Wednesday, April 29, 2026 @commonwealthtimes @theCT1
VOL. 72, NO. 14 APRIL 29, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
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VCU’S NEW ACADEMIC LEADER Provost Arturo Saavedra on tenure policies, research, academic freedom ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor VCU’s year-long search for a new second-in-command and chief academic officer finally came to a close last week. Arturo Saavedra, the former School of Medicine dean and interim provost since December, was confirmed by the VCU Board of Visitors into his new role as the permanent provost. Saavedra is the third person to hold the high office in the last year, as former Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos departed in April 2025 for his same job at Pennsylvania State University. It was then held by interim Provost Beverly Warren until December 2025. Now, at the crossroads of new goals, policies and a shifting university identity, Saavedra sat down with The CT to discuss the matters most important to the VCU community. PROVOST Continued on page 2
Dr. Arturo Saaverda, recently appointed executive vice president and provost of VCU, in his office. Photo by Burke Loftus.
Board of visitors approves 3.9% tuition increase
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor HECIEL NIEVES BONILLA News Editor The VCU Board of Visitors voted on Friday to approve a 3.9% tuition increase for instate undergraduate students. Housing fees and meal plans will see a 5% increase across the board: an extra $441-525 for housing and $160-194 for meal plans. The typical in-state undergraduate student enrolled in 15 credits per semester will pay $17,963 in tuition and mandatory fees during the 2026-27 academic year — an increase of $723, according to VCU. Out-of-state undergraduate students’ tuition and mandatory fees will be set at $41,127, also an increase of $723. Overall, in-state undergraduate students will pay around $31,000-33,000 for a full year of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board. TUITION INCREASE Continued on page 3
President Michael Rao speaks to members of the VCU Board of Visitors during a February meeting. Photo by Kieran Stevens.
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Does VCU’s $720 million payroll add up?
PAYROLL Continued on page 2
Graphic by Zach Montgomery.
VCUarts Qatar student Anirudh Anil Kumar (left) poses in the desert with stateside VCU student Jackson Mallory, (right). Photo courtesy of Anirudh Anil Kumar.
Qatar student describes hope, adaptation as Iran war settlement stalls HECIEL NIEVES BONILLA News Editor As peace talks between the United States and Iran continue on an unpredictable path, a student from VCU’s Qatar campus spoke to The CT regarding his experiences of living through threats of bombing and a peace in the balance. QATAR STUDENT Continued on page 6
Fashion department denies student's Black model request
Women’s Tennis wins A-10
Punk and PLUR come together
see NEWS page 4
see SPORTS page 8
see SPECTRUM page 11