination,” said Dena Potter, the department’s communications director, in an email. The area was reclaimed this summer by protesters and became a space for demonstrations, charity and community activities such as basketball and art.

Potter said she doesn't know when the public will be allowed back into the circle, and she has no time frame for when the statue will come down. The Lee Monument is one of the last remaining Confederate monuments in Richmond. The City of Richmond removed many nearby historic Monument Avenue statues, including those honoring J.E.B. Staurt and Thomas John “Stonewall” Jackson. Protesters toppled the Jefferson Davis Monument, as well as statues on VCU’s campus that honored Williams Carter Wickham and the Richmond Howitzers. The Lee statue’s base is lined with memorials to Black people who were killed by police officers, including Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and VCU alumnus Marcus-David Peters. These memorials will remain in place until the statue is removed, according to the Department of General Services.

“If we are able to remove the monument before a decision is made as to the disposition of the memorials, DGS would store those until such time a decision is made as to what happens to them,” Potter said. Alex Criqui, who has spent the last several months projecting images and messages onto the base of the Lee statue, said he wants the space to remain community oriented. “I think it’s been really powerful to see our community reclaim that space and have it be somewhere where people feel like their voices can be heard,” Criqui said. Criqui said he understands the “strategic necessity” to put up the fence with no prior warning, but thinks decisions regarding the circle need to be community based. Northam announced on Dec. 11 that $11 million would be invested in the improvement of Monument Avenue.

The funding will allow the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to reimagine the area. “At a time when this Commonwealth and country are grappling with how to present a more complete and honest picture of our complex history, we must work to enhance public spaces that have long been neglected and shine light on previously untold stories,” Northam said in a release. Criqui said working with the VFMA could be effective, but he wants to see citizens who helped transform Marcus-David Peters Circle play a part in the development of Monument Avenue. “We can create a version of our city that isn’t steeped in white supremacy,” Criqui said. “I think it’s very positive if it’s done right.”

Entry Pass: VCU using digital tool to enforce on-campus COVID-19 rules KATHARINE DEROSA News Editor

applicable, according to Director of Communications Carolyn Conlon. “Now, more than ever, it is important SAGAL AHMED to strictly follow all public health meaContributing Writer sures and limit the spread of COVID-19,” Conlon said in an email. In order to access some VCU facilities An entry attendant will ask those enterthis semester, students and employees will ing VCU facilities to show their Entry Pass, have to present a mobile or printed pass which is accessible through the VCU Mothat indicates they are keeping up with bile App and online at the tool’s website. If university COVID-19 regulations. the health check and asymptomatic surveilVCU established Entry Pass on the lance testing are completed, then the entry first day of classes to serve as a daily re- pass will give the student or faculty member minder to all on-campus students and access to the facility they are trying to enter. employees to complete mandatory daily VCU student Liza Hazelwood uses Entry Pass on her phone to confirm her compliance health checks and asymptomatic testing if See Entry Pass on page 2 with daily health checks before entering Shafer Court Dining Center. Photo by Enza Marcy

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to extend treaty limiting nuclear arsenal international: More than 100,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Great Britain

General Assembly proposals aim to protect LGBTQ Virginians from hate crimes ANYA SCZERZENIE Staff Writer

EL. DANICA ROEM, THE FIRST openly transgender person in the Virginia General Assembly, was a freshman at Paul IV Catholic High School in Fairfax when she heard of the death of Matthew Shepard on the news. Shepard, an openly gay University of Wyoming student, was severely beaten in 1998 and later died of his injuries. His death ignited nationwide conversation about hate crimes and was one of the most famous anti-LGBTQ attacks in U.S. history. Roem, who knew at the time that she was transgender, was deeply affected. House Bill 2132, introduced this year by Roem, D-Manassas, would outlaw the defense used by a lawyer of one of Shepard’s attackers. Known as the “gay panic defense,” it is used to argue that a revelation about a victim’s gender or sexual identity caused a perpetrator to lose control and assault, injure or kill them. The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice. In Matthew Shepard’s case, the lawyer of one of his attackers, Aaron McKinney, tried to use the “gay panic defense.” The lawyer argued that McKinney was driven to “temporary insanity” by alleged sexual advances made by Shepard. This defense was rejected by the judge, and Shepard’s attackers were convicted of murder. “His killers tried to argue that his identity was the cause and reason for their violent outburst,” Roem said. “This defense has

been used across the country; we’ve even had cases in Virginia.” Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, worked with Roem to introduce a complementary anti-hate crime bill. Senate Bill 1203 would expand the definition of a hate crime to include crimes against people who have “known or suspected affiliation” with a marginalized person or group, if that association is the motivation for the crime. In 2009, former President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. This act expanded existing hate-crime protections to include outlawing attacks based on gender or sexual orientation. Hashmi’s proposed legislation would expand the hate crime protection in Virginia further, to cover people who are associated with marginalized groups though they may not be members of the groups themselves. “The real goal of hate crimes is to strike fear and generate terror among targeted communities and our legal response must be to prevent that power to terrorize,” Hashmi said in a press release on Jan. 15. VCU alumnus Ankur Bhaskar, who was a member of student club Queer Action during his time on campus, was happy to hear about the pair of bills. “Both are definitely well needed,” Bhaskar said. “The queer and trans communities are absolutely marginalized, and deserve to be protected as such.” Bhaskar said that he sees the “gay panic defense” as hypocrisy.

“You will never hear anyone claim that Jennifer Carrol Foy’s bill to make school taking someone’s life because they panicked dress codes gender neutral. Gov. Ralph upon finding out that person was straight, Northam signed the bill into law in April. is justified,” Bhaskar said. “That’s one of the Roem said that even if HB 2132 passes worst actions a human can take.” both houses of the General Assembly, she SB 1203 was heard on Jan. 20 and was doesn’t expect immediate change. passed by indefinitely in the Committee “You can’t change the culture overnight,” on the Judiciary, which means that the she said. “Homophobia and transphobia committee can reconsider the bill at a lat- still exist in Virginia, but things do change.” er date. This often, but not always, means a bill is dead. Despite knowing that HB 2132 might share the same fate, Roem remains optimistic. The General Assembly session from spring 2020 and the fall special session brought a flurry of proLGBTQ bills, including the Virginia Values Act and some of Roem’s own bills, through the General Assembly. Many of these bills were passed. The Virginia Values act, which went into effect on July 1, 2020, prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and public accomodations on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. “The 2020 session was an all-you-can-gay buffet,” Del. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, is the first openly Roem said. transgender person to be elected to the Virginia General Roem also expressed Assembly. She previously worked as a journalist. Photo support for HB 837, Del. courtesy of Danica Roem

Entry Pass: VCU using digital tool to enforce on-campus COVID-19 rules Continued from front page Entr y Pass will be used at these VCU locations: • • • • •

University Student Commons Hunton Student Center All VCU Libraries locations Shafer Court Dining Center Recreational Sports facilities: Cary Street Gym, MCV Campus Recreation Center, Thalhimer Tennis Center and Cary Street Field.

