The Commonwealth Times; October 8, 2025

VIRGINIA FACULTY, STUDENTS PREPARE LEGISLATIVE PUSH TO REGAIN POWER AT UNIVERSITIES

YENNI JIMENEZ ACOSTA

A coalition of faculty and human rights organizations are preparing a push to amend Virginia law to make universities more democratic and protect free speech in response to actions by Republicans and Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Members of United Campus Workers unions from multiple schools and the Virginia Coalition for Human Rights — made up of 25 human rights organizations across the commonwealth — are drafting bills for the General Assembly that would give professors and students voting power on boards of visitors and cap salaries for university presidents.

A “working group” composed of UCW, VCHR, the American Association of University Professors, the Virginia Educators Association, the American Federation for Teachers and other grassroots organizations created the package of proposed legislation.

Advocates of the proposals are hoping for Democrats to win the governor race and maintain control of the House of Delegates in November, which would enable them to introduce more sweeping legislation in

The woman on the ground is barely conscious. A man stands over her, claiming she is OK, despite her slurring words and the fact that she cannot stand. A suspicious police officer questions him with raised eyebrows. This is the scene I witnessed when I left my first frat party as a VCU freshman. It is safe to say the woman did not end up completely out of it all on her own. This is entirely unsurprising; fraternities are notorious for spiking people’s drinks. This experience was just a harsh reminder of that fact.

FRATS Continued on page 9

January, when the next General Assembly session begins.

Jack Leff, a grassroots organizer and former Virginia Tech professor, introduced a list of 13 policy proposals to VCU faculty at a recent union meeting.

They are already in talks with legislators, who have committed to sponsor some of the policies, according to Leff. Though sponsorship is up in the air and depends on the November election results.

Democratizing boards of visitors

One policy proposal aims to democratize the structure of boards of visitors to better reflect students, faculty and staff by giving them voting seats.

Boards of visitors are the highest governing bodies at universities in Virginia. They are made up of 16 members appointed by the governor of Virginia and make most major decisions, including hiring and firing presidents, setting budgets and approving course curricula. Board members can be confirmed or rejected by the General Assembly.

Another proposal seeks to instate new criteria for governors to appoint board members, ensuring all members are alumni or retired faculty from their

respective universities, Virginia residents and have professional experience in higher education.

The proposals are a way of pushing back against partisanship on boards of visitors, which is a “direct threat to academic freedom,” according to written drafts shared by Leff.

At VCU, board members — primarily appointed by Youngkin, a Republican — have made a number of consequential decisions in recent years. They voted in March to dismantle VCU’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies following an executive order from President Donald Trump, according to a previous report by The Commonwealth Times.

member of the

Rhythms of History: Second Street Festival

People from all around Richmond gathered in the historic Jackson Ward district on Oct. 4-5, eager to experience the community’s history through music and art at the 37th annual Second Street Festival. The event, open to all that has evolved into a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar.

Each year on the first weekend of October, thousands of visitors from all

over the city gather at the festival to celebrate the extensive Black history through the immersion of culturally representative music, food and games.

The festival acts as a means of crossing the barrier between the varying perspectives of Jackson Ward’s history, the changes that have affected its cultural development and the people who call it home.

There are a variety of entertainment options to keep visitors occupied, from gospel, jazz and R&B performances, to a “Kidz Zone” that makes the event accessible to all ages.

Stories of the week

national: The government shut down on Oct. 1 after both Democratic and Republican-backed bills failed to pass the Senate. The most recent and longest ever government shutdown was in 2018, during President Donald Trump’s first term. international: Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks which sparked the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Only 26% of Americans now think Israel’s actions are proportionate or “not far enough,” per Pew Research Center.

Virginia universities study shows need for community resources in historically redlined areas

MOLLY MANNING

Capital News Service

As federal funding cuts threaten local violence prevention agencies, a recent study by two Virginia universities found formerly redlined areas in Richmond have higher rates of violent injury in adolescents.

The redlining process utilized racial bias when determining whether an area was desirable for lending and marked predominantly Black or minority areas as unsafe to give loans, or red on the maps, according to University of Richmond’s “Mapping Inequality.”

The practice was introduced with the National Housing Act, following the Great Depression. The Federal Housing Administration and the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation, both created by the NHA, produced security maps to indicate the “safe areas” to issue mortgages, according to The New York Times.

