The Commonwealth Times; Sept. 16, 2020 by VCU Student Media Center

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VOL. 62, NO. 5 SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

‘WALK OF SHAME’ Students question VCU’s protocol for isolation transportation Residential students who test positive for COVID-19 must move into isolation for a two-week period. Many are housed in Gladding Residence Center III. Photo by Andy Caress ANYA SCZERZENIE Staff Writer

HE INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEAR FOR residential students who test positive for COVID-19: Go into isolation. But for some, lack of transportation to prepared spaces can pose an issue. Former residential assistant Caden Haney said he was evicted from university housing after giving one of his residents a ride to Gladding Residence Center III, where the student was to move into COVID-19 isolation housing. “I am a housing insecure student and this sudden contract termination has left me in shambles … as I continue to appeal decisions that are being solely dictated by white cis-men deeming myself; a black, first-generation, low-income student a public health & safety risk,” Haney said in a direct message. Haney said VCU Residential Life & Housing did not offer his friend transportation to GRC III. “I did not want to risk the public health of the Richmond community members and students on campus with them walking,” Haney said. The senior social work major was dismissed from his RA position when his

housing contract was canceled. The university did not comment on whether any students have been evicted for transporting students to isolation housing. Jessica Buchanan, assistant director of Marketing and Communications for Residential Life & Housing, said in an email that a staff member will contact students by cell phone to arrange transportation into isolation.

It didn’t bother me, because I was so close, but it did kind of feel like a walk of shame.” Diamond Zetty, freshman Diamond Zetty, a freshman music education major, said she went into isolation housing and VCU did not offer transportation. Though Residential Life & Housing did contact her, Zetty said there was no mention or discussion of transportation. “It didn’t bother me, because I was so close,” said Zetty, who lives in GRC. “But it did kind of feel like a walk of shame.”

Zetty said she sees other students walking from GRC to GRC III “all the time.” She assumed VCU did not provide transportation and that she was expected to walk to isolation. Zetty said the university provided her a bus to MCV to get tested for the virus. Students living in on-campus residence halls who may have been exposed are expected to quarantine in their rooms until they receive a test result. Caroline Berkle, a freshman nursing science major who lives in GRC, said she knows what to do if she gets sick but doesn’t know who to contact for transportation. “I’ve heard people just walk, but I don’t know for sure,” Berkle said. VCU’s isolation housing is in GRC III, an older building behind the new high-rise Gladding Residence Center, and the upper levels of the Honors College building. Students who contract the virus are housed there for a two-week period and provided with three meals per day. Freshman biology major Sarah Do, who lives in Brandt Hall, believes VCU’s students know what to do if they get sick. “I feel like because we’re at a pretty liberal school, everyone understands how serious the virus is and they’re wearing masks,” Do said.

Since the beginning of August, Virginia colleges have grappled with COVID-19, implementing new restrictions to get students back on campus. After reporting a spike in cases, James Madison University moved all classes online. Other universities, such as Virginia Tech, are open but limiting gatherings on and off campus to 15 people. Rachael Davidson, a freshman biology major who lives in GRC, said VCU has done a good job of telling her what she needs to do if she contracts COVID-19. “I feel like we know if we’re in contact with someone who tested positive, we should isolate ourselves,” Davidson said. “When we get a test result, we can go from there.” Davidson said she hasn’t packed an emergency isolation bag, which the university recommends for residential students, but she has all of the necessary items, like masks and cleaning products, in her room. Information systems major Kevin Nguyen, a senior, said he would have had a hard time adapting to COVID-19 restrictions as a freshman. “As a freshman, all you want to do is hang out with your friends, and if there was something telling me to stay away from them, I’d be pretty upset,” Nguyen said.

Reunited pep band brings ‘sense of normalcy’ I’m enjoying myself. I missed these guys and being back is just a good feeling.” Marlon Harris, junior drummer The Peppas rehearse in the Stuart C. Siegel Center under new coronavirus guidelines. Photo by Jon Mirador

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: A Texas Supreme Court decision on Tuesday blocked Harris County residents from sending mail-in ballot applications. international: China inoculates tens of thousands of its citizens with experimental coronavirus vaccines before trials are completed, Reuters reports.

Students walk down Shafer Street on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus, wearing masks per university COVID-19 guidelines. Photo by Jon Mirador

Fear of misuse overshadows VCU’s COVID-19 student absence policy SAGAL AHMED Contributing Writer

students miss due to illness, they can either watch the recording later or get the notes from a classmate.” CU’S TEMPORARY COVID-19 Students are responsible for completing protocol allows students in quaran- classwork while in quarantine or isolation tine and isolation to take 14 days of unless faculty say otherwise. unexcused absences, and although classwork “Some students are in quarantine not isn’t automatically pardoned, some are wor- because they’re sick, but because they have ried that students will misuse the policy. been exposed,” Sutton said, “and so they are Students do not have to specify to their just in quarantine and feeling fine, attendprofessors that they are in quarantine or ing classes online.” isolation, but the honor code prohibits students from making false statements to justify missing class or assignments. “VCU has instituted this regulation in good faith,” a release from the Office of the Provost reads. VCU need not only let University spokesperson Michael Porter the students be said students must obtain an excused abresponsible, but the sence note from Student Health Services or a health care provider to use the policy. The school should also notice should include the provider’s recombe responsible for this mended absence period but does not need action. It seems to disclose the nature of the medical issue. Catherine Sutton, an associate philosthat VCU is only ophy professor at VCU, said she has faith demanding on students that students will not abuse this measure. to be responsible.” Sutton said in her experience, students using illness to miss class is rare. Lizzy Shin, sophomore “The COVID policy is in line with the existing policy about absences due to illness,” Sutton said. “In the past, I haIf illness prevents a student from studyven’t seen much abuse with absences ing, they can meet with faculty to determine for other illnesses.” the best options for completing or tempoSutton said the temporary regulation rarily suspending work. may have less of an effect on classes held Sophomore graphic design major Lizzy entirely online. Shin said she was not aware that students “I teach online in real time but record the are not required to tell their professors if classes on Zoom,” Sutton said. “So when they have COVID-19. Shin said VCU

should be responsible for notifying faculty about its students missing class. “VCU need not only let the students be responsible, but the school should also be responsible for this action,” Shin said. “It seems that VCU is only demanding on students to be responsible.” Shin said VCU should have been prepared to handle absences from the moment the decision was made to reopen campus. “Yes, the students may use this trick to excuse from classes,” Shin said. “I know this

is unfair, but it’s VCU’s fault from the beginning, not setting up a proper plan.” Jaelyn Phillips, another VCU student who is currently taking a gap semester due to COVID-19, finds the new policy “lenient” because it takes the student’s situation into consideration. “It sounds like a complicated policy,” Phillips said. “But I’m thinking, how else would you let your professor know you have to stay in for two weeks?”