Users can display their cleared Entry Pass on a laptop, phone or with a regularly updated printed version. The pass will display either a green check, a yellow warning or a red X. Here’s what those symbols indicate. • Green check: User has completed daily health check and surveillance testing, if applicable. • Yellow warning: User is participating in asymptomatic surveillance testing but hasn’t booked an appointment or failed to show up to one. This warning lasts for one week. • Red X: Either a daily health check or asymptomatic testing has not been completed. Daily health checks can be completed in the moment by answer-

ing on a device, or by completing a series of questions relating to safety measures from the attendant before being allowed into the building. If it’s related to a failure to comply with testing, then access to the building will be denied. Freshman special education major Blyth Feuzeu began the fall 2020 semester completing their health check daily. As the semester continued, the check became just another email, and Feuzeu began to forget. “I think it’s supposed to be a thing about mindfulness,” Feuzeu said. “People just don’t read it.” Freshman art foundations major Catherine O’Connor said she understands the new protocols surrounding the check and thinks the only thing that will change for her is remembering to check her email in the mornings. Both Feuzeu and O’Connor expressed concerns over being locked out of Shafer Dining Court and other dining locations for forgetting to do their checks. Feuzeu said they worry that Entry Pass will be a “major inconvenience” to those who don’t have “pocket money” to go buy food if they are denied access. Conlon said the only way someone would be denied access to a building is by failing to schedule or show up for test-

ing within one week of being notified. In facilities allows for social distancing. other cases, the Entry Pass user can enter However, sports clubs are not allowed by completing their daily health check or to travel for competitions. programming after reviewing safety and compliance re- for those who don’t want to exercise quirements with an employee at the door. in person. VCU will continue to conduct asymptomatic surveillance testing on students and faculty members every week to monitor COVID-19 within the community. Asymptomatic surveillance testing is mandatory for all residential students and those who attend classes on campus, as well as on-campus and telework employees. VCU Rec Sports will continue to apply modifications made for the fall semester, such as spacing out equipment in facilities to allow 10 feet of separation. Director Derek Hottell said group exercise classes are capped at nine participants and one instructor, per state and university health guidelines. Hottell said in an email that VCU has allowed sports to continue because Students will be required to show their entry pass at the size of recreational various VCU facilities. Photo by Enza Marcy

Wed. January 27, 2020 3

Students lament tuition, faculty work to create engaging classes SAHARA SRIRAMAN Contributing Writer Economics department chair Leslie Stratton is implementing virtual learning methods that will assist both her and her students in the face of online learning this semester. She plans on using Google Sheets to engage with her students. “We, as faculty, are concerned to make sure that we are offering a quality product and that students are actually learning,” Stratton said.

“Because this format is not getting to me the same way in-person classes would, the quality does not equal the price.” Amal Ibnoujala, Criminal justice sophomore

VCU Tuition costs

$ 5838.00

⊲ TUITION BASE FEE FOR INSTATE STUDENTS

$ 1068.50 ⊲ UNIVERSITY FEE (FLAT RATE)

$ 112.00

⊲ HEALTH RATE (FLAT RATE)

$ 45.00

⊲ STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE (FLAT RATE)

$ 42.50

⊲ TECHNOLOGY FEE

$ 40.00

⊲ LIBRARY FEE (FLAT RATE)

Infographic by Gabrielle Wood

On Jan. 12, VCU President Michael Rao • University fee: $1,068.50 issued a university-wide statement stating • Technology fee: $42.50 all classes for the spring semester would • Library fee: $40 begin online due to increasing COVID-19 • Student activity fee: $45 cases. Many students expressed negative • Health fee: $112 feelings about this decision • Program fee: $45 because VCU would not be reducing tuition. Ibnoujala said VCU Stratton said she undershould’ve reduced the tustands both the students’ ition for the spring 2020 and the university’s perspecsemester, in contrast to the tives. She believes that in fall and upcoming spring some ways, VCU’s costs are semester, since students higher because they’ve had were sent home in March. to purchase services such as She said students who Zoom and online library rewere staying at home, essources, along with resourcpecially, should’ve received es directed toward dealing reduced tuitions. with COVID-19. During the 2019-20 “It’s not an easy sityear, while most of the uation for either side,” Mike Porter. Photo courtesy of costs remained the same, Mike Porter Stratton said. some fees have increased Sophomore criminal justhis school year. Personal tice student Amal Ibnoujala and miscellaneous fees insaid that because she feels creased by $223, and other the quality of her online fees increased by $114. classes has been signifiIbnoujala stated cantly lower than her prehealth should come bevious in-person classes, the fore having a “normal tuition for all VCU students college experience.” should have been reduced University spokesperson for this semester. Mike Porter said he underShe said she thinks the stands why students may university should have lowwant a reduced tuition, but ered its tuition for students that online learning comes during the spring 2020 sewith additional costs. mester since all courses were “We now provide supLeslie Stratton. Photo courtesy of moved online in March. port services in both in-perLeslie Stratton “This new format is not son and in an online format what I signed up for,” Ibso that students can continnoujala said. “It’s not what ue to access them no matter anyone signed up for.” if they are attending campus Last spring, Stratton said in-person or remote,” Porter the spring 2020 semester said via email. presented certain difficulties VCU is supporting mulsince the university moved tiple departments in the classes to online in the midshift to online learning, dle of the semester. including virtual counsel“In the fall semester, I ing and telehealth appointthink things went a little ments, tutoring, libraries, better, in part because student organizations and so many of us took the activities, advising, career 16-hour course to learn services, accessibility and Amal Ibnoujala. Photo courtesy of how to better set up a educational support, stuAmal Ibnoujala course to teach online,” dent services and financial Stratton said. management centers, and S tratton believes multicultural student affairs. she will be more preFreshman theatre perpared for the upcoming formance major Brandon spring semester. She McLendon said some stumentioned some students and parents are strugdents and professors gling financially, making it might prefer virtual to more difficult for them to in-person learning. pay a full tuition. The fees students McLendon said VCU’s must pay in addecision to make spring dition to tuition classes virtual was a well includes a lot of thought out one, especially resources that because of Richmond’s inBrandon McLendon. Photo aren’t available creasing cases. According to courtesy of Brandon McLendon to students the Virginia Department of taking classes online, such as Health, Richmond’s positivity rate is steadihealthcare, library and trans- ly increasing along with the majority of the portation, according to Ibnoujala. state with an average of 130 cases a day by “Because this format is not getting to the end of January. me the same way in-person classes would, “Sure, in-person classes are a lot betthe quality does not equal the price,” ter in my opinion, but it’s understandable Ibnoujala said. because people are getting sick and we This year, according to VCU’s 2020- will never know who gets sick in a class2021 budget, the fees for students included: room,” McLendon said. “Safety’s a number one priority.” • Tuition base fee for instate students: $5,838.00

4 The Commonwealth Times

The GRTC Pulse bus arrives at the VCU & VUU station. Due to COVID-19, GRTC is free for all riders. Photo by Enza Marcy

Concern around COVID-19 safety on GRTC buses deters some student riders

SAGAL AHMED Contributing Writer Students are weighing transportation options at the start of a new semester, and some are choosing to avoid bus rides through the Greater Richmond Transit Company due to health and safety concerns. The GRTC detected three positive COVID-19 cases at an employee on-site testing event on Jan. 14, bringing the company’s total number of active employee cases to 10. GRTC has had a total of 57 cases among employees and contractors from April 6 to Jan. 16, according to Director of Communications Carrie Rose Pace.

