The Commonwealth Times; April 10, 2024

Teach our history’:

Students, faculty protest Youngkin racial literacy course reviews

ANDREW KERLEY Audience Editor

VCU’s NAACP chapter was joined by University of Richmond and Henrico chapters and legislators representing Richmond on Saturday, April 6, to “say no to Governor Youngkin’s interference in our history and education,” their poster reads.

Youngkin’s Ssecretary of Eeducation

Aimee Guidera requested in February to view syllabi for 11 courses teaching VCU’s repeatedly delayed racial literacy core curriculum requirement, a move faculty called “unprecedented,” according to a previous report by Capital News Service.

If the requirement is implemented, every student will need to take a course focusing on systematic racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. Two racial literacy courses are already being taught, but are not required, being CSIJ 200: Introduction to Race and Racism in the United States and AMST 216: Reading Race.

Youngkin’s spokesperson Christian Martinez said the administration took notice of the issue after hearing concerns from parents, students and members of the Board of Visitors. He called the curriculum mandate a “thinly veiled attempt to incorporate the progressive left’s groupthink on Virginia’s students,” in a statement released to several news organizations.

The fate of the racial literacy requirement is unclear. The courses are currently undergoing an approval process that won’t be finalized until August, according to the provost. The courses will meet the number of faculty needed to teach them in order to be implemented.

The majority of the VCU BOV will be Youngkin appointees by August. The Board approves faculty appointments, tenure decisions and curriculum changes. They also make recommendations to retain “academic quality,” according to their bylaws.

Students and faculty marched from the office of the provost — which complied with Youngkin’s requests — to the Virginia Executive Mansion chanting, “No erasure, no disguise! Teach the truth, open eyes!” and “Black books matter!” Students held signs that read “Teach our history” and “Forget Fotis, not racial literacy.”

Ana Edwards, an African American Studies professor teaching one of the not-yet-required racial literacy courses, marched alongside students down Franklin Street. She said Provost Fotis Sotiropuolous’ complacency with Youngkin’s intimidation shows a lack of commitment to the requirement.

“For many people, the purpose of higher education remains serving the status quo,” Edwards said. “Every generation of you that comes along is challenging that.”

Higher education is not just about training to get a job, but about “opening portals to power,” Edwards said.

“When we stand here, and we say ‘forget Fotis, not racial literacy’ and we talk about Governor Youngkin trying to keep back two-thirds of our history, demanding democracy for all, where is our academic freedom?” Edwards said. See

Anesia Lawson, vice president of VCU’s NAACP chapter, marches down Franklin Street on Saturday, April 6. Photo by Andrew Kerley. Collage by Olivia McCabe.

VCU and University of Richmond students pose in front of the Capitol Square Bell Tower.

(Top of page) Students and Richmonders march around Capitol Square.

Photos by Andrew Kerley.

Stories of the week

national: A total solar eclipse darkened skies across the country on Monday, April 8 — the last time to see one in the U.S. until 2044.

Israeli forces withdraw from southern Gaza on Sunday, April 7.

Chili’s is closing, whats next?

ELENA GUTOWSKI Contributing Writer

Chili’s Bar & Grill on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus is closing its doors on May 10 after 16 years of operation, according to the VCU Dine website.

“Chili’s will be closing on May 10th. Thank you for your support over the past 16 years. It has been a pleasure serving you,” stated the VCU Dine website.

Chili’s Bar & Grill is the first fullservice restaurant at VCU. The restaurant serves fresh mex creations, baby back ribs and sirloin steaks in a casual atmosphere, according to the VCU Dine website.

The restaurant first opened its doors on Sept. 17, 2008, after the $43.7 million construction of Cary & Belvidere Residential College, the final building completing Phase I of the Monroe Park Campus Addition, according to a 2008 VCU News article. The new residential building was set to feature a Chili’s restaurant, Starbucks coffee store, and Cary Street Market and Deli on the first

PROTEST

Continued from front page

Anesia Lawson, a third-year political science student and vice president of NAACP at VCU, said the racial literacy courses are vital for students’ understanding of the racist systems deeply ingrained into America.

“They don’t want us to learn about this,” Lawson said. “With that education, comes the downfall of all of the other systems that oppress people in America.”

Shawn Utsey, the chair of VCU’s African American Studies Department, said VCU is exhibiting a pattern, between stealing Black bodies for dissection in the 1800s, building a parking lot on top of an African burying ground and stealing

floor, according to the same article.

Both the Starbucks and Cary Street Market and Deli have since closed, with the Market and Deli being replaced by AVO, according to a 2021 VCU News article. Chili’s will be the last original Cary & Belvidere eatery to close permanently.

Despite the closure of Chili’s in the same building, there are no plans to close AVO Kitchen at this time, VCU Dining Services’ communications specialist, Anna Obermiller, confirmed in an email statement to the Commonwealth Times.

Obermiller stated in the email the plan to move VCU Catering into the Chili’s space is not finalized.

“We are looking at options that take into consideration annual sales, transaction counts, and where space is needed to provide service where the majority of the students are eating their meals,” Obermiller stated.

When asked if there are any plans for new offerings or enhancements for the Shafer Court Dining Center in light of this change, Obermiller confirmed an

expansion of culinary options, including Chili’s-inspired cuisine.

“Based on a survey sent to Chili’s customers, we are going to feature Chili’sinspired food at Shafer,” Obermiller stated.

Additionally, a plant-based food station is in the works which will expand the vegan and vegetarian options at Shafer, Obermiller stated. The station will offer a variety of raw and roasted seasonal vegetables, legumes, whole grains and meat alternatives. VCU Dine will also include a daily vegan entrée special.

Obermiller said the station would help “provide us with the outlet to meet the ever-changing needs of students.”

More enhancements are also being tested like more in-house made desserts and pizza dough and pasta made from scratch.

Mmad Dembele, a fourth-year student double majoring in forensic science and chemistry, said Chili’s is well-known on campus. They said the restaurant’s location is inconvenient for student traffic and there are more options closer to the core of campus.

“I feel that the Chili’s has been a staple even though it’s kind of out of the way,” said Dembele. “All the other food is right by the library and the freshman dorms, and then the upperclassmen dorms have stuff all around it, including the Panda Express which sees a lot of traffic. So, I don’t really think that it had a chance to begin with.”

Syed Rizvi, a fourth-year student majoring in public relations, expressed sympathy for Chili’s employees and loyal diners.

“I feel bad for all the workers and all the people that are directly impacted by it, and probably also the avid customers and loyalties,” Rizvi said.

Rizvi also proposed ideas for the vacant space in the Shafer Court Dining Center, including healthier food options on campus, he said.

