The Commonwealth Times; Sept. 9, 2020 by VCU Student Media Center

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VOL. 62, NO. 4 SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

Student petition demands reduced tuiton KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer

students, increased by $30. The Capital Outlay Fee is required by the General Assembly to reimburse the state for costs of buildings and equipment for out-of-state students. “A Zoom meeting held in a dorm room or our parents’ home is not as valuable as the price of the type of education that we are paying for,” the petition states.

ANY STUDENTS ARE experiencing college in different ways this semester, particularly through the use of online classes, and some feel that the change in education should be reflected in a change in tuition prices. Sunny Lee, a senior psychology major, started an online petition last week, asking VCU to lower tuition and give students a voice on the issue. As of Tuesday, it has gained more than A Zoom meeting held 1,100 signatures on change.org. in a dorm room or our “I think the biggest thing is just parents’ home is not as getting the word out there,” Lee said, “and articulating what I think valuable as the price of a lot of students feel, but haven’t the type of education actually vocalized.” that we are paying for.” Lee started the petition after reading about students from Boston, Brown, Vanderbilt, George Washing- Sunny Lee, psychology senior ton and other universities who had similar complaints about tuition cost Freshman chemistry major Preet with respect to the education quality. Shah said she supports the petition, The petition states that online but thinks the quality of education classes provide a lower quality depends on how the professor is hanof education than in-person dling online teaching. instruction and an increase “They don’t really need to charge us in mandatory fees is unnec- everything,” Shah said. essar y due to an increase Shah said she was frustrated by in remote classes. having to pay for online platforms, VCU’s university fee increased by such as TopHat, when VCU pro$102 to $2,137, according to the an- vides Blackboard and Canvas, simnual budget. The technology fee in- ilar online educational platforms, creased by $2, the library fee increased to professors and students for free. by $10 and the Capital Outlay Fee, Shah said TopHat should be covered which only applies to nonresident by tuition costs.

Christopher Saladino, an assistant professor of political science at VCU, said he understands why students want to lower tuition costs, but thinks the petition came too late. Tuition and fees were due for most students at the start of the semester. Tuition reduction would need to be budgeted and approved by the Board of Visitors, which Saladino said could take a long time. The annual university budget, typically approved during the spring semester, wasn’t finalized by the Board of Visitors for the 202021 academic year until June 5 due to COVID-19. Tuition, the student activity fee and the health services fee did not increase from last year, according to the budget. Virginia residents pay $12,094 in tuition per year during the 2020-21 school year, and nonresidents pay $32,742. Room and board costs are the same for both Virginia and nonresident students. VCU estimates the cost of room and board to be $11,504 per semester. Saladino said he doesn’t think the coronavirus contributed much to the case for lowering tuition, since every higher-level institution is dealing with similar financial struggles due to COVID-19. He said the “practical part” of him doesn’t think tuition should decrease, as the cost of online classes was the same last school year. “I have kind of mixed feelings about it,” Saladino said. “If I were 19 years old and trying to pay my way through school, I’d be protesting tuition all the time.”

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: California loses more than 10,000 acres to a fire sparked during a gender reveal party. international: Thirty days after the explosion in Beirut, rescue teams continue search for survivors in the rubble.

Spread of COVID-19 at Richmond jail leads to protests inside, outside facility SAGAL AHMED Contributing Writer Shontrese Otey’s 20-year-old son is sitting in the Richmond City Justice Center waiting for his court date. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect incarcerated people across the country, Otey said she is nervous for her son and other people in the facility. “I was in tears because I knew this was going to happen,” Otey said. The fears of Otey and other community organizers spiked when a rumor circulated on Aug. 21 that an incarcerated person at the Richmond jail died from COVID-19 complications. For days, Otey said she did not hear from her son. When she finally heard from him again, he said he couldn’t call because someone in his pod tested positive for COVID-19 and caused the area to go on lockdown. “He said they weren’t able to take showers, he couldn’t get his food and stuff that he ordered,” Otey said. “They were on lockdown for four straight days.” Allegations that the facility had not taken proper precautions to ensure inmate safety led to protests demanding justice for incarcerated people. On Sept. 2, the jail reported 91 positive COVID-19 cases in the facility. Matthew Perry, co-director of Richmond City Bail Fund, said the jail had a limited amount of testing equipment several months into the pandemic. “The jail was in no way set up to keep people safe inside, and that’s on a technical level in terms of the number of test kits that were available,” Perry said. Richmond City Bail Fund and other community organizations –– such as Southerners on New Ground VA, Legal Aid Justice Center and the Richmond Public Defender’s Office –– asked Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving and Commonwealth’s Attorney Collette McEachin to improve jail conditions and keep those inside less susceptible to the virus. Perry said that “didn’t happen.” The Richmond City Bail Fund has been calling for the release of all

The Richmond City Justice Center reported 91 positive COVID-19 cases among people in the facility on Sept. 2. Photo by Megan Lee

COVID-19 spreads at Richmond City Justice Center AUGUST 24

AUGUST 26

AUGUST 31

SEPTEMBER 2

Over 100 people were separated and quarantined due to the virus.

Sheriff Antionette Irving speaks out about the work being done at RCJC in regards to COVID -19 and the 100 quarantined goes down to 75 people.

The jail tests 1,200 individuals.

RCJC reports 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases. at RCJC.

inmates in the jail. Perry said that even with proper testing, protective equipment and regular cleaning, it is still difficult to comply with social distancing guidelines in the facility.

Multiple social justice orgs called for improved jail conditions. Photo by Megan Lee

Perry said when news broke about the pandemic, Richmond City Bail Fund and other social justice organizations called for a mass release of people in the jail. “It was very obvious once the virus spread, it was going to be unable to be stopped,” Perry said. Perry said people who had stayed in the jail for more than a night reported that staff and officers were not wearing face coverings and shared surfaces were not being cleaned between each use. Taylor Maloney, VCU senior and Student Government Association president-elect, said she attended two sit-ins after hearing that people in the jail were cleaning cells with “a water and Clorox mixture” and old t-shirts. “At the first sit-in, the incarcerated people saw us from their windows sitting outside the jail and started tapping on their window,” Maloney said. “They had signs and were trying to communicate but in general showing a lot of support and appreciation.” Maloney said protesters left the first sit-in with their questions unanswered.