Bus drivers can pull over and require a passenger who is not wearing a mask to wear one properly. If the passenger refuses to wear a mask, then they will be told to leave the bus. “We simply cannot transport people right now who are not complying with the mask mandate,” Pace said. Sophomore gender, sexuality, and women studies and theatre major Casey Clauberg said the GRTC’s safety measures, such as requiring masks and installing plexiglass door shields, seem very effective. “You must wear a mask while on board. I’ve had several drivers stop in the middle of the road until people would put their masks back on,” Clauberg said. The company employs about 590 people,

including contractors such as cleaners and specialized transportation drivers. GRTC provides disposable gloves and face masks to their drivers and riders. Clauberg said that while GRTC’s safety protocols should make her feel safer, she’s unsure if they actually work. “Every time I’ve ridden, it feels really cramped.” Clauberg said “They also don’t have a limit to the amount of people on the buses to my knowledge, so you can be very close to people, and you usually are.” Pace said it’s hard for drivers to stay six feet away from some passengers due to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires bus drivers to secure those in wheelchairs before the bus can move.

Because GRTC implemented zero-fare riding, passengers can ride for free and avoid going through the front door to maintain distance from the drivers. The only passengers who are allowed to use the front door are those with disabilities. “If we were collecting fares right now, there would be hundreds of passengers passing within six feet of the bus operator on their shift,” Pace said. Lauren Thornton, a sophomore psychology major, used to ride the GRTC buses prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to go to therapy sessions and to Carytown with friends. “It was about a mile walk past the last stop, so I decided to suck it up and buy a $400 parking pass for spring semester,” Thornton said. Now, Thornton’s therapy sessions are virtual, so she doesn’t need transportation. She said she wishes that GRTC buses ensured social distancing between passengers. “Every time I drive past the bus stops, they look pretty busy,” Thornton said. Due to overcrowding at bus stops, GRTC temporarily utilized overflow “Express” buses to follow buses on busier routes. This measure ended in September because people were returning to in-person work, and the buses were needed to fill other routes. “We’re trying to adjust throughout the pandemic and also through seasons, to ensure that we are placing resources where they are most needed,” Pace said.

CORRECTION

Passengers travel on the GRTC Pulse bus toward the Willow Lawn station. Photo by Enza

In the Jan. 20 issue, a caption on page 3 under a photo of the VCU Medical Center Gateway Building listed the incorrect building name and address. The correct address is 1200 E. Marshall St. The full version of the story is available online at commonwealthtimes.org.

Wed. January 27, 2020 A

Stat of the week

Senior guard Taya Robinson logged her 1,000th career point on Jan. 23 against Richmond.

Men’s basketball aims to clean up second half play NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor

Sophomore guard Bones Hyland, who scored a team-high 28 points against Dayton, said that even though they won, the focus at practice has to be the same. “Even though we won, we’ve got to keep the energy up,” Hyland said. “We’ve got to keep that level of focus and locking back in honestly.” The black and gold were scheduled to host UMass on Wednesday, but it was postponed due to COVID-19 contact tracing within the opposing team’s program. The game will be rescheduled by the Atlantic 10 for later in the season. Rhoades said although the Minutemen are young, they play with confidence. “They play with swag and they play with the level of confidence that I think you need in this league, and they have that,” Rhoades said. UMass is led by sophomore forward Tre Mitchell, who’s averaging 20 points this season. “If he can’t touch it, he can’t score,” Rhoades said of Mitchell. “The second you relax on him or get away from the ball, he’s going to score. He does a really good job at stepping away from the basket and putting it on the floor to get by guys as a guy at his size.” The Minutemen are second in the Atlantic 10 in scoring, averaging 80.2 points, while their defense allows the second-most points with 74.3 points.

The second half of men’s basketball games have been the rockiest part of their play this season, allowing opposing teams back into games after building early leads. The Rams, who host La Salle on Saturday, are trying to avoid another inconsistent half and play more like they did against Dayton last Friday. At St. Bonaventure on Jan. 20, the black and gold led by 15 at the break, but lost by 16. The second half issues were adjusted against Dayton on Jan. 23, when the Rams blew the Flyers out by 23 points. “That second half was so much different than the second half against Dayton because we responded to things that didn’t go our way,” coach Mike Rhoades said Tuesday. “We had to go through that second half … you got to get knocked over, you got to get whooped to realize how you are going to respond to adversity.” Junior forward Vince Williams credited the improved half to shot selection. “Just because we can be up by a lot, they can get easy ones and see something go in, that can really change the game because we all play at a high level,” Williams said after the Dayton game. Williams said he looked at the scoreboard at the half of the Dayton game and saw VCU’s lead by 20 and thought, “hopefully this don’t happen again.” “We decided that we’ve got to keep going. Rhoades didn’t have to say anything about The Rams will host La Salle on Saturday at it,” Williams said. “It was just a team player 1 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. conversation, and we did what we had to do.”

