The Commonwealth Times; December 5, 2018

GRUELING STRETCH

Men’s Basketball routes Iona ahead of season-defining matchups with Texas and UVA

MEN’S BASKETBALL on page 5

Rememberingthedestructionofthe Holocaustthroughtheeyesofasurvivor

LOGAN REARDON Staff Writer

Jay Ipson had to count lice to entertain himself during the six months of his childhood he spent in a cramped underground room with a dozen other Jewish family members. He was one of the few Lithuanian Jews to make it out of the Holocaust alive.

In May 1997, Ipson co-founded the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond. The museum features recreations of his memories of the Holocaust and important events that transpired during and after World War II. Ipson said watching the museum grow in popularity was “very gratifying.”

In 1941, Ipson and his family were forced into the Kovno Ghetto in Lithuania. Later that year, 27,000 people were herded into a huge field inside the ghetto. Through a selection process, more than 10,000 people were executed. Ipson’s father lied, saying he was a car mechanic and

was taken to an airport to fix a vehicle where he crossed paths with a farmer he knew. The pair worked to plan his family’s escape.

Two years later, just before Ipson and his family escaped, the Kovno Ghetto was transitioned into the Kovno Concentration Camp.

Ipson recalled the night in November 1943 when he and his parents escaped Kovno through a cut in the wire fence. Ipson ran across the street to hide behind the fence of another house.

“I was scared shitless,” Ipson said. “I couldn’t say a word. It was dark. It was cold. I huddled behind a fence for about 45 minutes before my mother came to get me. That seemed like an eternity.”

Ipson and his family walked in the freezing Lithuanian cold to a farmer waiting to take them away in a wagon full of straw. They went to another farmer’s property, which would become their new home for the next nine months.

See HOLOCAUST on page 2

A final encore for Strange Matter

Redshirt-sophomore forward Corey Douglas opened the scoring against Iona with a three from the left wing. He finished with 11 points and four blocks. Photo by Jon Mirador

Meet Jay Ipson, survivor of the Lithuanian Kovno Ghetto in the thick of World War II. Photo by Erin Edgerton

See

Three piece band, Vundabar, performing at Strange Matter.

Photo by Henry Archer

Stories of the week

national: George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, died from complications of Parkinson’s disease Nov. 30 at the age of 94.

international: In Brazil, the only live baby to ever be born from a cadaver’s donated uterus will celebrate her first birthday Dec. 15.

Richmonder uses history to teach tolerance

For three months, they hid in the upper level of a barn. During that time, Ipson’s father dug an underground tunnel from a potato hole in nearby woods. That hole tunneled to a bunker the size of a small room, where Ipson and a dozen other family members hid for the latter six months of their stay.

“For some reason or another, God gave me the strength and the knowledge to understand what was going on,” Ipson said. “I knew exactly the ramifications if I spoke too loud or tried to do something. Survival is something that you learn quickly. You either do or you become extinct.”

The Soviet Union — already betrayed by the Germans — liberated the area in 1944. As soon as they were freed, Ipson and his family went back to the concentration camp to see if anything or anyone from his father’s family was still there.

When they arrived back to Kovno, the camp had already been destroyed by the Germans and Lithuanians. Ipson said the soldiers threw grenades into or burned down the houses, killing the remaining Jews in the camp. When Ipson and his father returned to the camp, it was still burning.

His father knew of a bunker hidden under a house in the ghetto. If any of his family had made it, that is where they would have been, but inside the destroyed bunker was the body of a woman charred so badly it was unrecognizable. On the ground was a ration card with Ipson’s aunt’s name on it. It was unclear whether the body was his aunt’s.

Even after returning to their home, the war and its dangers weren’t over.

“A bomb actually was dropped in our yard, and the shrapnel and everything destroyed my bed,” Ipson said. “Had I gone to bed on time that night instead of hanging out with the adults because I was nosy, I would have been dead.”

Ipson said he and his family ended up in the U.S., was because someone reported his father for giving a bonus to women working for him at an amber jewelry plant — which was illegal under Soviet laws. He was declared an “enemy of the Soviet Republic.”

“By that night, [The People’s Commissariat for State Security] would come and take you and ship you off to Siberia,” Ipson said. “As soon as he came home, he told my mother ‘grab your backpack, put in what you can, we’re leaving immediately.’”

They escaped before the evening and

made it through Poland. They had to walk through waist-high snow to make it to the American zone in Germany.

Ipson’s family decided to immigrate to America because his mother had a sister and aunt who lived in Richmond. After staying in Munich for two years, in 1947, they made it through immigration services and finally came to the U.S.

Once in Virginia, Ipson graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and attended the University of Richmond. He joined the Army Reserve in 1954 and served as a typing instructor in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for eight years. Ipson said he joined the army to give back to the country that took him in.

“If I can help this country for me being here, I’m going to join the military,” Ipson said. “I’m going to learn how to fight, I’m going to learn how to defend myself, and I’m going to pay back this country if this is where they need me.”

Ipson remembered when he visited Canada in 1959 with his now-wife to apply for a work permit. When he appeared in front of the government officials, one of them stereotyped him and said he must have lived failed life in the U.S.

“[The government official] said to me

‘You Jews are all alike. You come to Canada for a handout,” Ipson said. “I said ‘Take my papers and shove it up your ass. At 6:30 in the morning, I’m gonna be across Rouses Point back in the United States where I belong.’”

of anti-Semitic behavior to try to change people’s outlooks.

This eventually led to Ipson telling his story to children around the country. He teaches about the Holocaust at local schools and military base, and said the “two-way conversation” in his lessons makes them unique.

His lessons are still relevant today — Neo-Nazi organizations have been on the rise across the globe. Lithuania — where a majority of the Jewish population in the 1940s was killed in the Holocaust — has “the most extensive demonstrations of neo-Nazism,” according to Ipson’s website.

Ipson also said, through his time of giving student lectures, he has learned a staggering number of young people admit they are bullies — most of the time learning the behavior from home. Ipson said the biggest takeaway he wants students to realize “we are all the same,” and that mentality will help stop hateful behaviour.

Ipson’s teaching experience led him to volunteer for the Anti-Defamation League in the 1990s, where he gave talks in cases

“If it hurts you, it hurts the guy you’re picking on,” Ipson said. “Doesn’t matter what color he is, doesn’t matter what religion he is … we are all the same, we all bleed red. When we understand that, and forget about greed and accept need, then we’ll do okay.”

Ipson co-founded the Virginia Holocaust Museum in 1997 and keeps personal artifacts in his home. Photo by Erin Edgerton

Ipson began volunteering for the Anti-Defamation League in the 1990s prior to becoming a storyteller and traveling the country to share his Holocaust experiences.

Photos by Erin Edgerton

I knew exactly the ramifications if I spoke too loud or tried to do something. Survival is something that you learn quickly. You either do or you become extinct.”

Jay Ipson, Holocaust survivor and co-founder of the Virginia Holocaust Museum

HOLOCAUST

Alumni advocate for migrant caravan at protest

WALTER CHIDOZIE ANYANWU Contributing Writer

Two VCU alumni organized a Dec. 1 protest in Washington D.C. in solidarity with the caravan of Central American refugees that has been steadily making its way toward the U.S.-Mexico border for the past few months.

The event, organized by Marwa Eltaib and Alejandra Quinonez, was publicized on social media using the #StopTheTears hashtag. Protesters marched from John Marshall Park to the White House Saturday morning chanting “stand up, fight back” and “no hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.” Their goal was to make their voices heard and stand against the “inhumane U.S actions at the border.”

Wanda Hernández, a graduate student at the University of Maryland College Park and VCU alumna, gave a speech midway through the protest to illustrate the frustrations the refugees are experiencing. She said the migrants’ decisions to leave their countries of origin were not easy — rather, they were born out of an urgent need to escape various injustices that made it impossible to remain in their countries. Protesters also compared the situation to historical events such as the Trail of Tears.

“There is a history of the U.S. widely denying asylum to the majority of Central Americans,” Hernández said. “In the 1970s and ‘80s, when Central America was distraught amidst civil war and no human body was immune to the violence, we arrived at the border seeking mercy. Instead [of receiving mercy], we’re called economic immigrants … even after the passing of the Immigration Reform and Control Act under the Reagan administration.”

Eltaib said “international laws and provisions” exist to protect the rights of migrants like those arriving at the U.S. border from

Central America.

“This is a human rights issue … we have a responsibility to these people not only as Americans but as citizens of the world,” Eltaib said. “Some of the things that the Trump administration and past administrations have done concerning immigration need to be [revisited] and addressed.”

The VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs hosted a dialogue Nov. 29 presented by their diversity ambassadors — covering topics including immigration, detention centers and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals pro -

gram. The dialogue highlighted the issues faced by refugees and the importance of promoting tolerance.

OMSA director Greta Franklin said the dialogue is a step forward in educating the VCU community on immigration issues and that it was timely because of its connection to the VCU common book “Tell Me How It Ends” by Valeria Luiselli.

“It’s really educational and also helps people understand that some things [about immigrants] are misconceptions, and not really accurate information,” Franklin said.

Students express anger at forum after racial profiling incident

SARAH ELSON

Contributing

Writer

University administration hosted a dialogue discussion Monday about inclusivity in response to students demanding the university address the racial profiling incident between white Hispanic professor Javier Tapia and black visiting professor Caitlin Cherry.

According to Cherry, Tapia saw her in a classroom of the Fine Arts Building and — having not recognized her as a fellow professor — called a security guard in an attempt to verify her identity. The October incident sparked outrage among students, faculty and other VCU community members. Tapia has not yet commented on the incident.