Infography by Andy Caress Information compiled by Sagal Ahmed

After the sit-in, she said people in the jail demanded medical treatment by refusing to enter the cells. Maloney said they were “gassed, pepper sprayed and threatened with guns.” There was another sit-in the next day. “We really wanted to make it so that they did take notice that we know what is happening, that they are being watched, that we care about our incarcerated folks,” Maloney said, “and we won’t let them be put on lockdown and be suppressed in this manner, especially during a pandemic.” VCU senior and former student government senator Jed Baul said those who run the Richmond jail are “putting their own interests at the front.” “We see a complete disparity between us and those who are in prison,” Baul said. While Otey awaits her son’s court date, she said he and other non-violent offenders should be released in the meantime. “If you really feel like they are a flight risk, put them on a house monitor,” Otey said. “You would still be able to know their whereabouts, where they are at all times.”

Wed. September 9, 2020 3

What you need to know about COVID-19 at VCU

ANYA SCZERZENIE Staff Writer

VCU and other Virginia universities continue to report new COVID-19 cases as the fall semester continues, using online dashboards, prevalence testing and isolation housing to monitor and prevent the risk of outbreaks. Here’s a breakdown of how VCU’s cases compare to Richmond and other universities, as well as what students should know to stay safe ahead of midterms:

COVID-19 cases across Va. universities VCU* 183 Radford Virginia Tech James Madison

357

4,860 2,911

503

James Madison University 11,984

677 1,670

CURRENT CASES As of Tuesday, VCU’s coronavirus dashboard reported 46 active COVID-19 cases among students and seven among employees, for a total of 53 cases. Since the semester began, the university has reported 195 student cases. The City of Richmond has reported 772 additional COVID-19 cases since Aug. 17, the first day of VCU’s fall semester. Thursday, the city reported 77 new cases, the highest daily increase since June 1. ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE The Honors College — which was used by VCU Health System as overflow hospital space for non-COVID-19 patients during the summer — was recently converted into isolation housing for students. According to the dashboard, this is because of a cluster of 44 positive coronavirus cases associated with VCU Athletics. Gladding Residence Center III is also being used for isolation housing. There are seven students in isolation and 29 in quarantine as of Tuesday. Isolation separates those who test positive for COVID-19 from those who are not sick, according to VCU’s dashboard, while quarantine is for those who are not sick but may have been exposed. The dashboard counts on-campus students in isolation and quarantine. It does not track the number of non-residential or off-campus students who have quarantined themselves in their homes.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Commonwealth University

Radford University

Cumulative Cases

Total tests given

*prevalence and entry testing POSITIVITY RATE VCU’s positivity rate –– the percentage of prevalence tests from an asymptomatic sample resulting positive for COVID-19 –– is 0.7%. The City of Richmond has a 7.5% positivity rate. Richmond’s percent positivity is based on statistics from the Virginia Department of Health, which counts all testing encounters. VCU has performed 413 prevalence tests among asymptomatic volunteers to calculate its positivity rate; three resulted positive. The university plans to test up to 5% of the student population, which would be around 1,500 students. OTHER VIRGINIA SCHOOLS Radford University has reported 357 cumulative positive coronavirus cases in a population of around 11,060 students. The university recorded a positivity rate of 12.3% as of Monday, counting positive cases among its 2,911 campus-based tests. Radford, like VCU, also conducted prevalence

Infographic by Gabrielle Wood and Andy Caress

testing among a sample of 492 people in late August — those tests resulted in a 4.9% positivity rate. After more than 500 coronavirus cases were reported at James Madison University, the school moved to online instruction and asked students to leave dorms. On its website, the university stated that classes will now be held almost exclusively online, with some hybrid instruction for graduate research students and specialized upper-class courses. The website states that this will be a temporary transition. Students who currently have COVID-19 will not be sent home until they have tested negative. Virginia Tech reported 119 students in isolation and quarantine housing as of Tuesday and 503 cumulative positive COVID-19 cases since Aug. 3. George Mason University requires its students to complete a daily health check and has a chart on its website explaining how many days to quarantine in different situations. According to the university’s online dashboard on Tuesday, there have been 16 coronavirus cases among students — out of 3,539 tests — and seven among employees since Aug. 16.

WILL VCU CLOSE? University spokesperson Leila Ugincius said there is not a certain case number that will cause VCU to close, but rather a combination of different factors. The VCU Public Health Response Team will look at the prevalence of COVID-19 in VCU and Richmond, the availability of testing and the availability of hospital space and isolation housing. It is possible that VCU will revert to online-only classes if there are not enough tests, isolation housing or if there are too many coronavirus cases, Ugincius said. HOW TO GET TESTED Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested for free by calling University Student Health at 1-804-MYCOVID. The student will then be referred by VCU Student Health to one of two testing spaces: RamBikes at 201 N. Belvidere St. or MCV’s Jonah L. Larrick Student Center at 900 Turpin St. Students can volunteer for asymptomatic prevalence testing through a form available at covidtest.vcu.edu.

Workers rally against VCU labor policies KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer Workers from the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters have been touting “Shame on VCU” signs around VCU’s Monroe Park Campus since July, gaining the attention of students and community members. Greg Ackerman, deputy political director for EAS, said the group began the demonstrations to put pressure on VCU to acknowledge its part in what he calls “unfair business practices.” “An institute of higher ideals like VCU should hire contractors that don’t exploit workers,” Ackerman said. A report from the EAS states that more than 20 workers were interviewed between 2017 and 2020 who said they received paychecks with no deductions during construction on VCU buildings. Workers said they received payments while building the School of Engineering's East Hall, Gladding Residence Center, the Raleigh Building, the School of Allied Health and the VCU Health Adult Outpatient Hospital.