“I wish there was a bit more of an assortment or a variety of food. Something a bit, personally, healthy. There’s a lot of fast food options here,” Rizvi said.

Bruce Tucker’s heart to conduct the world’s first open heart transplant — all of which received backlash from students and community members.

“We have to hold VCU accountable because they are benefitting from the diversity of the student body by saying ‘we are a minority serving institution,’ and that avails them to other kinds of resources,” Utsey said.

Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Sen. Lamont Bagby, Del. Rae Cousins and Del. Michael Jones, all Democrats representing Richmond, joined students in a rally after the march.

In a speech under the Capitol Square Bell Tower, Bagby decried Youngkin’s “intimidation” on Virginia’s institutions.

Before requesting to view VCU course syllabi, Youngkin requested to view syllabi for George Mason University’s Just Societies requirement, according to a previous report by Capital News Service.

Youngkin’s chief diversity officer Martin Brown declared diversity, equity and inclusion to be “dead” in a speech at Virginia Military Institute in April 2023. Youngkin rejected claims from the U.S. Department of Education in October 2023 that Virginia’s historically Black universities were underfunded by $277 million for more than three decades, according to a report by Virginia Mercury.

When it comes to K-12, Youngkin signed an executive order on his first day in office to end the use of “critical race

theory.” He also attempted — and failed — to implement new history standards that downplayed the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing effects of slavery, according to a report by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“At a time where he has to negotiate with Black folk, and Louise Lucas, and Don Scott and Luke Torian, he is going to the institutions and challenging our history being taught in our schools,” Bagby said in his speech.

Bagby assured the crowd that the Black Caucus would push back against Youngkin’s pressure, and encouraged BOV members to support the requirement.

“We’re protecting that history for the future,” Bagby said.

VCU Chili’s location is closing on May 10. VCU Dine plans to feature Chili’s-style food at Shafer Court Dining Center in the future. Photo by Arrick Wilson.

VCU announces new residence hall amidst increased housing demand

ABDULLAH KARABATEK Contributing Writer

KATIE FARTHING Managing Editor

VCU recently announced plans to open up housing on the 700 block of West Grace Street alongside the Facilities and Financial Services Building, according to the VCU Master Plan website.

The project, which is still in the “preplanning phase of study,” will replace the 518 beds in Johnson Hall which closed in fall 2022 and provide “additional beds to meet increased demand,” according to the website. The building is planned for the second biennium of the “Six-Year Capital Plan” between 2026 and 2028.

The website states on-campus housing benefits students academically, citing a four-percent increase in on-campus students’ returning rate during the 20222023 academic year.

Michael Porter, the associate vice president of public relations, said the decision to build a new dormitory is “a positive step towards accommodating the growing student population.”

The new facility will have the capacity to house 1,000 to 1,250 people, potentially easing the strain on existing housing resources, according to Porter.

Ashley Brown, vice president of VCU’s NAACP chapter, said the new building is insufficient to resolve the

housing crisis, and she doesn’t want the university to use it as a “crutch.”

“That’s kind of like a Band-Aid to the situation. That’s not a permanent solution because that’s just going to house 1,500 students,” Brown said.

Brown said the university has failed to inform students about the housing situation.

“So it’s from VCU’s side, if they tell the truth about housing, it might deter students from coming in, which is less money for VCU,” Brown said.

Ziad Heikal, a first-year finance major, is currently on the waitlist for on-campus housing next semester after missing his application time slot. He said he feels there is a lack of on-campus housing spots available for the amount of students applying.

“What I mean by that is they’re not really being smart with how many kids are taking rooms,” Heikal said.

VCU supplied sufficient information to applying students but they were unprepared for the amount of applicants, according to Heikal.

“I think they did a really bad job about that because I know VCU always has an issue with housing,” Heikal said.

Heikal said he would prefer to live offcampus because of the “insecurity” that comes with finding on-campus housing.

“If I’m paying my own rent that’s fine,” Heikal said. “If I’m promised something and I don’t know for sure if I’m going to get it — that’s kind of the part I don’t like when it comes to on-campus housing.”

Fourth-year student Komal Rizvi lived in GRC her first year but has lived off campus since. She said most of the first-year dorms are older and could use an “upgrade” and that a new residence hall would be helpful.

Rizvi said many universities tend to admit too many students and leave them with few housing options.

“They need to do something about that,” Rizvi said. “A new building would fix that.”

Upperclassmen don’t always prefer to stay on campus, according to Rizvi.

“They should have the option to if they want to,” Rizvi said. “If they don’t have that, then, that’s not good.”

The sentiments expressed by VCU residents, such as Heikal, highlight the urgent need for more housing options on campus.

Heikal also emphasized the necessity of the new dormitory, indicating the growing demand for affordable and accessible housing among VCU students.

While the new expansion may provide relief for some, it does not address the root causes of the housing crisis or ensure equitable access to housing for all students.

Heikal said even though the new building will provide relief, it will not address the root cause of the housing crisis. Which is?

Similarly, concerns raised by VCU’s NAACP chapter vice president, Ashley Brown, underscore the university’s failure to inform students about the current

housing situation. Brown’s call for “more action” emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address the housing crisis and ensure that students are aware of available resources.

Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge that the housing crisis at VCU is a symptom of broader systemic issues, including rising rental prices and limited affordable housing options. For years, the university’s focus on expansion and development has displaced long-term residents and exacerbated gentrification in surrounding neighborhoods. Addressing the housing crisis requires a comprehensive approach that tackles these underlying issues and prioritizes the needs of students facing housing insecurity.

In conclusion, while the announcement of plans to construct a new dormitory may offer some relief, it is clear that it is not a sufficient solution to VCU’s housing challenges. The university must take decisive action to address the root causes of the crisis and ensure that all students have access to safe, affordable, and accessible housing. This will require collaboration among university administrators, community stakeholders and students to advocate for meaningful change and create a better future for housing at VCU.

VCU is planning to house an additional 1,000 students in a new residence hall on Grace Street. Photo by Arrick Wilson.

VCU’s pedestrian safety campaign one year later

HARSHINI KANALA Contributing Writer

Following the deaths of two VCU students in traffic accidents in the past two years, the VCU police department responded with a campaign to promote pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety in 2023.

The campaign works to achieve these goals by deploying more officers in assumed high-risk areas and tightening rules regarding parking, speeding and running lights, according to the VCU Police Department in an email sent to the Commonwealth Times.

The police department strived to come up with “creative solutions” to

appeal to students and has highlighted certain safety protocols for different types of vehicles, pedestrians and traffic that inhibit the Richmond city roads, according to VCU News.

The initiative continues to be a priority this school year as VCU Police aim to maintain good and constant communication with pedestrians and road traffic alike and try to educate the public, as stated by the department in an email sent to the Commonwealth Times.