The forum was advertised to all students via mass email and held in the University Student Commons. The discussion was also made available to students through a live stream service for those who could not attend the noon-1:30 p.m. timeslot. Vice President for the Division of Inclusive Excellence Aashir Nasim hosted the discussion.

Nasim relayed VCU’s official commitments to diversity on and off campus. Students frustrated with President Michael Rao’s absence continuously interrupted Nasim during his opening remarks — calling for Rao to make an appearance and for the open discussion to begin.

Students demanded to know when another discussion was to be held that included

the president. When Nasim asked students consider offering “compassion” and “forgiveness,” members of the crowd said “no” in unison.

VCU sophomore Sam Taylor asked when or if Rao would attend a future forum. Nasim said he could not answer the question.

right now there is no coherent or cohesive system … [for] reporting incidents. That is a huge problem that I think should be addressed immediately.”

Nasim referred to the changes that VCU is attempting to implement, including creating a task force to tackle the discrimination and racial profiling students and faculty have experienced on campus. Some audience members voiced concerns about a new task force, citing a 2015 task force that tackled declining enrollment in minority students.

Ravi Perry, VCU professor and chair of VCU’s political science department, spoke about his concerns as a black professor on a campus that has had attracted national attention over the allegedly racist incident.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m embarrassed,” Perry said. “It’s embarrassing to work at an institution that has a national news story … talking about, presumably, how we treat black faculty members.”

Another demand brought up by students was to mandate diversity training for all VCU professors. Nasim responded that VCU staff must be able to work around shared governance.

on their values of freedom as a faculty or staff person.”

Gia Keaton, a graduate student in the painting and printmaking department, recently resigned from her position as Tapia’s teaching assistant. Keaton questioned why diversity trainings could not be implemented.

“I don’t know why VCU is prioritizing the experience of professors over the experience of students that they supposedly serve — and that pay to come here,” Keaton said.

Cara Benedetto, a professor in the Painting and Printmaking department, said not much has changed in regard to the lack of administrative help during investigations of faculty misbehavior in the four years she has been at VCU .

“It makes it a very hostile work environment and I’m wondering how we’re supposed to ask our students to be vulnerable in a learning environment that doesn’t support them. I’m looking for language and I’m looking for concrete next steps,” Benedetto. “I can’t work here if this is what it is going to be like.

Taylor asked for clarification after an administrator mentioned the university “moving forward” in regard to diversity and inclusion.

“Does that mean we are moving past this incident? Or does that mean we’re implementing a system for reporting incidents on campus?” Taylor said. “Because

“I really wish and hope that we can have this as a mandate or a requirement — because that would make my life a little bit easier,” Nasim said. “We have to be able to work around issues of academic freedom to make sure that, when we implement these types of things, that people do feel like this is in their best interest and not impinging

A student from the audience asked about the state of Tapia’s employment, as he has not been present in his class.

“I can’t answer that question,” Nasim said.

According to an ABC 8 News report on Monday, the university confirmed to the station that Tapia is still employed at VCU.

On the way to the White House, protesters chanted “no hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.” Photo by Walter Chidozie Anyanwu

I don’t know about you, but I’m embarrassed. It’s embarrassing to work at an institution that has a national news story … talking about, presumably, how we treat black faculty members.”

Ravi Perry, political science chair

This is a human rights issue … we have a responsibility to these people not only as Americans but as citizens of the world.”

Marwa Eltaib, protest organizer

“The World Is Yours”: Demetrius Harmon presents lecture at second VCU visit

LOGAN REARDON Staff Writer

Demetrius Harmon — a social media icon formally known as “MeechOnMars” — emphasized the importance of mental health in his VCU visit Nov. 27.

“So I know we was having fun a minute ago, but this is a pretty serious lecture,” Harmon said at the beginning of the event, which was part of his “The World is Yours” campaign. “Not from an unrealistic, dreamlike stance, but the world literally is yours.”

Sheden Tesfaldet, a student in the school of media and culture, said she was going to the event expecting a light-hearted time, but ended up getting a lot more out of it.

“It was really great. I came in thinking I would just laugh, but it felt like he really did give us a lot of good life advice,” Tesfaldet said. “I felt I was really fulfilled mentally and spiritually.”

Tesfaldet said her biggest takeaway from the event was Harmon’s story about not giving up after the death of his aunt.

“He used it as, ‘this is what my aunt would want me to do.’” Tesfaldet said. “I love how he was able to take such a negative

situation and turn it to positive.”

Harmon — who became famous on social media for his viral Vine and Twitter comedy videos — discussed his upbringing and how harmful it was to not have plans for his future.

“I had a lot of things and people who depended upon me, and I didn’t know what I was doing in my life,” Harmon said. “People in school were talking about college and I’m like ‘I don’t know, dawg.’ It’s one thing to know I don’t want to go to college, and it’s another thing to know what I want to do instead.”

Harmon went on to talk about his stories of success and failure, how he battled through mental illness and the importance of finding reasons to keep going.

VCU freshman Rachel Dwyer said the event impacted her personally as an undeclared student.

“I feel even though VCU is very friendly toward trying to help [undeclared students], it’s really hard to find the right reason why you’re here,” Dwyer said. “I thought it was really cool to see where he’s at now and how he found his own motivation and drive.”

Harmon talked about the recent death of a close family friend who was “basically an

uncle” to him, and how that almost made him give up.

“It shook me to my core,” Harmon said. “I had nightmares about it. I didn’t feel certain about life anymore. I was back in that same [feeling] of ‘What’s the point of living if we’re just going to die?”

Harmon said he used his uncle’s death as a reason for continuing his “You Matter” apparel release. He ended up selling 600 hoodies in 40 minutes.

“I don’t know what sparked it. I just felt like I had to do it as an honor,” Harmon said. “For me, [selling the hoodies] was all the reassurance I needed to keep going.”

The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 11, but was canceled when the university closed in response to inclement weather caused by Hurricane Michael. That evening, however, Harmon went on to hold a meetand-greet with students in Monroe Park — enabling students who were not able to secure tickets for the lecture to meet him.

At the end of the event, Harmon announced he is working on a piece of VCU apparel as part of his “You Matter” clothing line. No other information about the product was given.

OMSA, The Well open dialogue on coping with societal violence

HANNAH EASON

Contributing Writer

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and The Wellness Resource Center met with students in the University Student Commons Nov. 20 to discuss the role of violence in the U.S., primarily due to recent mass shootings.

Panelists, including OMSA Director Greta Franklin and The Well’s Director of Health Education and Violence Prevention Kaylin Tingle, led the discussion to help students cope with the increase in violence. The forum included tips for coping with specific types of violent events.

“It’s almost overwhelming to respond to each individual act of violence,” Tingle said. “[OMSA and the Well] are just trying to figure out how to offer space for our students to process all of the things that are coming up and the individual things that are impacting or triggering them based on their own experiences and identities.”

The panel’s title “What’s Going On?” was derived from the Marvin Gaye song of the same title — which was a 1971 response to the struggles of the civil rights movement, Vietnam War protests and a divided America. This parallels the conflicts of today’s political landscape.

“History is repeating itself,” Franklin said, comparing the 2015 Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina to the 1963 murder of four young girls in a Birmingham, Alabama, church — both of which were white supremacist hate crimes against African-Americans.

“[This is a] space where people think they’re safe,” Franklin said. “Where hate shouldn’t walk through the door.”

The impact of the discussion was reflected in the audience members, one of whom lost a relative in the Charleston massacre and was in the area at the time it took place. He declined to comment further on the experience.

Tied into the discussion were the effects of social media “echo chambers” — cohorts of social networks in which similar beliefs are repeated and reinforced. Consuming news from impartial sources, such as C-SPAN or Associated Press, was recommended in order to combat echo chambers and address implicit bias.

The panelists reiterated that it is hard

for people to process these events because of how how common they are.

“We can’t even respond to one thing before the next thing happens,” Tingle said.

The 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting — which killed 49 people, who were mostly Hispanic and members of the LGBTQIA community — was followed just weeks later by the police shootings of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, who were both unarmed black men. The shootings fueled the Black Lives Matter movement and, conversely, Blue Lives Matter counter protests.

Sophomore Payton Van Winkle said it feels like attitudes have changed toward violence against minority groups.

“As a gay woman, I was excited about dating apps and emerging into adulthood,” Van Winkle said about her 18th birthday, which came around the same time as the Pulse massacre. “It woke me up. Even in Miami you’re not safe, even in a gay club you’re not safe. There’s no way to run away from it.”

Tingle said another layer of dealing with violence is how it persists in news reports and social media.

“While this type of violence has been happening since the beginning of our country, it wasn’t necessarily in our faces,” Tingle said. “[Now], you’re just scrolling through your news feed and looking at puppy videos, when [a] video starts playing that shows you one of these instances [of violence].”

Panelists also analyzed the thin line between free speech, harm speech and hate speech.

“Where do you draw the line?” Franklin said. “At what point does the harm outweigh the constitutional right to free speech?”

The forum included many tips for selfcare and proactivity — namely voting, protesting and speaking with people who have opposing views. That can help people “keep the dialogue open,” Franklin said, and recognize their biases. Spending time away from social media and violent videos is another way to cope.

The Well offers weekly self-care activities such as meditations during “Mindful Mondays” and “Rams in Recovery” organizes support groups for people experiencing substance abuse as a result of coping with violence.