Members of the EAS said they have not directly been harmed by these alleged business practices, but Ackerman said they feel a need to defend other workers in the industry. Ackerman said the EAS has been Demonstrators against wage theft hold a banner that reads, "Shame on VCU." Photo courtesy of Frank Mahoney informing VCU about these issues for a year and has been disappointed jobs they get are not permanent. Local 205, a subset of EAS, said in the reby the lack of response from the school. VCU’s general terms and conditions lease that VCU is complicit in matters of EAS released a statement in July when from the Office of Procurement states that wage theft. Wheeler’s group represents the group began bannering on VCU’s cam- companies doing business with VCU may the majority of Virginia and 10 counties pus. According to the release, wage theft oc- not hire “illegal alien workers.” The terms in South Carolina. curs when contractors refuse to pay mandat- and conditions also bar contractors from “Labor brokers take advantage of the ed time-and-a-half overtime wages, illegally withholding payment from subcontractors most vulnerable among us to provide savtake money out of a worker’s check or refuse without providing reason and notifying ings for contractors and end users like VCU,” to pay workers for a project. Wage theft also both VCU and the subcontractors. Wheeler said. “It has to end, and VCU occurs when contractors misclassify workers The university did not immediate- has that power.” as independent contractors, causing a larger ly respond to comment regarding the Ackerman said VCU students have been tax burden to fall on the worker. EAS’ allegations. supportive of the issue and that some had “These labor brokers usually prey on the EAS is demanding that VCU hire re- sent letters in solidarity with EAS to VCU poor or immigrant labor who have nowhere sponsible contractors that protect workers President Michael Rao. else to turn,” the statement read. from wage theft. The release encouraged “Many of them aren’t aware initially of Labor brokers provide client companies students and Richmond residents to learn this kind of activity on campus,” Ackerman with workers. The employees work for the more about labor practices on campus. said, “and I think VCU as a college relies on brokers, not for the client companies, so the Jason Wheeler, a representative of Carpenters a lack of transparency in that sense.”

4 The Commonwealth Times

Students voice isolation housing concerns ARIANNA RACKHAM Contributing Writer Junior Haya Hamid said living in VCU’s quarantine housing –– one of several methods used by the university to control the spread of COVID-19 on campus — was best described as a “series of unfortunate events.” The health, physical education and exercise science major said she didn’t receive food from the university for three days. She said she tried calling VCU housing coordinators at Grace and Broad multiple times before breaking her quarantine to feed herself on the afternoon of the third day. “It was always me reaching out to them,” the junior said, concluding that VCU housing coordinators’ “intercommunication” was lacking. Hamid said after housing coordinators were aware that she broke quarantine, she had to attend a VCU Student Conduct Board hearing and almost faced an automatic cancellation of her housing contract, disciplinary probation for tenure at the university and/or mandatory participation in a wellness class. Hamid’s case was dismissed, but she said the stress of the incident inevitably caused her to drop a course during her first couple weeks of school. Matthew Lovisa, director of communications and marketing at VCU, said in an email that the terms of suspension for students found violating policy is determined on a case-by-case basis. Lovisa said removal from housing and interim suspension from the university are possible consequences students may face for “leaving their room prior to being released by Residential Life and Housing.” “When a student fails to observe rules and regulations issued by the university, such as honoring the quarantine and iso-

lation process,” Lovisa said, “their presence poses a risk to the health and safety of other individuals within the VCU community.” There are currently seven students in isolation and 29 students in quarantine, according to VCU’s COVID-19 dashboard. Isolation separates those who test positive for the coronavirus from those who are not sick, while quarantine is for those who are not sick but may have been exposed. Meredith Farmer and Rachel Benfield, two sophomore roommates quarantining together at Grace and Broad, said they were concerned with how late in the day their food was delivered and the lack of supplies in their health and hygiene kit. Farmer said she was not allowed to have her cat in quarantine, despite it being an emotional support animal. Farmer said the policy for the removal of service animals should be changed or reconsidered, calling it “very bad for the depressed.” The policy is based on the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found under its “if you have pets” section online. Students in isolation will be provided with hygiene kit supplies, meals and linens, according to VCU’s Residential Life and Housing website. The guide recommends students make a COVID-19 preparation kit with 14 days worth of supplies before moving into the residence halls, in case they contract the virus and must be put into isolation housing. Hamid and Farmer said they did not know about making a kit and were unprepared for quarantine. Benfield said buying 14 days worth of fresh supplies that she may never use was too expensive. “It’s just too much to ask college students on a budget,” Benefield said. VCU spokesperson Michael Porter said it’s important for students who have tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19 to

Students placed in isolation housing were given a health and hygiene kit that included hand sanitizer and a mask. Photo by Jon Mirador

In isolation and quaratine, meals were dropped off near students' doors to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Photos courtesy of quarantined student stay in isolation in order to “stay away from of VCU students in isolation and quaranthe healthy members of our community.” tine are taking the pandemic seriously. Porter said an “overwhelming majority”

Student calls VCU’s reopening plan ‘atrocious,’ creates petition urging admin to revise

EDUARDO ACEVEDO News Editor

According to Eaton’s post, the university’s plan is “unrealistic and irresponsible” for putting the responsibility of When senior world safety in the students hands. and Africana studies The same day she posted double major Bianca on Instagram, Eaton creEaton first read VCU’s ated an online petition to reopening plan in July, make her peers feel heard she knew she had to and to give them a voice for give VCU students their concerns on reopening. a way to make their “It feels like a student is concerns heard. choosing between educa“The reopening plan, tion or safety,” Eaton said, to me, was extremely “and that’s not an ethical atrocious,” Eaton said. choice that has to be made.” Because of her and The petition includes a her family’s immunolink to an annotated vercompromised status, Easion of VCU’s “Return to Bianca Eaton. Photo courtesy of Bianca Eaton ton said VCU’s reopenCampus” plan published ing plan would directly affect her and her July 24. Eaton added comments to the docloved ones’ health. ument, emphasizing the flaws and vagueEaton made an Instagram post she ness she found in the reopening plan and named “The fatality of ‘self-account- its COVID-19 guidelines. ability’ and the problems with reopenAs of Tuesday, the petition has more ing VCU,” to call attention to VCU’s fall than 300 signatures. reopening plan and the university’s reli“My life is more important than profit,” ance on students to keep each other safe. said one of the petition’s signers, Carolan “There’s just too much self-accountabil- Corcoran, in a comment. ity and I’m going to drill this into everyOthers who signed the petition online one’s head because it’s not going to work left messages regarding the risk VCU’s rethe way VCU wants it to work,” Eaton said. opening could pose to student health.