The department issued 1,076 traffic citations and 1,576 parking tickets in 2023. This year the statistics are much higher with 335 citations and 605 parking tickets between January and

March, as stated by VCU Police.

While VCUPD claims this initiative has been one of their biggest priorities so far, some students interviewed said they believe it normal for city roads to be unsafe and don’t necessarily take issue with its “dangers.”

Matthew Smith, a first-year art student, said downtown being unsafe is expected. “I know how to navigate the roads and it seems to be worse in other cities,” Smith said.

Tommy Smith, a first-year photography student, said “It’s just how downtown is, there isn’t anything practical that could really be done in my opinion, unless we’re talking about

making major infrastructural changes.”

Rhand Abdelhalim, a first-year art student, feels the experience is “okay” and most people are “sane drivers.”

“I don’t observe any actions being taken with student safety — if you have architecture that is fostered towards pedestrians, then it’s expected that the city should be more walkable and catered towards pedestrians rather than vehicles,” Abdelhalim said.

Avani Abhyankar, a first-year chemistry student at VCU said, “What drivers need is empathy, one must understand that some parts of Richmond are a college campus before they are city roads.”

VCU Police has been working to improve pedestrian safety for the past year, but some students said city roads are naturally unsafe. Photos by Arrick Wilson.

Stat of the week

From Iceland to Richmond: VCU track and field athlete makes her way to the NCAA

BERSABEH KEMAW Staff Writer

Gudrun Hallgrimsdottir, an Iceland native, came to VCU in 2021 from Hvanneyri, Iceland to continue her athletic journey at a Division I school as a hammer thrower in track and field.

Hallgrimsdottir participated in almost every sport she could growing up before finding her passion in hammer throwing, according to Hallgrimsdottir.

“Before I went to high school, I started training with a coach in Reykjavík,” Hallgrimsdottir said. “I used to go there a couple of times a week and started trying out hammer and really enjoyed it.”

Her career in track and field began as something she had fun with because she wasn’t sure how far she could go with it, Hallgrimsdottir said.

She didn’t think much about pursuing an athletic career in hammer throwing in the United States until a man from Scholar Book, a recruiting service in Germany, reached out during her last semester of high school and asked her if she was interested in coming to the U.S., according to Hallgrimsdottir.

because assistant coach Ethan Tussing was genuine and had techniques she connected with, Hallgrimsdottir said.

“His way of doing things and training, and what he wants and how he wants to do stuff, was very similar and sounded good to me,” Hallgrimsdottir said.

Hallgrimsdottir’s journey here at VCU has been one of continuous growth, according to Tussing, the men’s and women’s assistant throwing coach.

“She came in as someone who just knew how to move a hammer,” Tussing said. “Our freshman year, we made a lot of progress at that, and sophomore year we were still sort of working on that.”

Towards the end of Hallgrimsdottir’s sophomore year, she was an all-American for the first time but there was still room for improvement, according to Tussing.

Tussing said they had a conversation about how she was 50th in the country but she could still work on things like foot positioning and strength, leading to the question of, “What could she achieve if she was good in those areas?”

Tussing and Hallgrimsdottir began working together in the fall of 2023 to improve her areas of weakness to help

Hallgrimsdottir set the VCU hammer throw record in 2023 and was the 2023 Atlantic 10 champion, according to VCU Athletics.

She has set yet another VCU record in 2024, but is the best in the Atlantic 10 and is ranked number two in the NCAA in the hammer toss, according to Atlantic 10.

Hallgrimsdottir said she feels very happy about her accomplishments and also surprised.

“I’m just excited to see how far we can take it,” Hallgrimsdottir said. “Hopefully we can set up a good season for the postseason, get to nationals and as high on that podium as we can.”

Hallgrimsdottir is able to perform and achieve at a high level because of her training, but what separates her from the rest is her ability to communicate effectively, according to Tussing.

“She excels as a communicator,” Tussing said. “It makes my job really easy in order to figure out where she is and where we want to go.”

She’s also very competitive and has confidence in herself, according to Hallgrimsdottir.

“I like being good at things, I don’t like when I can’t do something,” Hallgrimsdottir said. “I found something that I’m good at and have a coach and people around me that want to get there with me and believe in me.”

Although adjusting to the States was challenging for Hallgrimsdottir because of the differences between Iceland and the U.S., she is enjoying her time and making the most of it, according to Hallgrimsdottir.

“The system here with sports, it’s a lot bigger than Iceland and a lot more people to compete with,” Hallgrimsdottir said. “But it’s been really good and going so much better than I could’ve ever thought or hoped for.”

VCU redshirt first-year track athlete Halie Wynter threw a seasonbest 51.21 meters to take home bronze in the hammer throw event at the Dalton Ebanks Invitational, according to VCU Athletics.

Illustration by Daisy Nguyen.

VCU Rams outswing the Davidson Wildcats

The VCU Rams swept the Davidson Wildcats in a three-game series. The black and gold advance to 22-10 and extend to a five-game winning streak.

Game 1

The Rams beat the Wildcats 10-8 on Friday, April 5.

Davidson started off hot, scoring two runs in the first inning when Davidson’s fourth-year right fielder Tyler Douglas hit a single that turned into two RBIs, according to StatBroadcast.

VCU answered in the bottom of the first when VCU redshirt third-year second baseman Griffin Boone ran home after a base hit from VCU second-year center fielder Aden Hill, according to StatBroadcast.

The Rams took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the second with a home run from VCU fourth-year shortstop William Bean and a run from VCU redshirt fourthyear catcher Nic Ericsson, according to StatBroadcast.

Davidson took the lead back in the top of the third inning with a two-RBI single from Davidson’s second-year third baseman Michael O’Shaughnessy, according to StatBroadcast.

Davidson led for two more innings, leading the Rams by as much as 8-6, according to StatBroadcast.

The Rams tied the game at eight in the

Anderson Fulk, according to StatBroadcast.

Game 2

VCU beat Davidson in a late-game comeback 7-4, on Saturday, April 6, which kept hope of a sweep alive.

“We didn’t have a great offensive day,” said VCU fourth-year third baseman Brandon Eike. “That just puts confidence in us that we can beat anybody even on one of our bad days.”

Davidson started the scoring in the top of the first when Davidson’s third-year catcher, Jacob Friend, hit a line-drive double into center field, which brought Davidson’s redshirt third-year utility player Noah Jouras home.

Later in the first inning, VCU fourthyear pitcher Christian Gordan made a throwing error that allowed Douglas’s single to advance Friend to home plate.

Eli Putnam into center field bringing Davidson’s fourth-year shortstop Nick Calero and fourth-year second baseman Jake Wilhoit home.

