The Commonwealth Times; April 14, 2021

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THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2019, 2020 Newspaper Pacemaker Winner

VOL. 62, NO. 24 APRIL 14, 2021

‘A CRISIS WE MUST CONFRONT’

A memorial of flowers and two small toy cars sit on the 400 block of Gilmer Street, where two shooting deaths occurred within 26 hours of each other on April 4 and 5. VCU student Cody Woodson was among the victims. Photo by Enza Marcy

RICHMOND GRAPPLES AFTER SPIKE IN SHOOTING DEATHS SAHARA SRIRAMAN Contributing Writer ANYA SCZERZENIE Contributing Writer

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LEVEN SHOOTINGS THAT LEFT EIGHT people dead between April 4 and Sunday marked one of the most violent weeks Richmond has seen since the end of September, when there were four shooting deaths, according to the Richmond Police Department.

Two shooting deaths on April 4 and 5 occurred near VCU’s Monroe Park campus on the 400 block of Gilmer Street within 26 hours of each other. Richmond police are investigating the deaths of a 17-yearold, whose name has not been released to the public for privacy concerns, and 20-year-old VCU junior Cody Woodson.

“We all lose when we lose young people to violence,” Chief Gerald Smith said during a press conference on April 6.

No suspects have been charged in either shooting as of Tuesday. The Richmond Police Department discussed possible connections between the two shootings and encouraged the public to submit information regarding the incidents during the press conference.

VCU Police released a statement Thursday regarding the two deaths, stating that the investigation is ongoing and that additional officers will patrol the Carver neighborhood. It also advised students to follow certain precautions on campus.

“We want our community members to know that as the Richmond Police Department leads these investigations, VCU Police is working closely with them to keep the Carver community safe,” the release stated.

Richmond police were originally investigating a “possible drug nexus” connecting the shootings near campus. However, Smith said during the press conference that he does not believe drugs were involved in Woodson’s killing.

Richmond across April 6 to 11, some occurring on the same day.

Police responded to a shooting on Wickham Street the night after Woodson’s death. Ashley Wilbert, 21, was found dead in an alleyway from a gunshot wound, according to Richmond police.

Less than five hours later, Richmond police were A Richmond police vehicle drives on West Broad Street in called to the 500 block of Richmond on April 13. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore Montvale Avenue in response to a shooting. Vinshaun Johnson, an Minutes later, a 15-year-old boy was This is a time of great 18-year-old, was found dead at the scene, shot on the 2300 block of Afton Avenue in according to police.

Southside, according to Richmond police. sorrow for the entire “A second victim, a juvenile male in his He died at the hospital.

VCU community.” late teens, also suffered an apparent gunshot Police were called to North 1st Street wound and was transported to a local hos- and East Chariot Street on Friday about Charles Klink, senior vice pital with an injury that was not considered a shooting that occurred at a convenience provost for VCU Student Affairs life threatening,” the release stated. store located at the 100 block of East Baker On April 7, police were called to Rosetta Street. A man who was shot later died at Richmond police were unable to provide Street in response to calls that a woman was the hospital, according to police. an update in the investigation as of Tuesday. shot in her leg. She was taken to VCU MedRichmond Mayor Levar Stoney adCharles Klink, the senior vice provost for ical Center for treatment, according to police. dressed the first six deaths in a Friday afVCU Student Affairs, released a statement The next day resulted in two more shoot- ternoon tweet, stating that gun violence is addressing Woodson’s death, expressing ings. Richmond police were called to Pol- “a crisis we must confront head on.” condolences and encouraging students to lock Street, located about three miles north Two people were shot and killed Sunday. receive counseling if needed. of the MCV campus, to assist a man and Police were called to the first shooting at “This is a time of great sorrow for the an underage girl. They were taken to the the 500 block of North 30th Street and a entire VCU community,” Klink stated. hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, second at the 3400 block of Stockton Street.

Following the two shootings near VCU’s according to police. The suspects have campus, nine more people were shot in been arrested.

See SHOOTINGS on page 3

JXN Project sheds light on forgotten history of Jackson Ward neighborhood You can’t tell America’s story without Richmond’s story.

And you can’t tell Richmond’s story without Jackson Ward’s story.”

Jackson Ward, which stretches from Smith to North 2nd streets, is one of the oldest registered historic Black neighborhoods in the country. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh

Janis Allen, president of the Historic Jackson Ward Association

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: Daunte Wright, 20, was shot and killed by Minneapolis police after being pulled over for having air fresheners dangling from the rearview mirror. international: Cambodians are demanding an apology from Matt Loughrey, an Irish artist who recently doctored photos of former Cambodian prisoners of the Khmer Rouge to include smiling faces.

A forklift moves hospital beds into a truck for removal from the Honors College. Photo by Chris Muth A VCU sculpture student receives his COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine among hundreds of others at the Richmond Raceway on April 13. Photo

by Enza Marcy

J&J VACCINE PAUSED,

Virginia prepares to move into phase 2 for COVID-19 vaccinations SAGAL AHMED Contributing Writer

communities on a weekly basis to counter- System. They are confirming vaccine supply act high demands in certain communities. as well as seeing who is interested so they They will assess the demand by the degree can anticipate how many students and emAdministration of Johnson & Johnson’s to which the appointments fill up. ployees they will need to serve, according to Janssen vaccine has been paused in Virginia Avula said if vaccine appointments aren’t an email from Director of Environmental as of April 13 due to six nationwide cases filling up in certain areas, like Lynchburg Health and Safety Michael Cimis. There is of extremely rare blood clots as side effects for example, then VDH will send more a temporary vaccination clinic at the Uniof the vaccine. to an area where the demand is high, like versity Student Commons for eligible VCU This measure follows a recommendation Northern Virginia. employees and students. from the Centers for Disease Control and Cimis stated their focus now is to disPrevention and the U.S. Food and Drug tribute the vaccine as soon as they can.

Administration to pause use of the vaccine VCU is requesting that students and em“out of an abundance of caution.” ployees self-report their vaccination to the The death of a 45-year-old woman in university so they know where they stand in Virginia is being investigated by the CDC regards to vaccinated community members.

The goal is to have as in connection with the Johnson & Johnson Students must complete a survey to many appointments vaccine, according to Vaccinate Virginia receive an invitation to schedule an apspokesperson Dena Potter. pointment. They will receive an email from available through open Those who have an appointment to receive the vaccination clinics when the student is registration as possible." the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be conready to make the appointment. tacted to reschedule. The vaccine rollout will The email will include information such Danny Avula, VDH state continue with the other two vaccines, Pfizer as appointment location and what type of vaccination coordinator and Moderna, according to a statement made vaccine the student will receive. Student

by Virginia Department of Health State VacHealth Services anticipate the vaccine clincination Coordinator Danny Avula.

He anticipates that VDH will only be ic will be held at the University Student “This pause is reassuring in that it able to vaccinate about 60% of the popula- Commons. A student must email vaccine@ demonstrates that the systems that are in tion who want to receive the vaccine based vcu.edu after appointment confirmation if place to monitor vaccine safety are working,” on national surveys. This falls short of their they need any accommodations, accordAvula said. “We look forward to a thorough goal to vaccinate 75% of the population. ing to an email from Residential Life and review by federal health officials.”