The Aug. 10 study from Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University authors found over 85% of violence hotspots in Richmond occurred in historically low-graded or redlined neighborhoods. Violence hotspots refers to regions where violence is most likely to occur.

Adolescent homicide is the leading cause of death in Richmond, at nearly triple the national average, per the study.

The study examined 261 adolescents, ages 10 to 24, who received care for violence-related injuries at VCU Health’s Level I trauma center over a one-year period. Of these patients, over 60% were Black and over 70% were female. Over a quarter of the patients suffered child abuse, including sexual abuse.

The study made a methodical decision to use a majority female sample. Most studies

of community violence focus narrowly on gun violence and often exclude cases of sexual assault and domestic violence because these forms of violence differ from typical street violence, according to VSU professor of psychology and study author Samuel West.

The study initially aimed to determine whether areas with the greatest risk of violence stayed the same or changed over time, according to West. It was Thomas Nixon, VSU research assistant and second author of the study, who pointed out the correlation between these patterns of violence and redlining maps.

VCU Health associate professor Nicholas Thomson is the director of research and a forensic psychologist at the hospital’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program, which runs the intervention program Bridging the Gap. He also contributed to the study.

A multifaceted approach will help prevent violence, Thomson stated, which is why Bridging the Gap works with victims immediately after injury, and provides resources such as housing, employment, mental health care and substance use treatment to help address the cycle of trauma.

“This requires hospitals, schools, justice systems, and community programs to work in synchrony, with local and state governments providing stable funding to sustain evidence-based strategies in the neighborhoods at highest risk,” Thomson stated.

programs, after-school activities, community policing and mental health services, according to Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington. She is a member of the General Assembly Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence.

“When you’re redlining, you’re basically artificially placing boundaries on neighborhoods based on either income or race, and you're hampering the ability of those communities to bring more assets to the table, and that’s a problem,” Favola said.

The committee receives and distributes federal funding through the Victims of Crime Act. This allows community agencies to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence through traumainformed care, job training and housing programs, according to Favola.

The senator is concerned about losing funding under the current administration’s budget cuts.

“We had state grant dollars there in 2022, we continued many of those programs in 2024, and I don’t know what kind of resources we’re going to have with this next budget cycle and all the pending federal cuts in safety net programs,” Favola said.

President Donald Trump has focused on cutting funds for public health, education and social welfare programs in his second term, according to PBS.

Jonathan Yglesias is director of mission advancement for Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, which provides resources to over 70 local rape crisis centers and domestic violence agencies.

Virginia’s allocation of the Victims of Crime Act has been cut by over 50%, according to Yglesias. That money also funds resources such as hotlines, shelters, rape crisis response in hospitals and

provides wraparound services.

The federal government now prioritizes reductions and mergers, in turn removing entire parts of public health infrastructure and threatening CDC efforts for domestic violence and rape prevention, Yglesias said.

“Misogyny and sexism is inherently violent and we live in a culture in which violence against women is not only glorified but often accepted, and so when you have these historically disinvested communities this is something that is allowed to flourish,” Yglesias said.

The redlining study proved a pattern that those who work in, or research, violence prevention were already well aware of, according to Yglesias. Prevention programs for specific communities need to be informed not only by data, but directly by the community in order to best help. Investment in needed resources such as walkable sidewalks to schools and libraries, green spaces and community institutions could address the underlying causes of violence.

“This reinforces a lot of what we know about social determinants of health and the root causes of violence,” Yglesias said. “Where racial injustice, economic injustice, gender injustice is allowed to thrive there are greater risk factors for violence.”

Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Communication. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.

Here’s how much crime was reported on campus in 2024

Continued from front page

MOLLY MANNING News Editor

HECIEL NIEVES BONILLA Assistant News Editor

VCU recently released its 2025 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which measures reported allegations of crimes from 2022 to 2024 on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, as well as VCU’s smaller centers across Virginia.

The statistics come from reports by VCU Police, Residential Life & Housing, various university offices and local law enforcement agencies. VCU is required by the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act to make the report every fall.

VCU Police chief Clarence T. Hunter Jr. stated 94% of the VCU community felt “safe” or “very safe” on campus, an increase of 2% since last year.

Yearly totals for fondling on campus dropped between 2022 and 2024 — eight instances were reported on Monroe Park Campus in 2024, as opposed to 44 in 2022.