“Our children are not medical experiments,” Claudine Sangare said in another comment. “Simply stated, it is not safe for them to return to school and be in groups during this pandemic with the # of positive cases increasing daily.” As of Tuesday, VCU reported 53 active coronavirus cases among students and employees. There have been 195 confirmed student cases and 17 employee cases since the university began tracking the data. Eaton said idealistically, she wants the campus to close and continue the semester with remote instruction, but realistically, VCU must give students the option to make any or all of their in-person classes online. “All teachers should be required to have an online version and option of their classes for students who are participating fully in remote learning,” Eaton’s Instagram post said. In the post, Eaton demands VCU enforce a full transition to online instruction and compensate professors and staff for necessary resources. She also said VCU’s required COVID-19 training could be abused or neglected by students. Eaton said students may be able to skirt around the reopening rules by using “difficulty breathing” as a reason not to wear masks, for example.

“ There’s too many loopholes,” Eaton said. Associate Vice President for Public Affairs Michael Porter said in an email that VCU is making its decisions on campus operations based on recommendations from the VCU Public Health Response Team.

Duties of VCU’s Public Health Response Team: • M o n i t o r t h e p r e v a l e n c e o f COVID-19 in the VCU community and develop protocols for response to case increases • Develop protocols for call center operations and contact tracing team • Manage response to local outbreaks of COVID-19 • Make recommendations to VCU administration regarding local and general closures Porter said the Public Health and Response Team is made up of “experts in infectious disease, epidemiology, risk management, student health, employee health and other critical roles.”

Wed. September 9, 2020 5

Stat of the week

Former VCU golfer Lanto Griffin finished T-18 at the TOUR Championship’s third weekend in Atlanta.

Caroline Comey

Sydnei Archie

Mike Avey

Maggie Brocklebank

Taylor Carlson

Destiny Colon

Meghna Dawar

Liz French

Sofia Hiort-Wright

Eddie Johnson

Ray Kim

Jimmy Martelli

Abigail Osmeyer

Lindsey Martin

Hannah Jo Riley

Maya Rodgers

Kayla May

Tori McCarl

Mike Sanders

Takeya McLaurin

Justin Walker

Anna Koniencki

Andy Mensah

Janne Wetzel

Jonathon Wilson Infographic by Raymond Liu Photos courtesy of VCU Athletics

VCU Athletics unveils diversity committee

NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor

After a former lacrosse player wrote about “racist undertones and remarks” she said she experienced while playing for VCU, the team held an open conversation to share player thoughts and concerns. That summer conversation evolved into a diversity, equity and inclusion committee in the lacrosse program. Following the death of George Floyd and protests in Richmond and other cities, VCU Athletic administrators took it department-wide, according to a release from the department. Ayana Gordon, an attack player on the team during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, wrote an open letter to VCU women’s lacrosse in response to a “solidarity” post made by the program after the death of Floyd, a Black man who died in Minneapolis police custody. “I simply want to encourage VCU Lacrosse, to stand in their truth as I am now standing in mine,” Gordon wrote. “I encourage them and similar programs to ask tough questions such as ‘What is the black experience really like (here)?’ So that they are not ignorant to these types of issues and can implement true change.” Gordon said in the article that many remarks made toward her, which she called “offensive and disrespectful,” were swept under the rug while she was one of two Black women on the team.

“I was made out to be the villain and accused of being the angry black girl who was overly sensitive,” wrote Gordon, who graduated in May. Junior defender Destiny Colon said the conversation among lacrosse players was needed and that it was a “wake up call to everyone” in VCU Athletics. “I know we kind of made the initiative toward the athletic department,” Colon said, “there’s no way that we are the only team that has this going on.” Lacrosse teams around the country are also leading this discussion, Colon said. “I think that lacrosse is being used as a catalyst, and I think that everyone is aware of the gap in race and ethnicity in this sport,” Colon said. “I think that everyone’s kind of just taking it and running with it. This was probably one of the best sports to start it in and get taken seriously.” Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin implemented the DEI committee in June, appointing Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration Takeya McLaurin and Senior Executive Associate Athletic Director Sofia Hiort-Wright as co-chairs. “It really means the world to me to be a part of this committee and to advance this work for our department,” McLaurin said. “As an African American female myself, all of the issues that we are tackling hit home for me in a personal way.”

McLaurin said as soon as they were appointed, the chairs hit the ground running to recruit committee members. She said after sending out an email to everyone in the department, she immediately heard back from those interested. “A lot of times, as student-athletes … we’re kind of silenced and told to comply with what our political leaders say, what our elders believe,” Colon said. “I just think this is kind of a gateway for us to start to share our voice and be comfortable in doing so.” McLaurin and Colon both said student-athletes on the committee create a bridge between the rest of the athletes and the committee. The DEI committee is looking at compensation and hiring practices within the athletic department. McLaurin said new hires in the department will take unconscious bias training, a new addition to the hiring process. “We are actually looking at our own equitable practices to facilitate and advance the inclusive environment in our department,” McLaurin said. The committee is focused on educating staff and student-athletes, as well as giving back to the surrounding communities. Members held a school supply drive in August to benefit children in the Richmond area. McLaurin said the committee was able to donate two boxes

of supplies collected by student-athletes and coaches. The committee held a town hall with VCU Police and student-athletes to discuss police brutality, McLaurin said. She said the committee will hold a similar talk between staff, coaches and the police department. “I appreciate the committee’s efforts thus far to listen to the feedback from the Black and African American members of our staff to create programming to educate all of our department,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “Having a diverse group of people on the committee, especially our student-athletes, has created a powerful force that will do even more important work in the future.” The committee is holding educational sessions with professors to encourage voting among student-athletes ahead of Election Day. It also has a monthly book club; September’s book is “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo. Each month, the committee chooses and discusses a new book. The lacrosse team’s committee still meets and works with the team to educate each other with a different focus each month, Colon said. This week, the team watched “13th,” a documentary directed by Ava DuVernay that examines racial inequities in the U.S. justice system, and will meet in groups to discuss the film.

