The Commonwealth Times; May 1, 2017

BEST SMALL, NON-DAILY —2017 Virginia Press Association awards The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University

May 1, 2017 • Vol. 58, No. 27

NEWS RPD forum • 3 SPORTS Tennis wins A-10 • 5 SPECTRUM QRealigion • 9 OPINION Sign-off • 11

ILLUSTRATION BY JIAQI ZHOU

Richmond police host final public safety forum for April

MAURA MAZUROWSKI News Editor Richmond Police officers lined the entrance to St. John’s Church Thursday evening for the fourth and final town hall on increased crime rates and public safety.

Officers quickly unfolded extras chairs as more than 100 people – including Mayor Levar Stoney – attended the session for the First Precinct with Police Chief Alfred Durham.

“I’m lucky, I’m blessed,” Stoney said. “Because I’ve got the best police department in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Forums for the Second, Third and Fourth precincts have also been held for the past two weeks. Such meet-

ings have become a tradition for Richmond police since Durham became RPD Chief in February 2015, and are part of sharing his vision for policing in the city. They also serve as a time for residents to share concerns about their communities.

“These meetings are a reflection of our mission: we make Richmond a safer city through community policing and engagement,” Durham said. “The purpose of these town hall meetings is for the Department to get input from the general public. Our strategy depends on understanding what we can do better and communicating with the public how they can help in our mission.”

At the department’s first community town hall forum, held at Southside Plaza Community Center on April 18, Durham revealed Richmond has seen 17

Spectrum

Alfred Durham Richmond Police Chief

–see “RPD,” page 3

VCU falls short in sixth straight A-10 Conference Championship RODNEY ROBINSON Contributing Writer Women’s tennis traveled south to the sunshine state to compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at the USTA National Campus in Orlando,

SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor On Saturday April 28, the New York Times published an article titled, In Mexico, ‘It’s Easy to Kill a Journalist. It discussed how Mexican journalists are often victim to extrajudicial murders by cartel enterprises and corrupt officials who want to silence opposition and prevent accountability and investigation.

Though the Times’ piece on Mexico was specific in its focus, it does raise a larger question: is the threat journalists face unique to Mexico, or do journalists lack protection worldwide?

–see “JOURNALIST,” page 5 Spectrum

UMass The Rams came up short in their effort to capture their sixth straight A10 Conference Championship against UMass Sunday, as the Minute Women edged the Rams 4-2.

Sophomores Janina Braun and Anna Russmusson picked up the early doubles point for the Rams, notching an early 6-3 doubles victory. Building on their semi-finals success, senior Darya Berezhnaya and sophomore Magda Aubets secured the doubles’ point for the Rams with a 6-4 victory.

After tallying the doubles’ point, the Rams struggled in singles play, falling behind 2-1. Rasmusson continued her strong play in singles, as she edged UMass’ Ruth Crawford 6-4, 7-5. Rasmusson tallied the only singles point for the Rams, as UMass won two consecutive matches to secure the

DECLARATION

Fla last week. The first-seeded Rams fell short in the A-10 Conference Championship match to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Sunday.

A-10 Conference Championship.

Braun was knotted 2-2 in the final set against Janja Kovacevic, but the match was halted after a tough loss on court four.

St. Louis The Rams cruised past Saint Louis University, as they looked to secure their sixth straight A-10 Conference Championship.

The number one seeded Rams dominated in their matchup with Saint Louis, winning 4-1.

Braun and Rasmussen fueled the Rams past St. Louis early, notching a 6-3 doubles’ victory.

Berezhnaya and Aubets secured the doubles point for the Rams, winning 6-4. Rasmussen rallied past SLU’s Eleonore Tchakarova for the second time of the season, 6-2, 6-3. Braun stayed hot at the No. 1 singles position with a victory over Aspen Crvin 6-4, 6-3 for her seventh singles victory in a row..

–see “TENNIS,” page 5

PH OT O CO UR

TE SY OF VC

U AT HL ET ICS

The Institute for Contemporary Art is coming...

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ICA

We can’t do our job if we don’t know your expectations of your police department.”

Sports

Research indicates international pushback against the free press

ILLUSTRATION BY SKYE ALI

more violent crimes in 2017 compared to last year, and more than a dozen carjackings, compared to just three last year.

Yet Durham assured the audience that “crime is not out of control.”

Durham reiterated the same message Thursday evening to Richmond’s community members. He opened the forum by emphasizing his goal for transparency between the community and the police department.

“We can’t do our job if we don’t know your expectations of your police department,” Durham said. “We are having some challenges this year, but the most important keys on how we’re going to resolve those issues are sitting right in this room.”

OCTOBER 2017

Men’s tennis captures

A-10 title page 5

story on page 8

news

The Commonwealth Times

Monday, April 24 Trespassing/Drug Violation Shafer Dining Court 810 Cathedral Pl. Pending Hit and Run 100 S. Linden St. Pending Theft From Building Shafer Dining Court 810 Cathedral Pl. Pending All Other Larceny B800 W. Main St. Pending Theft From Building Shafer Dining Court 810 Cathedral Pl. Pending Hit and Run 200 S. Belvidere St. Reported by Outside Agency All Other Larceny 901 N. Lombardy St. Reported by Outside Agency

Tuesday, April 25 Shoplifting Dollar Tree Dollar Tree 1510 W. Broad St. Reported by Outside Agency Shoplifting Rite Aid 520 W. Broad St. Reported by Outside Agency Destruction of Property - Private 312 N. Monroe St. Reported by Outside Agency

Wednesday, April 26 Alcohol Violation 1000 W. Broad St. Closed All Other Larceny/Destruction of Property - Private 301 W. Main St. Pending Trespassing/Obstruction of Justice 301 W. Cary St. Pending Drug Violation 900 W. Grace St. Pending Hit and Run 900 W. Main St. Pending All Other Offense Rhodes/Brandt Residence Hall 710 W. Franklin St. Pending

TYLER HAMMEL Contributing Writer Following a successful first 100 days, Mayor Levar Stoney attracted some negative attention from City Council this week after a $13 million surplus was found.

This has been a hot topic since the Stoney administration dropped the budget in early March, with disagreements on whether to increase the budget for anti-poverty programs and provide raises for firefighters and police.

The recently-discovered $13 million is a surplus left over from last year’s budget and could provide a solution to the funding shortage. However, it could also damage the city’s bond rating, warned City Financial Advisor Roland M. Kooch Jr., in a piece published last week by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Another amount of budgetary wiggleroom was discovered late last Thursday, with $800,000 allocated for the Richmond coliseum being listed in the budget twice. This extra money has greatly helped the council’s mission to reach $2.7 million in raises, which is reported to be about $100,000 short.

Yet City Council members have not been easily swayed about the consequences of using the surplus, which exceeds the $5 million the city usually aims for.

“We have difficult issues that need to be addressed today and socking away that money, squirreling it away, looking for being prepared for that rainy day, I’m telling you as far as some citizens are concerned, it’s raining right now in their neighborhood,” said City Council President Chris Hilbert. “We need to look at that. We can’t be overly cautious. You can’t miser your way into having a better bond rating.”

Stoney’s current $681 million proposal stays true to his promise to not raise taxes, but does raise the cost of public utilities and other city services. Stoney said at the March 6 City Council meeting where the budget was announced that he created it to specifically address issues the city faces in infrastructure and other lapses.

Budget surplus leads to City Council debates

PHOTO BY ERIC MARQUEZ

CRIME LOG

Stoney promises not to raise taxes, but may increase costs of public utilities and other public services.

“Our brief time in office has unearthed a stark reality — that for years, we have not provided for the true needs of our city,” Stoney said. “It runs the gamut, from deferred investments in infrastructure and capital improvements, to the funding for the retention, training and hiring of key city personnel.”

When the City Council met last Monday, citizens expressed different feelings and dominated the meeting by requesting

raises for both firefighters and police officers, which are purported to be among the lowest in the region. The council has said the biggest change to the budget they hope to see is a $2.7 million increase for raises to these salaries.

A representative for the Richmond Police Department and former Richmond City Council member Bill Pantlee spoke at the meeting and cited concerns about high turnover rates in the police department.

Dia de Ciencias gives high school students a glimpse of college life and opportunities at VCU

Simple Assault Grace Residence Hall 835 W. Grace St. Pending Hit and Run 700 W. Main St. Reported by Outside Agency

AMELIA HEYMANN Contributing Writer

Theft From Building 728 W. Marshall St. Reported by Outside Agency Motor Vehicle Theft 503 W. Grace St. Reported by Outside Agency

Thursday, April 27 Drug Violation 600 W. Main St. Closed All Other Larceny/Fraud 901 Park Ave. Pending

The SHPE president said some students attended with tranlators, a challenge that made the day “more impactful.”

Attempted Arson/Destruction of Property - State Cabell Library 901 Park Ave. Pending Theft From Building Life Science Building 1000 W. Cary St. Pending Drug Violation Belvidere & Idlewood St. Closed

Friday, April 28 Drug Violation Johnson Residence Hall 801 W. Franklin St. Closed Simple Assault B400 N. Harrison St. Reported by Outside Agency

Download the VCU LiveSafe mobile phone app to report crimes anonymously.