Putnam’s hit brought Davidson their last points of the game and forced VCU to change pitchers. VCU’s Gordan ended his day with five allowed hits and four allowed runs.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ericsson ran home to bring the Rams within two runs after Eike hit a double into right-center field.

Davidson sat comfortably with a 4-2 lead until the bottom of the eighth inning, the black and gold stormed back into the game taking advantage of a Davidson defensive collapse. The Davidson defense allowed five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning including two from walks.

April 7 in a defensive-sided matchup to complete their three-game sweep.

With VCU’s sweep, the Rams sit atop the Atlantic 10 conference and move to 5-1 in the A-10, according to the A-10.

bottom of the sixth with two back-to-back RBI singles from VCU redshirt third-year designated hitter Jake Thilges and Bean, according to StatBroadcast.

The score stayed tied at eight until the bottom of the ninth inning when VCU took the final lead with a two-run walk-off home run from VCU third-year right fielder

Davidson led VCU at the end of the first inning 2-0.

The Rams broke their two-inning scoring drought and cut the lead to one with a home run into right-center field from Fulk.

Davidson extended their lead 4-1 in the fourth inning through a single hit by Davidson third-year first baseman

In the eighth inning, Davidson thirdyear pitcher Issac Fix put five people on base off of walks and hit VCU graduate student left fielder Ethan Iannuzzi with a pitch.

Eike stepped up to the plate with the score tied at 4-4 and hit a three-run double that pushed VCU into a 7-4 lead, and their first lead of the game.

Iannuzzi later made the game-winning catch for the Rams on a pop-fly out.

Despite the poor offensive performance, VCU head coach Bradley LeCroy was proud of his team and ready to take the momentum into game three.

“Today for seven innings we didn’t really do too much,” LeCroy said. “The biggest thing is our guys showed some toughness and confidence. We’ll make adjustments and we’ll have a better plan tomorrow.”

Game 3

VCU beat Davidson 6-1 on Sunday,

Today for seven innings we didn’t really do too much. The biggest thing is our guys showed some toughness and confidence. We’ll make adjustments and we’ll have a better plan tomorrow.”

Bradley LeCroy VCU head coach

The score remained at 0-0 for five innings until Hill hit a single RBI that sent Boone to home plate, according to StatBroadcast.

VCU dominated the score for the next three innings, going up 6-0 headed into the top of the ninth.

The ninth inning brought Davidson’s first and only run of the evening. Putnam hit a ground out to third base which allowed Jouras to run home, according to StatBroadcast.

The Rams’ next series will be at St. Bonaventure against the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies on Friday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m, Saturday, April 13 at 12:00 p.m and Sunday, April 14 at 12:00 p.m.

MARCUS LEARY Contributing Writer

VCU celebrates a homer by VCU third-year right fielder Anderson Fulk. The Rams defeated the Davidson College Wildcats in a three-game series. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.

VCU fourth-year pitcher Christian Gordon throws a pitch against Davidson.

VCU redshirt fourth-year catcher Nic Ericsson at the plate. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.

VCU men’s tennis defeats Liberty, wins four straight singles matches

ANDREW MCGHAN

Contributing Writer

KYLER GLLIAM

Contributing Writer

The International Tennis Association’s No. 39 VCU men’s tennis faced off against the No. 45 Liberty University Flames on Friday, April 5, where the Rams defeated the Flames 4-1.

VCU head coach Anthony Rossi said his message to the team was to go out and win Friday’s game to continue building upon the team’s growing confidence as they head into their upcoming conference games.

“To just get after it and just win it to try to get some momentum before the conference,” Rossi said.

VCU fourth-year tennis player Matisse Bobichon and third-year tennis player Gray Voelzke faced off against Liberty first-year tennis players Romeo Hadzimehmedovic and Matija Samardzic, according to Statbroadcast. Hadzimehmedovic and Samardzic won the set 6-2 in the first doubles match to conclude.

The Flames clinched the doubles point in the second doubles match to conclude, which saw Liberty fourth-year tennis player Rafael Marques Da Silva and redshirt fourth-year tennis player Thando LongweSmit defeat VCU second-year tennis player Romain Gales and first-year tennis player Hamza El Amine 6-3, according to Statbroadcast.

The third match was called off due to Liberty clinching the doubles point. The match between VCU third-year tennis players Oscar Pinto Sansano and German Samofalov versus Liberty fourth-year tennis player Deji Thomas-Smith and second-year tennis player Luis Felipe Miguel was tied 4-4 before being concluded early.

The Flames were up 1-0 in the overall score before entering the singles matches. Losing the doubles point has been a constant theme in recent matches, Rossi said.

“That has been the story a little bit the last few matches,” Rossi said. “I think we just need to get back at it, get back to work and that’s it.”

Kicking off the singles matches, VCU’s Gales defeated Liberty’s Longwe-Smit in the first match to conclude by winning the first set 6-4 and winning the second set 6-3 to claim the Rams’ first point of the match, according to Statbroadcast.

VCU’s Bobichon faced off against Liberty’s Miguel in the second match to conclude. Bobichon defeated Miguel in the first set 6-1 and 7-6 in the second set.

This victory gave VCU its second singles point of the match, giving the Rams the lead with the overall score being 2-1.

VCU third-year tennis player Mathis Bondaz defeated Liberty’s Marques Da Silva by winning the first set 6-3 and winning the second set 6-4, according to Statbroadcast. Bondaz’s win added to the Rams’ overall score making it 3-1.

Coming into the game Bondaz was notified that he would only play his single match, according to Bondaz. “I knew just before the game that I will only play single,” Bondaz said. “I knew it will be important to win my point, my single point, so I just tried my best to focus

one point at a time and I did it well.”

VCU’s Pinto Sansano secured the win for the Rams by defeating Liberty’s Thomas-Smith by winning the first set in a nail-biting finish of 7-5 and winning the second set 6-3, according to Statbroadcast.

The singles matches of VCU’s El Amine versus Liberty first-year Rodrigo Santiago Arraez and VCU’s Samofalov versus Robinson concluded early due to VCU reaching four points first. The final score of the game was a 4-1 Rams victory.

Winning four straight singles matches against a strong opponent like Liberty was a confidence booster for VCU, Bobichon said.

“I think our strong points is the singles definitely,” Bobichon said. “It’s a really good team, Liberty, they had a really good season so far.” The

VCU men’s tennis defeats the Liberty University Flames 4-1 to increase their winning streak to four. Photos by Andrew Hill.

Biles returns back and better

GAME RESULTS

APRIL 2

BASEBALL AT WILLIAM & MARY WON 9-5

JENNY ALLEN

Contributing writer

The seven-time Olympic medal-winning United States gymnast Simone Biles took millions by surprise when she withdrew from the individual all-around event finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Biles announced after she stepped down that she needed to take time to focus on herself and her mental health.