Student, professor responsibilities during excused absences Students are expected to: • Use this new rule without violating the honor code • Communicate absences to their professors and be aware of their classes’ attendance policy • Complete all schoolwork during the absence unless otherwise stated by their professors • If a student can’t complete work or the absence is extended beyond the 14 days, then the student and their professors should discuss completing or withdrawing from the course.

Professors are expected to: • Be flexible for students to ensure they have the opportunity to be successful during this time • Accept excused absence notifications without knowing the specific medical condition • Make adjustments to schoolwork for those who missed class due to medical reasons

Infographic by Andy Caress Information compiled by Sagal Ahmed

Wed. September 16, 2020 3

VCU program facilitates connection between students and administration KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer ANYA SCZERZENIE Staff Writer Students can share their opinions with the VCU administration through a program that uses text messages to streamline communication. VCU Universe, a program developed by the Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success, began in September of 2019. It has now grown to include more than 700 enrolled students, said Manny Liban, communications director for the office. The program serves as an opportunity for students to provide their thoughts to the university in an efficient manner. The university can then use them to influence policy. “We certainly learn from them and take them very seriously,” Liban said. The program works by sending prompts to students via text. Liban said the responses, which are managed by VCU Technology Services, are kept anonymous and only the respondent’s phone number is recorded. Katelyn Farrell, a sophomore theater major, said she thinks students would participate in the program because many are already talking about university-related issues. “I feel like if enough people answer, they will have to pay attention,” Farrell said. “If they sent out a question and enough people answered it, and they didn’t listen, they’d look bad.” Liban said the program asked students over the summer how they were feeling about the coronavirus. After receiving an “overwhelming” number of responses, the university is still processing answers

Efforts falter to require schools to provide inperson options SAM FOWLER Capital News Service An effort to require Virginia school districts provide in-person classes to students with poor internet access during the COVID-19 pandemic is most likely dead. House Bill 5009, introduced by Del. Mark Cole, R-Fredericksburg, would require public schools to offer in-person classes to elementary, middle and high school students who have substandard internet connections at home. The bill was referred in August to the House Committee on Education during the Virginia General Assembly special session, but the legislation still hasn’t been addressed as the legislature nears crossover day—when each chamber must act on bills for them to advance. “Anything still left in committee, will essentially die. So it doesn’t look like this bill will progress,” Del. Joshua Cole, D-Fredericksburg, who co-sponsored the bill, said in an email. Mark Cole’s bill would have required schools to provide in-person instruction to individuals who can’t access an internet speed of more than 10 megabits per second download and one Mbps upload. “This is an equity issue,” Mark Cole wrote in an email earlier this month. “Some children do not have access to the internet

and hasn’t sent out a new prompt in a few months. About half of enrolled students, or 287, responded to the prompt. Once responses have been analyzed, they are given a score between minus one and one. A score of minus one correlates to a negative emotion while one is positive. An example prompt on VCU Universe’s website reads, “Under the current circumstances, how are you feeling about finals this semester?” The registered student in the example responded, “Got to the library a bit late yesterday, but put in extra time today, feeling ready and confident!” “It really dials in how students are feeling depending on those responses,” Liban said. Liban said an ideal sample size for the prompts would be half the student population. Meera Gandhi, a freshman biology major, said she would consider signing up for VCU Universe. She’s unsure whether the program will be successful, but she hopes to see questions about new clubs and campus programs that are under consideration. “It’s not a vote, where our decision means anything, but it’s just for VCU to know how everyone’s feeling,” Gandhi said. “It’s still their decision in the end.”

Photo illustration by Ni Sang

Undeclared freshman Charlotte Bloor said she would like to use the software and wants to see questions about dorm and building renovations. However, she thinks it may not be effective. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the software is just a gesture, something to show VCU cares, though they won’t really use it like that,” Bloor said. Bloor said the program could improve

by allowing students to see how others responded to the prompt. “I think for other students to see what the whole student body is thinking, that would be helpful.” Bloor said. Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students can enroll in the program through vcu.universe.edu.