“So we’re gonna have to do a lot of dif- Housing on April 9.

Virginia will move into phase 2 of its ferent types of work to get to that last 10 to COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan on 15%,” Avula said.

People who have received the Johnson & April 18, meaning anyone who is 16 years VDH has been working closely with Johnson vaccine who develop severe headold and older will be eligible to receive the colleges to plan their vaccinations in re- ache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness shot. Richmond and Henrico are already in lation to their last day of classes and of breath within three weeks after vaccinaphase 2 with VCU preparing vaccination graduation dates. tion should contact their health care providclinics in response.

VCU is currently scheduling on-campus er, or call 911 if it is a medical emergency.

Avula said everyone who wants to be vaccination clinics for eligible students and vaccinated in Virginia will be able to by employees with VDH and VCU Health the end of May with at least the first dose.

Registration for vaccinations will continue to be done the same way since phase Vaccine phases in Virginia 1. People can go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or LOUDON LORD FAIRFAX call 877-829-4682 to register for a vaccinaARLINGTON ALEXANDRIA PRINCE WILLIAM tion appointment. This will lead to a portal RAPPAHANNOCK RAPIDAN that will show available appointments withVaccine Phase in a certain radius.

RAPPAHANNOCK CENTRAL 1c SHENANDOAH “The goal is to have as many appointBLUE RIDGE 2 THREE RIVERS ments available through open registration CHICKAHOMINY EASTERN SHORE ALLEGHANY ★ RICHMOND as possible,” Avula said.

HENRICO CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHESTERFIELD ROANOKE Avula said VDH will only make apPIEDMONT CUMBERLAND NEW RIVER pointments for vaccine shipments they PLATEAU CRATER PITTSYLVANIA MOUNT PORTSMOUTH NORFOLK DANVILLE LENOWISCO know they will be receiving.

ROGERS VA BEACH WEST PIEDMONT WESTERN SOUTHSIDE CHESAPEAKE VDH will adjust where they send TIDEWATER the vaccine based on the demand in Information from the Virginia Department of Health Infographic by Gabrielle Wood

Honors College prepares for student return KATHARINE DEROSA News Editor Hospital beds are coming out of VCU’s Honors College one year after student belongings were removed with no warning from the university to make room for COVID-19 overflow in Richmond.

Bed Techs, a supplier of hospital beds, stretchers and medical equipment based in Indiana, removed the hospital beds from the Honors College on Wednesday around noon, according to worker Michael Wilson.

VCU spokesperson Matt Lovisa stated the beds were removed to make room for residential furniture returning to the residence hall.

Workers rolled hospital beds out of the building one at a time and lifted them into two trucks parked in front of the Honors College building on Grace Street.

“The plan is for The Honors College to transition back to Residential Life and Housing to use as a residence hall for next year,” Lovisa stated in an email.

The building was briefly used for isolation overflow in August, Lovisa stated. Two students stayed there for less than 48 hours after both tested negative for COVID-19.

A video last March taken by someone who identified as an employee spread on social media. The video showed student belongings being taken, boxed and labeled.

VCU placed student belongings in a storage facility, and students were able to pick up their belongings over the summer.

The Honors College is typically used as housing for freshman students in the honors program, with each student having their own room and bathroom. The building itself was previously a hospital, known as the Capitol Medical Center, before becoming a residence hall. VCU purchased the building in 2001.

Wed. April 14, 2021 3

Virginia public transit grapples with reduced ridership, zero fare KATHARINE DEROSA Capital News Service

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IRGINIA PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads are looking for a path forward after losing riders and revenue during the pandemic. Some transit systems have been harder hit than others.

“We are serving a market of essential workers that can’t stay home; they have to use our service,” said Greater Richmond Transit Co. CEO Julie Timm during a recent presentation.

Gov. Ralph Northam issued a state of emergency in March of last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move prompted limits on public and private gatherings, telework policies and mandates to wear masks in public, although some restrictions have eased.

GRTC faced a “potentially catastrophic budget deficit” since eliminating fares last March in response to the pandemic and reductions in public funding starting in July of this year, according to the organization’s annual report. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation emergency funding covered the deficit, according to the report.

The transit system lost about 20% of riders when comparing March to November 2019 with the same 9-month period in 2020. Overall, fiscal year-to-date ridership on local-fixed routes decreased the least (-16%), compared to the bus-rapid transit line (-49%) and express routes (-84%), according to GRTC data. Local-fixed routes had a 7% increase from March 2020 to March 2021.

A local GRTC route makes stops on VCU’s campus. Photo by Katharine DeRosa SHOOTINGS

GRTC eliminated fares in March 2020 to avoid “close interactions at bus fareboxes,” Timm said in a statement at the time. CARES Act funding made the move possible. GRTC will offer free rides until the end of June.

GRTC will need an additional $5.3 million when federal funding ceases to continue operating with zero fare, Timm said.

Zero fare can be supported through the third round of federal stimulus money and Department of Rail and Public Transportation funding, advertising revenue and other funding sources, Timm said.

“This is the conversation and it’s a hard conversation,” Timm said. “To fare or not to fare?”

GRTC serves a majority Black and majority female riders, according to the 2020 annual report. Commuters account for over half the trips taken on GRTC buses and almost three-quarters of commuter trips are five or more days per week. Nearly 80% of riders have a household income of less than $50,000 per year.

GRTC spends about $1.7 million to collect fares annually, according to Timm.

Eliminating fares is more optimal than collecting fares, Timm said in March. She believes in zero fare operation because the bus rates act as a regressive tax, which takes a large percentage of income from low-income earners.

Free fares could lead to overcrowding on buses, opponents argue. However, Timm said that’s not a good reason to abolish the initiative.

“If we have a demand for more transit, I don’t think the answer is to put fares out to reduce the ridership,” Timm said. “I think the answer is to find additional funding sources and commitment to increase service to meet that demand.”

GRTC will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the zero fare model, according to Timm.

“We’ll have a lot of conversations postCOVID about how we consider transit, how we invest in transit and how that investment in transit lifts up our entire region, not just our riders but all of our economy for a stronger marketplace,” Timm said.

GRTC added another bus route as the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March. Route 111 runs in Chesterfield from John Tyler Community College to the Food Lion off Chippenham Parkway. The route surpassed ridership expectations despite being launched during the pandemic, according to the annual report.

GRTC also will receive additional funding from the newly established Central

The number 78 bus travels through Carytown, Randolph and the downtown area of Richmond. All GRTC buses are currently offering zero fare to passengers.

Photo by Katharine DeRosa Virginia Transit Authority. The entity will provide dedicated transportation funding for Richmond and eight other localities.

The authority will draw money from a regional sales and use tax, as well as a gasoline and diesel fuel tax. GRTC is projected to receive $20 million in funds from the authority in fiscal year 2021. The next fiscal year it receives $28 million and funding will reach $30 million by fiscal year 2026.

“The impact of the pandemic on ridership and revenue forced us to consider drastic cuts that would have been necessary absent federal relief funding,” stated Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “Thankfully, the American Rescue Plan Act has provided a lifeline for Metro to serve customers and support the region’s economic recovery.”