At MCV, only three instances were reported in 2024, five less than in 2022.

People reported 16 instances of rape on MPC in 2022, which is four more than 2023, but lower than the 37 in 2022.

The board voted in 2024 to cancel the implementation of a racial literacy course requirement, resulting in some students walking out during their graduation ceremony. The requirement covered topics such as systemic racism, gender studies and workplace inequality, and was in development by students and faculty for years before its cancellation.

Senate Democrats have made similar vows for reform following back-and-forth battles with Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares over the confirmation of Youngkin’s appointees.

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said in July that Democrats are exploring multiple changes to the university board appointment system, according to Virginia Scope. One change would require appointees to be confirmed by the General Assembly before they begin serving their terms. Another would extend board member terms from four to six years, which would prevent any one governor from appointing full majorities.

Cheaper tuition and financial transparency

Three policies being proposed by the coalition work to address financial concerns and transparency. One would set a $275,000 cap on the salaries of university executives to “encourage these positions to be public service-oriented.”

Some VCU faculty have criticized the Board of Visitors for regularly increasing the salary of President Michael Rao to be more competitive with other universities, while cutting and consolidating departments and laying off faculty.

Advocates also want to reallocate funding to ease the burden on students by better enforcing a 3% cap on university fee increases.

Reports of aggravated assault decreased significantly across both campuses. Five were reported on MPC in 2024, fifteen less than in 2022. The same goes for MCV — three in 2024 as opposed to 12 in 2022.

Burglary and motor vehicle theft on MPC increased between 2023 and 2024 — but decreased overall from 2022. 13 instances of burglary were reported in 2024, as six instances of motor vehicle theft.

Only two instances of robbery were reported across both campuses in 2024.

People reported 11 instances of domestic violence across both campuses in 2024, which is lower than the nineteen reported in 2023, but higher than the eight in 2022.

The report defines domestic violence as “violent crime committed by either a former spouse or intimate partner, or someone who the victim shares a child with, is cohabitating as a spouse or partner, is similarly situated as a spouse, or anyone who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws.”

People reported 26 instances of dating violence across both campuses in 2024, far lower than the 289 instances reported in 2022.

Dating violence is defined as “violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim.”

Instances of stalking decreased across both campuses — 86 reports were made across both campuses.

Arrests and disciplinary referrals for violating drug and alcohol laws decreased on MPC between 2023 and 2024 — but increased overall since 2022. Violations increased at MCV.

VCU revised its alcohol policy in October 2024 to remove the ability of student groups to obtain an ABC license for their events.”

Arrests for violating weapon laws stand at 26 across both campuses in 2024 — an increase from 2022. No disciplinary referrals were made in 2024.

VCU’s numbers come in the context of a broader decrease in total crime in the city of Richmond, according to the Richmond Police Department’s annual report in January.

Total crime was down 3% from 2023, with particularly high decreases of 18%, 19% and 20% in homicide, rape and commercial robbery respectively. The city also saw a substantial 26% increase in burglaries, and a much smaller 1% increase in shoplifting.

At VCU, tuition and fees for in-state students in academic year 2020-2021 totalled $14,710, $2,451 of which was fees. In academic year 2025-2026, totals increased to $17,240 and $3,720 in fees — a greater proportion of the total than in years prior.

Aaliyah Jegeles, a second-year art student at VCU, thinks the Board of Visitors makes decisions without considering community input, which strains students financially.

“Rising fees and executive salaries contribute to the cost burden on students,” Jegeles stated. “Capping fees and salaries helps redirect sources towards student support and reinforces the idea of education as a public service not a profit-driven enterprise.”

VCHR and university communities have been “playing defense,” working to keep anti-speech bills from college campuses, according to Leff. Leff said cuts to higher education and increasingly severe assaults on speech have prompted them to take an offensive approach by developing legislation of their own.

Legislators struck down a number of bills last legislative session targeting terrorism that advocates said would harm student protesters and stifle free speech, according to a previous report by The Commonwealth Times.

“What this policy package really is, is an attempt to envision what a university could be if it meaningfully served the public,” Leff said. “As a human rights

group, we obviously believe that education is a fundamental human and democratic right, and it's one that's under attack.”

Layla Hashish, a fourth-year political science student, said it is important for students and faculty to have a say on decisions that will affect their jobs and livelihoods.