Demetrius Harmon, “the artist formerly known as MeechOnMars,” is a Vine and Twitter-famous comedian who now uses his platform to advocate for mental health.

Photo by Logan Reardon

Infographic by Andy Caress

Stat of the week

Senior forward Emily McNamara was named National Field Hockey Coaches Association Second Team All-American after she led the NCAA in goals with 27.

Men’s Basketball coasts to comfortable win ahead of grueling stretch

ZACH JOACHIM Executive Editor

Men’s Basketball made quick work of Iona Saturday in advance of a season-defining stretch in which the Rams will play at Texas and at No. 4 Virginia before hosting a pair of NCAA Tournament participants from last season, Charleston and Wichita State.

The Black and Gold routed the Gaels 88-59 behind 19 from redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans and 12 from sophomore forward Marcus Santos-Silva, who finished one rebound shy of a double-double. Redshirt-sophomore forward Corey Douglas and junior guard Mike’l Simms joined them in double figures with 11 each. 11 VCU players scored in the contest.

“It’s a really good win for us going into these next couple games,” Santos-Silva said.

VCU jumped out to an 11-0 lead against Iona and never looked back. Douglas hit a three from the left wing to open the scoring, and the Black and Gold were off and running. A trio of treys from Simms highlighted the first half onslaught, as the Rams took a 46-27 lead into halftime.

The Gaels never came close to leading the contest, and VCU converted 23 Iona turnovers into 27 points in what Evans called his team’s most complete performance of the season thus far.

VCU has held a lead at halftime in every game so far this season, including its two losses to Old Dominion and St. John’s. The Rams reversed their fortunes after the break

against the Gaels, out-scoring Iona 42-32 despite playing with a comfortable lead.

“We were talking about it that, second half wise, we hadn’t put together a full 40 yet,” Evans said. “We can’t keep playing like that. We made an effort today, after the first half, to come out and keep the same intensity.”

Assistant coach Jamal Brunt echoed Evans, saying head coach Mike Rhoades had emphasized the need for a stronger second half mentality following the Rams’ loss at ODU in which they were outscored 42-20 in the second period.

“Great night for our guys, I think we played a full 40 minutes and that’s something coach Rhoades had really harped on,” Brunt said.

The dominant win bodes well for VCU ahead of the four-game gauntlet on the horizon.

“We needed a game like this to keep our confidence high and really lock-in with a tough week ahead,” Brunt said.

The Rams will head to the lone star state this week to lock horns with former VCU coach Shaka Smart’s Texas Longhorns Wednesday at 8 p.m. After that, Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers await the Black and Gold just up I-64 for an inter-state clash at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Defending CAA champion Charleston visits the Stu Dec. 15, and perennial national heavyweight Wichita State graces Broad Street Dec. 22.

“We want Texas,” chanted the student section as the clock wound down Saturday in VCU’s last home game of the fall semester.

Women’s Basketball off to best start since 2015

DANIEL PURYEAR

Contributing Writer

Women’s Basketball headed up I-95 to score a victory against the Georgetown Hoyas on Dec. 2. The game comes after a Nov. 28 win by the Rams at home against UNC-Wilmington.

GEORGETOWN

The Rams fought hard to manage a 4745 win over the 5-3 Hoyas.

Sophomore guard Taya Robinson led VCU in points and rebounds with nine of each. Guards Dionna White and Dorothy Adomako put up 14 points apiece for the Hoyas.

With the game tied at 36 with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Rams fought hard.

Back-and-forth jump shots from both sides brought the game back to a tie at 41 with less than three minutes to go. The Rams stepped ahead with a Robinson layup, bringing the score to 44-41 after making a foul shot.

The Hoyas made a foul shot, but a putback layup by junior center Danielle Hammond marked the turning point of the final minutes. While the Rams felt a sense of re-

lief, the Hoyas’ White had other plans as she banked a three-point shot.

The Rams — up two with less than 20 seconds left — took a timeout to set up for a last-ditch effort from Georgetown.

Junior guard Nyra Williams missed a free

throw and Hoyas guard Mikayla Venson set up for a buzzer-beating three-point shot, but missed, denying the Hoyas the lead and the game.

One of the most telling parts of this game was Georgetown’s previous wins over Atlantic 10 conference teams, Richmond and Fordham, both by a 20-point margin. This gave the Rams an idea of what they might expect when getting into the conference schedule.

UNC-WILMINGTON

VCU hosted its third home game against UNC-Wilmington, using defensive prowess and consistent scoring to fly ahead of the Seahawks, 58-47.

The Rams and UNC-Wilmington remained neck-and-neck the majority of the game with a tie at 26 midway through the third quarter. Robinson, freshman forward Kseniya Malashka and junior guard Jailyn Maddox led the Rams in scoring with 10 points each.

The real story of this matchup was the Black and Gold defense — 10 blocks and 51 rebounds allowed the Rams to break away from the Seahawks, regardless of a high turnover total of 18 by VCU.

VCU only allowed a 25.4 shooting per-

centage from UNC-Wilmington. The Rams shot 40 percent from inside the arc and 20 percent beyond.

Hammond had one of her best games thus far, coming off the bench and recording nine points and nine rebounds.

In the third quarter, a Robinson jump shot put VCU up by two and started a 16-3 run. Jump shots and layups flowed in from the Rams in the third and fourth quarter while the defense did not allow much more than free throws for the rest of the game from UNC-Wilmington.

“Our depth is one of the things that keeps proving over and over again,” coach Beth O’Boyle said at the post-game press conference. “We have so many players that can come off the bench and get you an offensive rebound, play some defense and give us some points.”

The Rams had 32 points come from four players off the bench. The 59-47 win over UNC-Wilmington brought the Rams to 6-2 on the season.

Women’s Basketball stays on the road to face the Cincinnati Bearcats Dec. 7. VCU will also play its out-of-conference rival Old Dominion Dec. 16 in Norfolk.

Sophomore guard Tera Reed scored seven points in the win over Georgetown Dec. 2.

Photo by Shayla Bailey

Junior guard Mike’l Simms scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, in the win over Iona. Photo by Jon Mirador

Baseball welcomes 15 recruits behind 19 returning players

NOAH FLEISCHMAN Staff Writer

Baseball enters the 2019 campaign looking to win the Atlantic 10 tournament for the first time since 2015 after falling in the quarterfinals to George Washington last May.

“Goals never change,” coach Shawn Stiffler said. “The standards and expectations are to put ourselves in an opportunity for postseason play and have an opportunity to win a championship. That never changes, that’s going to be year-in and year-out.”

The Rams return 19 players from last season’s squad, including sophomore utility player Hogan Brown.

In his freshman season, Brown led the team with a .356 batting average and an onbase percentage of .451. He was named to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Freshman All-American team. Brown was also recognized within the A-10, named to the Second Team All-Conference squad and to the All-Rookie Team.

“We need him to continue to progress,” Stiffler said of Brown. “He came onto the scene and had a good year and I wouldn’t say that we didn’t expect it, but it certainly was a nice surprise. Now this year the tough part is we expect that out of him, we need that out of him.”

The Black and Gold return to the Diamond this season with two pitchers who carried the bulk of the workload as starters last season — junior right-handed pitchers Connor Gillespie and Sam Ryan.

Gillespie was the workhorse for the Rams last season, making 18 starts and throwing

Track and Field primed for big season

73.2 innings. He had a 2.57 ERA with a team leading 97 strikeouts and only 20 walks.

Ryan appeared in 19 contests, making 11 starts for the Rams last season. He tossed 63 innings with a 4.14 ERA and 68 strikeouts.

The Rams will be missing the right arm of Sean Thompson this season on the mound, as he signed with the Chicago White Sox after graduating last year. He threw a team-high 82 innings, striking out 79, walking 27 and and sporting an ERA of 3.03 last season.

Thompson made 13 appearances and nine starts last summer for the rookie level Arizona League White Sox. He tossed 36.2 innings, walking seven and fanning 31 batters.

ANDY RIDDLER

Contributing Writer

Track and Field will look to build on last year’s success after the women’s team won conference championships for the indoor and outdoor seasons and the men matched their best outdoor finish since joining the Atlantic 10.

WOMEN’S

The women come into this season hoping to continue the success they’ve had in recent years after winning back-to-back indoor conference titles, and with it comes the pressure of maintaining that level of excellence.

“I need my athletes to respect the process of training, and to respect the process of being a champion,” coach Jon Riley said. “It just doesn’t come easy. We didn’t become champions by just stepping on the track.”

Sophomore jumper Aliyah Newman looks to be an important piece for this year’s team after winning the outdoor conference title in the triple jump and setting a school record.

“I really don’t try to chase records or

VCU welcomes 15 new recruits to the roster this season including 10 players out of high school and five junior college transfers.

Stiffler said junior right-handed pitcher Justin Sorokowski “will step in right away” and have a significant role on the team. He also said that freshman right-handed pitcher Evan Chenier and freshman left-handed pitcher Jaden Griffin “stepped in right away and showed great poise.”

Sorokowski, a Mechanicsville native, transferred from Tallahassee Community College and had a 2.35 season ERA for the Eagles. He struck out 80 batters in only 65 innings pitched.

chase marks,” Newman said. “So really just keep getting better, keep training, keep working hard.”

Newman earned All-Conference honors when she was selected to the All-Rookie team for both seasons due to her success in the triple jump, and her talent should help to fill the gaps that have formed due to the departure of some athletes that were integral to last year’s championship run.

“I think we are really ready to step forward,” Newman said. “De’Nisha Smith and Taylor McCormick being leaders on the team, I do feel that power dynamic is gone. But I think as a team we are used to winning so we are always ready to win.”