To contact the VCU PD: (804) 828-1196.

For an on-campus emergency: (804) 828-1234.

For an off-campus emergency: 911.

“I know it’s hard — really hard to find the money, but everyone ran on providing basic services and doing what’s right,” Pantlee said. “This affects every man, woman and child in the city. So we’re counting on you.”

The City Council will continue debating budget amendments on Monday, May 1 with the budget expected to be established the following week.

VCU seeks student feedback on next Quest for Distinction

HIBA AHMAD Online Editor The first Dia de Ciencias – or Day of Science – hosted by VCU’s chapter of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) took place on Saturday, April 29 with the goal of the event was to give local Hispanic or Latino high school students a glimpse of what college life is like.

SHPE had a mission statement for the event that outlined three goals: get kids excited about going to college, spark an interest in STEM related fields and ultimately have them apply to attend VCU. “For these kids college isn’t really emphasized,” Ahmed said.

“They don’t always get the same exposure to opportunities or aren’t told that college could be a reality for them. I’m glad we were able to that for them today.”

In 2014, 35 percent of Hispanics between the ages of 18-24 were enrolled in either a two-year or four-year college, according to the Pew Research Center. This is a drastic increase from 1993 when 22 percent of Hispanic, college-aged students were pursuing degrees in higher education.

Hispanic and Latino students make up about 7 percent of total students in both undergraduate and graduate schools at VCU during the 2016-17 school year, according to the Facts and Rankings page on the university’s website.

For many of the students and their parents, English isn’t their first language, and while SHPE President Raheel Ahmed said the language barrier was challenging, it made the day even more impactful.

Byron Esuelto, a freshmen in high school, had only been in the United States for a couple of months when he got the chance to join his classmates to attend Dia de Ciencias.

With a translator by his side, Esuelto said his family is from Honduras where most people have, at most, an elementary level of education.

“I don’t really have much guidance when it comes to college,” Byron said. “It’s usually just about work, but maybe one day college will be for me.”

The students had a chance to experiment with robots, hear from a panel of different Hispanic students in various areas of studies and tour campus with a lunch at Shafer Dining Hall.

The event hit home for Rodrigo Moren, SHPE’s president-elect.

As a Hispanic, Moren said he had been in these students shoes just a few years before.

“It’s been incredible to see the students’ faces light up,” Moren said. “The (high school) teachers that served as chaperones keep thanking me because they understand the importance (of this event) and how this could potentially change their lives.”

The (high school) teachers that served as chaperones keep thanking me because they understand the importance (of this event).”

Rodrigo Moren SHPE president-elect

PHOTO BY HIBA AHMAD

2

A second VCU town hall meeting was held at MCV campus on April 24, following a similar event on the MPC on April 21, asking VCU faculty and students for their input on future VCU initiatives.

There are 14 months left in VCU’s current Quest for Distinction; the next plan will launch in 2018 and end in 2025. The next plan will be developed this summer by the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) to be announced in October.

SPC is made up of five separate groups, each with five to seven members; National Prominence, Culture of Appreciation, Leverage and Diversity, Local Impact and Social Embeddedness and Student Success.

The groups are made up with a mixture of people from multiple departments, covering everything from the school of Engineering to the Nursing program.

The last two VCU town hall meetings intended to get feedback from community members on what the next plan should focus on. SPC, who moderated the meeting, had attendees vote on pre-existing ideas with clickers and took suggestions from the audience of about 40 people.

Laura Rugless, director and Title IX coordinator of Equity and Access Services, took a clicker poll of how the people in attendance felt diversity and equality should be integrated into the strategic plan.

Ruglass said although most people on Monday voted it should be tied-in with other themes for the next plan, at Friday’s town hall people had majority voted to include all the suggestions.

Video of last week’s town hall can be viewed on the VCU Facebook page.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, May 1, 2017

3

Study suggests POC in teaching positions may decrease dropout rates MARY LEE CLARK Staff Writer

ILLUSTRATION BY MALIK RADFORD

For many students, teachers become their first role models. They provide inspiration and guidance starting at a young age, and a new study suggests just one black teacher can greatly change the likelihood of black students to continue education.

The study, titled “The Long-Run Impacts of Same-Race Teachers,” found black students with exposure to a black teachers during elementary school cuts high school dropout rates by 39 percent and raises “college aspirations” and the probability of taking college entrance exams.

“Black primary-school students matched to a same-race teacher perform better on standardized tests and face more favorable teacher perceptions, yet little is known about the longrun, sustained impacts of student-teacher demographic match,” the study said.

The study also found that assigning a black student to a black teacher in third, fourth and fifth grades “significantly reduces” the probability that student will drop out of high school.

The demand for people of color in teaching positions doesn’t just stop at primary education.

In 2015, students at VCU took over President Roa’s office to demand the increase of minority

professors at VCU. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, only 5 percent of professors at VCU are black, compared to 16 percent of the student body.

The researchers studied 100,000 black students who entered the third grade between 2001 and 2005 with white teachers. They found that 13 percent ended up dropping of high school and 47 percent graduated with no plans of attending college.

However, students who were assigned to a black teacher were less likely to drop out of school but were also more likely to express interest in college.

Black teachers make up a small percentage of most schools’ faculty. A report by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education’s 2014 report shows the lack of, but growing minority teaching force in America. The study also shows that minorities educators enter teaching at higher rates than white teachers in recent decades but also shows that minority teachers depart from schools more often.

“The minority teacher shortage, in turn, is widely viewed as a key reason for the minority achievement gap and, ultimately, unequal occupational and life outcomes for minority students.” reads the report.

Chief Durham urges community to take part in city safety

RPD Chief Durham discussed how staff shortages can impact increased crime levels.

According to Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham, crime rates significantly increase every summer.

Tips:

! t i e d ma ADVERTISEMENT

If you see something, say something.

SUMMER SAFETY STRATEGIES

1.

2.

3.

4.

PHOTO BY ERIC MARQUEZ

Durham proceeded to go through a detailed presentation including reports on 2017 citywide violent and property crimes, increased firearms in the city, department staffing levels and how the community can help.

The first slide included the FBI 2017 Uniformed Crime Report, which is divided into two categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes (also known as crimes against persons) include murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Property crimes are the more common type of criminal offense, and they range from shoplifting to burglary, larcenytheft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

“We have an awesome department … And although they are great, they are not superheroes,” Stoney said.

“They will tell you they are only better with better neighbors and citizens. They’re great because of you all. The more information they give, the better they can do their jobs.”

The report, as of Thursday, showed there have been 21 homicides in Richmond city, including three “double murders,” or a homicide in which two people were killed. The first double homicide were the deaths of Shaquenda Walker, 24, and Deborah Walker, 55, on Feb. 16. Shaquenda Walker was the daughter of Deborah Walker; police say the two women were shot by Walter Gaines III, 23, before he shot himself.

On March 29, a triple shooting in Mosby Court in Jackson Ward left Mikkaisha D. Smoot, 16, and Taliek K. Brown, 15, dead after both were taken off life-support at VCU Medical Center. An adult woman was also found with an apparent gunshot wound. Her wound was not considered life-threatening.

And on April 10, Kejuan L. Goode, 18, and Terrell D. Thomas, 20, were shot and killed at the Midlothian Village Apartments in South Richmond.

“We’re seeing a lot of gun violence in the city,” Durham said. “A lot of our young folks are illegally possessing firearms.”

Compared to this time last year, the city has had two more homicides and 10 more aggravated assaults — including six more shootings in which a person was injured. Property crime is also up, driven in large part by motor vehicle thefts. Between violent crimes and property crimes, there have been 482 more crimes this year than in 2016, which was the deadliest in a decade.

Durham explained that crime across the city is not out of control; rather, certain neighborhoods have seen

“significant increase” in crime in 2017 – especially in East Richmond, public housing communities and several communities in Southside.

“We have been concentrating our efforts on these areas because we know where the violent crime is committed,” Durham said. “Crime is not out of control. But we do have violent crime, in this city, and we have a small population of folks committing those criminal acts.”

During the Q&A session that followed, a mother from the Oakwood community expressed a need for more police patrolling the street.

“I remember about 10 years ago, we used to see more police presence – at the bus stop, on the streets, at the corner stores, and that’s gone away,” she said.

“We need more police on the street.”

Durham said a lack of police patrolling the streets is in large part due to decreased staffing levels.

“We are short 44 (officers), 13 in the Second precinct alone,” Durham said. “How do we make up for that? Through minimal staffing overtime. When we’re making them work, they get burned out.”

Another forum attendee, a woman from Fulton, said in the last two weeks, there have been seven breakins in her neighborhood.

“You don’t see police like you used to, when they would maybe drive through the neighborhood at 9:30 in the morning when all the break-ins seem to be going on,” she said. “Where’s that presence to keep this down?”

Lieutenant John McRoy, First Precinct Section 111, said he tries to have an officer on Fulton every day, but with staff shortages, sometimes they get pulled out of the area.

Durham reminded the audience that his department does all they can to keep the city safe, but at the end of the day, “we all play a role.”

“Police are the only people in society paid to do public safety, but public safety is a shared responsibility,” Durham said. “What more can we do?”

Crime rates increase during the summer season; to help combat this, Durham listed “summer strategies” for the audience on how to stay safe and help prevent crime.