Joshua Cole believes children should have an equal opportunity to learn without having to worry about attending online classes. “If you don’t have internet, if you don’t have high speed internet, if your speeds are low, we want to make sure that your student is not left out,” he said. Stafford County gives some students an opportunity to come to school if they need to, said Joshua Cole, who is one of the county’s representatives in the House. The lawmaker said only some students are attending in-person classes in Stafford County, primarily students with disabilities or those without reliable internet access. “It’s not a bunch of students coming in,” he said. Fredericksburg City Public Schools partnered with business owners in the area who are helping fund internet hotspots for students to access from their homes, accordStudents at Honaker Elementary School in Russell County, Virginia, practice social ing to Joshua Cole. distancing during the 2020-21 academic year. Photo courtesy of Capital News Service Many schools that are offering in-person or internet of sufficient capacity to be able in-person and online learning format. The instruction have created spaces to accomparticipants in online instruction, primarily school has set up an internet hotspot on modate students and follow social distancrural and poor children.” school grounds to help students download ing guidelines. More than 1 million public school stu- materials for class and zip drives to store “We have signs in the hallways, in our dents were slated to start school in an on- what they download, according to Jan- classrooms. We have it set up 6 feet apart,” line-only format, according to data posted ice Barton, a teacher at the school. High Barton said. “We have cleaning supplies, evin August by the Virginia Public Access schools in the surrounding area have also ery teacher has that.” Project. That includes Fairfax County, home done the same, Barton said. Russell County Public Schools also to almost 189,000 students. More than Even though schools are offering ways to provide students and teachers with masks, 269,000 children were set to start school in access the internet, they’re still not offering Barton said. a hybrid format that offers in-person and high-speed access, Mark Cole said. Senate Bill 5114, sponsored by Sen. online instruction. Many of those students “This still puts children without high Ryan McDougle, R-Mechanicsville, had are located in rural areas. Hanover County, speed internet at a disadvantage over those similar wording to Mark Cole’s bill, but which enrolls more than 17,500 students, is that can participate in the comfort of their it was passed by indefinitely, which means the largest school district offering a blended homes,” he said. “Children have to be driv- the bill is dead unless the committee takes format, according to VPAP. en to a hotspot, often a school parking lot, additional action. Russell County in Southwest Vir- where they try to receive instruction while ginia is among the schools offering an sitting in their car.”

4 The Commonwealth Times

Study shows active shooter drills could have negative impacts on students, teachers

A recent study suggests active shooter drills in U.S. schools could lead to depression and anxiety among families and employees. The report analyzed social media posts from elementary, middle and high school students, teachers and parents before and after participating in emergency preparedness drills. Participants showed increases in the following mental health concerns: • 39% increase in depression • 42% increase in stress and anxiety • 23% increase in physiological health • 22% increase in concerns about death Everytown for Gun Safety, a non profit organization that works to combat gun violence through research and gun control legislation, published the study with the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Social Dynamics and Wellbeing Lab. Researchers used Twitter and Reddit to track the behavior of students, teachers and parents from 114 K-12 schools 90 days prior and 90 days after schools participated in active shooter drills. According to the study, 27.9 million tweets and 1,454 Reddit posts were analyzed. “The impact they described made a lot of sense to me,” said VCU clinical psychology professor Scott Vrana.

Instead of prompting people to recall, you know, potentially traumatizing incidents, we thought that this would be a better approach for us to understand these effects.” Munmun De Choudhury, Georgia Tech professor The results demonstrated upward trends in stress, anxiety and depression among middle and high school communities. Stress and anxiety increased by 52% for high schoolers, their teachers and parents. Depression increased by 55% for middle school students, teachers and parents. Vrana, who specializes in anxiety disorders, said he doesn’t take much stock in this specific finding. “When people are exposed to traumatic events, anxiety and depression are pretty highly evoked and they’re mixed up,” Vrana said. “You don’t get anxiety without depression and depression without anxiety.” The effects of active shooter drills were less prevalent in elementary schoolers than older students, with elementary schoolers experiencing a 28% increase in anxiety and a 30% increase in depression. Vrana said this may have occurred due to the small presence that young children have on social media. He said younger children have a harder time distinguishing fantasy from reality, which is why they are more likely to have nightmares. “Even if they’re told in advance, look this is just practice, this is just a drill, they’re still going to have difficulty telling practice from a real event,” Vrana said. “They will likely be more traumatized.”

Georgia Tech associate professor Munmun De Choudhury, who leads the lab that conducted the study, said much of the results pertaining to the elementary school level came from parents and teachers because many social media sites don’t allow children under 13 to be online. “There are spillover effects,” De Choudhury said. Researchers used Twitter and Reddit instead of Facebook and Instagram because much of the data on the latter two platforms is private, while the former options are more commonly used for public discussion, De Choudhury said. “Instead of prompting people to recall, you know, potentially traumatizing 22% 23% 39% 42% incidents, we thought that this would be a better apThe study analyzed social media proach for us to underposts from students, teachers and stand these effects,” De parents before and after particiChoudhury said. pating in emergency preparedness The researchers compared drills. Participants showed increases the language of the posts in several mental health concerns. before and after drills, looking for words that signaled changes in mental health. Increases in words such as “afraid,” “struggling” and “nervous” were tied to increases in anxiety while words such as “therapy,” “cope,” “irritability,” and “suicidal” were tied to increases in depression. De Choudhury said Everytown for Gun Safety contacted her to conduct the study after learning of negative effects from drills through smaller affiliate activist groups Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action. Vincent Greene, a VCU senior majoring in English and interdisciplinary studies, said he found the drills “weird” more than anything. “I do feel like it’s sadly necessary,” Greene said. The study, released on Sept. 3, recommended that schools increase access to threat assessment programs, mental health professionals, social support and non-punitive disciplinary measures to reduce the chance of gun violence on campus.

Mental health concerns increase at school, home after drills

If schools do participate in active shooter drills, the study recommends these conditions: • Drills should not include simulations of violent incidents. • Parents should be told about drills in advance. • Students and teachers should be aware the event is a drill. • Schools should curate appropriate drills for different age groups and involve mental health professionals in the process. • Schools should address student wellbeing during and after the drills. • Schools should track data about the efficiency and effectiveness of drills. Vrana said he doesn’t know whether these drills should continue since he isn’t an expert in security, but he said they should be evaluated. “It should be discussed at the community level whether these drills are at all useful in a way that would outweigh the harm they do,” Vrana said.

KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer

52%

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Wed. September 16, 2020 5

Stat of the week

Former men’s basketball player Mo Alie-Cox recorded two catches for 20 yards for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday against the Jaguars.

Juniors Marlon Harris and Sam Lewis play drums for The Peppas, who resumed practice two weeks ago with social distancing measures. Photo by Jon Mirador.

The band’s back together: Peppas resume practice during COVID-19 NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor It wasn’t the sound of the basketball buzzer or a volleyball being spiked that filled the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Sunday night, but the familiar music from sold out games of years past.

Behind a couple of black curtains hanging from the rafters that separated the basketball court from a side area, VCU’s pep band, The Peppas, were back in action. The ensemble is rehearsing once again — this time, socially distanced. Director Duane Coston said rehearsing together is different, but a step toward operating as the band once did.