Biles claimed to get a case of the twisties, which is a severe mental block, specifically in gymnastics. It causes the gymnast’s mind to feel disconnected from their body and inhibits certain skills from being executed. This is something Biles has suffered with before and had to overcome, according to the Olympics.

“We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day, we’re human, too,” Biles said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Biles made it clear to everyone that focusing on your health is more important than competing and isn’t worth letting your team down.

“I didn’t want the team to risk a medal because of my screw-up,” Biles said during a press conference, according to Time.

Even though Biles was putting herself and her team first, she received harsh criticism all over social media.

Biles was called a quitter by thousands of

fans, and even referred to as a shame to the country, according to a video on the social platform X, previously known as Twitter.

“For anyone saying I quit, I didn’t quit,” Biles commented on Instagram, according to Sporting News.

During her self-recovery time, Biles got married to her fiance, Jonathan Owens, then later found herself ready to be back in the gym. Biles competed in the 2023 U.S. Classic, making it her first competition in two years, according to Sports Illustrated.

Even with nerves and jitters at her first competition back, Biles won by five points, proving to all her fans she isn’t a quitter and that the time away has only benefited her and her career, according to The Guardian.

For the years that Biles has competed on the Olympic team, she has been expected to lead the U.S gymnastics team to a gold medal. With her return and perseverance, that expectation has returned once again.

The U.S. team has won the gold medal for the past three summer Olympics and they hope to win again this year in Paris.

Biles has recorded the three highest allaround scores in 2023 and has reclaimed her title as the best in the world, according to The Guardian.

Thousands have seen Biles as the world’s best gymnast since she was 16 years old and brought home her first gold medal.

This reputation as the world’s best has only seemed to grow after her case of the twisties.

Since Biles’ first Olympic appearance in Rio at 19 years old, she has been a top competitor and teammate. It can only be expected that a mental break is needed after competing at the highest level for so many years.

As a team leader, GOAT and record holder, expectations are beyond high, adding stress to competitions and execution.

So much pressure can have major effects not only on performance, but also mentally. Prioritizing your mental health is key in order to keep succeeding. Having a good and stable mentality will only benefit your physical health.

Mental and physical health are connected in all aspects. If your mental health is struggling, your physical health will follow, which is why allowing time away to focus on your mental health should always be acceptable.

Biles has individually won 30 world medals, with 23 of those being world gold medals, which is the most ever in gymnastic history, according to USA Gymnastics.

Not only do Biles’ stats prove she is the leader of the U.S. team, but she is also the best worldwide.

Having the ability to be open about focusing on mental health and taking time for yourself is something that can be harder than expected.

APRIL 3

WOMEN’S LACROSSE AT VIRGINIA LOST 16-18

APRIL 5

WOMEN’S TENNIS AT JAMES MADISON WON 4-3

MEN’S TENNIS VS LIBERTY WON 4-1

BASEBALL VS DAVIDSON WON 10-8

APRIL 6

BASEBALL VS DAVIDSON WON 7-4

MEN’S TENNIS VS SAINT JOSEPH’S WON 7-0

APRIL 7

WOMEN’S TENNIS AT ELON WON 5-2

BASEBALL VS DAVIDSON WON 6-1

Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.

On this day

Band represents Virginian music, brings a ‘unique’ concert

BRI STEVENS Contributing Writer

When Jon Tyler Wiley’s Virginia-based band first started performing, their genre was an enigma, dubbing the band as “the country band who doesn’t play country music,” said Jon Tyler Wiley, the band’s lead singer and guitarist.

The band, known as Jon Tyler Wiley and His Virginia Choir, is from Fredericksburg and includes Wiley, Brian “Piper” Barbre, Joanna Smith, Sean Mahon and Lonnie Southall, according to jontylerwiley.com. The band recently released an album called “Pictures in the Dark” and are coming to Richmond for their tour, according to bandsintown.com.

The “One Night Only Songwriter’s Round,” hosted by Wiley, will be in Richmond on April 18 at The Reveler in Carytown at 7:30 p.m. It will feature artists including Frank Solivan, Karen Jonas and Justin Trawick, according to the Reveler’s website.

The entire band will perform at In Your Ear Studios on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., according to Eventbrite.

The “One Night Only Songwriter’s Round” is a repeating show as a part of the tour, according to Wiley. The writer’s round works a little like artists playing catch — everyone takes turns talking about their songs and then playing them.

“It was never intended to be a repeating show,” Wiley said. “A repeating show called ‘One Night Only,’ irony aside, we do things

They have a fortune-style wheel that dictates the topic of each round, according to Wiley.

“I’ll spin the wheel and it will come to, say, a broken heart emoji, then it’s time for a sad song,” Wiley said. “It could be a breakup song or a tragic story.”

He likes to integrate a sense of chance into the show, which makes it more spontaneous and hard to prepare for, Wiley said.

“With that spontaneity, everyone ends up being a little more genuine,” Wiley said.

Virginia isn’t known as a music hub state, but there are a variety of different genres that are prominent in the area, including bluegrass, country, R&B and punk rock, according to Wiley.

“I wanted to represent all these different facets of Virginia music,” Wiley said. “Even on our newest record, there’s some noisy rock and roll, but there’s also some moments where the violin turns into a fiddle.”

During the songwriting process, he comes up with the “bones” of a song, such as the lyrics, chords and melody — then he gives it to the band to tear it down and bring it back up again, Wiley said.

“Everybody gets to put a little bit of their DNA into the song,” Wiley said. “Everybody came into this band as playing with other songwriters and being told what to do. I love everybody having the chance to have creative freedom.”

This approach makes each song individual and creative, and is almost Abbey Road-inspired, Wiley said.

said. “He gets it. He gives us a lot of carte blanche. We get to make the record, then we show it to him. He helps us get the music out there.”

Wiley said many artists inspire him, including Bruce Springsteen, The Allman Brothers Band and The Beatles.

“Jason Isbell, he is probably my North Star artist right now,” Wiley said.

Joanna Smith, the bass player for Jon Tyler Wiley & HVC, said the new album has a unique sound.

“It’s hard to describe, it’s rock and roll music with a fiddle,” Smith said. “But it’s not just your basic chord progressions, he adds an extra bit of musicality to it.”

An inspiration for Smith is an artist based in Washington D.C. named Cat Janice, she said.

“Seeing her career blossom is very inspiring,” Smith said. “I was able to play with her for a couple of years prepandemic.”

“The Ending of the End” is her favorite song on the album because it is a good singalong song, Smith said.