6 The Commonwealth Times PRESS BOX

Unlike other Va. colleges, VCU’s young talent is enough to keep sports going RYAN GRUBE Contributing Writer

The College of William & Mary is the latest school to drop fall sporting competitions due to COVID-19, announcing the elimination of seven sports, including men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, on Sept. 3 — VCU should not make the same mistake. The school, and its athletes, should fight to keep the men’s and women’s track and field, and cross country seasons alive going forward. The domino effect of sports cancellations in March effectively ended the season for spring sports at VCU, including men’s and women’s track and field. As the coronavirus progressively worsened into the summer, an important training period for fall athletes, the Atlantic 10 had a tough decision to make. League commissioner Bernadette McGlade announced on July 17 that fall sports competitions would be postponed with the hope of reinstating seasons in the spring semester. But, as fewer sports have been in session, resulting in a massive revenue decline for universities, many schools have been forced to permanently eliminate certain competitions — a popular combination being track and field, and cross country. According to VCU’s online COVID-19 dashboard, the university’s athletic department recently reported a cluster of 44 positive coronavirus cases among its athletes and coaches on Aug. 26. The Commonwealth Times first reported the large number on Aug. 26, which could have led to more discussions about season shutdowns. Prior to cutting seven sports, William & Mary competed in 19 sports with 617 student athletes. VCU, on the other hand, competes in 12 sports with 373 student athletes.

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

VCU currently enrolls more than 31,000 students, compared to just 8,617 on the Tribe’s campus. Both are Division 1 schools, but discontinuing sports like track and field and cross country would undoubtedly carry a much larger magnitude on the Rams’ campus. Both VCU teams, supporting young rosters, experienced positive conclusions to their respective schedules, leading to a number of postseason accolades that prompted optimism heading into the 2020-21 seasons. Junior Hisham Vohra placed 12th at the 2019 A-10 Cross Country Championships to earn all-conference honors. His finish was the highest by a VCU men’s competitor since Bryce Catlett’s 12th-place finish at the 2017 meet.

Catlett said each team creates a bond, and teammates are able to use each other to improve. “You just gotta continue to motivate one another, and use that to push off and support each other — whether it’s in the workouts or in the races,” Catlett said. “Just knowing that you have tammates to fall back on, and they’re there to support you.” On the track and field side, seven team members — five women, two men — were selected to the Atlantic 10 all-rookie teams, the conference announced on March 23. Freshman triple jumper Raquel Hawkins earned four top-five finishes and recorded 12.18 meters –– the top mark for all A-10 freshmen last season. Thrower Jocelyn Midkiff also notched a conference-best toss for freshmen in the shot put at 13.18 meters.

To cancel future seasons for these competitions would take away a lot of young promise on both rosters and would certainly receive some drawback from the athletes, who have worked hard to get where they are. With the cross country season likely being moved to next spring, the A-10 will have to work to create a schedule without overlap between the two sports. VCU Athletics Director Ed McLaughlin told NBC12 in April, “Cutting sports has never been a question, never been a consideration, nor will it be going forward for us.” The black and gold should maintain its status quo with track and field and cross country. The men’s and women’s teams have too much young talent on each roster for the university to turn its back on it all.

Student-athletes encourage voting

JOE DODSON Contributing Writer

After living in Richmond for nearly four years, one men’s soccer player knew he wanted to make a lasting impact. Little did he know, it wouldn’t be on the playing field, but instead through a committee focused on student voting and social issues. Forward Andy Mensah joined the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, or SAAC, to encourage civic engagement and make a difference in the community. “We do need to vote. This is our civic duty as Americans,” Mensah said. “We love this country and we need to help it anyway we can, and the best way we can in November is by voting.” Mensah, a co-chair of SAAC’s community service committee, said being a leader means serving other people. “Hearing their voice, seeing what they need and helping them,” Mensah said. With a focus on student voting for this year, SAAC held an open Zoom conference with student athletes where they discussed the importance of voting and sent candidate information to students. “We encourage everybody to vote,” said Dani Jo David, committee vice president and a setter on the volleyball team. “We think it’s very important to have a role in your community.”

VIRTUAL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES

SEP. 10 OCT. 9 #RamsVote

SEP. 12 OCT. 13 visit VCUATHLETICS.COM/VOTE Infographic by Raymond Liu

Members of SAAC have chosen to address several political issues. The committee planned to host a unity walk in support of the ongoing social justice protests in Richmond and other cities, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. “I definitely think politics do belong in sports,” David said. “Especially when a lot of athletes are Black at VCU. You can’t just tell them to play and tell them to do this and that when they don’t even have an open, honest atmosphere to play in.”

SAAC has been active on social media, informing students about the November presidential election. The social media campaign aims to show students the importance of voting and how to register. In the 2016 presidential election, only 46.1% of people aged 18-29 voted, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “I think a lot of people think it’s something annoying to do, but I think it is a privilege,” said SAAC president and field hockey forward Emily van Hijfte.

“Everyone should realize that, since there are a lot of people who aren’t able to vote.” Each member brings a unique perspective on issues they are passionate about. David said she has been educating herself on transgender rights. Van Hijfte focuses on the criminal justice system, exploring topics like prison and police reform. “What I’m enjoying about this group of SAAC members is that they are very outspoken, but they are also taking the responsibility to educate themselves before they speak,” said Artis Gordan, SAAC’s faculty advisor. VCU Athletics has addressed the racial inequality in the country, stating the organization “has no place for hate, oppression or intolerance.” “We strive every day to create an environment that embraces inclusivity, based on our core values of diversity and equity,” read a May 31 release from Athletics Director Ed McLaughlin. But SAAC members want to go beyond a statement. “We are working together to try and do something about racial inequality in Richmond,” Van Hijfte said. “We are trying to talk to some politicians to see what we can actually do instead of it just being a lot of talk.”