One of those athletes that could step up for VCU this season is freshman sprinter Chanelle Hodges.

“Hodges is going to be someone to really look at,” Riley said. “I think she is going to have a lot of success if she continues to work like she is doing.”

MEN’S

Looking to take the next step after finishing in third place a season ago, Riley feels

Tennis prepares for spring season

ADAM CHEEK Staff Writer

As the Black and Gold tennis squads prepare to kick off their 2019 schedules, the teams look to improve on their 201718 seasons.

The men’s lineup recorded a solid 16-10 record last season, going undefeated in the conference and 11-5 at home, while the women’s roster put up an impressive 17-6 ratio, also without a conference loss and recording a 10-3 regional figure.

Three players – Vitor Lima, Louis Ishizaka, and Karl Katlaps – departed the team in the offseason, leaving the Rams with only six players. However, these six were among the best of the 2017-18 season’s nine.

The team will play 21 opponents in the 2019 regular season, including in-state rivals such as Richmond, James Madison and Virginia Tech, while also traveling around the region to face off against other universities, among them Ohio State, Temple and Florida Gulf Coast.

VCU women’s tennis also gets underway in January, with Gabriela Araujo the only departure from last year’s roster. All seven of the other members return, including sophomores Marina Alcaide Bakkari and Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado. The two players from Spain combined for a 34-21 set record in 2018, contributing to the team’s 100-70 overall statline.

Delgado had the longest streak with four set wins, and had the top duals record at

16-5. Alcaide and sophomore Sofia Sualehe will look to further their 11-4 doubles record from last year.

The women’s team will also take on a number of the same opponents as the men’s team such as William & Mary, Liberty, and Old Dominion. Other teams they will face include Marshall, Penn State and West Virginia, while they will defend 2018 victories against Elon and Campbell.

Both seasons get underway in mid-January, as Drexel University arrives in Richmond for the men’s opener on Friday the 18th and the women’s the day after, on the 19th. Both matches open at 9:00 a.m., and the Black and Gold will attempt to start their season off strong on their home court.

Most of the recruiting class this year is homegrown, as nine of the 15 recruits hail from the Commonwealth.

Junior infielder and Chantilly native Brett Norwood has already caught the eye of Stiffler after transferring from South Florida State College.

“On the offensive side, we’ve had several newcomers really impress me,” Stiffler said. “Norwood has done a great job and I think he will be a catalyst at the top of our lineup, as well as [junior outfielder] Brandon Henson. He is going to be a powerful bat and a guy on the basepaths. He’s going to provide speed and power in our lineup.”

Norwood hit .338 with 27 RBI and six home runs at SFSC. Henson transferred from Sinclair Community College and hit .388 with 19 doubles, eight triples and 10 home runs last season at the community college level. Stiffler is in his seventh season at the helm on Boulevard, after a 34-25 season last year. It was the first season since 2013 that VCU did not have 35 wins or more under Stiffler’s tutelage.

“Each team has to find its own way to win and that’s the first thing this team needs to figure out,” Stiffler said. “We have to figure out how we are going to become a winning baseball team and see where that takes us.”

The Rams will be back in action for the 2019 season Feb. 15 on the road against the 2016 National Champions Coastal Carolina at 4 p.m. VCU’s home opener at the Diamond is Feb. 26 as they host Maryland at 3 p.m.

this team has an opportunity to do so.

“If we’re going to win it on the men’s side, this is our best chance,” Riley said. “This is our year.”

Redshirt-senior sprinter Nicholas Bvuckingham returns after missing last season after being part of a school-record-breaking 4x400 team during the 2017 indoor season.

“I’m really excited to be back this year,” Buckingham said. “I feel like we can break the school record for the 4x400 at the very first meet.”

Riley also believes some key freshmen — such as Emmanuel Waller and Daiqwaun Faircloth, who run long and short hurdles, and short sprinter JeVon Waller — could have an immediate impact on the program and help it reach its goals.

“I think those three guys are going to be the catalyst for us for the future,” Riley said. “But this year, I think they can come in and score and do some really good things for the team.”

The indoor season begins Jan. 11-12 when the teams travel to Virginia Tech.

Men’s Tennis had a match record of

Baseball looks to improve on last year’s team ERA of 3.61 with a more experienced pitching staff. The Rams added six new arms for 2019. CT File Photo

Lacrosse looks to break through in A-10

NILE MCNAIR

Contributing Writer

With the end of the fall semester quickly approaching, the start of spring sports — including Lacrosse — is on the horizon.

As a developing program, Lacrosse players and coaches are eager for the season to start and potentially build a foundation.

“Our expectations are high for the season, because this is our fourth year as a program,” coach Jen O’Brien said. “We are very upperclassmen-heavy, and we will rely on their experience.”

With confidence in its roster, VCU chose a challenging out-of-conference schedule — adding two games against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, widely considered the best in women’s lacrosse.

VCU will host Notre Dame on March 13. To end the season the team will travel to face off against the Duke Blue Devils. VCU opens the 2019 campaign with three games against teams they lost to last season: UMBC, Old Dominion and Longwood.

Being a young program, players have been prompted into roles they may not have been ready for in Lacrosse’s first three seasons. But now, the team finally has a full roster to pick from.

“I would say the biggest difference between this year’s team and last year’s team is, we can allow our freshmen to just be freshmen,” O’Brien said. “We’re not going have to make them fill roles they’re not ready to play. Also, we have a chip on our shoulder, because we achieved our two goals last season of making the [Atlantic 10] tournament and beating UMass.”

Team captains redshirt-senior midfielder Sky Hyatt and senior attacker Molly Barcikowski lead the way for the team. Both were selected to the A-10 All-Conference team last season.

“I was very happy being selected, it shows VCU is up there with the other good teams in the A-10,” Barcikowski said. “[It] shows the work me and the team puts in is being recognized unlike in our first year as a program.”

O’Brien said what is so unique about this team is how close they are and the

chemistry they have on and off the field.

“She is our role model and we just value what she says,” Hyatt said of her coach. “I like how she always has a bigger picture behind a decision she makes.”

O’Brien said team unity is evident in reactions from the bench. The sideline is very active and always cheering on those who are on the field. When attending games, fans should look to the sideline for the energy that they bring each game.

“Our sideline has a ton of energy. Our players on the field feed off the sideline,

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and the sideline feeds off the players on the field,” O’Brien said. “It goes into how we play which is fast, a lot of energy and you can tell our girls are having fun while playing. On our best day, we should be playing in the NCAA tournament, no doubt. But it’s only if we can be consistent and bring up our low moments to match our high moments.”

The Lacrosse season begins Feb. 13 at home against ODU.

Senior midfielder Olivia McGrath started all 18 games last season. Photo by Eric Marquez

On this day

Strange Matter to close this month REST IN PUNK

KATIE BASHISTA

Spectrum Editor

fter nearly a decade of being the hub of all things underground, alternative and hardcore, Strange Matter is dead. Well, not yet, but the venue announced it will shut down in a Facebook post Nov. 10 and scheduled a final celebration of life planned for Dec. 15 in the form of Punks for Presents.

This isn’t an obituary, this is a tribute to all things strange and special about the hole in the wall Richmonders and out-of-towners alike have danced, sang, moshed, drank, possibly fought in, and definitely partied in, for the past nine years.

The Richmond music scene is coping with the loss of this venue, which was unlike any other in the area. It gave independent labels and underground bands a platform to showcase their work. It didn’t prioritize revenue, instead aiming to give as many people as possible the opportunity to perform and was an ideal venue for hardcore shows.

Mark Osborne is the head booker at

Strange Matter. He began booking shows in his hometown in southwest Virginia, primarily in restaurants and house shows.

When he moved to Richmond in 2004, he started booking the same kind of shows within a year and then began working with the booker at Strange Matter at the time, Eric Smith. Osborne took over around eight or nine years ago.

“Now that I've been doing it for so long, a lot of agents just know my taste and know the sort of thing that would work right in the room,” Osborne said. “So more often than not, I'm getting hit up when people are routing tours. But I also definitely still reach out if it's a band I really like that hasn't played town yet or whatever, then I'll do some seeking out.”

When Osborne is booking shows, he’s not concerned about any specific genre. He attempts to plan a variety of shows that will put people in the room and give everyone a chance to see performers they want to see.

“Even though it's not a community space, it's a business, but at least it has that feel of the community space,” Osborne said. “You

don't know if you're going to go in and get a queer dance night, or you're going to get a death metal band.”

Osborne has pulled off several notable shows including a Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees lineup, Kurt Vile, Alvvays, Real Estate and even Mac DeMarco.

DeMarco came to Strange Matter in 2012 and Osborne said there were about 30 people in attendance.

“That first record, ‘Rock and Roll Nightclub,’ had just come out or something like that so [he] hadn't blown [up] yet,” he said.

Part of Strange Matter’s charm was that it was small and performers often hung out at the bar or smoking outside before and after shows. Osborne doesn’t typically hang out with the bands he books, but he sat at the bar with DeMarco for a period of time.

“We sat around bullshitting with him and a month later you see his face is all over the place,” he said. “Some stories of him say otherwise, but that night they were totally real people just sitting at the bar.”

Manny Lemus owns an independent record label, Citrus City Records, with René

Franco. It started in Richmond and is now based both here and in Brooklyn, where Lemus lives. The label seeks out new, unknown bands and boasts on its bandcamp that it’s a label “for friends, by friends.”