Smith is excited to see how the new songs are received, she said.

“We’re always well received when we’re seen playing live,” Smith said. “So it’ll be fun to share it with everybody.”

Brian “Piper” Barbre is the drummer and vocalist for Jon Tyler Wiley & HVC and he also helps arrange and compose the music, he said.

He likes to make fun of Wiley for picking a band name that is 11 syllables regularly.”

When they previously played only for fun, the band used to call themselves Johnny Gator and the Trouble Trio, Barbre said.

“It started with the three of us playing on sidewalks busking on the weekends for fun and beer money,” Barbre said.

Most musicians are involved in more than one band, especially if they want to make a career out of music, Barbre said. He is involved in two bands other than Jon Tyler Wiley & HVC.

“One is called The Transmitters, it’s a rocksteady reggae band,” Barbre said. “Then the other one also has a long band name, it’s called Midnight Spaghetti & The Chocolate G-Strings.”

The Virginia music scene has significantly influenced his music, Barbre said.

“Part of it is the friends network that we’re a part of,” Barbre said. “It’s also the earworms that have been placed in my ear for the past 30-plus years. That kind of stuff just kind of comes out.”

The band’s recently released album, “Pictures in the Dark,” is very diverse in genres, Barbre said.

“One thing that is unique about this album is that it casts the net very broad and wide when it comes to genres. I tried to make it more melodically percussive overall,” Barbre said. “It’s very polished and intentional — it’s a grown-up record.”

As artificial intelligence starts writing more material, the music industry struggles, Barbre said.

“Support live music with the emphasis being on ‘live,’” Barbre said. “That would be my plea — if music touches your soul, and it doesn’t have to be my music, let those

In 1970, Paul McCartney announced his break from The Beatles.

Jon Tyler Wiley and His Virginia Choir is a band from Fredericksburg including Wiley, Brian ‘Piper’ Barbre, Joanna Smith, Sean Mahon and Lonnie Southall. Photo by Erin Wiley.

Various mediums of art human body at exhibition

JESSICA VIGIL

Contributing Writer

JOSHUA MIKLOS

Contributing Writer

Works of various mediums exploring nature and the human body were featured at Gallery5’s 19th-anniversary celebration, which showcased its new exhibition “Botanical Bodies,” according to the Gallery5 website.

The “Botanical Bodies” exhibition was curated by Gallery5 founder Amanda Robinson and freelance artist Brit Austin after they stumbled upon the idea during a casual conversation.

The event occurred alongside the RVA First Fridays event on Friday, April 5. RVA First Fridays, a Richmond tradition, is an art walk through Richmond’s Art District in which galleries, shops, restaurants and musicians bring the community together by displaying diverse forms of art, according to the Culture Works website.

Gallery5 has brand new exhibitions during each RVA First Friday, according to Robinson.

Gallery5 also invites local bands and other live artists to perform in their space every First Friday after 7 p.m., according to Robinson. Featured at the opening of “Botanical Bodies” were local Richmond bands Glowr, We Never and Sweet Potatoes.

The combination of musical art with visual art and community involvement is what makes up the full experience of Gallery5, Robinson said.

One of Gallery5’s core values is to incorporate many different mediums of art, especially within the graphic arts, Robinson said. On display as a part of “Botanical Bodies” were paintings, drawings, photo prints, sculptures, pyrographic designs and more. Many artists utilized multiple mediums in their pieces.

Gallery5 has worked to promote and uplift emerging artists for 19 years, Robinson said.

“When you’re working on creating an exhibition, you’re thinking about works that play off of each other, but also works that really embody the mission of the show,” Robinson said.

Robinson and Austin received nearly 600 individual art piece submissions from over 125 artists for the exhibition, Robinson

said. The duo aimed to create a theme that resonated with Richmond’s community.

“Richmond has a lot of amazing local artists, and supporting local artists is worth doing,” Austin said.

Through various forms of art, the “Botanical Bodies” exhibition demonstrates how the human body and the natural world intertwine, Austin said. The exhibition aims to reinforce the naturality of the human body in a world that idealizes unrealistic beauty standards.

“Whether it’s morbid, as the decay of the body, or it’s the celebration of the human form, I feel like we need to see more of that,” Robinson said.

Viewing the art is like “looking into a mirror,” Austin said.

Austin and Robinson also explained how space limitations and the mediums of art displayed go into the curation process.

“The color choices, the details, and the subject matter — even all those little things really play off one another because it tells a different story if you switch things up,” Austin said.

The purpose behind “Botanical Bodies” is to provide a space for the community to reflect on their individual perceptions of nature, Austin said.

“Richmond is a city that loves its plants and nature, but also loves its crumbly brick,” Austin said.

The exhibition offers a non-judgemental space for people to enjoy art while being immersed in the community, said Dev Temu, a Richmond local and event attendee.

Not only did the opening of “Botanical Bodies” bring together people from the Richmond area, but it attracted the larger Virginia community as well.

“A whole car-full of us drove out from Charlottesville to come see it,” said Jess Mink, a friend of one of the exhibition’s featured artists.

The gallery aims to provide a space for both artists and art appreciators in the Richmond community, according to the Gallery5 website.

“Gallery5 believes in the power of the arts to promote change and engage diverse communities through inclusive collaborations and accessible programming,” according to the Gallery5 website.

Artists from Senegal to Richmond ‘merge the gap’ at annual art exhibition

LELIA CONTEE

Contributing Writer

Photographers, fashion designers and visual artists from Virginia and the Republic of Senegal were featured at Catalyst Studios’ third annual art exhibition on Saturday, April 6 at the Residences at the John Marshall.

Catalyst Studios is an art gallery with a mission to connect local and Senegalese artists to a global stage, fostering talent through exhibitions, charity auctions and cultural exchange, according to the Catalyst Studios website.

Thomas Chatman, the founder and CEO of Catalyst Studios said he felt inspired by Senegalese artists in Senegal. He visited Senegal to take photographs for his aunt, who had recently moved there. He then saw artists face many struggles, but they were still determined to work on their craft from sun up to sun down, Chatman said.

Being born in Richmond and invested in the community, Chatman wanted to connect artists from Senegal to the art scene in Richmond, he said.

“Catalyst started because seeing the artwork in Senegal and seeing those artists that were struggling just to make a dollar to just put food on their plate, and then coming back here and seeing how big of a scene art has on Richmond,” Chatman said.

This year’s theme is “Ego,” where the Catalyst Studio team wanted to dig deep and find their “why” and the answer to who they are as individuals, Chatman said. He wanted to push audiences and artists to think beyond the theme, dig deep into their own “ego” and create powerful messages in their art.