Hampton Roads Transit buses served 10.7 million people in 2019 and 6.2 million people in 2020. The decline has carried into 2021. Almost 1.6 million passengers took HRT transit buses in January and February 2020 and just over 815,000 have in 2021, resulting in a nearly 50% decrease.

HRT spokesperson Tom Holden said he This is the conversation can’t explain why HRT bus services saw a and it’s a hard higher drop off than GRTC buses. conversation. To fare “We had a substantial decline in boardings in all our modes of transportation or not to fare?” just as every transit agency in the U.S. did,” Julie Timm, Greater Richmond Holden said.

Transit Co. CEO HRT operated with a zero fare system from April 10 to July 1, 2020. Ridership These funds cannot be used to assist in had a slight uptick from April to October, zero fare operation, Timm said. aside from an August dip. Fares for all HRT Almost 350,000 riders boarded the transit services were budgeted for 14.2% of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit HRT’s revenue for Fiscal Year 2020.

Authority buses per day on average in 2019, “We are hopeful that with vaccinations which includes passengers in Northern Vir- becoming more widespread, the overall ginia. That number dipped to 91,000 aver- economy will begin to recover, and we’ll age daily boardings in 2020, according to see rates increase,” Holden said.

Metro statistics.

Metro’s $4.7 billion budget will main- Capital News Service is a program of Virgintain service at 80-85% of pre-pandemic ia Commonwealth University’s Robertson levels, according to a Metro press release. School of Media and Culture. Students in the Federal relief funds totaling almost $723 program provide state government coverage million filled Metro’s funding gap due to for a variety of media outlets in Virginia. low ridership.

‘A CRISIS WE MUST CONFRONT’: RICHMOND GRAPPLES AFTER SPIKE IN SHOOTING DEATHS Continued from front page

Junior English student Lauren Manley said she hopes this doesn’t taint prospective “Detectives will release the identity of the students’ opinions about VCU because she victim following family notification,” both believes it’s still a good university. releases stated.

“There were students that were killed but Some VCU students are voicing their these are not VCU students that are doing uneasiness following the influx of gun vi- these terrible things,” Manley said. “We’re olence in the area. still welcoming, we’re still loving and we’re Freshman English student Deloris Allotey standing strong together right now.” said although she feels safe in most parts of camFrom January 1 to April 11, 127 reported pus, she feels extremely unsafe around Gilmer crimes involved firearms in the Richmond area, Street. She said VCU needs to be mindful of how according to the Richmond Police Departcurrent and prospective members of the commu- ment. Last year from January 1 to April 12, 147 nity are perceiving frequent shootings. were reported.

“VCU needs to protect its students because Manley said although she hopes these inciit’s deterring a lot of parents from coming dents don’t give people the wrong impression here,” Allotey said. of VCU, she doesn’t feel safe walking around Allotey and her parents have discussed campus by herself. She’s currently living in Allotey transferring to another university Ramz Apartments, an off-campus apartbecause of their worries over the growing ment building located on West Broad Street. number of shooting alerts.

Manley said violence might ensue despite increased police presence in Carver.

“It would have to be a partnership between students, administration and police officers to kind of work towards being a safer environment because at this point, it seems like everyone’s at risk,” Manley said.

Woodson’s friend Nicholas Parisi started a GoFundMe to support postmortem costs for the family. The two met online three years ago while playing League of Legends, Parisi said in a Facebook message.

“I couldn’t have found a better friend anywhere,” Parisi said.

Woodson studied computer science and had recently started an internship, Parisi said.

“If he could have done anything with his brains, it would have simply been something that he felt made a difference or impact on the world,” Parisi said.

A street sign marks the corner of Gilmer and Marshall streets, where two shootings killed a 17-year-old and 20-year-old VCU junior last week. Photo by Enza Marcy

4 The Commonwealth Times

Stat of the week

Freshman tennis athlete Alessia Ciuca was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Women’s track & field looks to turn school records into postseason success NILE MCNAIR Contributing Writer

set back in 2019 with a 47.11-meter toss at the South Florida Invitational on April 3.

Merkel said she’s having her best season yet Women’s track and field’s goal for this after recovering from COVID-19. season is simple: win another Atlantic 10 “At first I didn’t think it was going to go championship. The black and gold have that far, after that throw I didn’t feel it was claimed two outdoor titles in the last four super powerful but when I noticed how far years, in 2016 and 2018, and they aim to it was I was like OMG I did it,” Merkel add another in 2021. said. “All this work has been paying off, The Rams weren’t able to chase a title even with the year of COVID, it doesn’t during the indoor season after the event matter now I’m here, I earned this.” was canceled due to COVID-19, but asSophomore hurdler Lauryn Freeman sistant coach Thomas Sage said they used broke a 100-meter hurdles school record the time to get better. with a time of 13.84 seconds. The previous “We had the luxury of being able to slow record of 13.88 seconds was set in 1993 things down and add a little bit more vol- by Donna Pegram. ume to our training because we didn’t have “Me and Coach Sage have had these to run fast in February,” Sage said. “We’re talks multiple times so we knew I would looking forward to running fast in May, so break it eventually just not at that meet,” we’re kind of seeing the dividend being Freeman said. “At that exact moment and paid off now as we’re progressing through not this early but it was just a shock to the outdoor season.” everyone especially me.”

PREVIOUS MEETS

WHAT’S AHEAD

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The additional attention to training has resulted in top performances this season.

Senior multi event athlete Courtney Higgins earned A-10 field Performer of the Week honors after winning three events at the Bobcat Invitational at Texas State University on March 28 and March 29.

But it’s not just the seniors who have had standout performances in meets during this season. Sophomore jumper Khalil Lyons placed first in the women’s high jump at George Mason’s Winter Track Fiesta on Feb. 27 and 28.

The A-10 championships are on the horizon for the Rams, beginning on May 1 at George Mason. Winning conference championships has been a staple at VCU since coach Jon Riley arrived on campus 11 years ago, winning five team conference titles in the span.

“The man just gets it done every year — it’s inspiring me to be a better coach and better version of myself,” Sage said. “Just to follow in his footsteps and the way he’s taken this program from when he first started from a bottom feeder team to perennial A-10 champion is something I’m extremely proud to be a part of.”

RECORD BREAKING As the season has carried on and the ACHIEVEMENTS team has learned from previous meets, This season, the Rams have logged multi- their confidence in what they could acple school records, two of them in field events. complish has risen.

First, Makayla McGowan set a new “I think we’re going to do very well,” school weight throw record with a 18.93 Merkel said. “I mean we have great sprintmeter toss at George Mason’s Winter Track ers, jumpers and multis, everyone is hitting Fiesta. The previous record of 17.76 meters personal records every other week so I think 1: Freshman jumps athlete Alacia Myles competes in an indoor track meet. was set by Camora Sanders in 2019. we will do pretty well at the conference.”

2: Senior multi-event athlete Courtney Higgins jumps during the indoor track season.

Junior thrower Kayla Merkel broke her Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics. own javelin throw school record that she 3

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3: Senior multi-event athlete Courtney Higgins leaves the starting line during a race in the indoor season. 4: Freshman sprinter Lauryn Taylor competes in an indoor track meet.

Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

Wed. April 14, 2021 5

Redshirt-junior midfielder Ellen McAdams defends against the University of Virginia on March 6. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

Coin flip ends women’s soccer season

JOE DODSON Staff Writer

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FTER PLAYING ITS FINAL THREE GAMES in a five-day span to push for the final spot in the Atlantic 10 tournament, the postseason fate of women’s soccer came down to a coin flip.

The season finished at the wire as VCU trailed Davidson in winning percentage, a tiebreaker for the automatic bid into the conference tournament from the A-10 South pod. This put the Rams in a three-way tie with Dayton and George Washington.

The coin didn’t land in the Rams’ favor as Dayton edged the Rams and Colonials for the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, winning the flip.

“They should have looked at stats and digged deeper to get the right team the right opportunity, not just over a coin toss,” junior defender Amber DiOrio said.

VCU’s final regular season game against George Mason, scheduled for Sunday,

was canceled due to George Mason’s COVID-19 protocols. The cancellation of the contest left the Rams in the tie and eventually ended their season.

“We feel like we did everything we could have possibly done to continue on into the postseason,” coach Lindsey Martin said.

“That was taken out of our hands and off the field and into a conference office.”

VCU ended its season 7-4-2, winning its final match 2-0 at Richmond on Saturday.

As an attempt to minimize travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the A-10 split the conference into three pods based on geography. The A-10 tournament this year consists of the top seeds from each of the three groups as well as Dayton, who won the coin toss.

Due to COVID-19 related postponements, VCU did not play between March 6 and 21. As a result, the Rams had two separate three-game stretches played within condensed five-day spans.

“For them to be able to achieve that success within those condensed time frames, you know they’re gritty, they’re tough, they’re resilient,” Martin said.

The Rams scored nine goals to earn three straight wins to start the season against Liberty on Feb. 8, Old Dominion on Feb. 11 and East Carolina on Feb. 20.

Redshirt-junior Samantha Jerabek recorded her first collegiate hat-trick during VCU’s 4-0 win over Old Dominion.

It’s motivation to beat whoever is in front of us and to absolutely crush anybody — we’re going to be exactly how we were last season but better because of not going to the A-10.”

Amber DiOrio, junior defender

Junior midfielder Aileen Guthrie chases after a ball against NC State on Feb. 28. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

Jerabek has led the offense this season with seven goals and two assists.

The forward finished the season first in the A-10 in shots with 53, second in shots on goals with 25 and fourth in goals scored with seven.

The hot start came to an end after the Rams lost 2-1 in games against NC State and Virginia, teams belonging to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“Only losing by one goal, our confidence was very good,” sophomore midfielder Anna Bagley said. “We went into the conference knowing that we can play with anyone.”

VCU played nine of its 12 regular season matches at home and posted a 4-2-1 conference record.

The most memorable win of the season for DiOrio was the Rams’ 2-1 comeback win against crosstown rival Richmond on April 6.

“Since the beginning, we knew we had this grit in us and this capability to compete against whoever, whenever,” DiOrio said.

The win marked VCU’s first win after trailing of the season after they were down 1-0 at halftime.

“The comeback just shows our resilience on this team and it reflects on our season as well,” said redshirt-junior midfielder Ellen McAdams.

Redshirt-junior midfielder Emma Kershner finished the season fifth in the A-10 in assists with five. Kershner is second on the team in scoring with five goals and tied for the most game-winning goals in the conference with four.

Junior forward Emily Charen took over for right wing-back after junior defender Samantha Ferguson was sidelined with a knee injury through March.

“Emily Charen definitely came in and brought a lot of grit and intensity to that position,” McAdams said.

Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Grace Young took over for senior goalkeeper Brecht Haakma in the final seven games of the season, and collected 21 saves, four shutouts and the second best goals allowed against average with 57.3%.

Freshman forward Annabell Anderson impressed the older Rams’, according to DiOrio. Anderson earned a starting role in the final game of the season after playing primarily as a substitute at the beginning of Rams’ season.

“She’s a beast,” DiOrio said. “She’s going to take the A-10 by storm.”

Haakma, along with senior defenders Karen Lohrmann and Lauren Griffiths will be graduating from the program this May. DiOrio said the Rams hope to use this season’s bitter ending as fuel for next fall as they return all but one starter in Lohrmann.

“It’s motivation to beat whoever is in front of us and to absolutely crush anybody –– we’re going to be exactly how we were last season but better because of not going to the A-10,” DiOrio said.

6 The Commonwealth Times

GAME RESULTS

APRIL 8

WOMEN’S SOCCER - AT DAVIDSON TIE 0-0 Samantha Jerabek: 5 shots

APRIL 9 BASEBALL - AT. GEORGE WASHINGTON

WON 6-4 Tyler Locklear: 2-for-5, Double, RBI

LACROSSE - AT DAVIDSON LOST 15-9 Keriann McTavish: 3 goals

MEN’S TENNIS - AT SOUTH ALABAMA CANCELED (WEATHER)

APRIL 10 BASEBALL - AT GEORGE WASHINGTON

LOST 5-4 Brandon Henson, 2-for-3, 2 RBI, HR

WOMEN’S SOCCER - AT RICHMOND WON 2-0 season-high 18 shots

FIELD HOCKEY - AT. DAVIDSON Junior goalie Sasha Elliott stands in goal during a game at Cary Street Field. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

Field hockey enters A-10 tournament undefeated

KAITLYN FULMORE Contributing Writer

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OR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM history, field hockey enters the end of season with an undefeated record in conference play.

Field hockey currently has a 7-0 record entering the Atlantic 10 tournament. The team has scored 20 goals this season, with only five goals scored against them.

“We’re super proud of how far we’ve come, but that doesn’t mean we stop here,” freshman midfielder Bridget McCormick said. “We do have things we need to work on. We’re all working towards that championship.”

The Rams will host the Atlantic 10 tournament as the No. 1 seed on April 23 and 24 at Cary Street Field. The team was named the No. 19 team in the nation in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Coaches’ Poll, the first time in program history that it received the ranking.

VCU’s defense produced three consecutive shutout games this season, once against Davidson and twice against Saint Louis.

“We kind of pride ourselves on our communication,” junior defender Litiana Field said. “We really talk to each other and that is why we’re so successful when it comes to defending.”

The Rams have been able to beat teams that they had lost to in previous years. VCU defeated University of Richmond 2-1 after a penalty shootout, which only occurred after two scoreless overtimes, on April 3.

VCU had lost to the Spiders 1-2 in 2019 during a similar penalty shootout.

“Winning the shootouts at Richmond was one of the top moments of the season, especially since we lost in a shootout to

them last season,” junior goalie Sasha El- into that philosophy,” head coach Stacey liott said. “To do that again, on their field, Bean said. “This really has been a four year and beat them this time felt pretty good.” build for us to get the right mix of players to get us to where we are now.”

Due to COVID-19 protocols, only the top four teams will compete in the A-10 tournament. The semifinals games are on April 23, with a championship game the following day between the I like to play a certain winners of the two games. style of hockey and you VCU will face the No. 4 seed in the need a certain type semifinals, which will be determined by Saturday’s conference game outcomes. La of player to fit into that Salle will face Lock Haven at 11 a.m. and philosophy. This really UMass will face Saint Joseph’s at 1 p.m.

has been a four year build for us to get the right mix of players to get us to where we are now.”