Wed. September 9, 2020 7

On this day

In 1789, the Bill of Rights was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Neurodiverse farm provides job placement, addresses food insecurity EBONIQUE LITTLE Contributing Writer Organically grown fruits, vegetables and herbs sprawl across an acre of land in Richmond’s East End. Welcoming and providing jobs to people with neurological disorders, Frank Community Farm seeks a larger purpose than feeding the community. Crystal Stokes, president of Frank Community Farm, and Rachel Matthews, vice president of training and behavioral support, founded the business in 2017 after realizing there were disparities in job placement for adults with autism. “So I thought that my love intertwined — my love for farming and my love for the autism community — could make for a good space for people to learn workplace skills,” Stokes said. Before going into business, Stokes and Matthews worked at the Dominion School for Autism as teacher’s assistants. For Stokes, a fifth-generation farmer, this was the beginning of her journey within social work, marking a significant switch from her past jobs in musical theater. She went on to work in case management and run group homes, or residences providing care for those in need. Stokes said she was able to learn a lot from the individuals she served. Matthews’ desire to help those with neurological disorders stemmed from a personal connection, as her brother has autism. Growing up, she worked at her church with twins Mathew and Tyler Frank, who also had autism. “And so they were really a lot of what inspired me to get into this field, and to help children with autism, and eventually to get involved with starting a farm like this,” Matthews said.

1: Frank Community Farm donates produce to local food shelters, such as Mutual Aid District RVA and Richmond Food Justice Alliance. 2-4: The farm grows baby kale, Japanese turnips, strawberries and other produce. Photos courtesy of Adam Weatherford

Named after the twins, Frank Community Farm has a central mission: neurodiversity. The concept encourages society to accept neurological disorders such as autism and ADHD as variations in functioning, rather than disabilities that must be cured, according to the farm’s website. Frank Community Farm enlists up to six interns at a time, all led by Matthews. They are given various tasks to assess their interests and skills. Some duties include planting and harvesting, fulfilling product orders, making deliveries, producing teas and caring for chickens. Rewards and a variety of other techniques are used to help the interns learn. Once they find their niche, they can complete these tasks on their own. Matthews said the interns’ differences in thinking are beneficial to the workplace, and witnessing their growth is the most rewarding part of her job. “Just seeing the progress that these guys make,” Matthews said, “and the joy that they get out of coming to work every day and having a Frank Community Farm president and founder Crystal place where they can come Stokes, a fifth-generation farmer, tends to crops at the site. be a part of the community Photo courtesy of Adam Weatherford and really be themselves.”

However, the coronavirus has shifted the farm’s day-to-day operations and affected their ability to accept new interns. Stokes and Matthews said they make an effort to socially distance the interns, which is difficult for those who require hands-on attention. Some struggle with staying away from their friends who they’ve grown accustomed to seeing every day, Matthews said. The farm at 2218 Fenton St. hasn’t been able to sell produce at its stand or hold farming classes for the public, largely impacting revenue. Despite these setbacks, Frank Community Farm adapted by delivering boxes of produce to the community — an idea of one of the interns — through a program called Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. “Many of our interns that are with us and interns that have left have really built our business,” Stokes said. “They are so creative, and the attention to detail is amazing. And they’re just great to have around.” Through the CSA program, the farm has reached 60 people every week among Richmond’s vulnerable populations. The farm donates the rest of their produce to local organizations such as Mutual Aid District RVA and Richmond Food Justice Alliance, volunteer partnerships helping Richmond’s food insecure communities. As Stokes has enjoyed feeding Richmonders in need, she hopes the farm can be more community-focused after the coronavirus subsides. “There’s not many community gardens, so we hope to start a community garden next year,” Stokes said. “And just continue to do

what we’re doing — providing more employment for adults who are neurodivergent and educating people about neurodiversity and why it should be celebrated.”

Duties of the interns include planting crops and caring for the farm’s chickens. Photos courtesy of Adam Weatherford

8 The Commonwealth Times

Preview: Upcoming ICA exhibit to explore concept of commonwealth Created by Dominican artist Firelei Báez, this mural stands as part of the “Resiliency Garden” at the ICA. The design overlays new imagery on historical maps and architectural renderings from Philadelphia and Richmond. Photo by Jon Mirador CLAIRE DARCY Contributing Writer In the wake of COVID-19 and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, “Commonwealth,” the newest exhibition coming to the Institute for Contemporary Art this weekend, notes relevant themes of activism, community and resilience portrayed through sculptures, video and large-scale murals. The gallery is a collaborative effort between the ICA, non-profit organization Beta-Local in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Philadelphia Contemporary. Each of these are within areas designated as commonwealths. “Commonwealth” will be presented in both indoor and outdoor formats. Mediums include a garden, large-scale outdoor murals, sculptures and videos. The murals are currently available for viewing, and are located on the museum’s exterior “Thinking Field” wall, which faces North Pine Street. “Commonwealth” has been in the works since 2018. In spring 2019, an undergraduate course about the exhibition’s subject

was offered by the VCUarts painting and printmaking department in collaboration with the museum. The course led to a series of public discussion sessions. “Each of the collaborating institutions felt it was important to have a community-based process of exploring ideas related to commonwealth with people around them,” said Stephanie Smith, chief curator of the ICA. The project explores the idea of “commonwealth” as a political territory, its further community-based implications and its historical significance to each locality. It also examines the possibilities and limitations to the term. According to the ICA’s website, it seeks to address questions such as “Who is the ‘we’ in ‘We the people?’” and “How could we reimagine wealth and come together for common good?” Smith said the project was a chance to think more closely about the range of meanings that the term can have, from its “utopian possibilities” to its “historical roots.” Themes and topics of the exhibit include natural resources, the built environment,

The garden includes murals made by local and international artists. Photo by Jon Mirador

assembly, public domain and the line between common wealth and common debt. “For the show, we didn’t say to an artist ‘work with this theme,’ but we talked through this range of research and they came up with their own ways of addressing it,” said Noah Simblist, chair of painting and printmaking at VCUarts and a member of the “Commonwealth” curatorial team. Many themes discussed by the production team and artists, such as the connection between wealth and health, evolved as time progressed throughout the project. “History is unfolding in real time, and we as a group are being very mindful of how those current events affected the way we’re thinking through the project,” Simblist said. One of these changes was the “Resiliency Garden” by artist and food justice activist Duron Chavis, which was not originally planned to be part of the museum’s exhibit. It came into motion in the wake of COVID-19 and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement to

highlight the ties between systemic racism and food insecurity. The garden will be one of the exhibit’s outdoor components and will feature several raised planters, a variety of vegetables and other plants, and a multi-surface mural. Working on the project through COVID-19 meant several changes to the original plan for “Commonwealth.” Although it was supposed to launch in a traditional format in all three collaborating locations, the ICA will be the sole site for a physical exhibit. Online programs and print publications will be produced in Philadelphia and San Juan. “It was not so much changing the end date, but changing how we got there,” Simblist said. The coronavirus also shifted how the art will be presented. The ICA adapted its planned live performances to a film format and added floor space between art installations to allow for social distancing. “Commonwealth” will be on display at the ICA, 601 W. Broad St., from Sept. 12 to Jan. 17.