Athletes follow COVID-19 protocol as students return to campus BEN MALAKOFF Contributing Writer Field hockey senior forward Emily Van Hijfte and her teammates could not participate in the normal team bonding exercises after practice due to COVID-19 regulations. This was a part of the decision the team mutually agreed on by returning to campus and wanting to play in the spring. This decision meant maintaining responsibility by reporting any signs of symptoms to the team trainer, getting tested regularly and limiting who players on the team see, according to Van Hijfte. “I think it was a whole team decision,” Van Hijfte said. “It’s a decision you have to make all together because if one person doesn’t feel the same as others do, it doesn’t work.” If last semester was a test for the team, head coach Stacey Bean said that they passed and their methods are sustainable for the upcoming season. Bean said the team has a good understanding of what their “civic responsibilities” are on and off the field. This

means wearing masks and staying socially distanced from others in public settings. “When they returned to Richmond, they knew they’re living in a completely different world than we were a year ago,” Bean Said. As students completed their first week of school back from summer break, field hockey was getting ready to put on their jerseys and face an opponent from a rival school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Atlantic-10 pushed the sport to the spring. For field hockey, games were canceled over the next few months and replaced with team practices. COVID-19 cases and related deaths in the United States are higher than they were in the fall, according to the Virginia Department of Health. In Richmond during the week of Aug. 16, the first week of the fall semester, cases were at 320. On Jan. 10, they were at 678. In the week of Jan. 17, the week before spring semester classes started, cases were at 422. Men’s basketball coach Mike Rhoades has also expressed worries about increased

Senior forward Corey Douglas jumps for the tipoff against Dayton on Jan. 23. Photo by Megan Lee symptoms twice a day. After 12-13 days, a team physician performs a medical evaluation to see if the student-athlete can return to practice. “We’re testing all the time,” Rhoades said. “We’ve had some scares which affects all of us. Not just our players but our staff and everyone around our program. It’s not easy. It really isn’t … you just have to keep pushing through. I commend our guys so far but we still have a ways to go.” Although it’s uncertain if games will be played through the year, Bean and RhoadIllustrations by Lauren Johnson es both share no doubts in the maturity of potential exposure as students start to re- their athletes and their knowledge of doing turn to campus. what’s best for the team’s safety. “I’m aware of it every day,” Rhoades said. “If you were that disciplined first semes“I’m concerned of it every day. Every coach ter without [games], you gotta be crazy not in America is.” to be disciplined now that you do have that According to a VCU Athletics state- incentive,” Bean said. “We’ve done a good ment, the following will happen after a job of educating them on all the hard work confirmed positive test by a student athlete: that goes on behind the scenes to give them this opportunity that others don’t have.” • Team activities are placed on pause Despite hoping to play as many games until all protocols are fully cleared. as possible, Van Hifjte said she is nervous • The positive individual enters isolation. about a potential spike in COVID-19 cases • Everyone who came into contact with with students coming back to Richmond. the positive individual will be tested Van Hijfte said that many of her teamand immediately enter quarantine. mates have taken it upon themselves to • Any further positive tests move keep each other in check. The team plans into isolation. to continue living on campus until the end of the school year. According to the statement, “I’ve spoken with some of my everyone who tests negative teammates that are back, and they will continue their mandated all just want to play games,” Van testing and may undergo extra Hijfte said. “They really don’t care testing. Student-athletes in isolation how many we play. … We just want to with confirmed positive cases will report play and be out there and compete.”

6 The Commonwealth Times

Men’s soccer preps to kick off spring season

JOE DODSON Contributing Writer

After the men’s soccer team’s fall season was postponed due to COVID-19, VCU men’s soccer coach Dave Giffard let his players decide between staying in their hometowns over the fall semester or coming to Richmond to train for the upcoming spring season. “We have a group of guys that are highly motivated to get better,” senior midfielder and defender Simon Fitch said. “I think we saw the potential in our group, so it was a pretty easy decision knowing that we would be safe.” VCU’s season opening match against Charlotte scheduled for Jan. 26 was canceled.

They will now open their season on the road at Temple University at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Giffard said his team is “buzzing” to get back on the field against outside competition. “We try to take a negative situation and make it as positive as we can,” Giffard said. “We had a great fall and we had a lot of growth.” Many of the players had not taken a break this long from competitive matches since they were kids. Fitch said the intrasquad scrimmages paired with a creative, always changing training schedule kept the players engaged during the offseason. “Just being able to train I think got us through that tough time,” Fitch said. “Because as a competitor, you want to keep playing and competing.”

2020-21 Roster Additions #2 Noah Wright

#6 Andrea Nguionza

#7 Elton Quintanilla

#12 William Hitchcock

#17 Jonathan Kanagwa

#22 Tariq Moutaouakil

#27 Scott McLeod

#33 Nolan Coetzee

Year: Junior Position: Defender Hometown: Bowie, Maryland

Year: Freshman Position: Forward Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia

Year: Freshman Position: Midfielder Hometown: Entebbe, Uganda

Year: Freshman Position: Defender Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica

Year: Freshman Position: Midfielder Hometown: Bowie, Maryland

Year: Freshman Position: Midfielder Hometown: Frisco, Texas

Year: Freshman Position: Midfielder Hometown: McLean, Virginia

Year: Freshman Position: Forward Hometown: Glen Allen, Virginia

#36 David Hughes

Year: Freshman Position: Midfielder Hometown: Gaithersburg, Maryland Infographic by Raymond Liu

Usually at this time of year, several of the senior players have already left to sign professional contracts. Due to the season being postponed, the NCAA decided all fall sport student-athletes will receive both an additional year of eligibility and an additional year in which to complete it, through a blanket waiver. “It’s been great because the older, more experienced guys have been pushed by Senior midfielder Simon Fitch looks to pass during practice. the guys who are waiting Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics in the wings,” Giffard said. “Those guys [the new players] now are more defender Ulrik Edvardsen and redshirt seup to speed and they’re more prepared to nior forward Biska Biyombo. push and play.” “There are a lot of people who came back The team has a unique opportunity to who give us a sense of confidence,” Mcspend back to back seasons all together Gann said. “They give us experience.” as one group. Sophomore midfielder Celio Pompeu is “In my time here, this is the deepest and back at full health after missing the majormost competitive roster that we’ve had in all ity of last season with a lower-body injury. positions,” Fitch said. “It elevates the level The dynamic Brazilian scored the first goal in training because you’re competing for a in VCU’s comeback win against George starting spot at all times.” Mason in the A-10 quarterfinals last season. The men’s soccer team has added nine “I would expect if he had played this fall, new players to the roster in what Gif- he would have been one of the top picks in fard has called his “most solid recruiting the MLS draft,” Giffard said about Pompeu. class” yet during his 11-year tenure at “He is back healthy and fit, and he will be an VCU. Sophomore forward Maverick Mc- exciting addition for fans to see.” Gann said the prolonged offseason has alThe team will play 11 non-conference lowed for the team to build up chemistry games, including five teams that competed with the newcomers. in the national tournament last season. They “We really mean it when we say we are a will face Georgetown, last season’s national family here,” McGann said. “We try to in- champion, on Feb. 10. tegrate them in practice, we tell them jokes “As a competitor and an athlete, you and try to be as close with them as possible.” always want to play the best of the best,” Giffard said he expects to play up to 23 Fitch said. “Hopefully, it shows us where players to start their non-conference season, we need to improve and how we can which he called “highly unusual.” He said it win games.” was due to the fact that he wants the players The Rams will play only six A-10 to be able to return safely to a 90-minute games, including home and away matchgame shape while taking advantage of the es against George Mason, Davidson and talented roster. George Washington. The A-10 tournament “We need to give them opportunities will be hosted by the highest seed from to see where they are and what they can April 15 to 17. do,” Giffard said. VCU returns most of their starters The Rams’ first home game will be Feb. 6 at from last season, including two reigning 2 p.m. against Old Dominion University at All-A-10 Second Team honorees: senior Sports Backers stadium.