These strategies include locking motor vehicles and homes, bringing friends to police forums and the simple slogan:

u o Y ADVERTISEMENT

– “RPD,” from page 1

Keep your doors locked, even when you’re home Do not store valuables in motor vehicles Bring friends out to police forums If you see something, say something

RAMAWAY

4

The Commonwealth Times

sports

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, May 1, 2017

Stat of the Week

VCU men’s tennis won its 26th straight match over the University of Richmond Sunday — a streak dating back to the 1990s.

Press Box

Unraveling the secret life of Aaron Hernandez ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editor Last week I heard Ezra Edelman, director of the Oscar-winning documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” speak at VCU’s Grace Street Theater about the psychology of athlete “hero worship.”

Edelman said he believes fans’ reverence of their favorite athletes clouds their perception of those sports-heroes as fallible human beings.

“These people make us feel good, and so when you’re connected to them like that it ends up being a referendum on yourself,” Edelman said. “You don’t want to believe that these people are capable of evil.”

Most of the time, stripping the lens of athletic competition from athletes leaves us charmed to see the bashful, candid, human side of our traditionally stone-faced gladiators. But sometimes, we don’t want that lens removed. Sometimes, such as in the cases of O.J. Simpson and Aaron Hernandez, we’re horrified by and refuse to believe in what we find underneath the glamorized, heroic exterior.

Edelman, who said he hates it when people ask him if he “thinks O.J. did it,” dedicated the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature to Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, who Simpson was on trial for murdering.

I am a lifelong New England Patriots fan, and never for a second did I believe that Aaron Hernandez was capable of the sort of evil he was locked up for. Even when the murder trial unearthed the truth, I still struggled to wrap my head around it. Even now, after the 27-year-old Hernandez’s shocking death, none of it makes sense.

The former Patriots and University of Florida star tight end was found dead in his jail cell on April 19 from what officials ruled a suicide. Hernandez was serving a life sentence without parole for the 2013 murder of semi-professional football player and longtime friend Odin Lloyd. Just days before his death, Hernandez was found not guilty in the 2012 murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado.

Both athletes — Simpson and Hernandez — lived lives that need to be put under the microscope, because their stories help us understand ourselves as much as they do them.

While Hernandez’s case lacks the vast cultural implications of O.J.’s — namely, the role of racial tensions at the time of his trial in the 1980s — the common thread remains that these were trusted, revered athletes whose fall from grace serves as a window into our own vanity as naive fans.

O.J.’s story was naturally engaging; America couldn’t, and still can’t, turn away, and we continue to learn more about ourselves as a

5

culture when we inspect O.J.’s life. Hernandez’s story shares the same depth, but lacks the societal hoopla, because the details of his saga are so convoluted and disturbing that all fans want to do is turn a blind eye.

Last week, Hernandez’s lawyer, Jose Baez, denied rumors that his deceased client left a letter to a “prison lover,” purportedly a fellow inmate, describing the speculation as “malicious leaks used to tarnish somebody who is dead.”

Local authorities affirmed that Hernandez wrote three letters, two of which were addressed to his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, and his young daughter. Paul Jarvey, a spokesperson for the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, said it was unclear to whom Hernandez wrote the third letter.

Last Tuesday, Hernandez’s legal team filed a motion to have his murder conviction dismissed.

Massachusetts law allows a conviction to be dismissed if a defendant dies prior to the completion of their appeal process. Prosecutors are preparing to oppose the motion.

What’s more, the Hernandez family donated his brain to be studied for CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), the brain disease which has been tied to the repeated head trauma many athletes endure.

Perhaps they hope a diagnosis could help explain how a beloved athlete turned into a deranged killer behind the scenes.

We may never know the reason — and perhaps there isn’t one — why Hernandez lived a doublelife until the day he died. Everyone who knew him, from his family to his teammates, coaches and fans are left wondering just how much they ever knew the real Aaron Hernandez, who was, by all accounts, a cherished friend and teammate.

This is supposed to be an opinion piece, but it’s almost over and I haven’t expressed one because it feels uncomfortable. Perhaps even more so than the average person because I was a fan of his, I want to grimace and turn away.

I’m not sure what to think about Aaron Hernandez — but that’s the point, none of us are. And none of us should be. But that doesn’t mean we should turn away. We already made that mistake once.

Hernandez’s behavioral patterns — if there were any to be found — slipped through the cracks of the Florida Gators and New England Patriots, two of the nation’s most well-respected football institutions. His quarterbacks were Tim Tebow and Tom Brady. His coaches, Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick.

Tebow and Brady spoke about Hernandez and fellow Gator-turned-Patriot Brandon Spikes in 2011 during New England’s week 15 game against the Denver Broncos, a year after the Patriots drafted the pair of former Gators.

“I’m trying to watch over Aaron and Brandon,” Brady said. “I appreciate that, man. They’re good guys,” Tebow responded. “They’re a lot to handle,” Brady concluded.

No matter how talented an athlete is, no matter how disturbing a story may be — we must not turn a blind eye. We must seek to understand as best we can, because our sports heroes are human beings, and are accordingly capable of evil.

And we owe it to Nicole Simpson, Ronald Goldman and Odin Lloyd to stare that evil in the face.

Everyone who knew him, from his family to his teammates, coaches and fans are left wondering just how much they ever knew the real Aaron Hernandez, who was, by all accounts, a cherished friend and teammate.

ILLUSTRATION BY IAIN DUFFUS

VCU falls short in sixth straight A-10 Conference Championship — “TENNIS,” from page 1 Freshman Noumea Witmus picked up the winning point for the Rams in the last singles’ finish on the day. Witmus picked up her second victory of the tournament as she edged Cassie Mckenzie 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY VCU ATHLETICS

University of Richmond

The Rams have won all four Atlantic 10 titles since joining the league in the 2012-13 season.

The Rams punched their ticket into the Semi-Finals on Thursday against cross town rival, the University of Richmond Spiders. The Rams came out on top in a close 4-3 match.

The Spiders earned the doubles point early in the match and the Rams held an early deficit to the Spiders 2-1. The Rams managed to tie the score 3-3 and Aubets went on to deliver in the clutch against the Spiders. The match was tied 3-3, and the fate of the season came down to court three. Aubets prevailed in a three-set nail-biter 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.

In addition to Aubets, Rasmussen, Witmus, and Braun tallied singles victories for the Rams.

Braun improved to 24-7 in singles victories, a team’s best after her victory on court one. Rasumussen also improved to 11-1 on the season on court two. Also Braun and Rasmussen were victorious in doubles play as they topped Kiana Marshall and Lyndell Giffenig 6-2.

Men’s tennis captures A-10 title ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editor VCU men’s tennis took home the Atlantic Ten Championship this Sunday after defeating crosstown rival the University of Richmond in the title match by a final of 4-3 at the United States Tennis Association National Campus in Orlando, Florida.

The third-seeded Rams took down St. Louis University 4-3 Friday night in the quarterfinals before edging past the George Washington University in the semifinals on Saturday by the same scoreline.

VCU coach Paul Kostin is the second-winningest coach in Division 1 history with 1,118 career wins, 548 of which have come with the Black and Gold.

The victory over Richmond is VCU’s twenty-sixth consecutive squashing of the Spiders — Kostin, who won his staggering 38th conference title on Sunday, has never lost to UofR or led the Rams to a losing season.

6

sports

The Commonwealth Times

Ram in action: Sky Hyatt Redshirt-sophomore midfielder Sky Hyatt is at the top of her game during her second lacrosse season at VCU. From starting every game this season and last, to being named Atlantic 10 player of the week for the second time this season, Hyatt is a vital component for the Rams.

Lacrosse is in its second season as a Division I team and the future of the young program is moving in a positive direction.

“Each year we have taken an enormous step and I can almost see the future,” Hyatt said. “I can see the girls coming in and we are going to be even 10 times better than what we are now.”

With an overall 41 goals scored and 17 assists (58 points) in 16 games this season, Hyatt’s athleticism stands out on the field.

“For me personally, it’s been going really well,” Hyatt said.

“There are still some things to work through myself, but there’s new experience on the board and I think it’s been a well rounded, growing year, for myself as well.”

Hyatt, a native of Eldersburg, Md. said she hopes to improve on her footwork and stick work during the off-season, as well as her shooting skills.

“Each year and each solid take I want it to be harder and harder to track, harder to save,” Hyatt said. “On the flipside, because I play mid-field, I like to work on my footwork and just have quick feet and be able to always be the person on the field who has the better first quick step so mostly footwork and stick work.”

Hyatt took home A-10 player of the week title twice this season — she is the second Ram to earn

the honor this season, joining teammate sophomore attack Molly Barcikowski.

“With a program as new as ours it’s hard to get a lot of recognition so when we do get that recognition it is big,” Hyatt said. “ If we wouldn’t have pulled out a win or played close games, then there’s no recognition to any players so it means a lot to me but it means more to the program and getting the recognition and getting our name out there.”

Hyatt was also named Virginia Lottery Student Athlete Player of the Week on April 18 for her performance against the George Washington University.