It's just a place that cultivated a bunch of weirdos and people that felt like they didn't fit in anywhere. There was always a show for someone.”

Manny Lemus,

City Records

Lemus’ first interactions with Strange Matter began the summer after his senior year of high school before moving to Richmond. He attended several shows,

Citrus

Rosa Parks starts the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, becoming one of the first largescale U.S. protests against segregation on Dec. 5, 1955.

Boston-based band Vundabar played at Strange Matter a number of times while touring for their second album "Gawk." Photo Courtesy of Henry Archer

including Mac DeMarco’s six years ago. He got more involved with the venue as he formed his label.

“The reason why I have a big attachment to them is because as I really started getting interested in other music related stuff, like booking shows, a lot of the other venues weren't getting back to me and were being really condescending,” Lemus said. “Strange Matter was pretty much accepting of my silly little indie shows and they really helped me out and brought me in.”

The first show Lemus booked there was Tall Juan, Ben Katzman, Lance Bangs and Camp Howard, but he’s booked several memorable shows there since.

“The one that will always nail it would be the first Citrus City anniversary show because it was still during a time where it was like I was not really fully integrated in the Richmond scene,” he said.

The lineup was Vundabar, Yung Scum, Lance Bangs and Camp Howard. The show sold out and the crowd consisted of friends from his hometown of Stafford and Richmond supporters.

Strange Matter has also made an impact on bands that frequented there and got their first chance to perform in that room, including local band Doll Baby.

“It was in the late spring of 2015 with The You Go Girls and The Cigarette Bums,” said Dan Kelly, drummer of Doll Baby. “It

was a great show. We played first, but we replayed our first song at the end of our set so Julie's mom, who showed up late, could hear us play.”

Wolfe said Strange Matter closing is “a bump in the road, not the end of the world,” noting this happened with the venue’s previous owners in recent decades.

“Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and somebody will turn it into a venue,” Wolfe said. “But we need to figure this out, not run from it.”

Doll Baby said Strange Matter was “the last true ‘punk’ venue in Richmond.” The group feels although there are other good music venues in Richmond, the music scene here wouldn’t be what it is without it.

“They catered to every kind of genre, and were a haven to the underground and alternative,” said Julie Storey, vocals and guitar for Doll Baby.

he said. “So we talked and decided it made a lot of sense to try and put something together for the occasion.”

Wine says he’s not sure if the music scene will change without Strange Matter, but that it feels like the end of an era.

“Richmond definitely has a much more robust set of venues now than it did when Strange Matter first opened its doors, which is fantastic,” he said. “But that spot will always hold a special place in our hearts and collective memory.”

Ryan Wolfe is the drummer of Winhand, a Richmond-based band that started small in venues like Strange Matter, but has grown to play in 500-1000 cap venues. They played Strange Matter at least five times.

“I have personal and professional relationships with the people who own and ran the bar and I'm very good friends with a lot of the bartenders,” he said. “It was very comfortable to go there, it was like hanging out at someone's house and instead of a loud jukebox playing, it was a band.”

Local band White Laces formed in 2010 and performed at Strange Matter several times, including with Mac Demarco, Diiv and Wild Nothing. The last show they played in Richmond was in 2016 — they broke up later that year. But the group is getting back together one last time, for Strange Matter’s final show.

Landis Wine sings and plays guitar in the band and he says the band has several connections to the venue beyond just performing there: Wine was involved during the venue’s transition from Bagel Czar, the drummer worked there and another member hosted his wedding reception there.

“We never had an official farewell show,”

Osborne hopes people got what they wanted out of their experiences with Strange Matter. It pivoted him into his career and he hopes the networking and connections this space provided has helped people, too.

This space gave a platform for every kind of musician and it set the Richmond music scene apart from other cities. It created a community unlike any other, and regardless of what happens to the venue, its mark on this city is plastered here forever.

“It's just a place that cultivated a bunch of weirdos and people that felt like they didn't fit in anywhere,” Lemus said. “There was always a show for someone.”

Strange Matter has several shows planned for the next few weeks. The previous website URL is down, but all information can be found on its Facebook page or new URL, shitanddie.com.

It was very comfortable to go there. It was like hanging out at someoneʼs house and instead of a loud jukebox playing, it was a band.”

Ryan Wolfe, Windhand drummer

The Nude Party is a North Carolina, '60s-rock-inspired band.

Photo courtesy of Henry Archer

Brandon Hagen, lead singer of Vundabar, at Strange Matter.

Photo courtesy of Henry Archer

Richmond band White Laces' last show in Richmond was at Strange Matter in 2016.

Photo courtesy of Craig Zirpolo

One of Richmond's most visible bike gangs, The Cutthroats, held annual Christmas Bike Fundraisers at Strange Matter with Fall Formal dance parties. CT file photo

Installation art considers social anxiety on campus

ANDREW RINGLE

Contributing Writer

Recently, Samuel Lo has appeared all over campus. He’s been hidden in plain sight, in shadowy, private alleyways and outside the entrances of academic buildings. He isn’t actually there, though — it’s just a life-sized self-portrait printed on adhesive bond paper. The project began in one of Lo’s studio classes before he released it to the public.

The untitled installation encompasses Lo’s struggle with anxiety and continues a larger exploration of his identity as a biracial American.

“Social anxiety and social awkwardness have been issues I’ve been dealing with my whole life,” Lo said. “Just recently, I’ve been grappling with those demons and reflecting on how it’s actually impacted my life.”

Lo placed the images at various locations on campus and tried to find spots that were easy to miss, recalling his feelings of being hidden in plain sight.

“It’s really putting importance on location and bringing the work outside of the studio,” Lo said. “If I just kept it inside the building, it wouldn’t have had the same impact. Once I bring it out onto campus, it physically becomes a part of the public environment.”

Lo said he chose the installation style so the public could interact with his work

without him being present. He said that lack of control mirrors how he feels unable to control his personal impressions in public spaces.

“It felt relieving to put everything out there and let it happen,” Lo said. “But I think it’s made me feel more comfortable about taking my art outside of the critique space and into the public environment.”

Sophomore year, Lo started focusing on his experience as an Asian-American. In his darkroom class, he photographed himself wearing a Chinese lion mask.

“As I was reflecting on that project, I realized that I was trying to integrate an aspect of a culture that I didn’t have a part of, since I grew up in a suburb in Maryland,” Lo said. “I didn’t really have any interaction with the different ethnicities in my background.”

This year, he explored similar concepts, creating self-portraits in which he wore different outfits, each representing one of his different ethnicities.

“I donned three different personas,” Lo said. “I had an almost stereotypical Chinese persona, then I had neutral me, then I had my Caucasian suburban side. I was essentially exploring being between these three worlds and the way I present myself to other people.”

Much of Lo’s work is untitled, mainly because as an art student, he is expected to finish multiple projects in a small amount of time, he said.

Lo works mostly on performative art, exploring his biracial identity and the representation of his ethnicity. He is inspired by similar artists, including Nikki Lee and Tseng Kwong Chi, who both work with self-portraits and racial identity.

I hope will get people to think more indepth about movies.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has ever read one of my reviews. I hope I have done more than recommend movies to you. I hope I’ve encouraged you to stop and think about how a movie made you feel. Your opinion on a movie, and art in general, is what makes film criticism fun. It’s the diversity of ideas and perspectives that makes art worth discussing and creating.

Anyway, here are some of my favorite movies of all time.

10. “BLADE RUNNER 2049” (2017)

One of my fondest memories writing for the CT was the weekend I saw “Blade Runner 2049” in theaters twice. At once a creative take on classic cyberpunk themes of identity and humanity, while also a meta commentary on the nature of sequels and expectations, Denis Villeneuve crafted a film that is just as gorgeous and impactful to watch as it is to think about.

“Right now, I’m just trying to break barriers for myself,” Lo said. “Exploring my identity has actually been very transformative over the past two years. In making these projects, I’ve learned about myself and I’ve fleshed out how I feel about these issues.”

In the future, Lo said he hopes to continue exploring his identity in a way that’s relatable for other multiracial people.

still had the drive and love of cinema to make movies. It’s a film to laugh at, but also to celebrate a man who could never be kicked down.

7. “SHAUN OF THE DEAD” (2004)

Edgar Wright’s zombie-romance-comedy is not only one of the funniest movies ever made, it’s also one of the most rewatchable. Wright cemented his now-iconic fast-paced editing and clever writing that allows the audience to discover new jokes every time they rewatch it. As my go-to comfort film, I’m still finding new jokes and references years later.

6. “SPIRITED AWAY” (2001)

“I want to talk about my experience in my work, but for the most part, I’m looking at the underlying universal themes found in those ideas,” Lo said. “I try to make work that communicates effectively, so that anyone can approach it and see themselves in it as well.”

SAMUEL GOODRICH

Staff Writer

My review for “ 10 cloverfield lane”

was published in the Spectrum section of The Commonwealth Times March 21, 2016. I had written reviews and made video reviews for the past five years or so, but I had never seen my name or my work in print before. I knew I wanted to be a professional film critic, but this moment cemented that as my singular dream.

On Dec. 8, 2018, I will graduate from VCU, and Dec. 14 I will complete my classes and end my time with the CT. These have been an incredible three years, and I want to thank everyone at the CT for supporting my weird obsession. I also want to thank Landon, Jon and anyone else who wants to review movies — you’re continuing a legacy of film writing that

9. “BRAZIL” (1985)

The best way to describe Terry Gilliam’s sci-fi fever dream is as if Monty Python adapted Orwell’s “1984.” “Brazil” is an outrageously hilarious and stylistic film that meshes fantastical dream sequences with equally ridiculous office politics. It’s a satire of modern life that — just like the novel it’s ripping from — feels terrifyingly relevant.

8. “ED WOOD” (1994)

Few films have captured the creative process like Tim Burton’s black-andwhite biopic “Ed Wood.” Following the man considered the worst director of all time, Burton’s film is a passionate, entertaining look at a man who, despite having not a single talented bone in his body,

I’ve been emotional during many films, but few make me tear up just by hearing the soundtrack like Hayao Miyazaki’s classic. “Spirited Away” is an animated masterpiece that taps into the imagination to realize a beautiful and creative world of Japanese demons and monsters. It’s a gorgeously animated fairy tale that dazzles with its details and powerful score.

5. “RAISING ARIZONA” (1987)

Growing up, my mom loved to show me movies from when she was younger, especially ones made by the Coen Brothers. “Raising Arizona” is a classic in our household, and it’s not difficult to see why. Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter are sympathetic and irrationally goofy, the southern setting is endlessly charming and the humor is hilarious insanity at its best.

4. “LAWRENCE OF ARABIA” (1962)

The word “epic” lost its meaning a long time ago, but there are still a few things in this world that fit that description, including “Lawrence of Arabia.” Running at three hours and 47 minutes, director

David Lean takes an in-depth look at real life enigma T.E. Lawrence, played spectacularly by Peter O’Toole. Mixed with the breathtaking cinematography are small, quiet and personal moments that make this epic into more than just a vapid spectacle.

3. “ALL THAT JAZZ” (1979)

Bob Fosse’s musical drama is the most unique — and for me, heartbreaking — within its genre. Mixing elements of Fosse’s real life with the film’s fictional Joe Gideon, “All That Jazz” becomes a disco-themed therapy session where existential issues are worked out through hallucinatory dance-numbers.

2. “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” (2017)

If I have any regrets from my time at the CT, it’s seeing Luca Guadagnino’s beautiful romance the night after my top 10 movies of 2017 list was published. A slow-paced, detailed and intimate film, “Call Me by Your Name” captures young, heart-wrenching love and the lethargic atmosphere of summer.

1. “SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD” (2010)

I was 13 years old when I saw Edgar Wright’s adaptation of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels, and I believe this film changed my life. I always liked movies, but I had never been so impressed and obsessed with a movie like I was with “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” It’s a visual feast for the eyes, full of hilarious comedy, endearing characters, great music and a video game aesthetic that speaks to me. The film may not be as deep or emotional as the graphic novels, but it has remained one of my favorite movies for eight years.

So long, and thanks for all the films

Lo stands beside one of his most recent installations. Photo courtesy of Samuel Lo

It felt relieving to put everything out there and let it happen. But I think it’s made me feel more comfortable about taking my art outside of the critique space and into the public environment.”

Samuel Lo, artist

Illustration by Steck Von

Semester-long art project gives students curation opportunity

GEORGIA GEEN

Managing

Editor

A dangling wig rests above the heads of most visitors — but most of the intricacies of Cindy Cheng’s “Blind Side” are at a more comfortable eye level, with homey ceramics and lights nestled among the shelves of the sculpture.

It’s one of the most eye-catching pieces of the student-curated exhibition “Implicit Dimensions” on display at the Anderson, a student gallery. With many decorative intricacies, it evokes themes of interior decoration — that is, if a basket of hair accessories were substituted for the bowl of ceramic fingers that sits on a corner of the sculpture.

“It’s huge, it has this great presence. it’s larger-than-life, it’s taller than us,” said Sam Bantly, one of the exhibition’s four student curators. “But still, no matter where you go around it, there’s still little vignettes and tiny pieces that invite you to lean in closer. So there’s that level of attention that’s rewarding at all distances and at all angles.”

Bantly studies philosophy and painting and printmaking with a minor in art history. She said the combination of those subjects has given her a “language” to talk about art with a level of critical rigor.

“So that kind of explains why I’m here. I have my painting practice and I love making work,” Bantly said. “But I also want to be able to talk about other people’s work, talk about how their work and mine fit into this whole bigger cultural picture.”

While the Anderson does exhibit student curations, a majority of the submissions are for showings of student work.

Chase Westfall, the Anderson’s curator of student exhibition and programs, said “Implicit Dimensions” — which was a semester-long project — served to encourage more students to participate in curation.

By selecting nine emerging Baltimore artists for the exhibition and arranging several visits, students dealt with the technicalities of organizing the exhibition in another city. At the same time, Westfall said,

the comparatively brief three-hour journey made the project feasible, and the “sisterhood” between the two cities with developing, grassroots art scenes made the location a good fit.

Experiencing curation empowers studio artists, Westfall said, because it gives them insight into the perspective of galleries and other players in the exhibition process. And that has practical implications for students post-graduation.

“Ultimately — most of the students, most artists once they leave school — are not going to find full-time employment as studio artists,” Westfall said. “Those students that are equipped to participate in a more diversified set of economically oriented or perhaps creatively oriented gestures are going to be more strongly positioned to be successful.”

One of the pieces Dewey had a prominent role in curating was “Old Oak” by Amber Eve Anderson, which employed the process of archiving — the careful selection of objects in order to curate a specific meaning.

The work displays a selection of pieces related to Anderson’s family homestead in Nebraska, centered around the image of a lone oak tree. Its presence apparently signified the presence of underground water, according to Native Americans in the area, Dewey said.

An orange book on a shelf is situated below the image of the oak tree, and the blank pages represent research difficulties Anderson experienced.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FRI. 12/7

VCUarts Open Nite

See work from students in many of the art departments at VCU, including Cinema, Fashion Design & Merchandising, Interior Design, Graphic Design and Photography & Film. The event is free and all are welcome.

5–8 p.m., Pollak Building (325 N. Harrison St.)

FRI. 12/7

Ramifications of VCU Winter Concert

Join The Ramifications — VCU’s a cappella group — at their final concert on the last day of classes. Music will include holiday classics, Billie Eilish and Panic! at the Disco. The concert is free and will be in the Commons Theater.

7–8:30 p.m., VCU Student Commons

SAT. 12/8

“Rocky Horror Picture Show” — Holiday Special

Enjoy a showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” presented by the Orgasmic Rush of Lust Cast. The group is a live shadow cast, meaning they perform the show while the film plays on the screen behind them.

11:59 p.m., Bow Tie Cinemas (1301 N. Boulevard)

The students conducted studio visits with the selected artists, which involved discussions about their work. Spencer Dewey, another student curator and craft and material studies major, said the visits were a step in developing the show’s theme.

“[The visits] helped us decide who we wanted to include and figure out how we wanted the message of the show to come together,” Dewey said.

“When she was going back [to the homestead] to look for information, she has a hard time finding anything,” Dewey said. “There was very little information for her to find aside from her family history and belongings.”

Dewey said she felt “honored” when she was nominated to participate in the exhibition. The experience of working with practicing artists gave her insight into different styles and her own preferences.

“It was really interesting as an artist thinking about how you could be in their place some day,” Dewey said.

SAT. 12/8

Winter VA Comicon

For one day only, comic-con will return with artist tables, cosplayers and a costume contest with a panel of judges. Tickets can be purchased online for $12 or at the event for $15.

11 a.m.–4 p.m., Richmond Raceway Complex (600 E. Laburnum St.)

SUN. 12/9

Vintage is for Lovers RVA Holiday Market

Enjoy a selection of Richmond’s best vintage vendors, artists and makers at the historic Hippodrome Theater in Jackson Ward. Tickets are $5 can be purchased online or at the event. All ticket proceeds will go to Family & Children's Trust Fund of Virginia.

Noon-5 p.m., The Hippodrome Theater (528 N. 2nd St.)

Do something Learn something

THURS. 12/6

Meet VCU's Authors: Brooke Newman

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Brooke Newman will discuss her new book, “Dark Inheritance: Blood, Race and Sex in Colonial Jamaica,” which re-examines the history of race and subjecthood in the British Atlantic. Newman is a history professor at VCU and the associate director of the Humanities Research Center.

4-5 p.m., Cabell Library, room 250

MON. 12/10

Integrative Health Resource Fair

Learn about the resources offered for patients at the Massey Cancer Center. The event will center around Massey’s Integrative Health program, which combines medical care with the physical, mental and spiritual needs of patients.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., North Hospital lobby, MCV Campus

The visual impact of "Blind Side" changes depending on the viewer's perspective. Photo by Michel Maulding

"Old Oak" archives items from the artist's family's Nebraska homestead. Photo by Michel Maulding

I have my painting practice and I love making work. But I also want to be able to talk about other people’s work, talk about how their work and mine fit into this whole bigger cultural picture.”

Sam Bantly, curator

Quote of the week

My Dashiki isn’t your costume

MARGARETTA SACKOR

Contributing Writer

I was born on the west coast of Africa, in Monrovia, Liberia — the land named for former slaves to return to their home. The only problem is, former slaves didn’t want to return to a place that was no longer their home. The original enslaved people were all dead or too old. This new generation of African-Americans did not know much about Africa or their ancestors, much like today.

The African diaspora is a part of history that strikes to the core. Many African-Americans do not know about their African roots and can’t trace them back. Because of this lack of understanding, many people misrepresent the African culture in an attempt to modernize it. The misrepresentation of African culture is a dividing line between Africans and African-Americans.

cannot choose to be African when it is convenient for you.

It’s easy to grab African prints, put them on and claim to be “woke” because of current activism trends. People decide to be African temporarily and then take it off like an out-of-date costume.

Behavior like this takes away the significance of African culture. It allows nonblack people to come in and tear down my culture. People who wear it for the trends won’t protect the culture as it needs.

This misrepresentation is unintentional. There are two sides to this problem — some people truly want to learn about African culture and connect to their roots, while others profit off African trends. This is where most of the problem originates: you

Where I am from, there are very strong gender roles. Men and women’s clothing is very different and you may never see a man or woman wearing the same thing. The Americanized dashiki shirts that you’ll see many college students wearing are meant for men.

I see people who don’t even know what

the colors or different designs mean wearing these bright dashiki prints. There are five main colors: gold, red, green, blue and white. Gold is popular because it conveys wealth and fertility. Red is the color of blood and stands for spiritual or political tension. The most harmonious color is blue, which represents love, peace and the sky. Green is a medicinal color — it’s the color of life and prosperity. White represents spirituality and purity.

One doesn’t blindly decide which color to wear without considering the meanings. When African men and women leave the house, they dress to impress. The whole idea is to grab attention and be bold within your clothing.

Now all the blame is not rested on the shoulders of African-Americans. Some

An Ode to Self Care

me. Everyone keeps telling me that if he cheated once, he will cheat again. What if he learns from his mistake and regrets it?

Come on, sis…We are better than this. Having everyone in your ear telling you one thing can be annoying (and tends to make one rebellious), but if more than 90 percent of your friends are telling you one thing, there is probably a teensy iota of truth to it. However, relationships make fools of us all from time to time so if you want to take him back, that is completely your call to make. Keep in mind that regret is a very poor indicator of whether someone will make the same mistakes. When it comes to behavior, look for changes in patterns, not promises.

First, I’m gonna say this once and you really need to pay attention: you are not responsible for his emotional state. You’ve obviously given this some thought and seem more than ready to break it off, so don’t allow yourself to be held captive by your boyfriend’s fragility. You owe yourself so much more than that. Breaking up is seldom ever easy, and you sound like you do care for him, so I don’t think you breaking up with him will come across as cruel. Remember cruelty isn’t a byproduct of honest words; it’s a product of how, when and why you deliver them.

Africans are unintentionally stepping away from African culture — I do this myself. I’m not saying we must walk around dressed in African garments all day, throwing our “pure African” roots in people’s faces. A helping hand is more of what I mean.

When I see someone misrepresenting African culture, I do not say anything to them. I don’t educate them in hopes of bettering their understanding because it becomes a matter of emotional labor. Having to bear all my knowledge and my identity on the table is something I’m not willing to do. Instead, I look at them and probably think something snarky in my head. And then complain about it later to my friends.

This is all a new thing to me. At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the need for people to embrace African culture and reconnect with African roots started trending. I’ve never seen so many black people want to be African. When I came to America, I was bullied for my skin tone, my African accent and for just being African.

Now everyone seemingly wants to be African. Yet, it’s hard for me to accept that this generation of people who once bullied me for being African now want a part of my culture. It’s a hard pill to swallow and all the water in the world can’t make it go down easily.

I’m happy and proud of people who want to learn their roots. It’s groundbreaking to have a force as large as the African-American population wanting to reconnect with Africa.

If you truly want to learn more about African culture, I applaud you. They are trying to understand their roots because for them, their history has been lost. If you are African just for the trend, I urge you to stop. You are damaging the culture for everyone else. And even worse, you are creating a divide when there should be complete unity within the black community.

This isn’t about you feeling heartbroken, this is about you being upset you couldn’t cuff him. Good thing though, he sounds like a waste of time.

My friends are graduating and naturally leaving. Out-of-state, overseas and everywhere in between — I won’t be able to visit on a college student’s income. I’m starting to get really panicked at the inevitable reality of me being alone. What can I do?

SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist

I’m stuck in a situation that most of my friends are telling me to get out of. Long story short is, my boyfriend cheated on

Four years into a relationship that’s not fulfilling me anymore. I can’t break up with him because it will hurt him too much. I’ve never had to do this and the idea of knowingly and purposely causing someone that much pain nauseates me. Where do I go from here?

So the guy I’m currently seeing tells me that he’s “head over heels” with me but refuses to be monogamous so he doesn’t “deprive himself” of any possible experiences he could encounter. Please, tell me what I already know.

Well, he’s selfish in a very typical way. I’ll give him credit for being honest, even though his honesty is meant to be self-serving. He’s not in love with you, but then again, you are not in love with him either.

Yep, it’s about that time of year. Granted things will change but it’s 2018 — communication has never been easier. Though it’s never the same as face-to-face interaction, it’s still possible to stay present and be connected. That being said, you have to make new friends as you enter this next stage of your life. This is something that is going to consistently happen every five to seven years, so don’t be afraid. Get comfortable with the idea of change. It’s phenomenal and you’ll be led to people you didn’t even know you were looking for.

And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.

— Michael Scott

Now everyone seemingly wants to be African. Yet, it’s hard for me to accept that this generation of people who once bullied me for being African now want a part of my culture.”

Margaretta Sackor, contributing writer

Illustration by Lindsay Hart

Recommended listening while reading: “SPOTLESS MIND”

Jhené Aiko

Godspeed, fam

I had swipes to burn, so when a stranger asked if I could swipe them Croutons I obliged without giving it much thought. This tiny gesture of kindness (or indifference, full transparency) changed my life forever.

As I waited for my VCU card back, my swipe-ee struck up a conversation about our futures. I said I loved to write, and Bryant Drayton, the sports editor at The Commonwealth Times, overheard us. Bryant, whom I’d never met before, told me I should write for this paper I didn’t know existed.

ZACH JOACHIM Executive Editor

Iwalked into cane’s without the slightest clue of what I wanted to do with my life.

I’m sure the vast majority of freshmen experience similar anxiety, but this was a true moment of crisis. There I was in late April, walking through Monroe Park (pre-renovations) from my dorm in the OG GRC (RIP), asking myself what I had done with my inaugural year of college aside from drink and smoke away my social anxiety.

Friends from high school and roommates got me through the year, for the most part. I hadn’t found a family or a cause I felt passionate about.

Bryant gave me his number, and 108 issues over 3 1/2 years of the CT later, I’m left with a resolute belief that fate or God or centricity in the universe in whatever capacity it exists overheard my yearning and distress that night. I found my family and passion at the CT, and the loved ones and experiences I’ve gained here will be a part of me till I’m six feet under.

For any student reading this who isn’t sure what they want to do with their life — find the thing that “blows your fucking dome,” as Sarah King, my first executive editor, put it to me. Do what you love with who you love, fuck a paycheck and social status.

I came to VCU, mostly, in search of an abstract concept of freedom, diversity and inclusion (bravo, administration, your branding has been impeccable). My sister, a photography major at the time, showed me around when I was a junior in high school.

I felt something sitting on the rocks of the

James after our tour of campus that I’ll never be able to explain — a sense of subliminal belonging, seemingly out of nowhere.

Believe in meaning in the universe, no matter what the world throws at you. Persist through the bullshit and you will find your passion.

A note to journalists and prospective writers — freedom of the press is under siege. Now, it is more important than ever for people who believe in unearthing the truth to throw themselves behind the fourth estate. Democracy Dies in Darkness. We need YOU, young journalist, to be the difference you want to see in the world.

I can never express the extent of my gratitude to Bryant and Sarah enough. Sophia Belletti, my co-sports editor and eventual executive editor, became a cherished friend over the years.

Caitlin Barbieri has become one of my best friends and a beloved emotional support system in just a semester here at the paper. Shaun Jackson, you are our queen, thank you for holding us all together emotionally.

Katie Bashista, I’ll see you at Rolling Stone, you are so talented and compassionate. Jessica Wetzler, you’re too good for Harrisonburg, but I know you’ll love it and go on to do big things. Nia Tariq, you’re an amazing journalist and dear friend — can I be a guest on your talk show? Georgia Geen and Saffeya Ahmed, you have been everything to this paper this semester and I can’t imagine better

journalists and leaders to leave my beloved CT to. Our advisors, Allison Dyche, Mark Jeffries and Jacob McFadden, you guys rock — thank you for everything you do for us.

Design staff, photographers and illustrators — we are so lucky to work with you amazing, talented people. Ryan Rich, Jeffrey Pohanka, MP and Andy Caress, you’ve dealt with a lot this semester and continued to produce a beautiful paper. Thank you for being amazing coworkers and friends. Thank you for not killing us when we keep pushing deadlines back. Even though Erin, our photography editor, yells at me a lot, I’ve always known it was with love and born from a desire to make our paper the best publication it can possibly be.

Thank you to the cleaning staff of the Student Media Center for dealing with our bullshit. Thank you Fadel Allassan for, well, being Fadel. You are the backbone of the CT. This is the family I found. Go find yours, dear reader.

I am forever grateful to the nameless student who asked me to swipe them that fateful day my freshman year. You’ll never know it, but when you asked what I wanted to do with my life, you set me on the path toward my future and helped me find my family.

In the timeless words of the great Sarah King, Godspeed, fam.

You gotta jump in to swim. — Mac Miller

I’m gonna need a margarita after this

CAITLIN BARBIERI Opinions Editor

At the end of the 2018 spring semester some guy I barely knew (Zach Joachim) approached me about becoming the opinions editor of the CT. I declined because I knew I wouldn’t be able to maintain my relationship with my boyfriend if I took on another job. Two months later while sipping my second margarita at Baja Bean and venting to my journalism best friend Katie Bashista about my break up, I had a revelation.