“It’s a sense of normalcy, in which yes, we can be together and play,” Coston said, “but it’s not even close to what we are normally doing.” The band normally would practice as if it were a basketball game — in the stands next to one another, Coston said. Instead, they meet in groups based on what instruments they play.

Ever since that day, I’ve been wanting to play with the band again, It feels so good to be back. I just missed all the people, and this is so much fun.” Marlon Harris, junior drummer

Trombonist Andrew Johnson and sousaphone player Noah Mason practice with their instrument’s bells covered to reduce the spread of aerosol emissions. Photo by Jon Mirador

On top of being socially distanced during practice, brass players covered their instruments’ bells were covered to reduce the spread of aerosol emissions. Some in the band used covers designed for the instruments, while others got creative, using T-shirts and other cloth materials. Junior Sam Lewis, another drummer in the band, said the structure is different, but it feels normal to play. “It’s what we do every single week,” Lewis said, “and it’s what we’ve done since I’ve been in the band since freshman year.”

The Peppas resumed practice two weeks ago, the first time playing together since the Atlantic 10 men’s basketball tournament in Brooklyn was cut short due to COVID-19. Junior drummer Marlon Harris, who was in Brooklyn during the March tournament, said he couldn’t wait for the day to come where they were practicing together again. “Ever since that day, I’ve been wanting to play with the band again,” Harris said. “It feels so good to be back. I just missed all the people, and this is so much fun.” Harris said returning to practice was important as he only sees some of his friends during that time. “I’m enjoying myself,” Harris said. “I missed these guys and being back is just a good feeling.” Although the band was separated during COVID-19, Coston said they met virtually to catch up and learn new songs. He said the goal is to have smaller “pep bands” consisting of 29-30 people to resemble the sound of the full band. Coston said he doesn’t know when the entire band will be able to play together again. Over the break, Lewis said he and a few band members tried to play with each other virtually, but they weren’t able to make it work. He said getting the band back together in person gave him an escape. “I guess to me, it gives me my outlet again,” Lewis said. “I just started playing drums with the band last year, and it’s just something that I like to do.”

6 The Commonwealth Times

Sophomore Qairo Bentley, center, gathers with teammates at a fall volleyball practice. The team continues to train at a high pace, coach Jody Rogers said, despite having no scheduled matches. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

No match: Volleyball brings intensity to practice JOE DODSON Contributing writer Volleyball head coach Jody Rogers is making up for lost time with her most intense practices yet, pushing her players to keep their competitive edge despite not having any upcoming matches. Rogers said she is running her practices at a high pace going from drill to drill to keep the team sharp during this unique time for athletics. “We have a really talented group so I think I can challenge them more than I have in the past,” Rogers said. “From top to bottom, I believe that this is one of the strongest programs at VCU in volleyball.” After three straight years of winning the Atlantic 10 regular season but losing the conference tournament finals, Rogers is

ready to turn the page. The squad has dominated the A-10 going 45-3 in the conference the last three seasons, but Rogers said she would rather have the titles. “We need to turn the corner on that piece,” said the two-time Atlantic 10 coach of the year. “Turning that corner is gonna come from the confidence and the leadership that they can rely on each other as teammates to be better in those situations.” Despite a summer of uncertainty with rising COVID-19 numbers and political unrest, Rogers said when the team arrived on campus, they were focused. “They were really eager to get started,” Rogers said. “That is the culture I have here at VCU. They want a challenge, they want to work and they want to get better.” The team looks considerably different from last season’s regular-season championship

squad. Rogers added six freshmen and two transfers to her squad, what she calls one of her “strongest” recruiting classes yet. “She [Rogers] sees this time that we have as an opportunity to really grow,” said junior libero Alyna Draper. “She’s really just trying to push us all to go as hard as we can each practice.”

There’s days where it’s hard to get up and go work out or go to practice because we don’t have competition. We just try to push each other.” Alyna Draper, junior libero

Junior Alyna Draper appeared in 55 sets last season. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

To stay in shape during the early months of the pandemic, Draper returned to her home club in Phoenix and had private training sessions with former University of Arizona libero Makenna Martin. She said not having meets to plan for is challenging as a competitor. “There’s days where it’s hard to get up and go work out or go to practice because we don’t have competition,” said Draper. “We just try to push each other.” Although VCU’s volleyball players do not have any official matches in the near future, they played a black and gold intrasquad scrimmage Sept. 5. The black team

featuring Draper, who had 35 digs, crawled back from down two sets to win 3-2. “It was really nice to see that this team is so strong mentally and physically that we can come back from that,” Draper said about the scrimmage. “We all want to work to win for each other.” Rogers said she looks for a particular type of player when recruiting. “She can handle adversity, and she can be disciplined,” Rogers said of the ideal recruit. “She can fall down and pull her big girl panties up and keep it moving.” Freshman libero and defensive specialist Sydney Ashton said she sees similarities among the new recruits but that their differences will help them. “I think we all bring a different set of skills, ideas and ways to do things,” Ashton said. “It all mashes very well and makes us a really strong team.” Rogers and her staff know this is a far from normal school year. With less social interaction, plus the regular stresses of being a student-athlete, Rogers prioritizes her players’ wellness. “Mental health is such a huge piece,” Rogers said. “I don’t want to have any kid in my program that struggles with that and thinks that they can’t say ‘hey coach, I need some help.’” Although the circumstances are unusual, the players continue to push each to get better each day — a product of the culture Rogers has built. Ashton said the team focuses on “the now,” rather than what’s to come. “We’ve been spending a lot of time together,” Ashton said, “bonding over the grind.”

Wed. September 16, 2020 7

On this day

In 2009, rapper Jay-Z became the solo artist with the most No. 1 records when “The Blueprint 3,” his 11th No. 1 album, topped the Billboard 200.