“It’s people who are on the outside and who often have other priorities outside of making sure that we have a good environment,” Hashish said.

VCU declined a request for comment by The CT.

Former VCU students sue Spotify over ‘Jams’ idea

SAL ORLANDO Staff Writer

Five former VCU graduate students are suing Spotify for plagiarism and $10 million in damages, claiming the company stole their idea for “Spotify Jams.”

First reported by Courthouse News, Elizabeth Hopkinson, Hunter Noxon, Thomas Daley, Richard Whelchel and Caroline Loef were studying advertising at the VCU Brandcenter in 2017 when they claim to have come up with the idea for Spotify Jams for an assignment, which later evolved into a passion project.

“Spotify users would be able to listen to music in real time with any other Spotify user, whether they are in the same room or across the country,” the plaintiffs wrote in their complaint.

“It started as an assignment, then

moving to a passion project that they believed could be a game changer,” the plaintiffs stated. “Plaintiffs shared the project with faculty and others and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.”

The students were encouraged to contact Spencer Hansen, former creative director for Spotify, about their idea. No one from Spotify responded to them.

In 2023, six years later, Spotify released the Jams feature: “a personalized, real-time listening session for your group to tune into together,” as described by the musicstreaming giant.

Spotify said the similarities are a coincidence, according to the complaint.

Ashley Brooks, a lawyer specializing in advertising and marketing, stated the plaintiffs will need to show their idea is an original one, and Spotify’s use of Jams is

similar enough to the original idea.

“They will probably also need to address the timing from sending the idea to its implementation,” Brooks stated.

Brooks stated she cannot definitively say whether or not the plaintiffs have the grounds to sue.

“In a lot of academic settings, and VCU is no different, companies will partner with schools to enable academic projects but also develop viable ideas or other IP [intellectual property],” Brooks stated. “Usually there are NDA’s or other agreements in place to establish the parameters of any relationship and who would own any resulting IP.”

The group demanded a trial by jury and requested an accounting be done on all profits made and business done by Spotify as a result of the Jams feature, according to the complaint. No date has been set for

when a trial could begin, as the complaint is still in litigation.

Kaitlyn Jenkins, a fourth-year anthropology student, said that she has used the feature a few times but finds it difficult to use and she was not aware of the lawsuit.

“That’s crazy, I mean, companies do that stuff all the time, but I didn’t know VCU students had that happen to them,” Jenkins said.

Fethi Givermichael, a first-year biology student, said the Jams feature is nice and allows him to conveniently listen to music with his friends.

“I think it’s [the lawsuit] pretty interesting,” Givermichael said. “I feel like the people who claim to create it [Jams] should come out and talk about it more, so people can get to know about it.”

New sensory room for neurodivergent students opens in Cabell Library

BRYER HAYWOOD

Contributing Writer

A new sensory room for neurodivergent students opened in Cabell Library this semester. The room was converted from a storage space and features a variety of tools for students to tailor it to their individual needs.

The room has dimmable lights and multiple kinds of lamps, fidget toys, noisecancelling headphones, different seating options and a desk, among other features.

The sensory room is located on the second floor of the library and is intended for individual use. Students looking to use the space must have a VCU ID, and contact the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to make a reservation.

The VCU Libraries team collaborated heavily with SAEO to ensure students’ needs could be met with the space.

SAEO conducted an anonymous survey among potential users of the room and organized the feedback students gave. Both the VCU Libraries team and SAEO stressed that “student feedback was integral to the creation of the space.”

Laura Gariepy, associate dean for research and learning, said the sensory room is intended to be a “welcoming and supportive space” for all students. The room can be adapted into a high or low sensory experience, and students can use it for studying or brain breaks.

Loftan Hooker, head of access services for VCU Libraries, said there has always been a need for a space like it at VCU. The sensory room is designed to be a “home away from home” for neurodivergent students.

“Everyone’s sensory needs are different,” said Chris Parthemos, associate director of the SAEO. “The sensory room is designed for students to be able to tailor the space to their needs by providing the tools to do so rather than students having to adapt to a space that is not designed for them.”

“Conversations about the sensory room began four years ago with the former director of the SAEO, and construction plans started about two years ago,” Gariepy said.

There is an existing sensory room in the University Student Commons in the

SAEO office, but it is only open for limited hours. The Cabell Library sensory room is open during library hours, which range from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. throughout the week.