The greatest tragedy of my college career was that I waited until my last semester to join the CT. At my first staff meeting, I sat around a table of 12 people, all of whom except three were strangers. I felt nervous and shy and was worried that I wouldn’t fit in.

I quickly realized those feelings were irrational. Over the past three months, I developed some of the strongest relationships I have had in my entire time at VCU. Now, the people who sit around this table are my family. They are my greatest friends and the best part of college.

It breaks my heart that I found my

home in the final stretch of my undergrad career, but I definitely made the most of it. That guy I barely knew is now one of my best friends and one of the most consistent people in my life. My friendship with Katie has thrived, and that’s mostly because I never leave her alone but I’d like to believe she likes me being around.

The new friendships I’ve made will also last long after graduation. No matter how much time passes,

I will always be able to hit up Ryan for a margarita, and even if we only have 20 minutes to spare, that will be the best part of my day. I will never stop asking Georgia for help with my Spanish and Saffeya is my favorite person to sit in a car with, singing and dancing for hours. As for my queen, Shaun, I will always go to you for advice on my never-ending journey of self-care.

When I look back on my time at the CT, I will remember begging Saffeya to go to Dunkin’ Donuts with me, watching Jeffrey and Katie vigorously dance to music only they can hear and listening to Georgia lecture about the use of an em dash. I will remember Fadel distracting everyone with questions of love and Andy hiding the fact that he found it.

Every week, without fail, Jeffrey has made me laugh till I cried and MP has made me feel better about myself by simply calling me “queen.” Instead of working, my favorite thing to do was Sudoku and Ryan corrected my pronunciation of the game so much that I just started calling it math squares.

While I am still upset I missed the

day Jessica brought her dog to work, I know she will be fantastic in Harrisonburg.

This is my CT family and I will never forget the time I spent with them.

Of course, this farewell would not be complete without mentioning my writers. Margaretta, Marlon and Brianna, you three were my most consistent contributors and while each of you made me want to tear out my hair at times, I am extremely proud of the work you all produced. Your dedication allowed me to have the largest opinions section the CT has seen in recent memory and I am so proud of that.

Brianna, you will be an amazing opinions editor next semester. I have seen you grow so much since freshmen year, and there is no one else I would rather pass off my section to. If you need anything, I will be just a phone call away.

*Starts crying*

Adios CT. As I now become a brief part of your history, know that you will always be a lasting part of mine.

Illustration by Steck Von

Illustration by Steck Von

The CT chapter in life is complete

JESSICA WETZLER Sports Editor

Junior. Transfer student. Scared beyond belief. Those were the descriptions I would give people during the icebreaker sessions during my brief orientation at VCU.

I transferred to VCU in 2016 on a whim. I had left my dream school Coastal Carolina University (Natty Champs #GoChants) going from studying marine science to journalism and I had no idea what I was doing. I went from the beach to the city and constantly questioned if I was making the right choice, but there was always one thing I could count on to comfort me: The Commonwealth Times.

I decided to apply to VCU because of the CT. No one knows that, but that’s the truth. I remember sitting at the marine science center front desk looking at an online issue when I was supposed to be scheduling a tour thinking, “If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right.” I applied past the deadline and by a miracle was accepted, trading in my black and teal

for black and gold.

Fast forward a few months, and it was the day the student media open house was happening. I left work early to make it on time and here I am, making my first steps on campus, walking into a room of students that is, for lack of a better term, overwhelming until I reach the CT. I

This is good enough

to go outside and cry and then come back inside as if nothing happened. No one ever said anything to me so I guess I covered it up pretty well.

The people in that room didn’t really know I was going through anything or that I started to feel significantly better just by being around them. Their never-ending support for me, both professionally and personally, was incredible. I remember looking around the room at the end of that semester thinking, “these people have no idea what they’ve done for me.”

filled out the info form and asked the girl standing next to me if there was anyone I could talk to about sports writing and there they were, Zach and Sophie sitting across the table. I didn’t know that during the first meeting I would set among experienced writers and grab my first story. “Freshmen dominate in Spider Alumni Open,” front page, Sept. 12, 2016. I didn’t know that I would get to meet Gabe, Nick, Keyris, Adam, Rodney and Daniel. I didn’t know that I would grow relationships with Chris and Evan and bug them constantly for interview requests. I didn’t know I would be a part of 55 issues, write 60 stories, and lead the basketball issue. I didn’t know I would get to sit among amazing and talented editors like Katie, Georgia, Caitlin, Nia, Fadel and Saffeya or hang out till one in the morning with Andy, MP, Ryan and Jeffrey. I would have never imagined going to meet Vice President Mike Pence and being extremely uncomfortable with Erin. I didn’t know I would get to watch Andy, Jaron, Adam, Daniel, Nile, Sam, Rodney, Sravan and Noah grow as

writers. I have full confidence that you all will be just fine come spring semester with Noah in charge.

I would have never known that walking into the Student Media Center during open house would lead me to writing this farewell (and sobbing), having to say goodbye to the people that assured me I did the right thing.

Thank you Zach for believing in me. I know I could have never filled your shoes as sports editor but you have taught me more than any professor could have. You were with me from the very beginning and your kindness and drive helped more than you know. You may miss brunch sometimes and show up late to meetings because the line at Panda was too long, but you belong in Richmond with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and I’ll be watching you from Harrisonburg.

Thank you to everyone I have ever met at the CT who welcomed a scared transfer student into your arms. I owe so much to you.

Final last words: it’s time to PDF.

KATIE BASHISTA Spectrum Editor

I’m currently sitting in The Commonwealth Times production room during my last Sunday production. Caitlin is attempting to complete a Sudoku puzzle, Georgia and Ryan are working diligently and Zach, Jessica and Noah are trying to explain something baseball-related to Saffeya.

“There’s an inning,” Noah said. “And there are nine of them.”

I joined the CT three semesters ago as the opinions editor, after heeding warnings from people that the CT staff was “cliquey.” I still remember my shaky voice as the then-executive editor, Sophia Belletti, interviewed me over the phone for the job. I remember having that same shaky voice as I pitched my first article, fearing Sophia and the rest of the staff would think it was stupid. Maybe they did think it was stupid, but it got published, and Sophia is now one of my best friends.

Fast forward a semester, I was still opinions editor and I was going through a tough time personally. Not to sound dramatic, but I would leave the CT production room two to three times per day

They have critiqued me and held me accountable, making me a better writer, editor and co-worker. They’ve listened to me vent about important things and stupid things. They put up with the fact that I laugh at everything, even Jeffrey’s worst jokes.

I could write a paragraph about every single person on staff, but that would take up another spread in this paper. So instead, I will just name a few things I’m thankful for:

Airpod sharing, dance parties when we start losing it at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday, shared Christian’s pizzas, the fuzzy blue blanket, Fadel’s swipes, that one broken chair that’s missing the back, making it the perfect footrest, Ryan’s sarcasm and Dunkin’ happy hour.

Fadel, Georgia, Zach, Caitlin, Ryan, Saffeya, Erin, Jeffrey, MP, Andy, Nia, Jessica and Shaun — I wouldn’t have wanted to spend as many hours as I did this semester with anyone else.

I’ll think about the CT every day when I sit down in whatever production room awaits me in the future. Thank you all for bringing out the best in me when I was feeling my worst and thank you for reminding me of what’s important.

In classic “Newspaper Movie” fashion, I will leave you all with just two final words: Run it.

Illustration by Steck Von

Illustration by Steck Von

Anatomy of Jake the Pigeon by Madeline De-Michele

THE CT STAFF

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Zach Joachim joachimz@commonwealthtimes.org

MANAGING EDITOR Georgia Geen geengr@commonwealthtimes.org

NEWS EDITOR Nia Tariq news@commonwealthtimes.org

SPORTS EDITOR Jessica Wetzler sports@commonwealthtimes.org

SPECTRUM EDITOR Katie Bashista spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org

OPINIONS EDITOR Caitlin Barbieri opinions@commonwealthtimes.org

COPY EDITOR Saffeya Ahmed ahmeds@commonwealthtimes.org

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Erin Edgerton photography@commonwealthtimes.org

ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Steck Von illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org

SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR Fadel Allassan allassanfg@commonwealthtimes.org

STAFF WRITERS Logan Reardon, News reardonlj@vcu.edu

Adam Cheek, Sports cheekan@vcu.edu

Noah Fleischman, Sports nrfleischman@gmail.com

Sam Goodrich, Spectrum goodrichs@commonwealthtimes.org

Brianna Scott, Opinions scottbn@vcu.edu

STAFF COLUMNISTS

What you need by Erin Joo

Shaun Jackson, Opinions jacksonsk@commonwealthtimes.org

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shayla Bailey baileysl4@vcu.edu

STAFF ILLUSTRATORS

Summer McClure mccluresl@vcu.edu

Sammy Newman ymmas97@gmail.com

VCU STUDENT

MEDIA CENTER

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Ryan Rich Mai-Phuong Bui

Jeffrey Pohanka Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Gabbi Bernardo Dana Cantor Miles S. Hicks advertising@vcustudentmedia.com (804) 828-6629

WEBMASTER Chrislin Hearn webmaster@vcustudentmedia.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Caroline Banchoff distribution@vcustudentmedia.com

DIRECTOR Allison Bennett Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu (804) 827-1975

CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu

BUSINESS MANAGER Jacob McFadden mcfaddenjc@vcu.edu

ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Andrew Salsbury smc_assistant@vcustudentmedia.com

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 Caitlin Barbieri, 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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