Chatman loves that art is a form of communication — it speaks different languages, comes from varieties of cultures with many different perspectives and fosters a sense of community in Richmond, so he wanted to give back to the local community and Senegal, he said.

Catalyst Studios was not always called Catalyst Studios. In 2021, it was a brand called VSN, standing for the middle letters of lover, loser and loner, signifying Chatman and his friends’ personalities. Then it changed to staykoolinn, Kendahl Bell’s photography name, the gallery director and host of Catalyst Studios, who is a friend of Chatman, according to Chatman.

After leaving Senegal, Chatman realized he wanted to focus on art and “ignite that flame within people,” thus Catalyst Studios became official.

“I really am inspired to keep going because of what I know can come from this,” Chatman said.

“Going to Senegal, being the catalyst for those artists and getting their artwork here and providing that platform, that space, providing that representation for them and also being that for other artists that are local.”

Just being around other artists is inspiring and encouraging, according to Briahna Switzer, a featured photographer in the exhibition from Newport News and owner of Photography Breeze.

Switzer said she enjoys conceptual photography where different artists express themselves and she tries to capture the everyday essence, beauty and individuality of each person, but with a twist — utilizing a perspective focused on editing, poses and location to capture beauty in a way that

makes people see it and feel great about it.

“Photography was a powerful outlet for me,” Switzer said. “Just having that avenue and that platform to create representation and tell people’s stories was really empowering to me.”

Switzer wants her photography to inspire conversations, representation and empower everyone, she said. When it comes to the media, there are not always different skin tones, hair or body types being represented.

“I just want to empower people to find beauty in their own selves and just connect to the art and whatever way that they see fit,” Switzer said.

Cameron Dorsey, a featured photographer in the exhibition, creative director from Newport News and owner of Parago Studios, said he does world-building in his photos. He hopes it will invoke feelings of nostalgia within people.

“What I usually go for is like something that you’ve seen before, but you haven’t really captured that feeling since seeing that thing,” Dorsey said. “I’m just trying to take things from my childhood and things that I’m into from the past and just kind of recontextualize that.”

Dorsey showcased four different pieces that will display his range, such as abstract shots and something that “speaks to the soul.”

Yosef Woods, a featured fashion designer in the exhibition from Chesapeake, said he was looking forward to this event because he wants to network with other creatives at VCU, around the world and in the area.

He found that collaboration is great for business and opens doors for growth and different experiences, Woods said.

Woods featured a jacket, which he

designed with no preparation, but operating from a place of “pure confidence” in his craft. He also included a few collections from his clothing line, “Righteous & Eagerly Determined,” which was also featured in a separate fashion show, “Vêtement De Rue,” at the Hippodrome Theater, he said.

“I’m just all about pushing boundaries and you know kind of just escaped in the limits that you create for yourself and the limits that other people may create for you,” Woods said.

Modou Diongue, a featured Senegalese visual artist in the exhibition and founder of Pixels Squad, said that meeting the Catalyst Studio members gave him a chance to express his art in a way he never expressed before.

“Since my childhood, I have always been passionate about the arts. I learned to draw on the walls of the family home,” Diongue said.“I am constantly inspired by the duality of the human experience and how it can be portrayed through art.”

Diongue wants to “merge the gap” between different cultures and traditions, connecting people on a spiritual level with his work, he said. He wants audiences to feel awakened and share reflections of his journey navigating between reality and imagination.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such talented and passionate artists,” Diongue said. “I am excited to see how our collaboration will be received by the public, and I hope that our shared work can evoke emotions and reflections in those who discover it.”

Catalyst Studios director and host, Kendahl Bell, stands with his artwork at the third annual art exhibition on Saturday, April 6 at the Residences at the John Marshall. Photo by Cameron Bell.

Quote of the week

“Don’t waste your energy trying to change opinions. Do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.”

— Tina Fey

VCU vs. TikTok: Navigating the potential ban’s impact on student life

Contributing Writer

When I first heard about the potential TikTok ban during my senior year of high school in 2020, I was skeptical. The app had recently rebranded from Musical.ly and was surging in popularity. I assumed it was just another rumor and continued to enjoy the platform

JULIANNA BROWN Contributing Writer

Much like anyone from the 21st century, I use social media, and I have witnessed the rise of self-care influencers who attempt to teach others how to accept themselves. In the midst of all the speculating ideas of what it means to love yourself, how are we ever going to be able to find our own?

The act of self-love is one that should be personal and significant to each individual, and with the constant circulation of new and often fabricated approaches online, we can very easily lose ourselves.

Due to our own unique experiences, values and beliefs, something as sacred as how we decide to treat ourselves should not be viewed through the lens of social media. As a preteen trying to navigate the world, I had to find a way to love who I was. In my early years of high school, the judgments I received from my classmates made me question my appearance.

Like many adolescents around that age, I was heavily insecure about things ranging from my intelligence to my body. Once the lockdown started in 2020, I decided it was time to love every part of myself. To find the confidence I have now, I had to first make a lot of changes.

I found activities such as exercising, reading and journaling to be helpful in my journey to self-acceptance. Developing these habits allowed me to fully love the person I was becoming — and I did all of this without the help of any social media influencer.

Yes, I believe having people to look up to in the media can be helpful in a person’s self-love journey. For example, when I find myself feeling insecure, I sometimes think about a statement made by the famous Bajan singer Rihanna, in which she states

we all focused on the latest trends.

Now, as a student at VCU, I am faced with the same concerns about a TikTok ban, but the context has changed. The discussions are more intense and the possibility feels more real. It is no longer a distant rumor to ignore.

TikTok is a platform for creativity and connecting with others, but there is an underlying concern about how our personal information is handled. People are worried about where their data ends up and whether they have agreed to it being shared. The fact that TikTok is owned by a Chinese company adds to the worry. It is not just TikTok, though — many apps, like Pinterest, gather our data to make the things we see more relevant, especially the ads.

I have witnessed firsthand how TikTok has become a huge part of our daily life here on campus. It has really become the core of student organizations, a dynamic platform for our creativity and a powerful tool to voice our advocacies.

unforgettable college experiences.

TikTok has also become an integral part of the student experience at VCU, showcasing the university’s community. It provides a window into the diverse food scene near campus, with students frequently posting about their favorite food spots. The platform is also a canvas for students to display daily fashion with their “outfit of the day.”

Additionally, TikTok acts as a bulletin board for upcoming events and festivals, ensuring these gatherings are wellattended and vibrant. It also offers advice and insights into university life. If TikTok were to prohibit this content, the VCU community would lose a valuable resource for connection and information.

without giving it much thought — after all, the year passed and TikTok remained. The concerns at the time centered around privacy and national security, with the FBI cautioning that the Chinese government might use the app to steal users’ data. Despite these serious allegations, the app’s operations continued unaffected, and the issue seemed to fade into the background as

For instance, the clubs I am in at VCU have been smart about using TikTok to show off their brand and attract new people. It has really changed how students connect with potential members, letting them see all the cool stuff there is to do on campus. Creating trendy videos and audio clips make club events and news feel friendly and exciting.