Prior to her collegiate lacrosse career at VCU, Hyatt played club lacrosse in Carroll County, Md. for Check-hers, was varsity captain of her high school team, named first team all-county her senior year and second team allcounty her sophomore year. In addition to lacrosse, Hyatt played basketball in high school.

When it came time to pick a university to continue playing at the next level, Hyatt said VCU was a no brainer.

“I not only fell in love with the campus when I stepped on it, but head coach (Jen) O’Brien was a huge influence on me and I could see genuine in her eyes and knew she was capable of so much even without seeing the rest of the team,” Hyatt said. “I just knew that she had good intentions, lacrosse wise and non lacrosse wise.”

She said being a student-athlete can be overwhelming, but she is thankful is to have the opportunity to play at a higher level.

The Rams ended their second season with a 18-7 loss against the University of Richmond Saturday.

After gaining the early 2-0 lead two minutes into the contest, the Spiders outscored VCU 11-2 over the next 27 minutes to take control of the game. The Rams were unable to get closer than eight goals for the remainder of the game.

VCU exceeded expectations this year, as they tied for sixth in the final Atlantic 10 standings after being chosen 10th in the preseason. The Rams more than doubled their win total from the program’s first season overall and in conference play.

VCU lacrosse ended their season having shown a propensity for improvement. The Black and Gold (7-10, 3-6) won seven out of their 17 games and three conference matchups. The team scored 212 goals and notched 94 assists to achieve a 44.3 percent shooting average for the season.

I not only fell in love with the campus when I stepped on it, but head coach (Jen) O’Brien was a huge influence on me.”

Sky Hyatt, redshirtsophomore midfielder

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIP

JESSICA WETZLER Contributing Writer

Redshirt-sophomore midfielder Sky Hyatt is the star of the first-ever VCU lacrosse signing class.

Baseball wins 15th conference game, takes first-place ADAM CHEEK Contributing Writer

Saturday

VCU baseball moved to 26-16 overall and a staggering 15-3 in Atlantic Ten play as the 2017 season hits the home stretch. After their Tuesday night game at Longwood University was postponed due to inclement weather, the Rams hosted the Hawks of St. Joseph’s University for a three-game weekend series. The three contests — all nail-biters — were decided by a combined four runs. VCU is now two games clear of second-place Rhode Island University with six games remaining in the conference schedule.

VCU’s valiant comeback in the second game of the series against the Hawks came up just short, as St. Joseph’s racked up two runs in the late innings to edge the Rams by a score of 8-6.

The Black and Gold scored their first run on Darian Carpenter’s single that drove in senior outfielder Logan Farrar.

A hit-by-pitch of Willett and a sacrifice fly by sophomore infielder Zac Ching tied the game up at three in the early goings.

That tie remained until the sixth, when the Hawks plated three runs in the opening half of the inning.

Faced with a 6-3 deficit, VCU fought back to score three runs and even the score once more. Senior catcher Dylan Isquirdo provided the highlight of the rally by by lacing an RBI single.

St. Joseph’s scored one run in each of the opening halves of the seventh and eighth and, while VCU’s senior reliever Ryan Fox got out of an eighth-inning jam, the Rams couldn’t get anything going on offense to close the deficit.

Sunday

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIP

A sunday matinee rubber-match between the Rams and Hawks came down to the bottom of the ninth, but VCU senior closer Sam Donko stranded the tying run in scoring position, and the Black and Gold took the series two games to one by a final of 5-4.

VCU sophomore right-hander Michael Dailey (52) got the win after giving up two runs on seven hits and three walks over six-and-a-third innings of work.

Dailey fanned five and induced six groundouts and five flyouts.

Sophomore reliever Benjamin Dum came up with a pair of key punchouts when he was called on in the seventh to wiggle out of a jam created by Dailey.

Dum handed the lead to Donko, who worked two innings to earn his 12th save of 2017 and the staggering 31st of his VCU career — the most any closer in the Black and Gold has ever racked up. Donko gave up a pair of runs in the ninth before settling down to get two outs with the tying run on second base. The sub-par outing raised Donko’s ERA to a laughably low 1.48.

Freshman second baseman Paul Witt and freshman right fielder Brett Willett provided the offensive spark for the Rams on Sunday, as they notched the Black and Gold’s only RBI on the day. Witt had a pair of base-knocks.

Senior first baseman Darian Carpenter led VCU with four hits. The Rams compiled twelve hits, all of them singles, and were gifted three unearned runs by a trio of Hawks’ errors. Both teams left eleven runners on base in a truly wild Sunday afternoon affair.

Senior center fielder Logan Farrar is hitting .322 and has been the offensive catalyst for VCU.

Friday The Rams squeaked out a close 7-6 win over St. Joseph’s in the series opener.

The Rams notched their 25th win on Friday by virtue of a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, courtesy of freshman infielder Steven Carpenter, who was named to the Virginia All-State team as a shortstop his senior season at New Kent High School and is hitting an impressive .313 in his debut season wearing the Black and Gold.

VCU kicked off the game and series with a bang, plating four runs in the opening frame. Farrar started this inning with a massive leadoff homer over the right field wall, followed by a Steven Carpenter double. Steven’s cousin, Darian Carpenter, then blasted another home run for a quick 3-0 lead. The Rams padded their lead with a bases-loaded single by junior outfielder Haiden Lamb. A subsequent lineout allowed St. Joseph’s to turn a rare triple play to end the threat, concluding one of the most exciting innings of the season.

Hawks’ starter Lucas Rollins was pulled after the first inning, and St. Joseph’s began to fight back with a run in the opening half of the second. VCU maintained its lead until the top of the seventh, when St. Joseph’s exploded with three runs to tie the game at six.

Steven Carpenter then came to the plate in the latter half of the eighth, and lined an RBI single to score the eventual winning run.

Donko shut the Hawks down in the top of the ninth to seal the win for the Rams and notch the 30th save of his career after a four-hour slugfest.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, May 1, 2017

7

Strong performances by senior Jamie Clare and junior Alister Balcombe were not enough to propel VCU to a fourth straight Atlantic 10 conference title over the weekend at Orlando, Fla.’s Grand Cypress Golf Club.

The Rams — winners of three consecutive conference championships on the backs of recent star graduates Adam Ball and Steffen Harm — were unable to hold off crosstown rivals the University of Richmond after the Spiders cruised to a dominant 13 stroke victory.

VCU — who finished second at 11-under — were led by top-10 finishes by both Clare and Balcombe over the weekend.

Clare came into the final round Sunday with the individual lead at -7, but the senior struggled on the back nine, shooting three over on the course’s final four holes to finish tied for eighth.

Balcombe was on the opposite trajectory Sunday, as the junior cruised to a seven-under back nine to place him second overall for the tournament after coming into the day tied for ninth place.

The three remaining Rams — seniors Hanish Nagrani and Enej Sarkanj and junior Osama Khan — closed out the weekend with 16th, 19th and 22nd place finishes, respectively.

The Black and Gold put on a strong overall display in Orlando to finish top-three in nearly every statistical category, but it was not enough to usurp the dominance

of their inter-city rivals.

The Spiders, led by four topfive performances by Zack Justice, Andrew Sciarretta, Keegan Hoff and Matthew Lowe, were nearly unstoppable during the weekend’s big scoring opportunities, finishing a commanding -33 on Grand Cypress’s Par 5s. They also led all teams in both birdies and eagles.

Although both Clare and Balcombe closed out Friday’s first round with top-five performances, early struggles by Sarkanj, Khan and Nagrani left the Rams chasing from the get-go as they moved on to the second round six strokes back from leaders Richmond and George Washington University.

The defending-champion Rams surged Saturday behind Clare’s impressive round of 67, but it was not enough to gain ground on the dominant Spiders after Richmond had all five of their players shoot par-or-better.

After Richmond jumped out to yet another dominant performance early on in Sunday’s final round, it became a heated battle for second after pre-season conference favorite, the University of Dayton, made a late push.

Ultimately, it was Balcombe’s sweeping back nine dominance that would secure the Rams as runners-up, finishing the tournament with a collective 11-under 853.

The Rams wait to see if their postseason run will continue after finishing without an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2013.

VCU golf competed in their 14th conference championship in program history Sunday in Orlando, Fla.

Senior Jamie Clare carded three birdies on the front nine and the turn in 34 strokes Saturday.

Senior and Zimbabwe native Hanish Nagrani recorded two top 15 finishes in his first two seasons as a Ram. ADVERTISEMENT

PHOTO PROVIDED BY VCU ATHLETICS

NICK VERSAW Staff Writer

PHOTO PROVIDED BY VCU ATHLETICS

Rams fall short of fourthstraight A-10 title in Orlando

spectrum

The Commonwealth Times

On this day...

...in 1931, the Empire State Building opens in New York City and is world’s tallest building until 1970.

DECLARATION:

GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer

Developers envision VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), set to open on Oct. 28 after more than three years of construction, as a physical and symbolic gateway between the VCU and Richmond communities.

“Declaration” is the ICA’s inaugural exhibition and will be open from Oct. 28 until Feb. 15, 2018. It will be located throughout the entire building and feature a broad range of media created by VCU faculty and alumni, and artists from Richmond and around the world.

“The ICA itself is a declaration. It’s a declaration about the importance of contemporary art,” said Chief Curator Stephanie Smith, “declarations mark beginnings.”