Reunited: Bertimon twins together again with men’s tennis NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor

Through receiving messages and photos on WhatsApp, Maxence Bertimon was able to see what playing tennis at VCU was like from afar. His identical twin brother, Charles Bertimon, sent countless pictures and messages to him, showing the city, while Maxence Bertimon played tennis at Georgia Gwinnett College, a NAIA-level school in Lawrenceville, Georgia. “I had a lot of images from him, a lot of comments,” Maxence Bertimon said. “He shared with me everything about VCU, and I knew the city even before coming here and I knew the team.” Just before this year’s season, Maxence Bertimon transferred to VCU from Georgia Gwinnett, joining his brother. “I felt grateful when I knew that I could be a part of the team,” Maxence Bertimon said. “That’s just a dream come true for me.” The Champagne Sur Seine, France, natives both ventured to the United States for collegiate tennis, just a year apart. Charles Bertimon came first, enrolling at VCU in 2019. Maxence Bertimon took an extra year to finish high school before playing at Georgia Gwinnett last year. Maxence Bertimon shined on the court at the NAIA level, finishing the 2019-20

season as the No. 1 ranked singles player. He posted an 11-0 singles record and was 7-0 in doubles. When coach Anthony Rossi was recruiting Charles Bertimon to VCU, Maxence Bertimon wanted to play professionally after high school. Rossi didn’t know if Maxence Bertimon would decide to play at the collegiate level, but he held out hope. “I was praying for it,” Rossi said of having the twins on the team. “I didn’t feel like it would be possible to wait another year to have him, but it happened so I’m really, really happy with that.” During the 2019-20 season, Maxence Bertimon was able to attend a VCU match and see his brother excel on the team. He also was able to meet the team, most of which returned for this season. “I saw my twin very happy to be a part of the team,” Maxence Bertimon said. “I felt like it was a family.” Although it’s uncertain if Maxence Bertimon will be able to play in competition this season, as he awaits a NCAA waiver, he doesn’t think the transition to the Division-I level will be difficult. Bertimon is practicing with the team as he awaits the NCAA’s decision. “We had to be at 100% each match,” Maxence Bertimon said of Georgia Gwinnett. “It was difficult for me because I started

in the fourth position in the lineup, so I had to improve my game every day to be able to play better on the team.” Rossi said that although the twins are similar players, Maxence Bertimon brings more variety in his game than Charles. “I feel like he can do a little bit of everything, and that’s really good about him,” Rossi said of Maxence. “He’s an all-around player and really gives us variety. So that’s easy for a coach to have that type of player.” For Charles Bertimon, having his twin in Richmond is a plus. The two share the same interests — they often go on runs throughout the city as well as cook together. “It’s really huge because I feel like only him and I can understand,” Charles Bertimon said. “We are twice as strong together.” The twins live together in the same apartment with two other teammates. Charles Bertimon said the two have spent a lot of time exploring the city together since Maxence Bertimon joined him in Richmond. “I think my teammates are getting jealous because I spend a lot of time with him,” Charles Bertimon said while laughing. Rossi said their relationship is easy to see on and off the court, but their work ethic also stands out. “They’re always the first ones to come to training and the last ones to leave,” Rossi said. “They do pretty much everything right.

The level of maturity at that age, it’s pretty rare to see. … It’s a no-brainer to have those two on the team.”

Above, junior Charles Bertimon prepares to hit a tennis ball during a match. Below, sophomore Maxence Bertimon hits a tennis ball at practice. Photos courtesy of VCU Athletics

Wed. January 27, 2020 7

On this day

In 1945, Soviet troops liberated survivors of Auschwitz, a death camp in Nazi Germany-occupied Poland.

City of Richmond announces first poet laureate to encourage unity KOFI MFRAMA Contributing Writer

HE TERM “POET LAUREATE” HAS BEEN on the lips of many since hearing the inaugural poem by the nation’s first National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman. The importance of promoting unity through spoken word has found a place not only in the nation’s capital, but also in the heart of Richmond. The city named Douglas Powell the first poet laureate of Richmond on Jan. 13. Powell, known by his stage name of Roscoe Burnems, will serve as an honorary guest at citywide events, schools, libraries, recreation and senior centers and community festivals. The position aims to “highlight gifted artists” and gives them the task of promoting poetry, according to a release. “Without art, there’s no innovation. The ability to be creative and act on that creativity is so important to progressing as a people and giving voice to our experiences,” Burnems said. “Art is how we connect to each other.” Burnems cites his storytelling influence across genres, from musicians like Prince and Outkast to the poetry of Maya Angelou and Gil Scott-Heron. He also finds inspiration in some of his peers: Tonya Ingram, Frederick Eberhardt and 13 of Nazareth. Burnems began to pursue poetry during his junior year of high school through his adoration of music, particularly gospel, soul and hip-hop. “It allowed me to express what I was feeling inside in a way other art forms didn’t,” Burnems said. The poet laureate position grants the artist the freedom to explore a variety of topics, with the primary goal of promoting poetry throughout Richmond. “I write poetry to create challenging conversations and broaden perspectives,” Burnems said. “Whether the topic is race, religion or mental health, my work is dedicated to educating, uplifting humanity and breaking down the walls that divide us as a community.” Reggie Gordan, deputy chief administrative officer for Richmond Human Services, said the city should continually embrace the arts as an avenue for hope and encouragement. “The Poet Laureate will give us another opportunity to use the power of words to heal wounds, open hearts and minds and weave us closer together,” Gordan said in a release. The poet laureate planning committee — which includes a diverse group of poets, writers, publishers, book sellers, librarians and people representing literary organizations — developed the rationale and the process for establishing the position in summer 2020. This process began with the Richmond poet laureate proclamation, signed by Mayor Levar Stoney in September. “I think sometimes it is just time for things to happen,” said Patricia Parks, an information concierge for Human Services and a member of the planning committee. “There are more and more city poet laureates popping up all across the country.” Parks said the opportunity enables the poet to reflect their love of poetry and make