The “Resiliency Garden,” by food justice activist Duron Chavis, addresses issues of social justice and food insecurity. Photo by Jon Mirador

Wed. September 9, 2020 9

Byrd Theatre gets creative in engaging with community during COVID-19 AERIN FORTES Contributing Writer

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

TUES. 9/8 - SUN. 9/13 Richmond International Film Festival

The Byrd Theatre is nearly a century old, but remaining relevant to the Richmond community remains a source of innovation for its management. Since the theater closed in March due to COVID-19, the Byrd’s doors have not been completely shut — it has launched a number of ways to raise money and serve patrons during the coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve done many things to keep the community engaged, entertained, and educated,” said the theater’s marketing director, Lisa Rogerson, in an email. The theater introduced marquee sign rentals in June. The front sign that usually displays film titles can be customized with a name or celebration for a $250 donation. One donor, Richard Timblin, rented the marquee to propose to his partner with a message that read, “Will you marry me?” He discovered the opportunity on the theater’s Instagram just two days before his scheduled proposal, changing his original plan to propose during a picnic at the Church Hill Overlook. Timblin has been a regular patron since his first visit in 2014 to see “Let’s Be Cops.” He’s seen plenty of classics at the Cary Street location, and says he can’t wait to be there again. Timblin said getting his message on the marquee was a simple transaction done completely over email. “There was a slight delay getting the message up with all the rain we have had, but ultimately it was the best way to ask my now fiancée the biggest question I’ll ever ask,” Timblin said. Before COVID-19, bringing in donations and fundraising were norms for the nonprofit theater.

This year’s RIFF will run as a hybrid model with virtual and in-person screenings of over 100 films. For physical events, social distancing and masks are required for entry. Temperature checks will be conducted at select venues. Viewers can purchase passes and tickets at riff.eventive.org. Times, prices and locations vary.

SAT. 9/12 “Movies in the Outfield: ‘Finding Nemo’”

The Byrd Theatre has remained closed since March 14. Since then, the theater has rented its marquee for the public to customize. Photo by Alessandro Latour After its initial closure, the theater hosted Facebook tours of the projection booth that had more than 6,000 views. The livestreams became popular, going on to showcase the theater’s iconic Mighty Wurlitzer Organ at nearly 15,000 views. “We have also hosted a couple of local filmmaker talks virtually and have a couple more we are planning this fall,” Rogerson said. The theater is working on some in-person events for the upcoming fall season, Rogerson said, but it will not fully

reopen in the immediate future. Shaw said the choice comes from an abundance of caution and a survey of the Byrd’s audience members. “It’s painful because we really miss everybody,” Shaw said. “It’s very hard to stay closed, but we feel like these smaller opportunities for people to come in with people they know is a safer environment for now until we can get past this thing.” For more information about the Byrd Theatre’s activities, visit byrdtheatre.org.

Attendees can watch “Finding Nemo” at the Diamond as part of the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ “Movies in the Outfield” program. Local special abilities nonprofit Jacob’s Chance will co-host the event. Seating will be spread across the field. 6:35 - 9:45 p.m., The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., $8 per person

SUN. 9/13 Drive-in Drag

In honor of Latin Heritage Month, Diversity Thrift will host a Latin-themed drive-in drag show in the store’s parking lot. Masks are advised. The program will take place at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are available on Diversity’s website. Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Ave.) $10 per car

Do something

THURS. 9/10 “Diamond Disc Golf”

Spend an evening playing disk golf during the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ weekly event. The nine-hole course will be open every Thursday with sanitized discs. Attendees can preorder concessions prior to the event. To buy tickets, visit the team’s website. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., $10 per person

SUN. 9/13 Fall Fest Artisan Market

Hardywood West Creek will host a family friendly “makers market” with live music, food, games and prizes. Local artists will be selling handmade items. For more information, visit the free event’s Facebook page. Noon - 5 p.m., 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr.

It’s painful because we really miss everybody.” Stacy Shaw, Byrd Theatre executive director

THURS. 9/10 ADVERTISEMENT

“This isn’t new, having different sources of revenue,” Executive Director Stacy Shaw said. “We’re just trying to think of more innovative ways for people to be interested while we can’t do our regular programming.” Private theater rentals are available to groups of up to 30 people with their own Blu-Ray copy of a film. A party of up to 10 requires a $350 donation. “It does give us the opportunity to allow people access to the building with people they feel safe and comfortable being around, so [theater rentals] have been going very well,” Shaw said. “We had one yesterday, and these are people who have been coming to the Byrd their whole lives. They were here as children and they were so sweet and so excited.” Shaw said finding a cleaner that would disinfect hard surfaces and cloth seats was a challenge, but a resource they needed before opening their facilities. This required testing on the upholstery to ensure the fabric would not be damaged. Patrons can enjoy films at home with rentals ranging from $10-12 and lasting 24-72 hours. The virtual screening room offers documentaries, feature films and special series.

Learn something

Online Dance Classes with RVA Swing

Join RVA Swing’s 30-minute dance workout during this week’s online dance class. To access this free class, watch the group’s Facebook livestream. Donations to the organization are encouraged. 6 - 6:30 p.m.

Who is the “we” in “We the people”?

TUES. 9/15

Commonwealth explores this question, and how our common resources are used to influence the wealth and well-being of our communities. Commonwealth opens Sept. 12 Visit icavcu.org for your free, timed ticket.