Smith said most of the works featured will be recent and many will have been created specifically for placement in the ICA. “(The art) won’t be bound by the gallery’s walls and that’s the nature of contemporary art,” Smith said. “We want to respect that.”

The building has two entrances — the first, the city entrance, leads into the vaulted, twisting architecture of the forum. Just past an outdoor green space, VCU students will enter into the first-floor Beverly Davis Gallery. Glass walls present throughout the ICA will make it transparent, looking out to the street said Donor Relations Associate Rachel Southard.

ICA Interim Director of Communications Roberta Oster Sachs said the issues conveyed in the space’s works might inspire VCU students to take action.

“We’re hoping that this will give students a chance to maybe also think about what’s important to them and engage in dialogue, debate, discourse on a wide range of topics,” Oster Sachs said.

The ICA will also offer opportunities for VCU students through a student advisory committee, internships, work study jobs, guide and gallery attendant positions and graduate assistantships.

Once the GRTC Pulse transportation system is completed, the ICA will have its own stop. In addition, admission is free, Oster Sachs said. The GRTC Pulse line will stretch 7.6 miles along Broad Street and Main Street connecting Rocketts landing in the City of Richmond to Willow Lawn in Henrico County.

“From a communications point of view, I see it as a town hall or a civic center where our community at VCU interacts with the arts community all over the country and the world,” Oster Sachs said.

One of the inaugural pieces is a radio drama by Italian artist Marinella Senatore. Smith said the piece will provide an opportunity to collaborate with the Richmond community — a call for ideas will be put out in May and the pieces as a whole will develop over the course of several months.

“I like to think of the entire city (of Richmond) as an arts and culture district,” said Inaugural Director of the ICA Lisa Frieman.

The ICA — and, as of 179 days before its opening, its construction work — is located at the intersection of Broad & Belvidere, where about 60,000 cars pass

VCU prepares to open the Institute for Contemporary Art

The ICA has two entrances — the first, the city entrance, leads into the vaulted, twisting architecture of the forum. Glass walls throughout the ICA will make it transparent, looking out to the street.

through each day, Frieman said.

Charles Piper of BCWH Architects — the company executing the building’s design by Steven Holl Architects — said the energy of the intersection inspired the “torsion,” or the twisting design, of the building’s exterior.

“It’s not the same building from any two points of view,” Piper said.

BCWH Architects has worked with VCU in the past with campus planning, building design and various leadership roles.

One of the sharpest angles of the ICA’s design serves a distinct purpose — the steep exterior wall supporting the 247-seat performance area. The interior will contain cherry wood paneling, which Southard said is ideal for crisp sound. Although a stage can be brought in, the

We’re hoping that this will give students a chance to maybe also think about what’s important to them and engage in dialogue, debate, discourse on a wide range of topics.”

Roberta Oster Sachs ICA Communications Director

Sam’s Take

Summer Movies To Look Out For SAMUEL GOODRICH Staff Writer

By the end of next week, finals will have been conquered, semesters will be over and some will have graduations to look forward to. Planning for the future is always a good strategy, and I’m here to let you know what movies you’ll want to make time for over the next few months.

performance space will usually be the unaltered floor of the auditorium.

The third-floor space has few 90-degree angles, posing a “fun challenge for artists,” Southard said. This area in particular has hanging capabilities, which will give artists the opportunity to create larger works.

“All of the ICA’s programs are infused with our belief in the power of art and artists,” Smith said.

The ICA is a non-collecting museum, meaning there will not be a permanent collection. This will enable the museum to portray works that are pertinent to the issues of the time, in addition to allowing guests to see new works with multiple visits.

“I feel like we are helping to bring something really new and special through VCU to the region,” Oster Sachs said.

May 5:

June 30:

The original “Guardians” was a surprise hit within the Marvel Universe and has remained a favorite of many fans, myself included. It was creative, emotional, hilarious and just plain well-made. Now we have the sequel with the entire main cast and director/writer James Gunn returning to the stage. The trailers look great, the soundtrack is just as infectious and the advance word-of-mouth is nothing short of positive. If you need a break from finals, let the Guardians take care of you for a bit.

Director Sofia Coppola has an interesting, but not consistently, great track record.

She directed “Lost in Translation,” but has yet to direct a film as memorable. “The Beguiled” looks like it could end this trend.

Following a group of women who are held up in a house during the American Civil War, their world is rocked when a wounded soldier begins to stay with them. While a tired sounding plot, the trailers make this film seem like a disturbing look at the price of underestimating the vengeful nature of women. It’s definitely one to keep your eye on over the Summer.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2

June 9:

It Comes at Night With one of the most unsettling posters and trailers I’ve seen in a long time, “It Comes at Night” looks to be a horror fan’s dream. The psychological horror follows a family locked inside a house to protect themselves from a supernatural terror.

Once another family tries to find shelter with them, tension rises as dread takes over the group and in turn, the audience.

The beautiful cinematography mixed with the sinister atmosphere is more than enough to peak my interest.

June 28:

Baby Driver

ILLUSTRATION BY YEWEI WANG

PHOTO BY BECCA SCHWARTZ

8

Edgar Wright’s crime film “Baby Driver” was originally set for release in August. After garnering positive responses from various festivals, the studio decided to move the release two months in advance. It’s not surprising this film has made waves, due mostly in part to its unique take on action set pieces. Since the main character of the film has tinnitus — a medical condition where a person has a perpetual ringing sound in their ears — so he listens to music while he drives his getaway vehicle. Wright takes full advantage of this concept by setting the rhythm of the action scenes to the beat of Baby’s playlist. Along with a stellar cast and Wright’s impressive eye for style, this is one of my most anticipated films of the year.

The Beguiled

July 7:

Spider-Man: Homecoming It’s been almost exactly 10 years since we’ve had a good “Spider-man” movie.

Now, Marvel Studios has decided to take a crack at the web-slinger’s story again, and it looks like it could work. Tom Holland’s version of Peter Parker was phenomenal in “Captain America: Civil War,” not only bringing some levity to the film’s heavy tone, but also promising a high-quality “Spider-man” movie in the future. Now we’re so close, and the trailers only make it look better. The hardest part is waiting for July to roll around.

July 28:

Atomic Blonde What do you get when you take one of the directors of “John Wick” and give him a graphic novel about a female secret agent in the Cold War? You get “Atomic Blonde,” a brutally intense-looking film that continues this year’s trend of impressive action flicks. From the trailers, the fight scenes look like they’re going to be visually impressive and physically exhausting. With Charlize Theron starring as the “Atomic Blonde,” and a fantastic supporting cast, this film looks like a one that should not be missed.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, May 1, 2017

With Richmond roots, QRealigion looks to be RVA rap’s rising star

Sign-Off

LAST DEADLINE TO THE FINISH LINE MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer

P + L, always.

Studies find international pushback against the free press ILLUSTRATION BY SKYE ALI

Faulkner once said that a writer needed three things: experience, observation and imagination, all of which I’ve vastly heightened since writing for the Commonwealth Times. I was halfway through my college career when I started writing for the CT and at the time, I was in a process of personal, spiritual and professional transition.

Writing for the CT rejuvenated my college experience and gave me a renewed sense of purpose on campus. I felt a responsibility to tell the stories of those who not only looked like me but needed to be exposed to black and Hip-Hop culture unapologetically.

In doing so, I’ve had a myriad of life-altering experiences that I will certainly take with me going forward. During these “sign of the times,” it was imperative that our staff cover trends and issues relevant to the struggle. Tackling issues and topics like racism, the election, police violence and social inequality provided substance to my college writing canon while also reshaping my outlook on the world around me.

Moments like driving to Washington, D.C. with a fellow staff writer to cover the Million Man March, rushing to make it back before my SI session in the evening taught me the urgency and duality of responsibility.

The many times where I’d cover shows until 2 a.m., head to Cabell library after to finish assignments and make it to my 9 a.m. taught me the process of simply doing the work. In essence, I learned that writing isn’t nearly about delivering the message as it is the layered effect that process has on you.

To say the least, the CT served as the channel and bridge for many full circle moments for me. The more I wrote, the more my dreams began to manifest.

Touring every nook and cranny of the Verizon Center my first time there as a media member gave me chills. Watching Puff Daddy that night — reeking of success and inspiration — give a “visionary stream of consciousness” ala Kanye West was special because subconsciously I knew this was a landmark step for me in my professional career.

During my time at the CT, I’ve met, covered and/or interviewed the likes of Stevie Nicks, Mobb Deep, Mary J. Blige and Chance The Rapper. I’ve gotten a chance to build and shake hands with luminaries like KRS One, Marc Lamont Hill and J. Cole. Even greater, I’ve been able to give exposure and shed light on local artists and movements in Richmond and as a result, built relationships of a lifetime.

As my time at VCU comes to a close, I feel honored to have been able to accomplish the things that I’ve done with the CT’s backing. I’m thankful to have had the support of people like Sarah King, our executive editor, Siona Peterous, my editor for Spectrum, and so many others past and present.

Fadel and Sophia, you guys taught me more than you’ll ever know. Ashley, stay MOODY! To Austin, Jesse and Siona, thank you for dealing with my aloofness and late stories — your patience was much appreciated!