ICA’s new ‘Commonwealth’ showcases feminine power in revolutionary change CLAIRE DARCY Contributing Writer A female figure of water, whose aqueous skirts hold images of recent and historic protests, confronts those who reach the corner of Broad and Belvidere streets. The blue and white mural is one of many in the Institute for Contemporary Art’s new exhibition with a theme of feminine power as a force of revolutionary change. Created by Dominican artist Firelei Báez, the mural is titled “Moon minded the sun goes farther (to the Daughters of Revolutions, who could fly between the Artibonite and James River).” “Commonwealth” is a collaborative exhibition between the ICA, arts organization Philadelphia Contemporary and art institution Beta-Local in San Juan. It explores the various connotations of the term “commonwealth” and how they relate to each location, both in its history and potential. The exhibition delves into the connection between English and Spanish and how it affects the relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Information and art labels in the gallery are provided in both languages. Throughout the fall season, Beta-Local and San Juan graphic design agency Tiguere Corp will release a bilingual print and digital publication related to the work. At the back of the ICA’s Beverly Reynolds Gallery is a two-channel film titled “Ricerche: two,” using the Italian word for “research.” The project by Sharon Hayes features interviews with two female tackle football teams. Members of both teams are huddled together on a field as they respond to Hayes’s questions. Two different angles of the same video are displayed simultaneously. Stephanie Smith, chief curator of the ICA, said the piece utilizes a “specially designed screen that curves in, both to help you feel more like you’re connected to that team, and also to give a little bit of the sense of the huddle.” In the video, players discuss their experiences with playing a sport that is traditionally understood to be masculine, both as individuals and teammates. With an

Carolina Caycedo’s “Distressed Debt” consists of five digital prints, which hang in the Beverly W. Reynolds Gallery of the Institute for Contemporary Art. Photo by Jon Mirador emphasis on the female experience, strength and community, Hayes frequently works with political speech in her art. “El Maestro 4,” organized by Puerto Rican artist and activist Nelson Rivera, represents the power of language with a music stand and megaphone. Attendees are challenged to read a Spanish script based on speeches made by Pedro Albizu Campos, a Puerto Rican activist who was arrested for leading opposition movements against U.S. colonization during the mid-20th century. Participants are asked to read a passage of text out loud as they see it for the first time — but they must be unfamiliar with the language.

“Going into a public performance trying to speak a language you don’t know can be a little bit embarrassing, you know, but it’s fun, it’s part of the piece,” Tedder said. “Antilles for the Antilleans,” by Puerto Rican artist Monica Rodriguez, wraps around the building’s facade and incorporates fights for independence in the Caribbean islands. Drawings of monuments are paired with a quote by Puerto Rican independence advocate Ramón Emeterio Betances that reads in English on one side of the building and Spanish on the other. “Today the revolution proceeds, like a volcanic eruption, from the social strata that forms the very core of the people,” the quote reads. “Hoy la revolución procede, como una erupción volcánica, de las capas sociales que forman el mismo centro del pueblo.” Simblist said the monuments featured in Rodriguez’s mural are different from those one might find in Richmond. “These are monuments to independence struggles,” Simblist said. “They’re about shrugging off the shackles of colonial rulers.” Themes of strength and revolution compose the “Resiliency Garden,” created by food justice activist Duron Chavis and designer Quilian Riano. The garden features vegetables, fruit trees and flowers in raised garden beds alongside a multi-surface mural that reads “Black Space Matters” painted by artists Silly Genius and PT Carroll of All City Art Club. “The space is designed for flexibility, for growth,” Riano said. With outdoor, indoor and virtual pieces, “Commonwealth” can reach large audiences with its messages of community and revolutionary change.

“As a result, this non-native Spanish speaker will be focusing primarily on the musicality of the language. In order to get through it, you have to pay attention to each syllable,” said Noah Simblist, member of the “Commonwealth” curatorial team and chairperson in the VCUarts painting and printmaking department. The installation is open to the public, and performances are scheduled on an ongoing basis. The presentations last a few minutes, “Commonwealth” will be on display until and some will be shared on the museum’s Jan. 17. Timed tickets are available social media accounts. on the ICA's website. During the press preview for “Commonwealth,” Emerson Tedder, lead visitor experience associate for the ICA, demonstrated a performance of “El Maestro 4.” 3

1: Carolina Caycedo’s “Distressed Debt” features historical documents from Virginia, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania. 2: “Indigenous Geometries” (2019) by Tanya Lukin Linklater and Tiffany Shaw-Collinge. 3: Institute for Contemporary Art employee Emerson Tedder demonstrates the interactive installation “El Maestro 4.” Photos by Jon Mirador

8 The Commonwealth Times

Still Woozy talks self-producing, returns with new single, ‘BS’ IMAN MEKONEN Spectrum Editor

“BS,” released Thursday, is a steady and smooth track, complemented by a melodic mix of electronic and natural instruments. It’s Despite being signed to a record label, Still Woozy’s latest since “Window” dropped Sven Gamsky, better known as Still Woozy, in April. The slow tempo in “BS” marks a continues to self-produce his music. He said stark difference from its upbeat predecessor. the beautiful part about his choice is the abilStill Woozy sat down with reporters ity to curate different sounds, which he boasts from several publications, including The in his new single “BS.” Commonwealth Times, in a Sept. 8 virtual “I always try to make something that keeps press conference to discuss his new single my interest,” Gamsky said, “and then there’s and musical style. all these different things I want to try, so I Gamsky’s music is a blend of multiple wouldn’t say that’s really indicative of stuff genres, ranging from neo-soul to psychethat’s coming.” delic indie pop. Due to a plethora of influGamsky said having creative control of his ences, the artist said he can never describe music allows him to give listeners a person- his own music. al and unique “headphone experience” with “I don’t want to ever get stuck in a genre, small background noises that would be oth- because I don’t want to be limited to just one erwise hard to notice. thing,” Gamsky said during the press event. “I have too many ideas to be stuck in one place and … I don’t want people to get used to this one thing either.” The pandemic halted Still Woozy’s summer tour that featured around 30 shows. Gamsky said he misses live performances and the energy of crowds. “The best shows are the shows that have no separation between the viewer and the crowd,” Gamsky said. “If it was up to me, I would be in the crowd the whole time just kind of moshing or just interacting.” Bef ore COVI D-19, Gamsky said his work style The album art for Still Woozy’s latest single, “BS,” didn’t allow him to complete features neon colors similar to other covers in the artist’s one task at a time, which discography. Photo courtesy of Universal Music Group made it challenging to create

VCU student rapper gains success despite pandemic EBONIQUE LITTLE Contributing Writer

Alvin Sakyi, known as Sækyi (sah-kee), a senior majoring in health, physical education and exercise science, said he has always had With more than 100,000 streams of an interest in music and decided to make a his most recent singles “Brunch” and “Ju- song two years ago after playing around with nie” across major music platforms, one equipment one day with friends. up-and-coming student musician may Sækyi was set to perform as an opening soon stop telling his mom, “Sorry, I’ma act at VCU’s spring 2020 RamFest after be a rapper.” winning a school talent competition last fall. The concert was canceled due to the pandemic, but the artist said it did not stop his momentum. “And I think now I’m way better prepared than where I was,” Sækyi said. Richmond-based musical engineer Marlon “Mooch” Adams echoed this sentiment. The pair frequently collaborate and give each other free range to experiment in their music through the use of different vocal inflections and production techniques. “I really think he’s a genius,” Adams said. Sækyi led the concept for the carefree “Junie” music video, working alongside videographer Josh Reina. Reina said the rapper is hardworking, and according to R&B artist Shy Lennox, his passion is apparent on stage. “It’s been dope to watch him grow up into such a talented wordsmith and performer,” Lennox said in a direct message. Despite some initial setbacks posed by COVID-19, Sækyi said he is even more motivated and hopes to release an EP in October. Here are the highlights from an interview with Sækyi. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. VCU senior and local rapper Sækyi said he fell into music after playing around “Brunch” and “Junie” are available to stream with music one day and creating the song on Apple Music, Spotify and Youtube. “Suicide Bombers.” Photo by Jon Mirador

music on tour. Now, the artist said he’s had “She just inspires me, she inspires my art,” time to work on more projects. Gamsky said. “I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily “I love playing with sounds and textures. her art. It’s more like, she puts art into every It’s just … so much fun to make beats basi- little thing she does.” cally, and create something out of nothing,” The single’s art continues a trend in the Gamsky said. “It kind of always blows my artist’s discography — abstract art with mind a little bit.” bright, neon colors. Before his solo career, Gamsky was in a band called Feed Me Jack for four years. “BS” is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Gamsky said the band broke up after their Music and Youtube. fourth album due to musical differences. Gamsky signed to Interscope Records in 2017. He said transitioning to a solo career has both its highs and lows. “Lows are just like, being a critical person — self critical person,” the artist said, “dealing with my own mental stuff and getting stuck on things and not having people to really bounce it off of.” In the past, Still Woozy has collaborated with fellow indie artist Omar Apollo in the song “Ipanema.” At home, Gamsky’s been listening to Dominic Fike’s “What Could Possibly Go Wrong.” The album followed five singles as well as Fike’s 2018 EP, and Gamsky said its mix of genres makes him excited to release a record in the future. Gamsky said his fiancee, the color purple and his dog, Bimo, are constant inspirations in his life. His fiancee Still Woozy, or Sven Gamsky, said the pandemic has given created the album art for all him more time to put toward music production. his singles, including “BS.” Photo courtesy of Sergiy Barchuk

I’m sure you’ve gotten this question before, but just so everyone’s clear — what does your name mean, and how did you come up with it? When I started, I was using my full government, like Alvin Sakyi, but it’s just not one of those names you hear and go, “Oh that’s a famous name.” But when I was growing up, my older sister always got called “Sakyi.” Being the youngest, I would look up to that nickname, so when I got deeper into music, I decided to use that. But then I got bored one day. I was like, I need something that if you search me, I’m the first and only person you find. So, I played with my keyboard and found that difficult æ symbol and loved it. What originally drew you to music? My dad. He’s like a weird music lover. One of my fondest memories of my dad is him in the basement with some old-ass wooden speakers, loud as hell. Everybody in the house could hear him playing Rascal Flatts to some freakin’ Boyz II Men to some old African stuff that you can’t even find on Apple Music. How would you describe your sound? That’s one of the hardest questions for me to answer. You know, I kind of grab whatever is there and I’m like, “Alright, this doesn’t sound like what I made last time, so that’s good enough for me now.” In what way has being in Richmond influenced your music?

It really gave me a lot of perspective. It was kind of like an eye-opening experience to come to Richmond and see that music can be done on a serious level. There’s more to it than what was up in Woodbridge, Virginia. If I would have never come, where I am now would have never happened. What was the moment you realized you could make this a career? Two years ago, I made a song called “Suicide Bomber.” I dropped it — I didn’t do any type of promotion or anything, and a lot of people received it well, to the point where other people I didn’t even know said, “Hey, I liked your song.” I’m like, “Cool, I don’t even know how you got that,” but it had me thinking this could be something I tap into. What’s it been like making music in quarantine? I made a whole tape in quarantine. In the beginning, it kicked me on my ass. At that time, I think I was really dependent on other people in my creation process, so quarantine forced me to become more dependent on myself. It got dark, but then I started getting into a groove. Most of the songs for this tape were made in quarantine, and I feel like I tapped into a whole different way of writing. My best song that everybody’s listening to right now — Junie — that was made in quarantine. This whole year taught me what you want to happen isn’t going to happen most often. You gotta be able to be moldable and grow in something that feels restricted.

Wed. September 16, 2020 9

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

FRI. 9/18 Fall PlantFest

Dozens of vendors will be at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Fall PlantFest to sell plants and gardening tools. All vendors, volunteers and customers are required to wear face coverings, and disposable masks will be available. For more information and a full list of vendors for this free event, visit the garden’s website. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave.

SAT. 9/19 ‘42’ Film Screening at the Diamond Ruby Scoops co-owners Rabia Kamara and Emmett Wright met years ago and decided to become business partners over a shared love for pastry-making. Photo courtesy of Farrah Skeiky

‘Serendipitous’: Ruby Scoops to open Northside location with innovative ice cream flavors AERIN FORTES Contributing Writer

led me to grow immensely emotionally as Together, Kamara and Wright work to an individual.” make flavors that they say excite their friends, Kamara said she struggled with managing family and community members. Ice cream While out to eat one day, pastry chef Ra- her family’s expectations during her journey flavors include lemon honey chamomile and bia Kamara saw a little girl sharing ice cream as a pastry chef. vanilla chai. Sorbet options include pineapple with her parents and arguing with her sister. “I’m first-generation American,” Kamara passionfruit and gingered apple. Wright said As the youngest of seven children, it remind- said. “My parents are African, so the whole the shop should be an experience where peoed her of eating popsicles with her siblings idea of them moving to this country was not ple “don’t get bored of the same two flavors.” and inspired her next business decision. so that I could cook. That’s not the profes“Everyone has their favorites like va“From a very young age, we all have this sion I was supposed to be.” nilla and chocolate, so we want to make special relationship with ice cream and I Kamara built Ruby Scoops as the business’ something that still has people’s favorites, don’t think it ever goes away,” Kamara said. only full-time employee. She had planned but also has flavors that surprises people,” Coming soon to Richmond’s Northside to operate the shop alone, but said her de- Wright said. is the city’s first Black and queer-owned ice sire to start a family led her to seek out a Wright described the ice cream commucream shop, Ruby Scoops. After operating business partner. nity in Richmond as “very close-knit.” With the business full time for five years, Kamara the help of other Richmond businesses, the is opening her first brick-and-mortar shop owners have hosted pop-up events to showwith co-owner and production manager case their ice cream. Emmett Wright. “I know how hard it is to open a business, Ruby Scoops landed its 120 W. Brookland much less during a pandemic, so I reached Park location after its spring opening was Most other shops aren’t out and said, ‘Hey I don’t have a ton to offer, delayed by the pandemic and issues with but I do have a space,’” said Alex Zavaleta, Black or queer-owned, finding a location. co-founder and owner of Charm School, an On Aug. 7, Kamara and Wright launched much less together.” ice cream shop at 311 W. Broad St. a Kickstarter in support of their restaurant. This collaboration led to pint pick-ups Emmett Wright, co-owner of Ruby The response was immediate. with Charm School as well as events with Scoops “Within the first 10 days we had met our restaurant Soul Taco and beverage distribufirst goal,” Wright said. “We saw that not tor Ninja Kombucha. only do we want to be here, but the commuThe co-owners met at a 2019 Pineapple According to Wright, Ruby Scoops plans nity wants us to be here.” Collaborative conference, where Kamara was to open some time after the final phase of Kamara said walking on Broad Street a panelist, covering women-led ice cream the Kickstarter campaign. The owners say as a VCU student exposed her to various businesses. A couple weeks later, Wright told they want the space to be welcoming. restaurants that inspired her to attend Kamara of their history specializing in veg“Most other shops aren’t Black or queerculinary school. an and dairy-free ice creams. Kamara asked owned, much less together,” Wright said. “It’s After graduating in 2010, she competed Wright if they would consider joining her at something important that we want people as a cheftestant on Guy Fieri’s Food Net- Ruby Scoops. to know so that Black and queer people work series “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Everything lined up and was so serendip- can come to the shop and already know Discovery Channel’s “Bake It Like Bud- itous,” Wright said. “It’s so cheesy to be like that the people who own this establishment dy.” Kamara later studied French cooking ‘this is my destiny,’ but it made sense.” have their back.” at L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland — where she graduated in the top 10% of her class — and continued to visit Richmond. “Every time I came down here, I felt like a little piece of me was here,” the marketing major said. “It made sense being somewhere that I thought would welcome me as a VCU alum and see me as the person that I am.” Kamara’s decision to open the shop was preceded by years in the restaurant industry. “I was really tired of the hours and of the way I was being treated as a woman and as a Black woman,” Unique ice cream flavors from Ruby Scoops include lemon honey chamomile and vanilla chai. Kamara said. “I think it Photo courtesy of Farrah Skeiky

Watch late actor Chadwick Boseman fill the The Diamond’s 40-foot screen during this week’s showing of the 2013 movie “42.” The biographical sports film follows the life of baseball star Jackie Robinson and the desegregation of Major League Baseball in the 1940s. To buy tickets and concessions ahead of time, visit the event’s website. 6:35 - 9:30 p.m., The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., $8 per person

Do something

SAT. 9/19 RVA Black Farmer’s Market

The RVA Black Farmer’s Market will have crops, desserts and custom T-shirts for sale. Masks are required at the free event, and a temperature check will be conducted at the entrance. The market will open every third Saturday until the end of November. For more information, visit instagram.com/rvablackfarmersmarket. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., 1700 Blair Street

Musical Yard Sale

Guitars, amplifiers, drums and other equipment will be available for purchase at Sound of Music Studios in Scott’s Addition during a limited yard sale. For more information, contact soundofmusicrva1@gmail.com or visit Sound of Music Studios’ Facebook page. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sound of Music Studios, 1710 Altamont Ave.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Learn something

THURS. 9/17 ‘Equity in Education’: Systemic Racism Discussion Series

The second installation of Virginia Public Media’s online panel discussion will discuss structural racism and its impacts on education. Panelists include Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. The event will be broadcasted on VPM PBS, and later screened on VPM’s Facebook on Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. Register online to attend the Zoom meeting. 6 - 7:30 p.m., facebook.com/myVPM

Salsa Dancing for Beginners

Learn the basics of salsa dancing during Dogtown Dance Theatre’s four-week Zoom classes. The instructors will teach basic timing, footwork and partnering concepts, but partners are not required. Registration will be open until one hour before the class begins. 7 - 8 p.m., dogtowndancetheatre.com, $45 for four classes