“Movie Mythbusting: Hidden Figures”

Analyze inaccuracies in popular historical films duringTO the Virginia Museum LETTER THE EDITOR of History & Culture’s interactive Zoom presentations. This week’s selection is the 2000 drama, “Remember the Titans.” The film should be watched in advance before the half-hour discussion begins. To register and get the link for this free event, visit the event’s Facebook page. 7 - 7:30 p.m.

Have suggestions for the events calendar? Contact spectrum@ commonwealthtimes.org Commonwealth Times Ad_4.9167x7.92_Fall 2020.indd 1

9/4/20 10:10 AM

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” — Earl Grollman

GENTRIFYING RVA REMOVES RICHMONDERS Illustration by Madeline De-Michele

MONICA ALARCON-NAJARRO Contributing Writer I remember hearing during my freshman year that a Whole Foods would open on West Broad Street a few minutes from campus. The first thing that came to my mind was, “Why would they put such an expensive grocery store in Richmond?” Then, I remembered that the city is going through America’s favorite transition: gentrification. It’s evident there’s a large gap between the residents of Richmond and the ones who are moving in from other cities trying to change it. Walking on Broad, I always see less fortunate people sitting on the sidewalk asking for spare change. I mean, how exactly do you justify a highend, organic grocery store on the same block as a homeless man sitting on a sidewalk? That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call gentrification at its finest.

What angers me most is that wealthy people are taking over homes in areas like Scott’s Addition and Jackson Ward that were once occupied by families of low and middle incomes. Those families end up displaced or homeless due to high rent in the area. I hope the Karens who move in have a great time enjoying their vegan non-GMO salads in their luxury apartments, while less wealthy families are kicked out of their homes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 24.5% of Richmond residents are in poverty. That is higher than the nation’s average, which was 11.8% in 2018. Yet, Richmond is still trying to push this agenda of rebuilding the city to fit the new “modern city” stigma. Shekinah Mitchell, a VCU alum and former employee, stated in an article for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition that she has lived at four different Richmond addresses in five years due to rent increases and changes in land ownership.

“Each time we moved, we paid more in rent for fewer square footage,” Mitchell said in the article. Just like Mitchell, families have moved from place to place to find affordable housing. This wouldn’t be a problem if government officials actually did their jobs — research the household income in Richmond and converse with residents about new construction in the area. As Shekinah Mitchell said, Richmond has become infiltrated with wealthy white people who have been advertised luxury homes, not knowing that people of color were kicked out in order for them to live there (Mitchell). In addition, the placement of VCU’s campus makes it no better. As wealthier students move off-campus — and into an impoverished city — gentrified neighborhoods provide a place for them to stay. Inevitably, low-income families, most of them people of color, lose their homes in the process.

VCU continues to buy off property in Richmond. The campus sits right in the center of Richmond, where the university builds classrooms, common areas and dorms. Monroe Park Campus has forcibly moved into Richmond without facing the consequences. There should be more determination to help those who have been living in the city for years but cannot afford to live in high-rent homes. We should be outraged that some community members can’t be part of such a beautiful, historic city due to its gentrification. It’s evident that the government officials in charge of building Richmond have not taken the household income of its residents into consideration. In this capitalistic society full of new construction and properties, money is the only thing running through the minds of investors and corporate leaders. The opinions of Richmond residents should be prioritized, not made into an afterthought once they’re kicked out of their homes.

My Black community, your grief is heard TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor When I think of the history of being Black in America, I think of sadness, death, neglect and disrespect. But I also see beauty, talent, innovation and tenacity. I remember the weekend of Feb. 16, 2018. It was my senior year in high school. For my entire life, I hadn’t seen many movies that carried an ensemble of people who looked like me, talked like me; people who could have been me. Then, on this weekend, I — along with the worldwide Black community — experienced a cultural phenomena: “Black Panther.” From “Spider-Man” to “Iron Man” and all in between, I’ve always been a fan of Marvel’s superhero films. When “Black Panther” came out, I realized how much I was actually missing. It had a star-studded cast of Black excellence, a soundtrack produced by and featuring Black talent, and costumes and references only understood by the Black community. Sure, it was just a superhero movie, but everything about the film ignited my Black pride. So on Aug. 28, I was devastated. I was at a loss for words. The loss of Chadwick Boseman

Illustration by Miriam Cooper

took me by such a strong surprise. If I’m being honest, I didn’t really know how to react when I first heard the news. I knew I was sad, but I felt strange and almost out of my own body. I realized I had felt like that multiple times in the past year. George Floyd. Kobe Bryant. Nipsey Hustle. Breonna Taylor. All these

names strike such pain in my heart and in the hearts of Black people everywhere. But why? I didn’t know any of these people personally. I had never met any of them. Yet their deaths have consumed so much of my thoughts. They have affected my mood. They have hurt me.

Maybe I’m grieving, I thought. But, again, how can I grieve someone I don’t know? Many Black people feel the same way. It took me some time, but I recognized that my grief was valid. Being Black in America is far from simple. It is full of grieving people we don’t know because it is so easy for their death to be someone we do know. Boseman has affected my life in ways he’ll never know. My 8-year-old brother will always remember him as his favorite superhero. I can rest knowing my brother and Black kids all over the world idolize a Black man who has endured similar trauma and could sympathize with their struggles and identities. To my Black community, please understand that your grief is completely understood. People shape our lives in different ways. You don’t have to rationalize your thoughts. You don’t have to explain your sadness. You don’t have to block your feelings. I feel you. Grief does not need to be explained. It takes us over in a multitude of ways. Regardless of whether they’re celebrities, victims of police violence, family members or just random strangers in the street, your grief is always valid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Wed. September 9, 2020â&#x20AC;&#x192;11

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

VCU Bingo by Carleigh Ross

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

Ascension by Sarah Brady

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jayce Nguyen Raymond Liu Ni Sang 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

Early Morning Essentials by Lauren Johnson

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.

16 The Commonwealth Times 12 The Commonwealth Times

For answers to this week’s puzzles, check commonwealthtimes.org/puzzles every Friday at noon.

Los LosAngeles AngelesTimes Times Crossword Puzzle Crossword Puzzle FLIGHT OF FANCY BUILDING VOCABULARY