While a career in teaching and hip-hop writing awaits me in the fall, my kinship to my CT family will always reign true. To future writers who may be reading this, always dream in technicolor.

J. Cole once said “Let these words be the colors, I’m just paintin’ my heart.” In that same vein, use your voice to be the instrument that complements the snares and Hi-hats of life.

As a writer, it is your duty to speak and tell a truth the best you can. Be clear: being a writer as a college student isn’t easy but neither is this electric word called life.

–“JOURNALIST,” from page 1

The Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ), a nonprofit media watchdog, releases an annual “prison census” on how many journalists are jailed worldwide. In December 2016, the report found 259 journalists were jailed by governments across the globe. The number does not include arrests for non-journalistic activity - such as protests, being an academic, or alleged subversion - and does not include the arrest of journalists in non-UN recognized states. Essentially, the census found the threat of death and jail time for journalists is in fact increasing in and outside of Mexico.

The number of arrests skyrocketed following the failed coup attempt of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in July 2016. 81 journalists were immediately arrested and since then Turkey has maintained the highest number of imprisoned journalists worldwide. The CPJ also indicates that this year, eight journalists – three in Mexico, one in Bangladesh, Iraq, Pakistan, Philippines and Syria – have been killed so far.

In 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a government organization that has faced decades of criticism for its failure to protect journalists, published the a special UN report titled, Resolution on the Safety of Journalists. The report “urges all states to release arbitrarily detained journalists, reform laws that are abused to obstruct their work, and to not interfere with the use of encryption and digital security tools that enable anonymity.”

Following heed in March 2017, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) made

a rare legal move in insiting on the release of Şahin Alpay, one of the 81 Turkish journalists arrested in July. The ECHR reviewed and processed the application which requested for “interim measure” for his release due to both an “unjust” arrest and potential health risks Alpay may have faced while in jail.

Later that month, the Eritrean-Swedish journalist, Dawit Isaak, who was arrested in a 2001 crackdown - known as “Black September” - of Eritrea’s free press and academic institutions led by President Isaias Afwerki, was selected to receive the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Isaak popular in America, Europe and the Middle East and was often critical of Afewerki’s leadership. He hasn’t been seen since 2001.

“Defending fundamental freedoms calls for determination and courage – it calls for fearless advocates,” said Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General. “This is the legacy of Guillermo Cano, and the message we send today with this decision to highlight the work of Dawit Isaak.”

Similarly in April 2017, Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega was named the IPI “World Press Freedom Hero,” and in 2012 was selected for the The PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Nega has been in jail since 2011 for violating the country’s “anti-terrorism” laws which include banning journalists who are critical of the government’s actions in anyway.

According to Reporter’s Without Borders World Press Index, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Turkey

N? L IGIO

With those three rappers has main influences, Q envisions his music to be a clear distinction from the “mumble rap” sound of many artists today.

Sonically, Q said he hopes to bring a new sound as well with his music, preferring soul-sampling instrumentals that prompt reflection from the listener. Early examples of his music now mirror current hit making producers like 40 and MetroBoomin.

His most recent project, “Can’t Stop My Dreams” is a five song EP that takes

QRealigion’s music can found at: http://www.qrealigion.com/home. html.

Q RE A

QRealigion Artist

want to give them hope. Start programs for kids to have a better chance to succeed.”

“My goal is to be the number one recording artist ever,” he said.

S Y OF

I used to write at least a song a day for at least a year ...

It became a form of therapy for me to get the things out I needed to.

listeners on a journey about his life story, giving a glimpse of his most personal experiences. Thematically, the project is about Q’s resilience is not letting his struggles overcome him. Standout tracks include “Selfish,” which tells an in-depth story about his upbringing, family and the abandonment of his mother.

Outside of that project, Q has also gained some traction on popular songs like “Comeback Season” with nearly 2,000 listens on his page. On “JAW.” Q raps about his relationship with his incarcerated father, a strained yet important relationship he describes throughout his music. Q also shows range with songs like “Hit My Line” and “Fall Through” where he discusses the relationship trials of dealing with a break up.

Going forward, Q looks to collaborate more with other artists while also balancing the responsibilities of school. In addition to recording more music, he’s also set to take his music to the state, performing on the Winning Circle Tour this summer. He’s also just released his first official music video “Just A Video,” shot at nearby Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

With a strong sense of purpose, Q hopes his music will inspire current fans and those that come after him. While he strives to be the best he can be and all the acclaim that may come with that title, Q has his sights on a larger recognition.

“I want to go back and perform at the school’s,” Q said, “I want to focus on the schools in the inner-city just to let them know that it’s possible to get out. I

UR T E

tion to JAY Z since his father would often play JAY’s music during car rides with Q — memories that Q holds near and dear to him. As a rapper who takes pride in lyrical ability, Q has found himself channeling his inner J.Cole when writing.

“I try to be a storyteller and he’s one of the best ever to do that. I look up to him in that regard.

I fell in love with hip-hop way before I started writing,” Q said.

O CO

Between recording new songs and shooting videos, rapper QRealigion is also a student at Ferrum College. The sophomore plans to graduate next summer, completing his undergraduate degree in a mere 2.5 years.

After graduation, Q said he plans to move to Arizona and attend the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in an effort to sharpen his music skills. At age 19, Q’s mature and self-assured presence stands out.

“My music is different because it holds substance,” Q said. “You can listen to it and get the message. It’s something that you really have to listen to to really understand.”

Working diligently and being self-sufficient isn’t new to the Richmond-homer.

Born Q ​ uimirr Heyward, “Q” didn’t have it easy growing up in the River City. Known as one of the country’s murder capitals in the 1990s and early 2000s, the city’s tough environment presented Q and his family a lot obstacles.

Born to a single mother of four, Q and his family moved around a lot — prompting him to have to change schools every year and lose his footing with new friends. Things came to ahead in middle school when his mother decided it was time for a change.

“That’s what pushed me. When I was 12, I stopped living with my mom and started living with family members for school purposes,” he said.

Living from place to place only make things worse for Q as he felt abandoned and rejected from his mother. The resulted isolation led him to begin writing and listening to music often. Despite the solace he found in music, Q opted for the streets, getting into trouble frequently.

During his sophomore year in high school, he was kicked out of school and from

his aunt’s home. He reached his lowest point when he got locked up at age 16. On probation, Q needed an escape and the proper direction to guide him along the way.

It was here his grandfather stepped in and brought him into his home. A local pastor, his grandfather instilled in him a serious lifestyle change where Q often found himself stuck in the house on curfew.

For nearly a year, Q channeled all of his experiences, good and bad, into the one thing he always loved: music. It was during this time he started to pursue a career as a rapper, with his first song a freestyle to Drake’s “9AM in Dallas.”

“I used to write at least a song a day for at least a year,” Q said. “All I had was music to write to. It became a form of therapy for me to get the things out I needed to. It was one of the worst times of my life but also I’m so grateful for it. It had an impact on me. It changed my life.”

Despite the revelation, Q still fondly remembers his early struggles admitting the awkwardness of his flow back and even stage fright. He also gushes at the large notebook container full of rhymes from back then that he still keeps to this day.

With a few years under his belt now, Q has definitely made great strides to find himself as an artist. Often writing about his own personal experiences and struggles, Q believes he now writes with much more confidence than before. With in-depth lyrics, he’s now more cognizant of his audience than ever.

“In 2017, I write to convey the message but to also relate to others now,” he said.

When asked about current artists that inspire him, he said the first three to come to mind were Drake, JAY Z and J. Cole.

Describing Drake, Q said he believes his multifacetedness is what separates him from everyone else — a remarkable trait that he desperately covets.

Q noted that he feel a spiritual connec-

P HO T

MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer

9

and Mexico are rated some of the worst places on Earth for journalists. However journalists jailed in these regions are increasingly receiving awards from International Organizations, human rights watch groups and media watch groups to raise awareness of their plight and advocate for their freedom.

It is important to note many of these awards are exclusively being given to journalists from sub-saharan Africa, the Middle East and occasionally Central and South America. Asian journalists rarely receive equal recognition for their risks despite the fact that China and Vietnam are also rated in the top 10 worst countries for journalists.

In “2017 World Press Freedom Index – tipping point”, a study recently released by Reporters Without Borders,found there is a trend among established democracies where the free press is quickly being limited, stifled and punished in some form or the other.

The same day that the New York Times published the piece on Mexico, the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was hosted in Washington D.C. President Donald Trump, however, did not attend as he celebrated his 100th day in office in Pennsylvania.

Senior correspondent from the Daily Show, Hasan Minhaj, hosted the dinner and commented on Trump’s absence.

“Only in America can a first-generation Muslim Indian-American kid get on this stage and make fun of the president,” Minhaj said. “It’s a sign to the rest of the world, it’s this amazing tradition, that shows the world that even the president is not beyond the reach of the first amendment. But the president didn’t show up.”

The clip of his speech went viral less than 24 hours after the dinner. Trump’s absence was also a reminder of the 45th President’s longstanding tension with the press which he often refers to as “fake-news.”

The arrest of journalists on the day of his inauguration, a ban on certain news outlets in the White House media room, blocking of FOIA requests and the administration’s continued flippant regard for facts has increased these tensions and raises concern of the legal protections of journalism under the Trump administration.