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

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“We are creatures that love to blame the external, not realizing that the problem is usually internal.” — Imam Ghazali

Your Islamophobia creates modern-day victims of 9/11

Illustration by Noelle Hepworth

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor A date that strikes sadness and grief through this nation’s heart, Sept. 11th, 2001, truly is a day we will never forget. Last week, nearly two decades after the attacks, we remembered and honored the victims of that infamous tragedy: 9/11. However, the Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric that followed creates victims to this day. Islamophobia is quite literally what it sounds like — a fear of Muslims. It’s taken many forms throughout history, but the post-9/11 reaction toward Muslim people is without a doubt one of the most visible and vibrant captures of Islamophobia in the U.S. But, why? Why are all Muslims facing punishment for the acts of few? Are

we actually blaming an entire religious group for the deranged actions of a handful of radicals? It’s funny how we, as Muslims, consistently have to defend our religion and ourselves to the world. We sit there and try to rationalize our religion with you. We try to make you understand that nowhere in the Quran does it encourage us to fly airplanes into towers. We pray after every act of terrorism that it was not committed by a self-claimed Muslim so we can avoid the scrutiny that would follow. We work tirelessly to show the world that Islam is not ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram or any of those extremist groups. According to Pew Research Center, there are nearly 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. That’s 1.8 billion people who share in the beauty of Islam and appreciate the love and respect preached through the Quran.

Yet, they are constantly subjected to answer for the crimes of radical people who disrespect our religion. I am one of those 1.8 billion people. Nabra Hassanen. I did not know her, but her story did something to me that I can never forget. Hassanen, 17, was from Fairfax County. On June 18, 2017 — during the month of Ramadan — she was walking with friends to the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, or ADAMS, mosque for prayer. On their way, a man drove onto the curb and started chasing the girls with his car. He jumped out with a baseball bat, grabbed Hassanen and beat her to death. When police found the man, he confessed and led the officers to the pond where he dumped Hassanen’s body. Like I said earlier, I never knew Hassanen. But I am a Muslim girl from Fairfax. I pray

at the ADAMS Center. I’ve made that walk back for prayer. I knew some of the girls that were with her. The story hurts because it truly could have been me. That’s what it’s like to be Muslim in America, and Muslim in this world today. What distresses me the most is that Hassanen’s case wasn’t considered a hate crime by investigators. “No evidence has been uncovered that shows this murder was motivated by race or religion,” Fairfax police said in a statement. I struggle to believe that those Muslim girls were attacked, and one was brutaly murdered, for reasons aside from their religion. Stories like Hassanen’s are not rare. They are not uncommon. They are an everyday reality for Muslim Americans. Every time I put on my hijab, I put a target on my back. I open myself up to hate and violence for nothing more than the mere fact that I am Muslim. I face the possibility of becoming another victim of crimes rooted in ignorance. The idea of Islamophobia in America almost has become patriotic. Sept. 11, while a tragedy, was considered an attack on American pride. Many Americans find their hatred for Muslims stemming from their bruised egos. Islamophobia and patriotism are not synonyms. I am a Muslim-American. Hassanen was a Muslim-American. Islam is a religion. American is a nationality. The two are not mutually exclusive. Islamophobia in the U.S. — and the world for that matter — does no good. We cannot blame billions of people for the acts of those they do not even claim. We cannot subject billions of people to punishment for merely following a religion. Your anti-Muslim rhetoric is hateful, disgusting and built on ignorance. Please miss me with it.

Richmond’s uninsured face pitfalls in health care ISHAAN NANDWANI Contributing Writer As a volunteer medical interpreter at the Health Brigade free clinic in Richmond, I often serve as a conduit between uninsured Spanish-speaking patients and health care providers. While my time at Health Brigade has been rewarding, it has made me more aware of the disproportionate lack of insurance plaguing the Latino community. The uninsured population in Richmond faces undeniable, persistent struggles, making it evident that there is work to be done in reforming our health care system. Accessibility — or lack thereof — to health insurance is a prevalent issue on a national and local scale. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10% of adults under 65 lack health insurance. In Richmond, 13.3% of this group is uninsured. Fortunately, Richmond is a city where free clinics — including Health Brigade, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry and the Center for Healthy Hearts –– are abundant. These locations offer adult general medicine, vaccines, gynecology and other services. The organizations aim to reduce the burden of expensive health care for Richmonders who lack insurance.

However, the range of health care services offered at these free clinics is inherently limited. Specialty and emergency care, including surgeries, are inaccessible to the uninsured. Without health insurance, treatment prices for in-depth care are often astronomically high. How, you may wonder, do the uninsured combat this challenge and receive the treatment they deserve? The truth is, they often don’t. Moreover, the Latino community is disproportionately affected by a lack of insurance. Many of the patients we see at Health Brigade have Spanish-speaking backgrounds. Many say they are recent immigrants and struggle with the English language, which serves as an additional barrier to their access to quality care. It’s clear that our health care system does not work for members of marginalized communities and those who are impoverished. What occurs so evidently in Richmond is a microcosm of a broken system that pervades our nation as a whole. I’m well aware of the intricacies in the fundamental debate about health care. My support of universal health insurance is not shared by all. While there is no clear-cut solution to rectifying our system that will

Illustration by Catherine Lee

please everyone, I encourage those who have reservations to place humanity at the forefront of this discussion. To solve this problem, two things must happen. First, health insurance needs to be recognized as a fundamental right in the U.S. No one should have to fear that a miniscule injury could cause their death simply because they cannot afford help. Secondly, we must support immigrants and minorities by providing quality language education and interpretive health

care services. Lack of access to health care and a language barrier can prove extremely detrimental to a person’s willingness to seek help. Access to health care cannot be something that’s optional — it is the difference between life and death. I’ve witnessed the devastating experiences of the uninsured first hand. Health care is not a conversation about politics. It is a conversation about people’s right to live.

Wed. September 16, 2020â&#x20AC;&#x192;11

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

Working From Home 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

Nature Is Beautiful by Nick Siviter

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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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