Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 @commonwealthtimes @theCT1
VOL. 72, NO. 5 FEB. 18, 2026 THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
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‘We need to be more connected’ Rao touts enormous growth, interdisciplinary activities in university address
VCU President Michael Rao gives his ‘State of the University’ address at James Branch Cabell Library on Feb. 12. Photo by Andrew Kerley.
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor VCU President Michael Rao emphasized the need for interdisciplinary activities at VCU moving forward during his annual State of the University address on Thursday.
Rao — who is entering his 17th year as the VCU’s fifth president — flaunted notable stats showing VCU and VCU Health’s growth in research and substantial economic impact on Virginia. RAO ADDRESS Continued on page 4
FEATURES
At VCU, Jewish students search for unity in wake of Gaza protests SAPPHIRA MOHAMMED Copy Editor “I’m in a weird place right now with my Judaism when it comes to my beliefs about Israel,” an anonymous VCU student said. The anonymous student, Jewish by ethnicity and religion, said the teachings they received about Israel before Oct. 7, 2023 only consisted of praise for the country and included no mentions of conflict with Palestinians. “What’s happening to the Palestinian people is a genocide and I absolutely believe that the Israeli government is not right at all,” the anonymous student said. “It’s just a very thin line, because I do have a history with Israel, but my love for it is within my memories and my experiences.” The anonymous student’s viewpoint is growing in popularity. Nearly four out of every 10 Jewish Americans believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, according to a September 2025 Washington Post survey. Over six in 10 believe Israel has at least committed war crimes. “When I transferred to VCU post-Oct. 7, I have felt a bit isolated when it came to my community,” the anonymous
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Lawmakers shelve in-state tuition for tribe members; pass history advisory board SAL ORLANDO Assistant News Editor Virginia college students who belong to federallyrecognized indigenous tribes and reside outside the state will have to wait another year before state lawmakers again consider granting them eligibility for in-state tuition. Citizens of federally-recognized Indigenous tribes in Virginia — such as the Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes — who live outside the state are not currently eligible for in-state tuition. While the proposed update to the law was “laid on the table” in the Virginia House of Delegates and continued to 2027 in the Senate, both chambers did pass bills that create a board to advise state offices on the curriculums for African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino and Indigenous history in schools. Both tuition benefits that match those of Virginia citizens and a greater curricular focus on their history in K-12 and higher education have been asks of Indigenous tribe leaders in the commonwealth, according to a previous report by The CT. The former bill was unanimously recommended by the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes. Its passing would have granted students who are citizens or members of federally-recognized Virginia tribes eligibility for in-state tuition. TRIBE TUITION Continued on page 4
student said. “So it’s been difficult to join any of the Jewish orgs on campus, because I don’t know where I fit in.” VCU currently has three Jewish student organizations — Jewish Life at VCU, Hillel at VCU and the Progressive Jewish Student Union. But after the flashpoint that was Oct. 7, 2023, the genocide in Gaza and years of antiwar protests on campus, some students say they do not feel a sense of belonging in any of them. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS SPLIT IN THE WAKE OF OCT. 7 On Oct. 7, 2023, the militant group Hamas executed an attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 citizens and kidnapping over 300, according to the Associated Press. In retaliation, Israel ramped up its genocide in Gaza. It is estimated that roughly 11% of the Gaza Strip’s population has been killed or injured in the ensuing two years. While a permanent ceasefire was ordered in October 2025, there is still ongoing Israeli military action in Gaza and the West Bank. JEWISH VCU Continued on page 9
Chickahominy Chief Stephen Adkins addressing the crowd during the ʻOn Native Ground: Virginia Native Nations, Sovereignty, and Persistenceʼ event on Nov. 18, 2025. CT file photo by Catt Brito.
Richmonders create ‘Barter Markets’
Thank you, Richmond Free Press
Will the Rams run the table?
see FEATURES page 8
see OPINIONS page 12
see SPORTS page 6