Even before the current administration’s outward dislike of the media and journalists, the Obama administration implemented sweeping anti-whistleblower laws. Furthermore, American journalists still are not, according to the CPJ, given guarantee shield protections in order to protect their sources.

The analysis found that the Freedom ranking of the United States is 43 – a drop of two points since 2016. It also found that the freedom ranking of other Western allies, the United Kingdom, Poland and even Norway has dropped while Chile is rated 33 - higher than the the U.S., the U.K. or Poland.

As we look to Mexico and other countries in the global south, it may be time that Western countries also realize that our free press is not guaranteed. An inherent belief that our countries are somehow less likely to have a disenfranchised free press is an affront to the 259 journalists who are in jail or have disappeared for their decision to reveal the truth and be critical no matter what the cost. Countries around the world must actively maintain a free and open media while also working to advocate for the journalists who can’t advocare from themselves and are being subjugated the confines of obscurity, jail, disappearance and worst case, death.

opinion

Monday, May 1, 2017

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week: “There is no love like a ‘third PDF export attempt at 2 a.m.’ kind of love.” —Ashley Moody

Signing Off

SARAH KING Executive Editor I can’t help but wonder if this is what denial is — perhaps in its purest form. Maybe if none of us acknowledge that this, too — like it is each year — is the end of an era, we can escape the office tonight without any crying casualties.

For me, today marks the 58th weekend (technically 57 if you count the weekend I spent in jail this time last year...) making the weekly independent newspaper as Executive Editor; it is the 87th weekend as a member of the editorial staff; and tomorrow will print the 116th paper I’ve seen come to fruition as a member of the Commonwealth Times.

An Ode to Self Care

In the words of staff columnist Shaun Jackson: I am shook-eth.

ILLUSTRATION BY GARETH BENTALL

1. Embrace failure.

(Email - October 2015) “Good afternoon Dr. (…), I’m currently enrolled in your TR 2 p.m. (...) course, and was wondering if you have time to meet sometime before Friday. If you have no idea who I am, it’s probably because I’ve attended your class exactly twice this semester ...

In short, highlights of my narrative include an abusive relationship (and the many nuances of living with a crack-cocaine addict for more than a year), contributing to a federal criminal investigation in a witness capacity, my dog getting re-homed after the feds raided my apartment, and then getting evicted from said apartment last week for failure to pay a $350 pet fee on a dog I no longer have …”

I survived that (similar emails were dispatched to all my teachers that semester), and a lot more (testifying in federal court, struggling to overcome PTSD, living under my desk at the office and out of my car, etc., etc., etc.) at VCU. The institution isn’t perfect — but what institution is? Higher education is not necessarily bound by classroom walls.

Higher education is the stressful, credit-crashing pursuit of expanding and exploring different personal and academic strengths and weaknesses. It’s about finding the thing that keeps you going. Failure is part of the process; the process work is and always has been the most vital. Claiming opportunities can be the hardest thing to do sometimes, but it’s the reason we’re lucky enough to be here.

2. Thank the cleaning staff.

After our dedicated cleaning staff’s jobs were threatened due to unwarranted, sub-par inspection scores: (Letter - Oct. 23, 2015) “...It’s come to my attention that the Service Solutions staff assigned to the Student Media Center (817 W. Broad street) have received less than ideal scores for their work upon inspections. I’d like to clarify that Finiee Jackson, Darnell Wythe and Ella Ly are not entirely, if at all, at fault for these scores.

The Student Media Center is a large facility that houses multiple print publications and the corresponding staffs. More than 100 students have card access to the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In other words, there could be students in any part of the facility at any given time — and often, this is precisely the case. My staff is constantly in and out of the building, using the restrooms, eating, leaving behind trash and generally making a mess on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

On the weekends, the majority of our 26-person staff is in the production or conference room for anywhere between six and 12 hours at a time.

As I’m sure you can imagine, nearly 30 young adults all occupying the same space for an extended period of time does not warrant descriptions like “clean,” or “organized.” This phenomenon is not limited to just my staff, however. With multiple student organizations and rosters of various sizes, there are often students creating art projects and leaving scraps or other materials on the floor, forgetting their possessions, letting their leftover food rot overnight, or letting their dogs, cats and rabbits relieve themselves on the carpet (not kidding) ...

For example, on Thursday, Oct. 22, Ms. Ly brought Mr. Wythe with her and together they wiped down all surfaces, vacuumed multiple times, took out the trash and cleaned the restrooms. An hour or two later, Ms. Jackson visited the building for a second time that day and cleaned again. This is not unusual, and I respectfully ask that you take their dedication and methodical approach to a thankless and nearly impossible task into consideration when evaluating this building moving forward. I’ve seen the staff’s work unravel mere minutes after they’ve left for the evening, as new students come in to do their homework, hold meetings, have class or complete workrelated tasks ...

I hold Ms. Jackson, Ms. Ly and Mr. Wythe in extremely high regard. They come to work every day, multiple times a day, with nothing less than the expectation and persistence to do their jobs well. I firmly believe that it is not too much to ask that you reevaluate your scoring and inspection requirements and/or guidelines for this building moving forward. I’m more than happy to meet with you in person to discuss this matter further if need be.”

I have learned more than I could have possibly imagined the first time I strutted through the doors of the Student Media Center during Welcome Week my freshman year. I was absolutely positive I was going to be handed a position on staff, only to find out nobody gives a damn if you were “THE Editor” of your high school newspaper — because, well, wasn’t everybody?

No, instead, I learned (quickly) that you start at the bottom of the totem pole as a Contributing Writer and after a semester of chasing the Staff Writer carrot by writing four or five stories a week you might get the $21.75/per story spot.

At the time, I thought this was some twisted form of nerd-hazing. I assure you it’s not. I firmly believe that the “working-for-what-you-get” principle was and is a staple of why this operation remains successful (so successful, in fact, the operation continued to run flawlessly as I sat in jail) and independent — why we brought home 19 professional awards from the Virginia Press Association and swept the category for best Small Non-Daily paper in the state this year.

With the obligatory bragging out of the way, I’m going to hop off my soap-box and simply reiterate how incredibly proud I am to have worked with such a dedicated staff. Y’all are family. In honor of my last week of undergrad, I thought I’d take a moment to share the best lessons I can muster (on deadline!

Ha, get it!). I hope they serve you a fraction as well as y’all have served this publication with me.

If nothing else resonates with you, let this be it. Do not inconvenience others who are already undertaking thankless work to clean up after you without acknowledging and appreciating it.

Take responsibility where it’s due. Check cutlines (remember that Latin place-holder text on page three?); make sure photo and illustration credits are there; for the love of all things holy, SPELLCHECK; and please, please throw away your shit, especially when the trash cans are labeled.

3. It doesn’t get less tiresome, but it does get easier.

(Column - Dec. 6, 2015) “The week before in August, throughout the week prefacing the onslau ght of this semester, Anya Shcherbakova and I put together the first issue of the CT. It was a harrowing experience.

The ugly process consumed the better part of our last week of summer. We interrupted ourselves only for brief visits to the toilet, our bedrooms and the floor of the Student Media Center to sleep, or sob quietly with some shambled semblance of dignity.

The CT’s only other returning graphic designer, Miranda, had undergone spontaneous jaw surgery. Our two novice lovelies, Sarah and Ashley, had no idea what the hell they were doing yet, and the first issue of the semester was no place to teach them how to “newspaper” up to our Type-A standards on deadline.

Alas, Anya and I toiled away — me furiously editing, writing and rewriting copy spawned from the lethargic brains and unpracticed fingers of staff dispersed across the country savoring their last moments of summer vacation, work and internship obligations.

Hence, Anya (an angel, really) very much single-handedly designed the entire 10-page inaugural issue of the CT, Vol. 57, No. 1.

And that is how the haggard shells of two formerly-vibrant, if not shamefully naive, souls left the VCU Student Media Center somewhere around 4 a.m. the Monday of Welcome Week.

As rowdy returning students speckled Broad street, Anya and I silently agreed to never, ever return to the dreaded windowless abyss of the CT production room.

But we did...”

Indeed, we did. We all have. Each week since that first taste of “coveted” (ha!) Executive Editor-ship has proved an exercise in patience, grit and not losing touch with a sense of sanity as the florescent lights start to shape-shift ordinary objects into shadow people, etc.

I assure you, it gets easier. Like most things that suck but you do anyway because you love them (for some people, apparently, that’s “running for fun,” but I can’t speak to that...), you build stamina. The crack-of-dawn Monday mornings before a 10 a.m. class will always suck; the posting stories online before or after said class is probably never going to be any less tedious or more fun, but it’s a necessary evil.

The late nights are what forge a staff into a dysfunctional family — I’m pretty sure that somebody said one time that those who starve together, eat together (or something like that).

4. Dedication matters more than talent.

(Column - Aug. 22, 2016) “...But we’ll come back. Week after week (for 29 more weeks) we will be here at all hours of the night (and asscrack of dawn) laugh-cry-arguing our way through homework, projects, ideologies and work ethics built one hour at a time by begrudgingly accepting the harsh realities of ‘long-term gratification,’ or whatever.

I tell you this for a few reasons. I’m really not that smart. In fact, the longer I spend on this campus the more I realize how little I know about anything. And I firmly believe that is exactly the point.