Feedback from students who have used the sensory room has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Gariepy. She said many students have thanked VCU Libraries and SAEO for creating the space and its accessibility.

“I don’t really have sensory sensitivities but [the sensory room] sounds like an amazing area to have,” fourth-year business student Kiara Artis said.

Student Government Association press secretary Natalie Bowen said many neurodivergent students expressed excitement about the space, but these spaces are beneficial for neurotypical students as well.

“I can definitely see [the sensory room] being beneficial, especially on this campus with it being in the heart of the city,” Essynce Peoples, a second-year business student, said.

Sports

Scouting Report: VCU men’s basketball Black and Gold game

VCU fans will get a first look at the new men’s basketball team at the annual Black and Gold game on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Siegel Center. The players will be split into two teams: Black and Gold.

The CT sports staff chose their notable players making their debut.

ALEXIS WASHINGTON

Assistant Sports Editor

Jordan Dumont — Dumont is a redshirt second-year transfer from Villanova University who is ready to make his mark on the court. As a 6-foot-8-inch forward who dominates on both ends of the floor, Dumont adds size, speed and shooting ability to the team. During his second-year at Villanova, he shot 10-of-22 from behind the arc and 4-of-4 against Marquette University, finishing with a career high of 15 points, according to VCU Athletics. Making buckets is nothing new to Dumont — before his collegiate career, he played at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy where he scored over 1,000 points in just two seasons. He also averaged 23 points and eight rebounds per game during his junior year. Dumont will become a VCU household name that fans grow to love.

KYLER GILLIAM Staff Writer

Barry Evans — The fourth-year forward is back in the Atlantic 10 after a career year with Bryant University in the 2024-25 season. The former Saint Bonaventure University Bonnie was a main contributor to Bryant’s March Madness run under new VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. Evans won the 2025 America East Newcomer of the Year award, and was named to the 2025 All-American East Second Team. At 6-foot-8-inches, Evans provides defensive versatility and is a legitimate scoring option anywhere on the court. He scored a career high of 13.3 points per game last season for the Bulldogs, shooting 47% from the field in the process. Evans also averaged 1.3 steals per game last season, using his long frame to disrupt passing lanes for opposing offenses. Evans is one of the most experienced players on this team, having played in nearly 100 collegiate games and starting in 57. As Martelli Jr. gels with his new team, expect Evans to be a player he relies on from the start.

DANIEL POINTER

Contributing Writer

Jordan Tillery — Tillery is a firstyear, three-star recruit from IMG Academy’s post-graduate team and one of VCU’s new offseason additions. Tillery primarily played as a small forward before the collegiate level, but at 6-foot-5-inches the Rams have transitioned him to guard, according to VCU Athletics. In the Adidas Circuit, a youth league for the top high school basketball players in the nation, Tillery averaged 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal per game, according to Sports Illustrated. Despite the learning curve that comes with playing a different position on the court, Tillery’s athleticism and aggressiveness as a player cannot be denied. Without any collegiate stats to his name, the Black and Gold game will serve as Tillery’s “welcome-to-college-hoops” debut moment.

SAANVI VOOTLA

Contributing Writer

Nyk Lewis — Lewis is a four-star prospect known for his playmaking ability and basketball IQ. The firstyear guard is a natural on the court who excels in transition. His arsenal of floaters and crafty layups makes him a threat in the open court, while his passing ability allows him to orchestrate the offense. Lewis has earned many accomplishments prior to VCU, such as leading his high school team to the D.C. State Athletic Association championship and earning First Team All-State honors, with an average of 13 points and 4.5 assists per game, according to VCU Athletics. Lewis’ performance and experience on the court make him a key addition to the Rams — he will rock both the black and gold spirit and the court.

Stat of the week

VCU women’s volleyball fourth-year opposite Julia Rienks had a career night in the 3-2 win over Davidson College with 29 kills in a match, the most by a VCU player in 12 years.

The CT sports staff make their World Series predictions

HAYDEN BRAUN Contributing Writer

Seattle Mariners

The Major League Baseball World Series is just around the corner. With the wildcard wrapping up and the division series starting, soon it will be time for a team to be crowned as champion.

The CT sports staff made their picks for the World Series.