Richmond’s inaugural poet laureate Roscoe Burnems poses for a portrait in front of the Mending Walls mural of Lorna Pinckney. An inspiration to Burnems, she created the open mic poetry series, Tuesday Verses, where he performed. Photo by Enza Marcy it readily accessible to residents and visitors to the City of Richmond. “Roscoe has performed in a variety of venues and with diverse audiences — at poetry slams, literary events, teen workshops, city events, pop-ups, library programs and with the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia,” Parks said. “Everyone comes away smiling and/ or at least thinking differently about that poetry experience.” Burnems made his public debut as poet laureate on Jan. 16 at a virtual celebration of Edgar Allen Poe’s 212th birthday, hosted by The Edgar Allen Poe Museum. Burnems introduced himself at the event and stated his intentions as the premier poet laureate. During this event, Burnems

performed an original poem describing Richmond’s beauty and vibrant culture. “The title of poet laureate is a prestigious one that shows the power of poetry and its impact on community,” Burnems said. In the position, Burnems hopes to blend all forms of art and curate events that promote artistic integration in the Richmond community. “I plan to conduct accessible workshops — in person and virtual — and use poetry as a form of advocacy, agency and activism,” Burnems said. “This title has been used as a platform to discuss plagues of our society, highlight the greatness of our culture,and bring unity where there is divide.” Before Burnems’ appointment to the position, his work coaching multiple poetry

slam teams has led both the Richmond and the VCU slam poetry teams to regional, national and international titles, with the VCU team ranking third in the world in 2018. Burnems hosts The Writer’s Den monthly slam and co-hosts Tuesday Verses, one of the oldest Black-owned open mics in the South. “I owe a lot of my career to Tuesday Verses. Without it I don’t think I would be Roscoe right now,” he said during the virtual event. “This city helped mold me. The events in the literary community, the art community, the musicians, the writers and all the things we’ve watched shape Richmond artistically created who I am today.”

8 The Commonwealth Times

School of Education launches virtual anti-racism training series EBONIQUE LITTLE Spectrum Editor

“I recognized that we needed to do more,” Daire said. “And being culturally When Andrew Daire beresponsive in our practice came dean of the VCU and pedagogy, and in preSchool of Education in 2016, paring educators for suche said he knew there was a cess and impact with all disconnect between the unischoolchildren, particularly versity’s mission of serving underrepresented minority urban communities and the school children and those way it prepared its educators. living in poverty.” “For us to think that we He tasked the Office of can prepare teachers and Strategic Engagement — a not talk about culture, not subsidiary of the School of talk about cultural respon- Andrew Daire. Photo courtesy of Education that prepares Andrew Daire siveness, not do anything educators to work in urban, to address white supremhistorically marginalized acy — it’s not surprising environments — to help we have the outcomes actualize the series. that we have,” said Daire, The facilitators of these who holds a doctorate in discussions include experts school psychology. within diversity, equity and The School of Educainclusion, or DEI, training tion began its “Becoming and respected educators, an Antiracist Educator” such as Rodney Robinson. virtual training series on Robinson was the 2019 Wednesday. The program National Teacher of the Year addresses racial inequality and is the senior adviser for and consists of nine sessions, Richmond Public Schools, covering topics such as dewhere he supports Black constructing implicit bias men and other male teachJoshua Cole. Photo courtesy of and determining the impact Joshua Cole ers of color through recruitof power and privilege. ment and mentorship efforts. The initiative, which began last fall, “We’re identifying speakers who have a was tailored to K-12 teachers and adapt- true understanding and scholarly undered for higher education this semester. The standing of the issues surrounding, not series is free for students and employees just diversity, equity and inclusion, but anof the School of Education, and open to ti-racist practices and culturally responsive VCU students, faculty and staff, as well practices,” Daire said. as other registrants affiliated with instituDaire continued by saying the facilitations of higher education, at varying prices. tors will remain truthful, despite the potenIt will include a self-evaluation to deepen tial for discomfort. the participant’s personal understanding of “So many DEI initiatives and programs race and systemic racism. don’t even want to talk about race,” Daire said. Daire said he formed the idea for the “It’s built on making sure, really, that folks training in fall 2019. He said the teaching who are in the oppressor group are comfortof inaccurate Black history, predominance able while they’re learning about DEI.” of white female educators and school disJoshua Cole, who holds a doctorate in edtrict redlining prompted its need. ucational leadership and serves as executive Through the training, Daire seeks to director for the Office of Strategic Engagedismantle the inequities that redlining ment, said that through breakout sessions via creates. According to a 2019 Virginia Zoom and engaging content, encouraging Mercury article, Richmond is home to some of the most segregated schools in the state, with student bodies averaging over 75% Black.

personal growth is their priority as they prepare to host about 125 educators. “We’re trying to be very innovative with how we’re engaging these live large audiences, to give them rich content, but then also the time and space during and after, in between sessions to do that self-reflection for people’s personal and professional growth,” Cole said. As a former Richmond public school teacher, Cole believes there are plenty of opportunities to improve the equity gaps. With the increased racial and ethnic diversity across the nation, he said teachers and curricula have not yet evolved to meet these cultural differences.

Floyd, and other racial injustices that occurred this past year.” After the death of George Floyd last May, local youth-led organization 381 Movement formed to bring awareness to social injustices, such as racial equity issues within the education system. Floyd was an unarmed Black man that died in Minneapolis police custody after an officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. 381 Movement co-founder Corey Stuckey said he hopes that with this training series, educators can better connect with their students. “There are teachers that talk down on the students, that are scared of the students. But that’s terrible,” Stuckey said. “How can you be scared of the same students you’re supposed to be there to help? That you’re supposed to be there to empower?” The desire to learn Stuckey said he wants to close Virginia’s about this has been school-to-prison pipeline, a phenomenon where resource starvation, unaddressed expressed, but also academic failure, suspension and school amplified, after the policing largely push minority students out events of George of school and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems, according to the Legal Floyd and other racial Aid Justice Center. injustices that occurred “They just punish and get rid of students this past year.” rather than actually working, coping, understanding students,” Stuckey said. “I feel like Joshua Cole, Office of Strategic training needs to be implemented.” Engagement executive director The School of Education will continue the series with a summer learning program “People say all the time, ‘Reach all and new levels, allowing participants to rekids, all kids succeed,’ but how do we do turn next year to further explore the material. that?” Cole said. “The goal is for it to come through in Cole said he listened to some of the everyday practice,” Cole said. “And it’s a feedback from educators in creating the se- process. That’s the key to this — it’s all a ries’ topics, as they, too, were stuck on that process for people to grow.” question regarding race. “There’s a lot of questions like that in ed- For more information on this program and ucation because this is not a topic that’s typ- others from the Office of Strategic Engageically talked about,” Cole said. “The desire ment, visit ose.soe.vcu.edu. to learn about this has been expressed, but also amplified after the events of George

VCU’s School of Education has updated its academic programs in commitment to social justice. Photo by Enza Marcy

Wed. January 27, 2020 9

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

THURS. 1/28 “Lady Ganga” short film

VCU’s Massey Cancer Center Office of Health Equity and Disparities Research will screen the short film “Lady Ganga” via Zoom. The short film is about a woman who travels over 700 miles down the Ganga River in educating others about cervical can cer as she battles the disease. After the film, cancer and sexual health experts will share information and resources. The event is free, and viewers should contact Katelyn.Schifano @vcuhealth.org to register. 7 - 8 p.m.

FRI. 1/29 Byrd Theatre’s virtual screenings

“Eye Drop” at Tuesday will feature “Still Life,” an oil painting from Brooklyn-based artist Hank Enhrenfield. Photo courtesy of Damien Ding

Repurposed office to open as student-run gallery

ANNIE PHAN Contributing Writer

Stankard’s glass sculptures and paintings “I found that to be more creatively enwill explore the nuanced world of the fe- gaging, so I think that’s why I moved more male body through his exaggerated depic- into painting,” Ding said. “But that desire to A mundane office space between the bor- tions of controversial topics, while Mundie run a gallery space with like-minded people ders of Richmond and Henrico County will highlights domesticism and bizarreness of and to work with artists has always been turn into a communal haven on Friday for day-to-day life through his sculptures. something that’s been with me.” artists and gallerists. Intricate sculptures “The role of the gallery was for a way for For Glenn, her decision to pursue art will replace cubicles, and paintings will the artist and the gallerists to develop a was a natural, yet risky decision. Despite furnish the once monotonous walls. relationship in terms of putting the artists’ knowing the unpredictable field of art, she Co-founded by VCUarts graduate stu- work out there in a setting that’s not just moved to Berlin after graduating from dents Damien Ding and Martha Glenn, school,” Ding said. “We’re providing them college to work as an artist. She lived Tuesday is an art gallery that will highlight more financial opportunities as well.” there for five years before coming to VCU emerging artists to foster a strong art comfor graduate school. munity in Richmond. She describes her work as “an “It’s a lot of young artists emerging in iteration of assemblage,” as it oftheir careers,” Glenn said. “We’re really on fers fresh perspectives on humanthe ground with our peers, just trying to kind’s relationship with nature create a platform for people to show and for and mostly focuses on sculpture interesting relationships to grow.” and video installation. The gallery, located at 2317 Westwood “My artwork is about time Ave., Suite 106, introduces its visitors with and what it means to be a liva Hollywood-esque sign spelling “The ing, breathing part of this Westwood Building.” universe,” Glenn said. The gallerists met in fall 2019 while While they pursue their own taking a contemporary art class. The two artistic endeavors, their hope with talked about Glenn’s idea to start the The gallery’s first exhibit, titled “Eye Drop,” will the gallery is to eventually use gallery, which originated in her backyard. showcase VCUarts graduate student Chad Mundie’s their platform to get in touch with Glenn is a student in the kinetic imaging piece, “Burden.” Photo courtesy of Damien Ding artists from around the world. Bedepartment while Ding studies painting fore further expanding, both want and printmaking. Ding’s motivation for starting the gallery to focus on initiating strong relationships “I had this big backyard and I thought, came from his experience with the strong with upcoming artists. ‘Maybe I’ll put on shows back there,’” Glenn community among artists at VCU. “What’s really important now is to create said. “Damien was the first person who I “Artists can make the best galleries be- meaningful relationships with artists and told the idea to, and he actually showed cause they know what’s important to no- people who are interested in art, entering some of his work.” tice,” Ding said. “You know what are the the scene of art so we can have a good founThe pair said they had trouble moving things that make the relationship work dation to work with,” Ding said. the gallery from the backyard into a more and how to be generous in the right way. established location due to the COVID-19 I think coming to VCU pandemic, but eventually found the right for the art school is very space. Visits to the gallery are by invitation helpful with that.” or appointment only to adhere to social As an undergraduate distancing guidelines. student at Swarthmore “It took a while to find a space because College, Ding majored we were wary of seeing a bunch of new peo- in art history, which he ple,” Glenn said. “But we found something. shifted from toward We both really like it.” the end of his schoolDing and Glenn’s first exhibit, “Eye ing to experiment with Drop,” features three artists: Brook- his own art. He began lyn-based artist Hank Enhrenfield and painting with oil and two VCUarts graduate students, Connor egg tempura, a medium Stankard and Chad Mundie. consisting of egg yolk Enhrenfield’s oil paintings in the and water, which is popexhibit are of his grandmother’s photo- ular among medieval Tuesday, a gallery run by VCUarts graduate students graphs and life experiences as a survivor and Orthodox Christian Damien Ding and Martha Glenn, will open Friday with social of the Holocaust. icon paintings. distancing guidelines. Photo by Enza Marcy

The historic cinema of Carytown will host a virtual screening room that offers an array of films such as “The Reason I Jump” and “Assassins” every week. Viewers can select their desired title to watch from home, and tickets can be purchased on the Byrd Theatre’s website. Film prices range from $4.99 - $12

Do something

FRI. 1/29 Virtual Cooking Class

Mise en Place’s chef Christine Wansleban will teach participants how to cook authentic Moroccan cuisine through an online class. The recipes and grocery list will be provided ahead of time, and participants will be able to ask questions in real time. Instructions to join the class will be sent after purchasing tickets at miseenplacerva.com. 6 - 7:30 p.m., $25

SAT. 1/30 The Valentine Online Exhibitions

The Valentine museum will allow achived exhibits, such as “History, Ink: The Tattoo Archive Project” and “Classical Allure: Richmond Style,” to be accessible through Google Cultural Institute. Viewers can simulate their walk through the museum, with photos and accompanying information presented for free. Visit www.thevalentine.org to view the full list of exhibitions. Archived exhibits can be accessed anytime.

Learn something

WED. 1/27 ‘The Role of PR in Protecting Public Health’

The Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will welLETTER TO THE EDITOR come Shelley Spector, the founder and director of the Museum of Public Relations, to speak about the history and role of public relations in global health pandemics. The speaker will also dissect the public’s mistrust in health experiments. Participants can purchase tickets for this webinar on the Richmond chapter of PRSA’s website. Noon - 1 p.m., $15

THURS. 1/28 Urban Farming Webinar

Urban farmers and educators will discuss urban farming and the access to food within minority communities, in an event hosted by the Institute for Contemporary Art. The webinar will analyze factors such as environmental racism, food deserts and the history of land ownership. Guests can register for this free Zoom webinar on the ICA’s website. 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Have suggestions for the events calendar? Contact spectrum@ commonwealthtimes.org

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” — Alan Watts

EDUCATION DURING THE PANDEMIC:

The DOE needs to do more ISHAAN NANDWANI Contributing Writer

During this pandemic, our lives have changed drastically, but as college students there’s been arguably no place we’ve felt this impact more than our education. As we’ve been ushered into an era of online classes and social distancing, we’ve experienced both the academic and mental challenges of a virtual education. Not only has it been more difficult to absorb the course material, but it has also been challenging to connect with professors and peers beyond the classroom. Additionally, countless students have been preoccupied with concerns over post-graduation job prospects with the current economic climate of our nation. Many have massive student loans to pay off and fear that the limited job market will leave them drowning in debt. It’s clear that students need support now more than ever. Despite the devastation of this past year, the U.S. Department of Education has failed students. Under the leadership of former Secretary Betsy DeVos, the department blocked emergency COVID-19 aid for students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, pressured schools to reopen without substantive plans to keep students safe and

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor

Illustration by Noelle Hepworth

redirected federal relief funds from public education to private schools. DeVos’ incompetence in dealing with critical education issues was apparent long before the pandemic; during her time in former President Donald Trump’s cabinet, she moved to end the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, crafted a proposal to slash education funding by $6.1 billion and blocked investigations into student loan fraud. As a VCU student, I’ve had the chance to interact with students from all walks of life — some are the first in their families to pursue higher education; others are immigrants from humble beginnings who yearn for the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty. Unfortunately, after the last four years of the Trump administration, these dreams have grown dimmer by the day. DeVos’ motions have been catastrophic for students, benefitting private donors at the expense of public school students. Student debt has only increased with less than 11% of people with federal student loans

repaying them throughout the pandemic, according to a report from CNBC. It’s evident that change is necessary, and the government needs to do more. It is essential that President Biden’s administration takes a step to not only address student debt, but also a swift and safe return to schools. Luciana de Oliveira, associate dean for academic affairs at VCU, expressed hope for the administration. De Oliveira holds a doctorate in education. “The Biden administration is committed to ensuring that students and educators are able to resume safe, in-person learning as quickly as possible — the key word here is safe,” de Oliveira said. “They do not want to risk the lives of children, teachers and administrators, so the steps they are taking are important.” On the other hand, some of the work to reduce student debt has already begun. Just this past week, Biden's pick for Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, paused student loan payments and placed the interest

Tea Time with Tagwa:

Talk to Tagwa

Tea timers, welcome to the new year. Like most of you, I’m hoping this one’s better. We’re already off to an exciting start — we inaugurated a new president and are waiting patiently as the promised change dawns upon us. The country is still dealing with a roaring pandemic, but vaccination rates are growing and there seems to be light at the end of this sickening tunnel. But the best part of the year is that Tagwa is back with some more tea. I wanted to hear how you all were doing, so I turned to social media to find out. From politics to self-care, entertainIllustration by Karly Andersen ment to cooking; you all shared an array of interests. Here are some highlights: Harris for her disgusting actions when she was San Francisco’s District Attorney “How are you feeling about the new from 2004-2011. presidency?” It almost seems like we’re in the middle of yet another celebrity presidency. Society Whew, where do I even begin? Quite is more focused on the fashion choices and frankly, I want to trust that change is couplings of politicians, rather than the polupon us. I really do. icy plans that are meant to be put in place. But I am Black in America. DisSometimes, the reality we are livappointment is my community ’s ing in feels more like reality TV than middle name. anything else. I am honored to see a Black woman Nevertheless, it will take some more sitting in such a high office, but I hav- time for me to give up on this presidency. I en’t forgotten — nor forgiven — Kamala would love to be proved wrong through an

rate at 0%, a significant step forward. Still, progressives call for more action and hope for a future in which student loan debt is completely eliminated. Sophomore bioinformatics student Mallika Datta said expectations for eliminating student debt set prior to the election should not only be met, but exceeded. “No student should have to invest in their academic future and help put food on their families’ tables while simultaneously living through the various economic, emotional and physical hardships faced due to the ongoing pandemic,” Datta said. “I’ve witnessed students dealing with familial loss and academic setbacks, and watching them worry about debt on top of all that is inhumane.” Datta’s words are echoed by students across VCU and the country, who have experienced the brutal impact of the pandemic on their education. It is essential that we hold the Biden administration’s DOE accountable to relieve these educational burdens and deliver on strategies for students to return to in-person school safely.

the new year with my family in Sudan, then come back to the states for some time with my friends. I had a great start to the year. administration that finally prioritizes huThat being said, while I hope the year man rights and decency over politics. continues with the same beautiful caliber, I’m realistic. We are still living in a “What are your new year goals?” pandemic and it seems as though people have forgotten that. We still need to enLike many of you, my 2020 was mentally sure we are socially distancing and keepand emotionally draining. ing our masks on to prevent the spread Growing up in an immigrant household, of this illness. there was an undeniable stigma around I’m excited for the new year; I’m taking care of our mental health. But over praying for success and happiness. Howtime, education has flooded my home ever, like 2020, much is out of my control. and mental health has become a respectable conversation. “What is one thing you are looking This year, I hope to prioritize my mental forward to this semester?” health above all. I am striving to take the same kindness and compassion I share with Talking to y’all. There’s much more tea others and extend it to myself. to be spilled and I need y’all to help There’s a toxic social ideology that pro- me keep up. motes the concept of putting yourself first This new semester promises some as selfish. I disagree with that. Prioritizing change and possibilities that perhaps your own health is not a negative thing; it’s last semester did not. Nevertheless, we a sign of positive and mature thinking. need to continue keeping each other safe. So, keep talking and continue to “Based on how January has gone, how do send in your questions and comments you feel about the rest of 2021?” to my email, opinions@commonwealthtimes.org or on our Instagram, I’m not sure if this question triggers mani- @commonwealthtimes. festation or a bad case of jinxing. January was And that’s the tea. a blessed month for me. I got to celebrate

Wed. January 27, 2020â&#x20AC;&#x192;11

THE CT STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrew Ringle ringlea@commonwealthtimes.org

Metaphor Has Trouble Landing by Audrey Garrett Ram

MANAGING EDITOR Iman Mekonen mekonenib@commonwealthtimes.org COPY EDITOR Rachel Rivenbark rivenbarkrs@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Katharine DeRosa news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Ebonique Little spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Enza Marcy photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Sarah Elson elsonsp@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Lauren Johnson illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Anya Sczerzenie, News

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com

Get to the Point by Sarah Brady

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jayce Nguyen Ni Sang Raymond Liu Gabrielle Wood designers@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kofi Roberts advertising@vcustudentmedia.com WEB MANAGER Chranjitpandian Murugapandi web@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tibebe Gebiso distribution@vcustudentmedia.com TEMPORARY EDITORIAL ADVISER Mark Robinson robinsonmw@vcu.edu CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu

Love Letters by Carleigh Ross

SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dominique Lee leeds3@vcu.edu (804) 827-1642 OFFICE MANAGER Owen Martin martinso@vcu.edu

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969. The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Tagwa Shammet, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The CT staff. The Commonwealth Times strives for accuracy in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please email the appropriate section editor. Corrections will appear on the news pages and/or online. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

12 The Commonwealth Times

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle SEEING PROGRESS