Stacey Bean, head coach

The 2021 season has been different compared to previous years, with less games and more time to train in the fall. The Rams took advantage of this extra time to build trust and chemistry within the team.

“The issue we have playing in the fall sometimes is that we were so rushed to prepare for our first game,” Field said. “This time we had five months to prepare, and it just helped so much. We came into the spring reason ready to go.”

The team had advanced to the semifinal round in the 2017 A-10 tournament and the championship round in the 2018 A-10 tournament, but have yet to finally hold the championship trophy.

“I like to play a certain style of hockey and you need a certain type of player to fit

RAM STAT Field hockey logged its first undefeated regular season and conference record in program history.

“Once we determine who we play, we’ll focus on any adjustments to our set plays,” Bean said.

Despite being ranked fourth in the A-10 preseason poll, the Rams are the only undefeated team playing in the upcoming tournament.

“As a team, we’re really excited,” Elliott said. “Everyone kind of feels like this is our season and we want to win this year.”

The Atlantic 10 tournament will be on April 23 and 24 at Cary Street Field.

WON 2-1 Sasha Elliott: 2 saves

WOMEN’S TENNIS - VS. GEORGE MASON CANCELED (WEATHER)

BASEBALL - AT GEORGE WASHINGTON LOST 3-2 Liam Hibbits: 1-for-3, 2 RBI

MEN’S SOCCER - AT GEORGE MASON WON 2-0 Wladimir Gassant: first-career goal

APRIL 11 BASEBALL - AT GEORGE WASHINGTON LOST 5-4 Hunter Vay: 2-for-4, 2 runs

LACROSSE - AT NO. 17 ELON: LOST, 19-3 Kelsey McDonnell: goal

NO. 36 MEN’S TENNIS - AT NO. 24 TULANE LOST 5-2

WOMEN’S SOCCER - VS. GEORGE MASON

CANCELED (COVID-19 WITHIN GMU)

APRIL 11 GOLF - OLD CORKSCREW INTERCOLLEGIATE 5TH OF 12 Mikkel Antonsen: 7th (-1)

BASEBALL - AT WILLIAM & MARY WON 8-3 Jack Schroeder: 1-for-2, 2 RBI

Wed. April 14, 2021 7

On this day

In 1818, Noah Webster published the American Dictionary of the English Language, which took over 20 years to complete.

JXN Project sheds light on forgotten history of Jackson Ward neighborhood GRACE MCOMBER Contributing Writer

do is intersect that with the history of Maggie L. Walker as an honorary street ISTERS ENJOLI MOON designation, so that when and Sesha Joi Moon said you’re walking through they made a jarring discovJackson Ward, you’re forced ery three months ago while to tell the truth.” researching the Jackson Sesha Joi Moon said that Ward neighborhood. feedback toward the project “I thought, as with everyhas been overwhelmingly thing, Google would have positive, and that she is the answers,” VCU alumna relieved to have discovered Sesha Joi Moon said. “But it the 150th anniversary date wasn’t that simple.” before it passed.

According to Sesha Joi “Even any opposition, Moon, the establishment what can you really say?” date of Jackson Ward, one Sesha Joi Moon said. “Beof the country’s first recogcause we’re not tr ying nized historic Black neighto tear down, we’re not borhoods, is April 17, 1871. Sisters Enjoli Moon and Sesha Joi Moon co-founded the JXN Project last October to retell the story of Richmond’s trying to erase anything.

The date was unknown until Jackson Ward neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Jenaé D. Harrington We’re just not going to exlate last year, when she began alt it. We’re going to put creating the JXN Project. influence that it became known as “Black redemptive storytelling,” Sesha Joi Moon things on equal footing.”

Founded with her sister and fellow VCU Wall Street” and “the Harlem of the South.” said. “Part of it is to first just educate people In addition to her work to retell the alumna Enjoli Moon in 2020, the JXN “If you are going to do historic justice, on the origin story of Jackson Ward, which story of Jackson Ward, Sesha Joi Moon Project seeks to accurately tell the story of you have to do justice to the narratives that most people just don’t know. And helping said she hopes the project can inspire Jackson Ward and Richmond as a whole we’re saying,” Sesha Joi Moon said. “The people understand that in a time where we others to uncover the history of other by displaying artifacts online, highlighting Black Richmond experience during that are so focused on those statues, that the historically Black communities. iconic residents with landmarks, promoting time was very complicated, very multi- actual stains of the Confederacy bleed far voting initiatives for residents and utilizing dimensional.” beyond Monument Avenue.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE interactive technology, such as QR codes, within the neighborhood.

The organization is hosting the JXN SISTER EFFORTS In honor of the 150th anniversary of Project summer lecture series, beginJackson Ward’s founding on Saturday, the Enjoli Moon and Sesha Joi Moon’s ning April 21, to discuss the project and JXN Project will host “Illuminating Lega- efforts to tell the history of Black Richa public premiere of the documentary You can’t tell cies: Giles B. Jackson Day,” a socially dis- monders has spanned several other projects.

“How the Monuments Came Down” at America’s story tanced celebration including trolley tours, Enjoli Moon is also the creative director Maymont Park on May 30. without Richmond’s food trucks, art activities and video projec- for the Afrikana Independent Film Festival “We were very intentional about ustions throughout the neighborhood. and founder of Visit BLK RVA, while Sesing JXN to help other spaces understand story, and you can’t “We have a lot planned, but this is just ha Joi Moon works as a senior talent manthe value in reclaiming your origin stotell Richmond’s story phase one,” Sesha Joi Moon said. “There’s agement strategist at the U.S. Department ries,” Sesha Joi Moon said. “Our longwithout Jackson just so much research here that Jackson of Commerce and curates a blog called term goal is to help other spaces and other [Ward] as a model has a lot more work in “Angry Black Female.” communities understand how to leverage Ward’s story.” the pipeline across several years to come.”

In 2018, the sisters launched “A Blackass research to really reclaim and rename, Janis Allen, president Field Trip,” which organized and led edrestore and reconceptualize.” of the Historic Jackson ucational trips centered around the Black This sentiment was echoed by Janis AlHISTORY OF THE JACKSON WARD Ward Association diaspora, including trips to the Nationlen, a Jackson Ward resident and president NEIGHBORHOOD al Memorial for Peace and Justice in of the Historic Jackson Ward AssociaAccording to AfroMontgomery, Alabama, and Jackson Ward was also home to pioneers, tion, which strives to preserve the historic Virginia, a database the Whitney Planta- such as Maggie L. Walker, America’s first boundaries of the neighborhood. for the preservation tion in New Orleans, female bank president. The Hippodrome “You can’t tell America’s story withof Black cultural sites Louisiana. Follow- Theater, located on North 2nd Street, host- out Richmond’s story,” Allen said. “And throughout Virgining the COVID-19 ed musical icons, including Ella Fitzgerald, you can’t tell Richmond’s story without ia, Jackson Ward was pandemic and subse- Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.

Jackson Ward’s story.” established in 1871 quent travel restricLike a number of other urban neighAllen said her family was displaced from

by Civil War general tions that prevented borhoods throughout the United States, Jackson Ward by the construction of Interand former U.S. Presthem from planning Jackson Ward was impacted by federal in- state 95 in the 1950s. She said the neighident Ulysses S. Grant. trips that included frastructure programs. In the 1950s, con- borhood’s historical significance inspired However, the area betravel, the sisters struction of the Richmond-Petersburg her to return to the area 10 years ago and came home to both had to reimagine the turnpike of Interstate 95 split the neigh- become involved in its preservation. free and enslaved African project closer to home. borhood, destroying hundreds of historic “I often wonder ‘what kind of community Americans in the mid-1800s.

“I was born and raised homes and businesses in the process. would we have been?’” Allen said. “What Today, Jackson Ward runs along Broad in Richmond, and my whole cawould have really happened if there Street, beginning at Smith Street and exreer is about being Black and being was not a forced break in the success of NEW BEGINNINGS tending to North 2nd Street. It is also proud to be Black,” Sesha Joi Moon the neighborhood?” bordered by Jackson Street, West Marsaid. “I found myself kind of emMany of Jackson Ward’s streets are Allen said she finds the self-sufficiency shall Street and West Catherine Street. barrassed that I did not know who named after Confederate or segregationist of the historic neighborhood and its ability The neighborhood is named after [Giles B.] Jackson is.” figures, an issue that Sesha Joi Moon to thrive, despite discriminatory policies and Giles B. Jackson, who was born into slavSesha Joi Moon said her research said the JXN Project plans to tackle laws of the era, interesting and inspiring. ery in 1853 and became the first Black for the JXN Project included in their “Unveiling the Vanguard ” “You’ve got the capital of the Confederattorney to argue in front of the Virginia uncovering primary documents and event in October, which will include acy and within that capital, you have the Supreme Court of Appeals. artifacts, as well as talking with honorary street designations to honor emergence of an extraordinarily strong, Over the next 30 years, Jackson Jackson Ward residents about the Jackson Ward’s residents.

Black, self-sufficient community,” Allen said.

Ward would grow into a thriving, Black neighborhood’s history.

“We don’t want to erase the current “It was a group of people pulling together neighborhood with successful businesses “This is historic preservation streets named after Benjamin Watkins Lee, to lift up out of the circumstances and that lining its streets. The area was so well through restorative truth and telling who was an enslaver and whose son was a framework. That’s the part of history that I known for its banking prowess, Confederate soldier. Keep your sign,” Sesha could just read over and over again.” economic success and cultural Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh Joi Moon said. “But what we’re going to

S

8 The Commonwealth Times

Misha Davis and Des Newman, owners of Siren Vibes Records, seek to change the music industry by creating an inclusive environment for Black women. Photo by Wessam Hazaymeh

BLACK-OWNED, RICHMOND MUSIC LABEL AIMS TO DIVERSIFY INDUSTRY ANNA PARADA Contributing Writer WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THE NAME SIREN Vibes Records, owners Des Newman and Misha Davis want heads to turn.

The new record label currently features artists from Richmond, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia, and it was created with the intention of making the music industry a more inclusive environment, the owners said.

“Not only are we women, but we’re Black women,” Newman said. “There is no glass ceiling. Women deserve a seat at the table.”

The label launched last October but went public in January, said Newman, the group’s CEO. She invited Davis, a friend she connected with over music, to be a part of the team.

“Growing up, I always went to concerts, and I always thought ‘How can I be a part of something so great?’” said Davis, the label’s creative and artist development executive.

The original goal was to change the role of record labels, which typically work behind the scenes in the music industry. Davis’ role also helps develop new artists. She is dedicated to providing each artist new outlets for their skills and growth, Davis said.

“I am connected to all of our artists with knowing that each and every one of them are different,” Davis said.

Newman, who worked as an artist manager for two years before Siren Vibes Records’ creation, said the label aims to take small artists and prepare them for a job in a music industry that’s difficult to navigate.

“The artists may not be developed enough to understand the business and they get signed to these major labels,” Newman said.

“Nobody is giving them good direction.”

The label currently has three artists on its roster — Jehmilaa of Northern Virginia, Montro Hefner of Richmond and Big Holly of Washington, D.C. “Being able to work with our artists hands on and being able to develop them is super amazing,” Davis said.

Jehmilaa anticipates new music to drop this summer, including an EP, the lead single of which is set to release in June. Montro Hefner is releasing an album called “Going Hollywood” on April 22.

Not only are we women, but we’re Black women. There is no glass ceiling.

Women deserve a seat at the table.”

Des Newman, CEO of Siren Vibes Records

Richmond is a secondary market for music, Newman said. Part of the mission of Siren Vibes Records is to put Richmond

on the map and have other big labels pay attention to who’s coming out of the area.

“This is Virginia, this is the new sound, this is the future,” Newman said.

The currently signed artists are regional, but Newman and Davis said they want to branch out to major music hubs, such as New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles to bridge the gap.

The owners have high hopes for live shows when the COVID-19 pandemic is over, but for now they stream performances on Twitch.

“I honestly feel like people want to be entertained even more now with having to be home,” Newman said.

The record label expects to reach out to other bigger artists from the midAtlantic region in the near future. The label plans to travel to different cities within the next few weeks, hoping to expand its network and create longlasting connections that will take the name to the next level.

Wed. April 14, 2021 9

‘BELOW THE SURFACE’:

VCU students, alumni dig deep in inspirational speeches

EDITOR'S LIST OF FILMS TO WATCH “The Fight” (2020)

This riveting documentary follows legal battles pursued by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union during the Trump administration, including efforts to reverse the former president’s travel ban on predominantly Muslim nations and his exclusion of transgender personnel in the military.

In 2020, the film won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact Filmmaking at the Sundance Film Festival.

Available on Hulu | 99% Rotten Tomatoes

“The Weekend” (2018)

This dramatic comedy captures a romantic weekend getaway that goes awry.

Tone Bell’s character Bradford takes his girlfriend Margo, played by DeWanda Wise, on a vacation, where they end up staying at a rental home owned by his ex-girlfriend’s mom.

His ex-girlfriend, Zadie, is there that same weekend, and their time together reveals lingering romantic feelings from the past.

Available on Hulu | 86% Rotten Tomatoes

“Luce” (2019)

Illustration by Marisa Stratton

HADIA MOOSVI Contributing Writer

T

EDXVCU, AN INDEPENDENTLY organized TED Talk event, returned Saturday for the first time since 2018, posing the question: “What big ideas lie below the surface?”

From topics such as ice age animals, the many faces of carbon and remaining undefined, this year’s theme, “Below the Surface,” addressed deeper meanings and common misconceptions. Seven VCU students, alumni and instructors presented during the event.

“VCU has a lot of great ideas coming from a lot of different corners of the university,” planning committee co-chair Justin Raibolt said. “TEDx is a much broader base where we can bring together this really dramatically different set of topics into one big platform to showcase for the entire university.”

Raibolt said there were over 100 VCU applicants, including students and employees, interested in speaking at this year’s virtual event hosted by the University Student Commons.

The planning committee, which consisted of both students and faculty, narrowed the applicants down to seven speakers and two performers. Accepted speakers were chosen based on their reflection of the surrounding community and diversity of thought, Raibolt said.

Here are some of the event’s highlights.

“Without having been with those group of women, I probably would not be here at VCU — just because it was that instrumental in just shaping me into who I am today,” said Owens, a health psychology graduate student.

Owens said sister circles and culturally representative care are feasible ways to combat the inequity faced by Black women who seek medical care, especially in reproductive health.

Despite there being procedures available that effectively treat uterine fibroids, or abnormal uterine growths, Black women are still more likely to experience more severe, persistent symptoms and diagnoses at a younger age, compared to other racial and ethnic groups, Owens said.

A severe lack of adequate insurance coverage, mistrust between patients and health care professionals and high costs all contribute to the inequity Black women face with reproductive health, Owens said.

After coming to VCU, Owens centered her research around sexual and reproductive health while placing an “African-centric lens,” or an in-depth focus on people of African descent, at the heart of her work.

Owens said the TEDxVCU event was a way for her to let Black women know that they are seen and heard.

“My hope is that Black women listening know that they are not forgotten, that the missing link is identified,” Owens said. “There are people out there working to help fill those gaps so that they can get the care that they need, the care that they deserve as human beings.”

“I really wanted to discuss something that was somewhere in between an intersection of my experiences as an Asian American woman, but also acknowledging that it’s part of a bigger story of oppression,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview.

Rodriguez, a senior studying biology and creative writing, said joining the VCU student group Filipino Americans Coming Together gave her courage to participate in the event.

“It allowed me to feel prepared to go into something like this, even though it’s a huge topic that somebody that’s just an undergrad student like me, I don’t have the qualifications to be dissecting it,” Rodriguez said. “But it still made me feel like I mattered enough to provide something even if it’s minimal.”

“RESILIENT BY DESIGN”

Three-time cancer survivor and School of Business alumna Rachel Elliott said during her presentation that gratitude, positivity and compassion are all components of being resilient.

Elliott discussed her experience with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow.

Her journey began from her diagnosis at the age of 11, and she is now at her point of “forever remission,” she said.

“I like to say there is beauty in my story even though it was full of times of adversity,” Elliott said. “Because, in turn, I’ve been able to become a stronger version of myself and more resilient.”

“THE MISSING LINK Elliott said her presentation was a IN BLACK WOMEN’S “HATE IS A VIRUS” full-circle moment, since she was a transfer REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH” Although presenting a TED Talk was student at the university and is a longtime During her time at the Florida Agri- always part of Anna Marie “Amie” Ro- patient at VCU Health. cultural and Mechanical University, Bianca driguez’s bucket list, a rise in hate crimes “VCU was part of my support system Owens was part of a sister circle — a sacred against Asian American and Pacific Island- as I was going through another cancer space to share the experiences that affect ers sparked her interest in participating in diagnosis,” Elliott said. “VCU has always the well-being of Black women. the TEDxVCU event. been a part of my story.”

Luce, who was raised in a war zone in Eritrea, was adopted by an American couple and came to be known as a “model student” at his high school despite his troubled background. However, his teacher and parents are forced to reconsider their overwhelming praise of Luce when he writes an essay that defends the use of violence as a necessary cleansing force.

Featuring Kelvin Harrison Jr., Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer and Tim Roth, the cast received favorable reviews for their performance, with Spencer nominated for seven different awards for her supporting role.

Available on Hulu | 90% Rotten Tomatoes

“Clemency” (2019)

In this dramatic film, Alfre Woodard plays a prison warden named Bernadine whose job poses a severe emotional toll. One of her death row inmates, Anthony, continues to maintain his innocence, but has exhausted all his options for clemency.

Despite her working relationship with Anthony’s lawyer and belief he could possibly be innocent, she has to follow through with the state’s orders of execution.

Available on Hulu | 92% Rotten Tomatoes

“Concrete Cowboy” (2021)

Starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin, this dramatic film finds a 15-year-old boy named Cole, played by McLaughlin, being sent to live with his estranged father, played by Idris Elba, in North Philadelphia, where there are high rates of poverty and violence.

To quell his son’s desire to fall in with the wrong crowds, Elba’s character Harp introduces Cole to the area’s thriving subculture of “Black cowboys.”

Available on Netflix | 78% Rotten Tomatoes

Have suggestions for our watchlist? Email spectrum@ commonwealthtimes.org

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.”

— Joyce Meyer

Outdoor parties can wait until pandemic ends ISHAAN NANDWANI Contributing Writer It’s my favorite time of the year: spring.

Warm weather, blooming flowers and a pervasive aura of tranquility — what’s not to love? Personally, I’ve been taking advantage of the weather by going on walks and studying outside more, soaking in the warm sun at Monroe Park while studying enzyme-catalyzed biochemical reactions.

While it’s important for all of us to spend time outdoors and make the most of the spring weather, it’s essential to not become too relaxed with COVID-19 precautions. In the last week alone, I’ve noticed a dangerous trend of large groups gathering in local destinations, including a volleyball game of approximately 20 students in Monroe Park and an outdoor barbecue party at Maymont Park.

While these spring activities are often tradition and we’re all desperate for a return to normalcy, we must not forget the global pandemic that continues to devastate our world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 74,800 reported cases of COVID-19 since March 20. Moreover, as the virus has become more widespread, experts have noted an increase in variants of the disease.

While the temptation to gather outside is at an all-time high, we must continue to be cautious of the public health implications of these actions. We can’t turn a blind eye and expect that everything will be OK. The COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat, and cases could skyrocket again.

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

One personal issue I’ve dealt with during this time is having conversations with friends who often have different ethics than me when it comes to the pandemic and gathering in large groups. Simply put, there are many people who are ready to move on with their lives, citing vaccinations, the improved weather and lowered rates of the virus as a justification for gathering in large groups.

There is a common misconception that COVID-19 can’t be contracted outdoors, but health experts say this is not the

case. According to the CDC, large events and gatherings should still be avoided when possible.

While many people are finding their way to a vaccine, not everyone has been vaccinated. Therefore, the threat of spread is still very present. On April 18, Virginia will move into Phase 2 of the vaccination plan.

This means that anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to receive the vaccine.

Now is not the time to get complacent — the end of the pandemic is almost here, and we must ensure that we are all on the

same page so that we can spend time together in the future.

Your parties can wait a little longer.

To those of you who are having those critical discussions with loved ones surrounding the implications of large gatherings, stand your ground. Encourage the people around you to put their personal interests aside, for the betterment of our community. It certainly isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.

Tea Time with Tagwa

VCU hasn’t done enough to prevent hazing TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor Tea timers, it’s been more than a month since freshman Adam Oakes was found dead at a West Clay Street house after attending a Delta Chi rush event. As of Wednesday, 46 days have passed.

In VCU’s Greek life organizations, nothing has changed.

Immediately following Oakes’ death, hazing in fraternities and sororities became the forefront of all conversation on campus. The community eagerly waited for VCU’s response to the tragedy. Many of us stood alongside Oakes’ family and demanded change.

As a member of Greek life here at VCU, I’ve been able to see up close what the university has done — or not done — to combat hazing. So far, there’s only been a mandatory anti-hazing seminar. Nothing else was applied to Greek life.

The virtual seminar defined hazing and discussed safe drinking practices.

While the seminar was beneficial in theory, I can promise you most students were not paying attention.

The unfortunate reality is that this is the culture of most Greek life. Not just on campus, but around the country. Getting “white girl wasted” and not remembering the night is considered an achievement, rather than a danger to your body.

Of course, each Greek council is different and holds its own set of values. But it’s clear that some councils don’t receive the same rate of punishment from VCU as others do.

Delta Chi is a prime example of this. The fraternity was never supposed to be back on campus. They had broken an obscene amount of VCU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life rules, according to reporting from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. From a ceaseand-desist order in 2018 to premature membership offers and unapproved parties, Delta Chi has never truly faced the consequences of its actions.

Despite Oakes’ death happening at one of its events, the fraternity has yet to meet its end. The VCU chapter of Delta Chi hasn’t even been expelled from campus, just suspended.

VCU is more concerned with covering its own back than actually regulating student safety.

Oakes’ death should’ve been a wake-up call to the university. It should have ignited a desire to protect students from any potential danger. It should have served as an opportunity to change the culture. Instead, it was simply an inconvenience to our administration.

Becoming a member of Greek life is meant to be an entrance into a community. It is meeting people with similar interests and a desire to cultivate a family. Oakes didn’t get a family.

He didn’t get brothers who cared about him. He got a bunch of brutish boys brainwashed into believing that hazing Oakes showcased their strength and power.

VCU has allowed this culture to continue. We haven’t had a conversation about this unfortunate incident as a Greek community. How can we move on from something that we never even spoke about?

Greek life will always carry just as many negative connotations compared to those that are positive.

However, it is our institution’s responsibility to protect us from harm that may be instilled in this culture. Just because some-

thing is the way that it is, doesn’t mean it’s okay; and it definitely doesn’t mean it has to stay like that. And that’s the tea.

Illustration by Karly Andersen

Wed. April 14, 2021 11

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

Tuesday Trends by Audrey Garrett

MANAGING EDITOR Iman Mekonen mekonenib@commonwealthtimes.org COPY EDITOR Rachel Rivenbark rivenbarkrs@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Katharine DeRosa news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Ebonique Little spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Enza Marcy photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Sarah Elson elsonsp@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Lauren Johnson illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Joe Dodson, Sports

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com

No motivation, no problem by Sarah Brady

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jayce Nguyen Ni Sang Raymond Liu Gabrielle Wood designers@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kofi Roberts advertising@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE John Rudolph rudolphjd@vcu.edu WEB MANAGER Chranjitpandian Murugapandi web@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tibebe Gebiso distribution@vcustudentmedia.com TEMPORARY EDITORIAL ADVISER Mark Robinson robinsonmw@vcu.edu

Back to Bed Bug by Carleigh Ross

CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dominique Lee leeds3@vcu.edu (804) 827-1642 OFFICE MANAGER Owen Martin martinso@vcu.edu

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969.

The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Tagwa Shammet, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times.

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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.

12 The Commonwealth Times

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36 Like Joel Goodson’s bridge 107 Part116 of A.D. 26 Helped plan a job, 42 Near-perfect Tennis umpire’s agent played by Esther 87 1994 Peace business,feat in a 1983 108 Liquid transfer order after odd- maybe Matthew Gray 83 24-hr. co-Nobelist film 46 South American device numbered games conveniences 29 Penny attachment Gubler 88 Way off 37 Respectful greeting 110 More than cityNCO 84 U.S. govt. shocker ... simmer and a hint to33 theD-Day 37French Marines 89 Flower named for 39 Egg cells broadcaster 113 Did a flower 35 “The 38 LionDouble King” lion 52 Affect its color and shape two garden sets of circled agent 40 Fits to 86 Ballpark Minds” 53__Live for evil, say? task 91 figs.

In pieces letters in each 36 of “CriminalAldrich agent41 played by flier 87 199493 42 Near-perfect Peace 55 Backbridge 116 Tennis umpire’s Flip-flop eight answers Coastal Matthew Gray dairy drink co-Nobelist feat 56 Half a fly order after odd96 Proverbial bone 118 Ingratiate 43 Delhi Gubler 46 South57American 88 Way off breakers gamesthat Daisylike bloom numbered 119 Holiday 44 Feeler shocker for ... and a marks hint to the end37 58 __ school 98named Manners of Marines 45 NCO Author Rita __89 Flower 38 Double agent 52 Affect60 Dialogue-stoppingtwo sets Ramadan its color shapesegment of circled 99 and Olympics Brown 53 Live for evil, say? letters each of wear Aldrich button?

100 Maryland’s Fort __ 120in Highland 47 Irish nationalist91 In pieces 55 Back61 “All That Jazz” 93 Flip-flop eight answers 101 Court command 121 Cold shower? 41 Coastal flier Robert 43 Delhi48 dairy drink in some 56 Half a flydirector 96 Proverbial bone alignment 118 Ingratiate 103 Wheel 122 Catering supply Symbols 44 Feeler pop group names breakers 57 Daisylike bloom 63 Fire remnant 119 Holiday 104 __ oil 123 that Some “ER” roles 45 Author __ 58 __ school 98 Manners end of runners 66 Piano’s soft pedal,marks 105 Page-bottom abbr.

124the Toy with 49Rita Blow 60 Dialogue-stopping segment Ramadan for one 107 Sleek, for short 125 Father-and-son Brown 50 Perfume name99 Olympics 47 Irish nationalist button?

100 Maryland’s Fort __ of Tiger 120 Highlandactors wear 68 Future educator’s 109 PGA rival 51 Bad look Robert 61 “All That goal Jazz” command 121 Cold shower?

111 Brainstorm 54 Artist El __ 101 Court 48 Symbols in Hard someRoad103 director 122 Catering DOWN supply 72 Wrap in a bandage 112alignment D-Day craft 57 “A to Wheel pop group names 63 Fire remnant 123 Some 1“ER” roles 73 Tennis star Osaka 114 Chewie’s pal “Copacabana” Glory” author104 __ oil 49 Blow 66 Piano’s soft pedal, 105 Page-bottom abbr. Abbr.

124 Toy with runners 74 Brings (out) showgirl 59 Asmara is its capital 115 Drill wielder: 50 Perfume namestout 107 Sleek, for one short “that” 75 Bakery buy 125 Father-and-son 117forSpanish 2 Bad day for Caesar 61 Make 51 Bad look 68 Future educator’s 109 PGA rival of Tiger actors Level 1 2 54 3Artist4 El __ goal 111 Brainstorm 57 “A Hard Road to 72 Wrap in a bandage 112 D-Day craft DOWN Glory” author 73 Tennis star Osaka 114 Chewie’s pal 1 “Copacabana” 59 Asmara is its capital 115 Drill wielder: Abbr.

74 Brings (out) showgirl 75 Bakery buy 117 Spanish “that” 2 Bad day for Caesar 61 Make stout

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

FOUR OF A KIND

Contact LoDominique s An g eLee le @ s leeds3@vcu.edu Tim e s

Sunda y Cr o s s w o r d Pu zzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Four Of A Kind by Paul Coulter

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Sudoku

By The Mepham 1 2 Group 3 4 Level DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

3

4

Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) containsSolution to Monday’s puzzle every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

1/15/19 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

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sudoku.org.uk

© 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

4/14/21

Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies Contact Dominique Lee @ leeds3@vcu.edu on how to solve Sudoku, visit Sponsored by

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© 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.