I found the clubs I am a part of today on Tiktok, which I am grateful for. Without their engaging content appearing on my For You Page, I might have missed out on

Has social media clouded our perception of self-love?

“You be fearless every day and when you don’t feel like it, just pretend.”

However, social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok or even YouTube harbor a number of influencers who take a less subtle approach in pushing their ideas of self-love onto others. I often see influencers on Instagram with glamorous expensive skin care products showing users self-care tips.

Of course, content like this may appeal to rich viewers who can afford expensive products, however, this does not represent people who do not have the finances or would rather put them towards something else. With the number of videos like these, impressionable teens may feel they must have these expensive products to accomplish self-love. This is far from the truth, and

content like this commercializes self-care in a materialistic way.

Another common perception of selflove circulating in the media is that loving yourself will always feel “good” or “comfortable.” To a certain extent, loving yourself is realizing your own boundaries and what feels right to you, though this may not always be the case when you could be putting others down.

When this idea of self-love is weaponized it can be harmful to relationships. In cases where disagreements are had, people could be influenced to walk away from someone they truly loved before actually attempting to work things out.

This misconception may further influence social media users to give up on things once they feel any form of discomfort. Many

Banning TikTok could have unintended consequences. It serves as a platform for student engagement and content creation. Alternatives like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts or Snapchat Spotlight do not replicate the overall experience that TikTok offers, like its own personalized algorithm and addictive user experience. This ban could restrict students from connecting with their audience and distributing their content.

The potential banning of TikTok would create a noticeable void in the VCU community. This platform is not just about entertainment — it is a vital link that connects students and fosters a sense of belonging.

Removing it would not only silence these shared voices but also strip away a layer of the student experience that has become as much a part of VCU as the classrooms themselves.

new-age self-care influencers perpetuate the idea that once something feels slightly uncomfortable, a person should avoid that thing at all costs; leading people to miss out on learning experiences that don’t always feel perfect. It is necessary to implement boundaries, however, trying something new will not always feel amazing.

Though this theory may be plausible in some ways, self-love is more than doing what appears comforting at the moment — it is also investing in your own future by doing things you don’t always want but need.

For example, influencers like David Goggins mostly promotes nothing more than intense exercise and a grindset in all possible instances. Although the grindset model of self-love can be beneficial in physical aspects, it fails to recognize our emotional needs.

In simple terms, human beings are not machines, and putting our bodies through intense training without fueling our minds with positivity can lead us to crash. One cannot fixate their perception of self-love on physicality alone, and this idea is even more damaging to young teens who are easily influenced by the media.

Self-love is most commonly defined as the appreciation of someone’s value or worth. In theory, this definition is universally correct, however, the way we show appreciation for ourselves is geared to our own distinctive needs in life. Following too much of social media’s often performative views of self-care can blind us from what our body deserves.

Whether it be through spending time in nature, exercising, praying or even just walking, self-care is important, and no one should base what they do to feel safe within themselves on what influencers share for online prominence.

Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.

JESSICA HOLGADO

Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.

Joke of the week

“Climate change is a real big deal, and everyone says Mother Nature. And I do believe nature is a woman because she’s trying to kill us in the most passive-aggressive way possible.”

— Michelle Wolf

Out there in Zoomland

DYLAN HOSTETTER Opinions and Humor Editor

It all started one morning when I woke up with a bit of a cold. You know the kind where you wake up feeling perfectly fine, but then you cough a little bit and decide it’s best for your personal health and wellness to spend the rest of the day in bed? Well, it was one of those.

Thankfully, I remembered all of my classes offered a hybrid option, so I grabbed my laptop and snuggled up under my covers. It dawned on me at that moment that I had the worst case of bed-head possibly ever seen — there was no way I was turning on my camera.

Then I realized I didn’t have to. While I did have to attend the class via Zoom, my professors had never said it was required to show my face. That meant I could do anything I wanted so long as they thought I was present and paying attention.

I felt as if I had stumbled across a gold mine. I could attend my classes while also doing all the other things I had never had time to do before, and I am not talking about scrolling TikTok for seven hours or napping, I mean real stuff. Important stuff.

During one class, I even had an official representative of the Guinness World Records verify my title as the new world’s fastest cup stacker — but I wasn’t satisfied I still needed to think bigger.”

The first week, I started by catching up on every television show I had ever missed out on. “The Sopranos”? Check. “The Wire”? Check. All 20 seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy”? You best believe it.

Eventually, I ran out of shows I wanted to see and started watching movies instead. I made it about 12 minutes into “Madame Web” before I swore off film as a medium

and realized there were so many more productive things I could have been doing with my time.

I then learned all the useless skills I ever wanted to — juggling, origami, the yo-yo — all while listening to my professors drone on and on through my laptop. During one class, I even had an official representative of the Guinness World Records verify my title as the new world’s fastest cup stacker — but I wasn’t satisfied. I still needed to think bigger.

I had always dreamed of adventure, and I figured laptops are portable, so I decided to have some real fun and go skydiving. I almost blew my cover though, as my professor asked me to read a passage from our book out loud and I had to scream over the sound of the wind for anybody to hear me. It’s okay though, I am sure no one noticed.

It turns out free-solo climbing is a lot more difficult with a laptop strapped to your chest in a makeshift bjorn, but I survived. I bought a waterproof laptop case so I could go windsurfing in Hawaii and a special heated case for when I climbed the Himalayas. I could go

anywhere in the world, from the hills of Italy to the National Mustard Museum in Wisconsin, and also attend class, as long as I had my laptop.

By midterms, I was more cultured, well-traveled and skilled than any of my classmates, and all with a perfect attendance record. When I did finally return to an inperson class, my professor was surprised to see I had such a rich tan in the middle of March, and I was surprised to realize that while I technically had been attending classes, I had no clue what had been happening in any of them.

It occurred to me that about halfway through the fourth season of “Grey’s Anatomy,” I started paying more attention to my hobbies than I did to school. Needless to say, I did not do very well on any of my tests. My professors refused to pass me for the semester, even after I offered to perform some sick yo-yo tricks in place of my poor grades.

Honestly, they should have seen this coming. I mean, what did these professors really think students were doing with their cameras off in class? Paying attention? Get real.

Illustration by Victor Romanko.

Stages Of An All Nighter by Gabriella Denney

Groceries by Ollie Hoffmaster

By John Michael Currie

Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis