The Commonwealth Times; Sept. 30, 2020 by VCU Student Media Center

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VOL. 62, NO. 7 SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Teaching the future Education field grapples with training, engaging in virtual classrooms

Illustration by Andy Caress

KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer

education requirements into face-to-face Zoom training is available to students, learning on Sept. 29. The school division faculty and staff on VCU’s website, and hopes to have all students participate in Wachter said educators were provided with EACHERS AND YOUNGER STUDENTS face-to-face learning during the 2020-21 a FAQ page and a Zoom blog for further are learning to manage their time, school year, according to its website. assistance. engage via video chat and foster Mason said he would be eager to transiWith flu season approaching and unconnections without physical contact, and tion to in-person student teaching, but he certainty regarding a return to face-to-face future teachers studying at VCU are follow- would need to take additional precautions. learning, Wachter said he’s worried about ing suit in their field work. As a commuter student living with elderly teacher candidates who must complete Senior music education major Noah parents, Mason is concerned he could acci- their practicums and internships in neighMason would usually spend most of the fall dentally bring home COVID-19. boring districts. semester and nearly all of the spring semes“I do have concerns if we have school ter shadowing teachers. Mason said that closures,” Wachter said in an email. hasn’t happened yet due to Chesterfield Jon Becker, associate professor in the County Public Schools’ safety precautions department of educational leaderfor distributing online class information. ship at the School of EducaInstead, he helps school music instruction, said faculty decided I feel like you can’t tors repair instruments, organize music liover the summer that really go into it thinking braries and distribute materials to students all of the department’s at Meadowbrook High School in Chesclasses would be that you’re going to terfield, Virginia. He said this counts as offered online. have a plan. You have his field experience, but he’s disappointed Becker was the to be willing to adapt.” he can’t interact with students online director of innoor in person. vation and online Liz Pearson, first grade teacher “We reached the conclusion academic prothat no amount of undergrams for VCU graduate experience “That’s been an anxious thought from 2013-17, so he re a l l y p re p a re s of mine for some time now,” was familiar with online you for the real Mason said. teaching before it became deal,” Mason said. Owen Wachter, creative a popular medium last semes“None of it is reallead and web manager for ter. Becker said COVID-19, on ly like being in the VCU’s School of Edu- the other hand, taught him the imclassroom and doing cation, said a major- portance of synchronous learning, or the whole thing.” ity of shadowing instruction that requires students and teachStudents in the City assignments in ers to meet at a designated time. of Richmond are online Richmond-area “In a time where we don’t have opfor the entirety of the first seschool districts are tak- portunities to be together physically, it’s mester, but surrounding public ing place online. important to come together at the same school systems differed in semester Wachter said that 99% of time,” Becker said. plans. Henrico County Public Schools undergraduate classes and 91.9% of Online education can be just as fruitful are online for the first nine weeks of the graduate classes in the school are online, as in-person education, Becker said, but school year, and Hanover County gave stu- hybrid or blended. creating quality online courses requires dents the option to attend class in person. “A very small number of students are more work than usual. Chesterfield County Public Schools in face-to-face settings,” Wachter said “I will say that they are qualitativewill begin phasing students with special in an email. ly different experiences, but it’s very

possible to teach a high-quality online course,” Becker said. FROM THE TEACHER’S DESK Liz Pearson, first grade teacher at Richmond Public Schools, has become familiar with new teaching styles, virtual classrooms and alternative learning experiences from her desk at home. Pearson said online teaching has gone better than expected for her class — her students understood how and why to mute their microphones within the first few days of classes. “As of right now, it’s been pretty positive and we haven’t really had to face a lot of obstacles,” Pearson said. “I mean, they’re just doing great.” Pearson said that while her students are doing well, she finds it difficult to teach certain parts of the class, such as holding a pencil, without the constant guidance of face-to-face learning. “I might not be able to give as good feedback right now, but I think that we'll learn how to do that better as we get into the year,” Pearson said. Pearson said she tried to engage in all of the virtual training offered by RPS this summer but has to remind herself to stay flexible. “I feel like you can’t really go into it thinking that you’re going to have a plan,” Pearson said. “You have to be willing to adapt.”

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: CNN reports the Glass Fire in Northern California has grown in size to 42,560 acres as of Tuesday, destroying at least 80 buildings and displacing thousands of people. international: At least a million people worldwide have died of COVID-19, according to a Reuters tally. This year’s number of coronavirus deaths is now double the number of people who die annually from malaria. 1

COVID-19 vaccine survey results How likely are Virginians to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

40%

58%

of respondents: not too likely or not at all likely

of respondents: very or somewhat likely

64%

59% 49%

70%

52%

1-3: Junior photography major Adam Santiago receives his flu shot at CVS Pharmacy on Sept. 26. Photos by Enza Marcy

New study finds 4 of 10 Virginians would not get a COVID-19 vaccine Re pu bl

ic a

om W

“Younger adults may feel that a COVID-19 vaccine is not important for them to receive if they are not in direct contact with those whom they consider at risk,” Chapman said. H o w e v e r, a g e h a s not been proven as a factor in immunity. Michelle Doll, a Richmond infectious disease specialist, said there have been cases of younger people with severe COVID-19 complications that led to death. “I do think that the varying messages coming from our nation’s leadership have left many confused and frustrated,” Doll said, “and eroded credibility of our public health institutions.” Some early vaccine trials have led to abnormal side effects among participants, which is why Doll said safety data on new vaccines is important to review. “I am confident that the safety data will be scrutinized carefully by experts because our public health officials are aware of what is at stake here — the trust of the public,” Doll said.

Associate professor of epidemiology at VCU Derek Chapman said distrust of executive leadership and partisan issues overNEW POLL FROM VCU’S L. DOUGLAS lap into public health crises. He said some Wilder School of Government and people may be against vaccinations because Public Affairs found that 40% of they’re fearful of disregard for safety proceVirginians are unlikely to get a federally ap- dures or scientist recommendations. proved COVID-19 vaccine, and two-thirds of the commonwealth’s residents are against a required vaccine. The poll, released on Sept. 17, surveyed 804 adults in Virginia on the safety of COVID-19 I am confident that vaccinations, returns to in-person learning and the upcoming 2020 presidential election. the safety data will be The likelihood to get vaccinated was split scrutinized carefully among gender and political lines, the poll by experts because our found. About half of surveyed women were open to a coronavirus vaccine, while 70% of public health officials men said they were very or somewhat likely are aware of what is at to receive one. stake here — Sixty-four percent of Independents and 59% of Democrats said they were likely to the trust of the public.” get the vaccine, versus 49% of Republicans. Michelle Doll, infectious Overall, the percentage of Virginians undisease specialist willing to get the vaccine was slightly higher than the national average of 35%. The survey was conducted from Aug. 28 Chapman said younger people may not until Sept. 7 and has a 5-6% margin of error. feel like they need a COVID-19 vaccine.

EMILY TOMASIK Contributing Writer

Infographic by Andy Caress Source: L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Freshman forensic science major Bianca Argueta said she believes vaccines work and benefit those that don’t want to get themselves or others sick. As an out-of-state student with high-risk family members, Argueta said she wants to keep herself and her loved ones safe. “If I got the vaccine, I think it would be beneficial,” Argueta said, “not only to me, but to them also.” The Wilder School's survey, which is conducted multiple times each year, found that among likely voters, Demoratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden was ahead of President Donald Trump by 14 percent. Seventy percent of surveyed Virginians said Biden’s choice of running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., made no impact on their vote.

Wed. September 30, 2020 3

‘A fight to liberation’: SGA inducts new student leaders

Counter-clockwise from bottom left: Student Government Association members Jordan James, Sydney Biondi, Mekdes Charles, Taylor Maloney, Udhanth Mallasani, Andrew Mullenbrock and Rachel Delgado attended Friday's ceremony. Photos by Enza Marcy EMILY TOMASIK Contributing Writer Nearly four months after winning the June election and with a speech dedicated to Marcus-David Peters, senior Taylor Maloney was inaugurated Friday as VCU’s student body president. Peters, a 24-year-old VCU alumnus and high school biology teacher, was shot and killed during a 2018 encounter with Richmond police while experiencing a mental health crisis. “Today, I carry his name as I assume responsibility of becoming student body president,” Maloney said. During their speech, Maloney said the university should acknowledge Peters’ death. “They lost someone valuable to the VCU

community,” Maloney said. Maloney said it is not the responsibility of Student Government Association leadership to “find middle ground” between members. The SGA president said students should organize against VCU and its alleged gentrification of Richmond and that the university “has been a product of and sustained by Black death.” “I would like to be honest about my political alignment and argue this is — and always has been — a fight to liberation,” Maloney said. SGA hosted its induction ceremony Friday in the University Student Commons with virtual attendance on Zoom. Undergraduate Senate Speaker Udhanth Mallasani led the ceremony. “SGA has changed a lot since I first

joined,” Mallasani said. “It’s been a pleasure participating in that.” SGA’s undergraduate senators were inducted during Friday’s ceremony. The SGA announced the election of 14 senators in a June announcement: • • • • • • • • • • •

Fatima Malik Mekdes Charles Chanaiya Jones Nadar Khan Siara Lawson Sydney Biondi Udhanth Mallasani Sabeeka Khan Shay Miller Rachel Delgado Jordan James

• Zhakyia Woodley • Leah Kaylor • Joshua Hartt Student body elections were delayed due to campus closures in March, instead occurring over the summer in June. Vice President Alexander Chong, who was inducted on Friday, recognized the life and accomplishments of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during his speech. Chong also asked the student body to accept and overcome differences between themselves and others. “Having different viewpoints is a huge plus that will give us that checkpoint to see if we are going the right way,” Chong said.

Who’s on your ballot? VCU launches site for students navigating November elections

ANNA CHEN Contributing Writer

VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences launched a “comprehensive, nonpartisan” site outlining a list of candidates in the presidential, U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and Richmond mayoral elections. The site provides information for registering to vote and voting in person or by mail in the Richmond area. It offers information on candidates and their platforms, as well as upcoming events and ways to get involved. “Gen Z has the opportunity to greatly impact the outcome of this election if we show up,” sophomore fashion merchandising major Taya Coates said. “I see that as a responsibility for our generation to not let our nation down.” Coates said this is the perfect time for first-time voters to get involved, emphasizing the need for young people to head to the polls. Junior mechanical engineering major Chris Chu was surprised by the topics covered on VCU’s website and likes that he can “monitor and identify” each candidate and their platform. “I think it would be a great resource to keep up with the topics that people think are most important to talk about during this election,” Chu said. Upcoming events featured on the website include “Race, Media and the 2020 Election,” hosted by the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture on Oct.

U.S. House of Representatives — 4th District • Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond • Pastor Leon Benjamin, R-Richmond U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District • Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Glen Allen • Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper

Illustration by Isabelle Roque

6. Dorothy Butler Gilliam, the first Black Early voting in Virginia began Sept. 18. female reporter at The Washington Post Here are the names Richmond-area voters will guide a discussion on Oct. 13. Author will see on their ballots: Carol Anderson will talk about VCU's 2020 Common Book, "One Person, No Vote: U.S. president and vice president How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our • President Donald Trump and Vice Democracy," on Oct. 21. President Michael Pence Katie Lee, a sophomore business and • Democratic nominee and former emergency management double maVice President Joseph Biden jor, said she believes it’s important for and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. VCU students to exercise their right to • Libertatian candidate Jo vote because of the “social, political, ecoJorgenson and running mate nomic, and human rights issues affecting Jeremy “Spike” Cohen our country.” “I also believe that it is important for U.S. Senate — Virginia VCU students to vote and inspire their • Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. friends to vote more regularly in local • Republican challenger Daniel Gade elections to make change at a community level,” Lee said.

Richmond mayoral • Mayor Levar Stoney • Councilwoman Kim Gray • University of Richmond alumnus Justin Griffin • Businessowner Tracey McLean • Alexsis Rodgers, a former policy advisor for Gov. Ralph Northam The House of Representatives’ 4th District spans from the West End of Richmond to Virginia’s southern border, excluding the Hampton Roads area. The 7th District includes Glen Allen and Short Pump, stretching north and south to the counties of Louisa and Powhatan. Register to vote at elections.virginia.gov. The deadline to register or update existing registration is Oct. 13, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 23.

4 The Commonwealth Times

College Republicans discuss future of GOP in Va. BRANDON SHILLINGFORD Capital News Service Young Republicans say this is a crucial time in the country’s history amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the country facing a reckoning in its relationship with racial justice and an open Supreme Court seat. Many of the Generation Z Republican and conservative voters, ages 18-23, are participating in their first or second presidential election and are ready for their voices to be heard. Cameron Cox, vice president of campaigns for the College Republicans at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, sees the pandemic as a priority that must be at the forefront of the government's concerns, but it shouldn’t be handled by shutting the economy down. Cox is no stranger to politics. His father Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, has served in the General Assembly since 1990 and is considering a run for Virginia governor. “At a national level, this means continuing to give states the guidance and tools they need to effectively manage their people,” Cox said in an email. “It means helping, not hindering the market, in aiding our nation’s economic recovery. It means empowering people to get back to work and provide for their families.” Andrew Vail, chairman of the College Republicans at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, believes COVID-19 and racial injustice are challenges for the country which will eventually pass. “People organize and politicians make laws and, you know, social movements go on,” Vail said. “At some point the world will calm down.” Vail thinks that cities in Virginia had less of a challenge containing Black Lives Matter protests compared to New York City, Portland, Seattle and Washington D.C., where protests attracted tens of thousands of people and often saw conflicts between opposing groups. He said the protests throughout the commonwealth were “pretty normal protests” with people utilizing their constitutional rights. Courtney Hope Britt, southern regional vice chair for the College Republican National Committee and chair emeritus to the College Republican Federation of Virginia, was disappointed with responses to the protests in Richmond. Painting murals and taking down Confederate statues “don’t change the day-to-day reality of Black people in our state,” Britt said in an email. More schools are shedding Confederate names, but Britt doesn’t believe those moves will effectively deal with educational disparities between Black and white students. 1

The Randolph Community Center at 1415 Grayland Ave. is open as an early voting location. Photo courtesy of Capital News Service “These problems are complex and incredVirginia’s rate of 2.2 COVID-19 tests ibly deep rooted in our systems, and so it per 1,000 residents puts it at No. 29 in the will take time to rework things,” she said. “I U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins don't really see that being done right now.” University. Britt said that while testing has improved, “we’re still lagging way behind where we should be.” “Governor Northam is a medical doctor,” Britt said. “He should have been as well prepared to respond to the pandemic as anyone, and yet he did worse than almost everyone.” Governor Northam Cox said the Democratic majority in the is a medical doctor. Virginia General Assembly needs to address He should have the state’s projected $2.7 billion shortfall. He also said that reopening schools safely are been as well prepared issues that need to be resolved. There needs to respond to the to be “safe, in-person learning for students, pandemic as anyone, as well as resources for kids not in the classroom to avoid being left behind,” he said. and yet he did worse “Education is at the center of entities than almost everyone.” affected by the coronavirus,” Cox said. “As school systems handle their students in Courtney Hope Britt, different ways, it’s important for the state College Republican National to help, not hinder, schools in this process.” Committee vice chair Vail and Britt, a recent graduate of The T. C. Williams School of Law at the UniverBritt also disagrees with Gov. Ralph sity of Richmond, said that there is plenty Northam’s handling of the pandemic. A of ideological diversity between the younger poll conducted by Northeastern, Harvard, and older members of the Republican Party. Rutgers and Northwestern universities Britt said the Republican Party has been found 59% of respondents agreed with better about “intentionally recruiting greatthe governor’s handling of the coronavirus er diversity into the party.” outbreak in July but only 46% echoed that “I'm really proud of that,” she said. sentiment in August. Vail echoed this sentiment. 2

1: Polling hours vary by location. 2: The Republican Party of Virginia headquarters in Richmond remains boarded up after it was vandalized twice this year. Photos courtesy of Capital News Service

“I’ve seen that a lot of conservatives lean more in a Libertarian direction, and most Republicans in their ’40s and ’50s are sort of your George Bush brand of conservative,” Vail said. Richard Anderson, chairman for the Republican Party of Virginia, sees young Republicans as invaluable assets that will serve the nation for years to come. He said they play a crucial element in campaigns through door knocking, phone banking and registration of new voters. “Many will go on to serve in local, state and federal offices,” Anderson said. “In that capacity, they have vital roles to play in shaping public policy today and in the future." Many millennials and Gen Zers who recently have become active in the Republican Party are prioritizing issues that may be considered more liberal. According to a Pew Research study, almost half of millennials and Gen Z Republicans are more likely than their older counterparts to say that the federal government is doing too little to lessen the impact of climate change. Rather than just being against the Green New Deal, young conservatives are working on their own climate proposals like the American Conservative Coalition’s American Climate Contract and the Declaration of Energy Independence, according to Britt. The movements seek to fight climate change and provide clean energy to Americans. “We are beginning to address issues that have often been left to the Democrats with positive arguments,” Britt said. There are younger conservatives who do not support President Donald Trump and who want to see a new Republican platform grounded in Constitutional principles but “more conducive to an evolving American landscape.” A Georgetown University graduate launched Gen Z GOP in July to reach younger voters and establish a “palatable alternative to the left.” Britt views Trump positively, however. He has brought an invigoration and excitement to the party that hasn’t been seen before, she said. This makes her excited and optimistic about the party’s future. “I'm excited for us to continue building on that for the next four years and beyond,” Britt said.

Wed. September 30, 2020 5

Stat of the week

Former VCU basketball player Mo Alie-Cox logged three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday against the Jets.

Highlights in VCU women’s tennis OCTOBER 15, 2019 Paola Diaz-Delgado defeats UVa.’s Meghan Kelly in the ITA Regional semifinal 2-6, 6-4, 6-3

JULY 1, 2019 Vivian Segnini is named head coach of Winthrop University’s women’s tennis program.

AUGUST 8, 2020 Vivian Segnini is named head coach of VCU’s women’s tennis program.

Vivian Segnini MAY 22, 2019 Paola Diaz-Delgado falls in the NCAA Round of 16 to No. 1-seeded Estela Perez-Somarriba of the University of Miami 6-4, 0-6, 6-7. Paola Diaz Delgado

APRIL 14, 2020 Former head coach Paul Kostin retires after 30 years of coaching at VCU. Kostin amassed 38 NCAA tournament appearances and 29 conference championships.

JULY 17, 2020 The Atlantic 10 postpones all fall sports until spring due to COVID-19.

Infographic by Gabrielle Wood Information compiled by Noah Fleischman CT file photos

Tennis coach pick brings player experience, Kostin’s legacy to women’s court NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor

“She was going to fit in the environment that we have in our team, and I really Down 6-2 in a 2018 like her as a coach.” semifinal game, VCU seDiaz-Delgado said nior Paola Diaz-Delgado she can connect easily looked to the sidelines for with Segnini because she help from then-graduate played tennis at a high levassistant Vivian Segnini. el and can communicate Diaz-Delgado said adwith her in Spanish. vice from Segnini, who was S egnini played prohired as head coach of the fessionally from 2004-12, women’s tennis team on earning a singles ranking as Aug.18, helped her finish high as No. 275 in the world. the next two sets. She was the highest-ranked “She told me one thing player from Brazil to do, and the match basiin 2008 and 2011. cally changed,” Diaz-DelThe Sao Carlos, Brazil, gado said of Sengini’s advice. native said her professional “It was incredible.” career is useful in coachThe tip turned the match ing because she knows around for Diaz-Delgado, VCU women’s tennis coach Vivian Segnini oversees practice Monday, Sept. 28, at the Thalhimer Tennis Center on West how to win tough matches who won the next two sets Cary Street. Photo by Enza Marcy and can advise players in of the 2018 Intercollegiate difficult situations. Tennis Association Regional 6-4 and 6-3 to All-American and advanced to the Round “My experience as a professional is very advance to the final. She went on to win the of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. valuable for my job,” Segnini said. “I know tournament and credited Segnini’s guidance. Segnini left the program after the 2018 how they feel, and I know what is required “I won this match and I won the tournaseason to become the head coach at her to become a good player.” I think I was able to ment, and I really think it was thanks to her,” alma mater, Winthrop University in North Segnini said her previous experience at contribute a little bit and Diaz-Delgado said. “In that moment, I was Carolina. From 2013-18 and during her VCU was one of the reasons she was hired just the fact that people like ‘OK, she’s really helpful.’” time at VCU, she was an assistant coach to replace Kostin as the head coach. Segnini The Almeria, Spain, native said Segnini’s with the Winthrop Eagles. said she helped recruit some of the younger met me, saw the way I support allowed her to believe in herself. When Kostin retired in April, Di- players on the team this season during the worked, the way I am. “She would make me believe that you az-Delgado said she was surprised, but 2018 stint in Richmond. They liked what I did. If I have to have hope in this match and she hoped Segnini would be the one to “I think I was able to contribute a lityou have to keep going,” Diaz-Delgado replace him. Four months later, her wish tle bit and just the fact that people met didn’t work here before, said. “I was pumped, like if you say that, came true when Segnini was announced me, saw the way I worked, the way I am,” I don’t know if I would it must be true.” as the head coach. Segnini said. “They liked what I did. If I be here today.” Diaz-Delgado’s game improved during “I wanted her to become head coach didn’t work here before, I don’t know if the 2018 season under former coach Paul because I knew that she was going to fit I would be here today.” Vivian Segnini, tennis coach Kostin and Segnini. She finished as an ITA with this program,” Diaz-Delgado said.

6 The Commonwealth Times PRESS BOX

Illustration by Marisa Stratton

Washington fans should be patient with Haskins BEN MALAKOFF Contributing writer

ASHINGTON FOOTBALL Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins returned to D.C. for his second season with a brand new playbook and offense. Expectations were still extremely high from a fan base that saw the team win only three games last year. For those reasons alone, fans should stray from calling the young quarterback a bust too soon. Washington made moves in the offseason to expand its defense –– including signing cornerback Kendall Fuller –– yet barely any veteran offensive talent was brought in to help. Since 2010, the starting QB has changed 22 times. From Robert Griffin III to Kirk Cousins, all the way to Mark Sanchez, the Football Team only made the postseason twice in that span, losing both games. After years of failure, Washington decided to play the long game and draft a potential starting quarterback in the first round, Haskins from Ohio State University. Haskins’ first season in the NFL, while highly anticipated, was not pretty.

Veteran quarterback Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury in the 2018 season, leaving the competition wide open between Haskins, Colt McCoy and Case Keenum, who eventually won the job. However, following the trend of Washington quarterbacks before him, Keenum did not last long and was benched in Week 4 against the New York Giants. Haskins made his first NFL appearance during that game, where he threw just 107 yards and three interceptions. There were some bright spots in Haskins’ performance, but it ended as a disappointing game for the team. The rookie quarterback played in one more game before being named starter in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, where he threw for 144 yards. After a bye week, Haskins was named NFL rookie of the week after throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns in Week 15. A week later, after suffering an ankle injury, Haskins was shut down by head coach Jay Gruden for the year. Now entering 2020, Gruden has been fired along with most of his staff. Team owner Dan Snyder hired Ron Rivera as the next head coach, and Rivera brought in Scott Turner to take over offensive coor-

dinator responsibilities for the first time in his career. In training camp, Haskins was named the starter and a team captain. Haskins can rely firsthand on second year receiver and former Ohio State teammate Terry McClaurin. Next up are wide receivers Steven Sims, who is in his second season, and Dontrelle Inman, the most tenured of the group in his seventh pro season. But the team lacks in offense without any tight end standouts. Former quarterback and journeyman Logan Thomas is starting in the position, and rookie players, including running back Antonio Gibson, are more of a toss-up on the field. With no preseason for Haskins to adjust to the new offense, Washington has started 1-2. Haskins has thrown four touchdowns and three interceptions. Those are not standout numbers, but they are close in comparison to those of second-year Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who has thrown four touchdowns and five interceptions. Taking into account the adjustments and a lacking offense, the potential is still there for the young quarterback. He is completing difficult in-coverage throws. Haskins is criticized for his poor decision making and

slow foot movement in the pocket, but he can improve. Washington’s QB coach Ken Zampese, who coached three-time pro-bowl QB Carson Palmer in his early days in Cincinnati, should develop these skills in Haskins. Fans know Rivera and his staff are looking to make Washington’s team centered around its defense. Washington drafted its fifth first-round starter, Chase Young, in the 2020 NFL draft. This takes a lot of the pressure off Haskins to be the elite QB that some want. In turn, Washington only needs Haskins to be a QB who is slightly above average and will not make game-costing mistakes. This might be hard to accept for some Washington fans. The league views quarterbacks as huge superstars, and there hasn’t been one in D.C. since Robert Griffin III’s rookie season. But now comes the time to accept that Haskins does not need to be elite, and it is the defense’s job under Rivera’s staff to meet him halfway. Fans need to give Haskins at least the rest of this season to develop, work on mechanics and learn how to be a winning NFL quarterback.

Wed. September 30, 2020 7

On this day

In 1960, the first episode of “The Flintstones” premiered on ABC, becoming the first animated sitcom.

Freshmen Matthew Taleghani and Michael Di Constanzo of band W Main St play during a pop-up performance in Monroe Park. Photo by Jon Mirador

Freshman roommates record in dorm, perform in Monroe Park KOFI MFRAMA Contributing Writer

which grew by more than 100 followers after the interview. The duo decided to room together afHypnotic, repeating guitar riffs pour from a ter meeting on the VCU class of 2024 Inroom in Gladding Residence Center, where stagram page. Once they discovered their two freshman roommates combine their mutual love for music, they joined forces in passions for music to form the building’s mid-July to record three out of the seven latest ensemble. songs on their debut EP titled “Summer Freshmen Michael Di Costanzo and Rain,” which dropped on Sept. 18. Matthew Taleghani make up the band W Rather than paying for studio time, the Main St, informally named after the street band records music in their suite style dorm their dorm is located on. using Di Costanzo’s equipment. “Since we’ve been here, we’ve gained “It’s extremely fun and we have more of a about 300 followers,” Di Costanzo said control over what we want to do,” Taleghani in reference to the band’s Instagram page, said in a direct message.

Taleghani said the pandemic hindered the band’s plans to perform at restaurants, bars or coffee shops. This has left pop-up concerts in Monroe Park — something the duo said they love doing — as W Main St’s only avenue for exposure. “If the common rooms were open we’d be hanging out, talking to people and getting the word out there,” Di Costanzo said. Despite devoting hours to practice and production, W Main St members have found a balance between academics and music. Di Costanzo is a business major and Taleghani is undeclared, but they say a future in music doesn’t have to start with a music degree.

Listeners at Monroe Park enjoy music from duo W Main St, who dropped their debut EP on Sept. 18. Photo by Jon Mirador

“If you make good music and do what you have to do, you could blow up,” Taleghani said. “A music degree is never going to make you a famous musician.” Di Costanzo grew up with a musical father, who he refers to as a “musical freak.” He began taking drum lessons at age six and has been taking them for 12 years. About two and a half years ago, he picked up the guitar and taught himself how to play through watching YouTube videos. “I could’ve chosen anything,” Di Costanzo said. “I could have chosen bass, I could have chosen clarinet, but for some reason, I don’t know why, I said ‘drums.’” In “Summer Rain,” alternative and classic rock influences show through guitar riffs that soar over deep, introspective lyrics. This begs the listener to examine their own relationships with love, loss and pain. The opening track, “Fear of Love,” relays these themes with variances in tempo and instrumentation that keep the listener enthralled. The second track, “Let Me Know,” features Jeffrey Ketron, VCU student and musician known as Lazulind, on the saxophone. The pair met Ketron by chance when they were randomly selected as suitemates. “They gave me the key the song was in and then I just … improvised overtop of it for a bit until we found something we liked,” Ketron said in a direct message. Although the EP can be somber at times, there is a sense of hope in Taleghani’s inspiring message to the listener found in the title track: “Rain comes and goes; in the end it helps us grow.”

8 The Commonwealth Times

Local ballerinas transform dance into advocacy

ANNIE PHAN Contributing Writer

Four ballerinas who garnered viral attention this summer after dancing under Richmond’s iconic statue of Robert E. Lee are tapping international recognition to raise funds for their non-profit organization, Brown Ballerinas for Change. “We wanted this to be not just a moment but a movement, and to be able to give back to people who aren’t as fortunate,” dancer and co-founder Kennedy George said. Brown Ballerinas for Change, or BBFC, aims to utilize dance as advocacy, while also promoting diversity and inclusion within the dance community. The organization fundraises for scholarships that help dancers from underrepresented communities pay for classes, shoes and other expenses. So far, the scholarship has been awarded to two recipients. “For me, being a part of it is just knowing you’re a part of something bigger than yourself,” George said, “and that you can inspire others to be a role model for others, regardless of age or race.” The co-founders started the group in response to discourse concerning Richmond’s Confederate statues. A photograph by local freelance photojournalist Julia Rendleman depicted George and co-founder Ava Holloway on Lee’s graffiti-covered memorial in Marcus-David Peters Circle. Rendleman posted the photo to Instagram in early June, and it now has more than 74,000 likes.

“When everything was going down near the statues, I saw my schoolmates posting ‘these riots need to stop’ and ‘these people are ruining everything,’” dancer and co-founder Sophia Chambliss said. “But they don’t understand how maddening the situation is.” After noticing negativity surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement online and from their peers, the dancers said they wanted to bring about change in an artistic, positive and peaceful way. “People can’t get mad at dancing,” Chambliss said. “We’re not hurting anyone or anything, we’re just promoting our message.” The group has performed at the Henrico Justice Student March and the Virginia Freedom Rally, and the dancers were featured on “Today.” Chambliss, a high-school senior preparing for college, hopes to expand BBFC locally and at the university she attends. “Our dances aren’t necessarily for this certain thing,” Chambliss said. “They could be about growth and change, so I think we could keep this thing going on for a while.” In the future, the organization hopes to host its own events with guest dancers and speakers. The dancers also hope to fundraise for more dance scholarships. “Whatever happens, we’ll be celebrating the things we’ve been changing through dance, or we’ll still be providing a message through dance,” Chambliss said. “We’ll have a good future regardless.” The four co-founders met while attending a late-night class at Central

Virginia Dance Academy. Co-founder Holloway said the group is a “tight knit and dancer Shania Gordon credits their community” and “very positive” when they ability to connect with one another to are around each other. their mutual love for dance and the uni“Hopefully … our message and overfying messages they convey through their all mission statement will help diversify performances. dance and make it accessible for everyone “During rehearsals, we’re always focused, no matter the funds,” Holloway said, “no but we’re also talking a lot and connect- matter anything.” ing to each other even more,” Gordon said. “It’s fun because we’re dancing, doing what we love, and we’re sending a message as well.” Gordon’s passion for dance was inspired by professional ballerina Misty Copeland’s performances as the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. “I started dancing seven years ago and I saw Misty Copeland and was like ‘Wow, she’s really pretty and really amazing at dancing,’ and I really wanted to do a type of sport to stay active,” Gordon said. Holloway emphasized the importance of persevering through challenges and relying on one’s dance support system. She said dancers often experience Clockwise from top: Brown Ballerinas For Change comental health issues and founders Shania Gordon, Ava Holloway, Sophia Chambliss internal insecurities. and Kennedy George. Photo by Michel Maulding

‘Puking Glitter’: Multimodal anthology reimagines theater student’s coming of age CLAIRE DARCY Contributing Writer

Woodson published the first book through Amazon, which controls pricing and wanted to charge $30 for the full collection. She said dividing the book made it cheaper — the first part is available in paperback for $18 — and easier to digest. Poems in “Puking Glitter” are arranged in chronological order of when they were written, and the second volume experiments with contemporary writing styles. “I think it’s the happier half, that’s really about learning to accept that you can’t be everything to everyone,” Woodson said of the second volume. Erik Mayes, a junior theater major, created three digital drawings for “Puking Glitter.” One drawing features people at a train turnstile, and another is of a ukulele. Mayes said working on “Puking Glitter” gave him

and other artists a way to show support for Woodson. “I think an important part of a human’s personality is the people they surround themselves with,” Mayes said. “Using so many different people’s art … is a very lovely thought.” Junior chemical engineering major Paxton O’Bryen took photographs for the anthology and offered to take additional photos to promote the books. O’Bryen, who is a freelance photographer, said her favorite part of working on “Puking Glitter” was watching poems evolve from words on a page to visual components. “My favorite part was getting to see the words, and then use those to create the visual feeling of the work,” O’Bryen said.

Bonfire-roasted marshmallows, breakfast with family and blue Pop-Tart boxes illustrate a transition into adulthood in “Shuffling The Shim Sham,” a poem found in one VCUarts student’s latest anthology, which has sold online to readers around the globe. “Puking Glitter” is a two-part anthology written and edited by Caroline Woodson, a junior theater and psychology double major. It contains themes of growing up, naivety and learning to become the leading character in one’s own life. Woodson said the title originates from a play she wrote with the same name. While going through poems she had compiled for the book, she felt that the title was fitting for some of its central themes. Described by Woodson as a scrapbook-like format, the book contains handwritten and typed poetry, pen drawings, watercolor paintings, digital art, collages and photographs. Woodson started compiling poems for the book during a creative writing class in her senior year of high school. She challenged herself to write a poem everyday during her freshman year at VCU, steadily growing the foundation for “Puking Glitter.” “I was like, ‘I could make a book out of this,’” Woodson said. “So I started picking the ones I thought were cohesive and putting them together.” “Puking Glitter” was released on June 24, and the book’s second volume of the same name is slated for a December release. Originally written as a 250-page book, Woodson decided to split the anthology Junior theater and psychology double major Caroline Woodson anticipates a December into two parts due to pricing concerns. release of the second volume in her anthology series, “Puking Glitter.” Photo by Enza Marcy

Woodson described her writing style as a mix of contemporary with occasional old-fashioned rhyme structures. Her writing influences include Emily Dickinson, Tyler Knott Gregson, Lang Leav and Sabrina Benaim. Woodson also drew inspiration from quoting her friends. “I have a little note on my phone in the notes app where if someone says something I think is really cool, really intellectual, really smart, or just funny or something that people say — I write it down,” Woodson said. One of the poems that incorporates these quotes is “Your Nails Are Pink Glitter Just Like Your Soul.” The piece’s title originated from a phrase Woodson said one day while wearing pink nail polish. A drawing by Mayes accompanies the work and depicts a hand with pink glitter nail polish holding a soda can. With a rhyming couplet structure, the poem reads, “‘Your nails are pink glitter, just like your soul.’ Your heart makes decisions your mind can’t control.” One of Woodson’s favorite pieces from the second volume is “Train Stations.” She wrote the six-page poem on a train ride to Richmond after visiting her hometown for winter break. The visit was her first trip home since moving for college. She described the poem as being about “growing up and learning how time navigates itself, and learning that you have to move on at some points.” Woodson said writing daily with a busy schedule was the most difficult part of the process. “I think in general the hardest thing for any situation, anything you’re trying to do, is getting yourself there,” Woodson said. “Because once you’re there, you can do it.”

Wed. September 30, 2020 9

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

THURS. 10/1 Movie screening at Hardywood

Bring your own blanket and lawn chair to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s screening of “The Greatest Showman.” This free, family-friendly event encourages social distancing. For more information, call the brewery at 804-418-3548. 7 - 9 p.m., Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr.

SAT. 10/3 Va. Boat Club documentary night

“A Most Beautiful Thing,” which profiles the first African American high school rowing team, will be projected on a big screen by the Virginia Boat Club. The film is produced by retired basketball player Dwayne Wade and narrated by rapper Common. Open to the public, the free event will enforce social distancing measures and mask wearing. For more information, contact vbclearntorow@gmail.com. 6 - 9 p.m., 4708 Old Main St.

Do something Junior Ada Ezeaputa founded Vizion, an online boutique that offers a variety of sunglasses, handmade lip glosses and accessories. Photo by Enza Marcy

Black student-owned businesses overcome setbacks during unprecedented year GRACE MCOMBER Contributing Writer Cooking for friends during her sophomore year became a full-time business for VCU student Jade Craig, but when COVID-19 brought her home to Chesapeake, Virginia, she feared her Richmond customer base would disappear. “I was afraid they were going to forget about me,” she said. “But luckily, they didn’t.” In 2019, Craig started Jade’s Kitchen, which serves home-cooked meals to students every week. She said her cooking style is inspired by her parents, who moved frequently due to her father being in the U.S. Navy. “Everything I make is a mixture from what my family puts together,” Craig said. Craig, a junior health, physical education and exercise science major, said balancing school and business obligations can be challenging at times. She said school is her “first priority,” so she promotes her business during the weekend to give her all day to cook. School and entrepreneurship often conflict, Craig said, but the creative control that comes with building a business makes the struggle worthwhile. 1

“This is something that makes me happy,” Craig said. “I want to start catering and possibly write a cookbook in the future. I would love to do this as my main job.” Armon Harold, owner of Big Mon’s Le’Monade, said he finds value in experience while running a business. The senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in real estate said the School of Business gave him the “vocab words” for what he’s doing currently. “Actual life experience is the best teacher,” Harold said. Harold’s business serves homemade, fruit-infused lemonade in a variety of flavors. Big Mon’s also sells joggers, T-shirts and other merchandise featuring the company’s logo. Despite being disconnected from his customer base during COVID-19, Harold plans to expand his business and get his lemonade on store shelves. “Big Mon’s is a part of me,” Harold said. “I try to give out a fun, loving energy to the world, and I hope everyone experiences that through my lemonade.” The lemonade stand is one of many businesses that Harold has run over the years — he sold trinkets in middle school and homemade macaroni and cheese to his high school classmates. 2

“I started off with a lemonade stand. I got a small loan from my pops,” Harold said. “Had to pay him back with interest. It set me up with a strong foundation and a business mindset.” Ada Ezeaputa, a junior studying business management and administration, said she’s dreamed of starting a business since she was a child. She launched Vizion, an online accessories boutique, at the end of her freshman year. The business sells handmade lip gloss, sunglasses and other accessories. When campus operations paused due to COVID-19 and many students left the Richmond area, Ezeaputa was uncertain how her businesses would continue to operate and grow. “It was hard,” Ezeaputa said. “I was worried that I would have to temporarily close until I could go back to school.” Ezeaputa has high hopes for the future of Vizion and is aiming to start another business before she graduates. “Everybody’s journey is different. Some people blow up overnight, and some take two years,” Ezeaputa said. “If you really have an idea, just do it.”

MON. 10/5 Disc golf at The Diamond

Play a nine-hole disc golf course at the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ weekly event. The course is open on Mondays and sanitized discs are provided. To purchase tickets, preorder concessions and reserve time slots, visit the team’s website at milb.com/richmond. 6:15 - 7:30 p.m., The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., $10

MON. 10/5 - TUES. 10/11 RVA Fall Fashion Week

This year’s RVA Fall Fashion Week will include a combination of virtual and in-person events with designer shows, fashion education panels and fashion topic seminars. For a complete list of events, visit rvafw.com/events. Ticket, location and pricing information vary. Visit rvafw.com for more information.

Learn something

WED. 9/30

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Environmental book club

Capital Region Land Conservancy will host monthly discussions of essays, articles and other short media related to conservation and environmental thought. This month’s reading is Jedediah Purdy’s “Environmentalism’s Racist History,” which was published in The New Yorker. This free event will be held on Zoom. To register or for more information, visit the organization’s Facebook page or contact john@capitalregionland.org. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., facebook.com/CapitalRegionLandConservancy

SAT. 10/3 Shockoe Bottom ghost tour

Hear tales of paranormal activity during the Haunts of Richmond tour in Shockoe Bottom. Guided by a “ghost host,” visitors will pass the Old Stone House, which houses the Poe Museum, the Church Hill tunnel collapse and Civil War hospitals. Tickets must be purchased on the organization’s website at hauntsofrichmond.com. 8 - 9:30 p.m., Poe Museum, 1914 E. Main St., $17

1: Senior Armon Harold sells Big Mon’s Lemonade in Monroe Park. 2: Junior Jade Craig prepares weekly meals through Jade’s Kitchen. 3: Ada Ezeaputa operates Vizion from her home, where she packages online orders. Photos by Enza Marcy

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

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” — marie curie

Tea Time with Tagwa

Online classes should not come at the expense of your mental health

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor

Tea timers, was I the only one taken aback by midterm season these past two weeks? It feels like just yesterday I sat in front of my computer screen and received all my syllabi online. Virtual learning has become the new norm for students across the nation. From elementary level to postgraduate, education has turned into a living room activity. While VCU has some in-person classes, a majority of students — including myself — are navigating the online world. I won’t lie, the idea of online classes really didn’t seem that hard. All I had to do was log onto my online lecture and let my professor speak. I thought I’d read a textbook or two, but nothing too serious, seeing how we weren’t in person. I was wildly mistaken. Online learning has proven to be more difficult and strenuous than in-person classes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for not having to go anywhere for my 9 a.m. lecture. More importantly, I appreciate

Illustration by Noelle Hepworth

VCU’s effort to safely provide students with an education. I am not urging universities to reopen their classrooms, but I want to tell students that it’s OK to not be OK. A major trouble I’ve had with remote learning is time management. Not a surprise. I’m not saying I was astronomically better at balancing deadlines when classes

Let’s end the culture of political idolization ANGELICA TSVETKOV Contributing Writer Our culture is obsessed with turning elected and appointed officials into celebrities and idols. The most recent name to receive this glorification from Americans is Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I was listening to a podcast dedicated to remembering the life of the late Supreme Court justice, when one of the hosts excitedly suggested a line of cheeky feminist merchandise dedicated to Ginsburg. We have seen a wave of people across the U.S. mourning the loss of Ginsburg, praising her historic career and celebrating her life. Many have said she made historic strides for feminism, but her judicial career was narrowly focused. To me, Ginsburg embodied the failures of white feminism. She spoke on issues that intersected with her own identity, directly resolving her own oppression. However, when it came to advocating for other oppressed groups — such as indigenous, transsexual, Black and working class women — she turned a blind eye with ease. In 2016, a reporter asked Ginsburg to share her thoughts on former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other athletes refusing to stand for the national anthem to protest racial

injustice and police violence against Black Americans. Ginsburg said: “I think it’s dumb and disrespectful.” In her court rulings, Ginsburg has a mixed record in cases regarding tribal law and Native American sovereignty. In Sherrill v. Oneida in 2005, Ginsburg stated that the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin could not reassert sovereignty over land granted by a 1794 treaty because federal standards of law and equity practices “preclude the Tribe from rekindling embers of sovereignty that long grew cold.” This language describes Native American people as something of the past and does not account for present day tribes. However, to understand the nuanced history of Ginsburg, or any political figure, it is important to see her as a human who is transformative and has the capability to change her perspective. In many of her later decisions, including her last, she did a better job of affirming Native American rights in a way that takes indigenous histories, needs and struggles into account. I respect that Ginburg overcame several obstacles as a woman. I am grateful for the precedent she set on the court regarding gender equity and reproductive rights. However, I do find an issue with the culture that was built around her and other political figures.

were in person, but I’m even worse now. Trying to navigate between Zoom and Google Hangouts, then weave my way through both Blackboard and Canvas has proven itself to be exhausting. I find myself struggling to be constantly at my computer. When everything is remote, life seems to have no change

of pace. Eye straining has become the new normal for Americans everywhere. While trying to keep up with the pandemic, classes, work and everything in between, we tend to neglect the most important thing: our mental health. As college students, we struggle to give ourselves leeway. We ask ourselves, “What is so fatiguing about being home all day? Why would we need a ‘mental health day’ when we’re constantly in the house?” We forget to remind ourselves that just because the world stopped for a second, doesn’t mean our minds did. Our patience is challenged daily — and it has been for months — as we shift away from our regular life of freedom. Our routines changed without the regular walks to the busy library, crowded classrooms and restaurants. It is not the craziest thing in the world that you’re feeling the weight of it all on your back. Being a student during a pandemic is a trying time. It requires an open mind, diligence and perseverance. However, it should never be a priority over your mental health. And that’s the tea.

Ginsburg is not an elected official, but time in American history. she still has a strong influence on political When most people think of former culture through her rulings, interviews and President Barack Obama, they think of his lectures. When Ginsburg’s nickname, dad jokes, inspiring speeches, comforting “The Notorious RBG,” was coined smile and brotherly relationship in 2013 by a fan on Tumblr, the w i t h romanticization former vice o f t h e S u p re m e president Court justice began. and 2020 A culture among Democratic liberals was born, presidential one filled with nominee Ginsburg pens, Joe Biden. stickers, coffee H o w e v e r, t h e s e mugs, T-shirts and warm and fond so much more. No memories cloud our matter how inspiring judgement of Obama’s a political figure may policies. His legacy is be, we should never not usually associated become one of their with detainment fans. camps for immigrants Growing up in in the U.S., although the South, I often hundreds of children encountered were separated from groups of teenage their families under b oy s w e a r i n g his presidency. T-shir ts with We can be sup“Reagan Bush porters, but our job ‘84” plastered on is to hold politicians them. It was so accountable. If they strange to see slip up, you should people glorify a not come to their leader who was defense just beovertly racist, funded cause you have an Illustration by Lauren Johnson the war on drugs and ignored emotional attachthe AIDS crisis as thousands were dying. ment to them. Let’s remember that public Conservatives, however, continue to servants are here to serve the people; we reference former President Ronald Reagan’s must celebrate their strengths and hold administration as a nostalgic and idealistic them accountable for their errors.

Wed. September 30, 2020â&#x20AC;&#x192;11

THE CT STAFF

Seasons Change by Ren Newport

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrew Ringle ringlea@commonwealthtimes.org MANAGING EDITOR Hannah Eason easonhd@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Eduardo Acevedo news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Iman Mekonen spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Jon Mirador photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Alexandra Zernik zernikal@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Lauren Johnson illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Katharine DeRosa, News Anya Sczerzenie, News

Fall is Here by Lauren Johnson

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com 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 DIRECTOR Allison Bennett Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu (804) 827-1975 CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu

The Season is Upon Us by Sarah Brady

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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.

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