Similarly, I urge you (whoever you are, reader), to find something you will give up last call at the Village (or whatever your impermanent hum-hallelujah is) in exchange for the residual stench of sweat and cigarettes inside a too-florescent, utterly windowless room, for entirely too many hours.

Three years ago a very distinguished faculty member told me, shortly after I arrived on this campus, what the point of

higher education is: “Finding something that blows your f***ing dome. Find that thing and don’t stop going after it; find the thing that you won’t allow yourself to stop going after.”

Three years ago I couldn’t begin to synthesize this sentiment, partially because I was still an over-confident-abouteverything-and-nothing 18-year-old kid (I still fit that description, to be fair), but mostly because I was so dumbstruck that a professor, a real life adult with a Ph.D., had just said the “f” word. In the latter regard, I’ve gotten way the fuck over that.

Let’s be real, I run a(n award-winning) newsroom now. The “f” word is a staple in maintaining this operation.

Long story short, join the newspaper — you don’t have to know much, or anything, so long as you give a shit. I won’t keep you here until 1:40 a.m. (at least not right away, I swear). Jokes aside, though, I urge you, reader, to find the thing that blows your dome. And don’t stop until you do.

We’re all spending too much money, time, energy (and missed last calls at the bar) not to.”

Re-reading this makes me feel as though this year has truly come full-circle, especially taken in the context of the CT vol. 57, issue no. 1. It makes me so proud to see how far we’ve come as a staff.

It now is 29 weeks later, and in the process we managed to accomplish a lot, no doubt including this: (Facebook status - April 9, 2017) “The Commonwealth Times won the Virginia Press Association’s news sweepstakes for best small non-daily in the state at last night’s annual professional awards banquet. I’m still grappling with how to best articulate how proud I am of this staff, and how grateful I am to my predecessors — Cyrus, Mark and Mechelle — for paving such a solid foundation for the CT’s continued success.

(Many additional thanks to Mark, who collected the same award three years ago and has long-served as a role-model and mentor to me, for losing his voice cheering so hard for us.

You rock.)

As a staff, the CT took home a total of 20 VPA awards in illustration, design, photo and writing. I’m not saying my righthand/ride-or-die Ashley or I cried last night when the CT was announced sweepstakes winners... but also we might’ve. (I can’t speak for AshMoodz but I was focused on not tripping in front of a couple hundred people before we got to the stage.)

I can’t stress enough how grateful I am to my staff for putting in the work each and every week to make this paper consistently better. I think it’s safe to say the dozens of hours spent working inside our favorite window-less, sweaty production room each weekend — or, in some cases, the early hours of Monday morning (design squad, I’m looking at y’all) — paid off.

I know it’s not easy to be a full-time student while working a job that demands full-time hours for a fraction of that pay, but it’s days like yesterday that are a forceful reminder of how the hard work pays off. (Note: the latter sentence is subject to heavy revision, likely riddled with expletives, depending on what time this week’s paper is sent off.) In all seriousness though, and I say this all the time because it’s true — it’s an honor and a privilege to work beside, grow with and learn from such a dedicated crew.

Much love, fam. You make me so proud.”

And lastly...

5. Ain’t no mountain high enough to act like a jackass.

Nobody wants to help out an asshole when the shit starts to really hit the fan. Similarly, nobody ever wrote a story that made readers feel something without gaining their sources’ trust first. Nobody wants to be on a team with a Napoleon.

To borrow from Kendrick: be humble, sit down.

So, I’m going to go sit down now — I’m actually hopping off my soapbox — for real, this time.

In short, I believe in y’all so much, and I can’t wait to see what you achieve next year and the many thereafter.

Be kind, be gracious, be good. You’ll miss it when it’s done.

Godspeed, fam.

ILLUSTRATION BY GARETH BENTALL

SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist How do I tell whether I’ve forgiven someone or just feel superior to them?

Well, usually when one has forgiven someone, there is usually no feelings of superiority as most people tend to forgive out of an intrinsic need to, not because of any outside forces. However, I can see where the feelings of superiority come from but tone those down a bit. There’s no problem with being confident in emotional decisions that remove toxicity from your life, however feeling superior to someone kind of rubs a lot of people the wrong way, so be careful with that.

How do you deal with boys who just want to hook up when you have no interest in meaningless intimacy?

Curve those boys so hard. If that’s not the dynamic you are looking for in a relationship at the moment. Don’t let them waste your time, energy or any of your resources. Also, if this is a pattern that keeps occurring in the guys you date, maybe it is time to take a look at that pattern and see if there is any thinking to do about yourself and why that pattern may exist in the first place. Either way, I hope it works out for you.

I’m not a very sociable guy, but I want to get out there and meet some new people and possibly find someone. What are the best ways to take that initial step out of my comfort zone?

I am a really big fan of finding something I have always wanted to do and get most of the angst and fear out that way initially. As for people, that is a horse of a different color as people come in varying degrees and intensities to say the least. Getting comfortable around people is always a good step to take as well. Practice maintaining enticing and genuine conversations eventually get to the point where if someone does pique your interest, you would have no problem approaching them.

I know that I’m not supposed to allow my love life to dictate my happiness, but I can’t help that being single makes me sad.

How can I pretend to be happy single when inside I’m truly not?

If you already know, why bother to ask? Well, don’t pretend to be anything you are not. You are an individual and you should always have the space and agency to feel how you feel when you’re feeling it, so don’t disservice yourself by being something else. Secondly, calm down. A relationship will not make you happy, and for you to assume it would speaks volumes on how unprepared you may actually be for a relationship. Find hobbies, hang out with friends, work if you have job, do stuff that you like that grounds you and makes you happy. Get to know yourself more. I also heard Beyoncé once say “You have to have your own life before you become someone else’s wife.” I think about that occasionally when I get caught up in these types of feelings and realize, I’m exactly where I need to be and that it will happen when it happens.

comics

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, November 21, 2016 11 THE CT STAFF Executive Editor

Sarah King kingsa@commonwealthtimes.org

Creative Director

Ashley Moody moody@commonwealthtimes.org

Copy Editor

Kate Duggan dugganmk@commonwealthtimes.org

Family by Skye Ali

News Editor

Maura Mazurowski mazurom@commonwealthtimes.org

Online News Editor

Hiba Ahmad ahmadh@commonwealthtimes.org

Sports Editors

Sophia Belletti bellettisr@commonwealthtimes.org Zachary Joachim joachimz@commonwealthtimes.org

Spectrum Editor

Siona Peterous peterous@commonwealthtimes.org

Opinion Editor

Eleanor Fialk fialke@commonwealthtimes.org

Enterprise Editor

Jesse Adcock adcockj@commonwealthtimes.org

Illustrations Editor

Gareth Bentall bentallgr@commonwealthtimes.org

Photography Editor

Julie Tripp tripjm@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Writers

Jim Thomma thommajw@commonwealthtimes.org Georgia Geen geengr@commonwealthtimes.org Mary Lee Clark clarkml@commonwealthtimes.org Muktaru Jalloh jallohmm@commonwealthtimes.org

Thank You Art School, Thank You My Friends by Jiaqi Zhou

Nick Versaw versawnd@commonwealthtimes.org Sam Goodrich goodrichs@commonwealthtimes.org SaraRose Martin martinsr@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Photographers

Ali Jones jonesa@commonwealthtimes.org Becca Schwartz schwartzb@commonwealthtimes.org Erin Edgerton edgertone@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Columnists

Shaun Jackson jacksonsk@commonwealthtimes.org Sriteja Yedhara yedharasj@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Illustrators

Jiaqi Zhou zhouj@commonwealthtimes.org Skye Ali alis@commonwealthtimes.org

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.

The CT’s Operations Budget is a reflection of independent advertising revenue accumulated throughout the previous academic year(s). Operations expenses include salaries, phone and internet, postage, professional memberships, award submissions and banquets, FOIA requests, programming costs and travel.

Each spring, the CT staff elects the next year’s Executive and Managing Editors, who then hire the remaining staff.

Uncertain Futures by Gareth Bentall

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinion pages of The CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Eleanor Fialk, 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 opinion pages and/or online.

One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER Graphic Designers

Ashley Moody Desiree Choe Eric Ngo Rachel Lee Sarah Butler designers@vcustudentmedia.com

Advertising Representatives Abigail Keatinge Cristian Castiglia Kirsten Hauser advertising@vcustudentmedia.com 804-828-6629

To Sarah Butler, Desiree, Rachel and Eric,

Outreach Coordinator

There is no love like a “third PDF export attempt at 2 a.m.” kind of love. You already know it is hard for me to express feelings, but I will never hide the immense amount of respect, admiration, and care I have for this design team. You all are my best friends, my critics, my family. You taught me more than just how to change all the em-dashes at once, but what genuine unconditional love is — not only for design or this paper, but each other as well. Thank you.

Director

Brian Glass smc_outreach@vcustudentmedia.com

-Moody

Allison Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu 804-827-1975

Production Manager Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu

Business Manager Jacob McFadden mcfaddenjc@vcu.edu

Assistant Business Manager Mikaela Reinard smc_assistant@vcustudentmedia.edu

12 The Commonwealth Times