JENNY ALLEN

Staff Writer

Los Angeles Dodgers

My pick for this year’s World Series is the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are currently the No. 2 seed in the American League and are currently hosting the Detroit Tigers in the second round of the playoffs. The Mariners have a bunch of momentum heading into the playoffs after clinching the AL West for the first time since 2001.

Their offense is explosive with players like catcher and MVP candidate Cal Raleigh — who ended the season with 60 home runs — and centerfielder Julio Rodriguez, who had his second 30-for-30 season with 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases.

Mariners are not just top-heavy either. Moves made at the trade deadline added stars like first baseman Josh Naylor and a reunion with third baseman Eugenio Suárez, according to Seattle Sports.

Despite injuries, the Mariners still have one of the best bullpens in all of baseball. Pitchers Bryan Woo, George Kirby and closer Andrés Muñoz are elite and are the deciding factors in the playoffs.

The Mariners are currently favored to win the AL at (-172) odds and have the fourthbest World Series betting odds at (+550) on Fanduel, according to The News Tribune.

With the odds in their favor and a superstar-filled roster, I think the Mariners will finally bring a World Series home to Seattle.

DEVYNN ALSTON Contributing Writer

Los Angeles Dodgers

The LA Dodgers are champs looking to defend their crown in the World Series this year. They would be the first back-to-back champions in 25 years. Vegas currently has the Dodgers with the best odds to win.

While their stars have not performed at their expected level, they are stars nonetheless. Their loaded roster will challenge other teams to keep up with their depth.

Entering the 2025 World Series as the reigning champions, the National League Los Angeles Dodgers will continue their winning streak. The Dodgers ranked No. 1 in total strikeouts and top five in total wins, saves and runs batted in during the regular season, according to ESPN.

Despite two-way player Shohei Ohtani’s injury in game two of the 2024 series, the Dodgers were still able to defeat the New York Yankees 4-1. Ohtani is ready to redeem himself as he ranks first on the leaderboard for runs scored, according to MLB. Along with shortstop Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, catcher Will Smith and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers will be hard to beat.

During the Wild Card Series, the Dodgers proved their talent defeating the Cincinnati Red in the first two games. The Dodgers have the athletic ability to stop their opponent on both sides of the field.

YENNI JIMENEZ ACOSTA Contributing Writer

New York Yankees

The World Series will be the LA Dodgers versus the New York Yankees, a good East versus West Coast action and a rematch of last year. Even though the Dodgers won last year’s World Series, the Yankees have a great track record in the competition. The Yankees are the team with the most World Series entries and wins. They have made it to the finals 41 times, and they are also the team that has most recently won back-to-back World Series, during the 19982000 seasons, according to MLB News.

GAME RESULTS

On This Day

On this day, Oct. 8, 1906, Karl Nessler introduced the first "permanent wave,” and thus the perm was born.

Richmond’s artistically diverse Zine Fest returns this weekend

LELIA CONTEE

Contributing

Writer

Platforming bold voices and eccentric storytelling with diverse creatives, a local zine festival will return for its 16th year this weekend at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library on Franklin Street.

“Zine” is short for fanzine or magazine, referring to independently or self-published booklets featuring artists’ works, a practice dating back to the 1930s. It typically focuses on personal passions and empowers diverse communities, rather than aiming for broad appeal and profit-driven objectives.

The Richmond Zine Fest is an all-ages event where zine creators and fans alike come together to exchange zines, enjoy DIY goods, attend workshops and build connections, according to its website.

“I think events where people can encounter stories and people, and not some idea put out there by mass media or our government, is incredibly important,” coorganizer Celina Williams said. “It’s all the more important to support people who are putting their voices out there.”

The two-day festival will be hosted on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11. Face masks are required.

Meet the Artists

New York-based artist Michelle Spadafore started with creating zines, and now makes comic books, she said. She goes to Richmond’s Zine Fest for the positive atmosphere, interesting panel and strong community.

“The great thing about the Zine Fest is that they’re just so open for any sort of artistic expression, and you don’t have to be perfect,” Spadafore said. “It just has to be you expressing yourself.”

Spadafore’s original zine work is called Haiku & Holga, which contains haikus and 35-millimeter photographs taken on a Holga camera,

according to her website Uopcomics.com.

She recently published “The Sheeted Dead,” a supernatural mystery comic where the protagonist, Oscar, investigates a series of deaths in San Francisco with the help of a quirky team, including a defrocked priest and a tarot card reader, to stop a discoobsessed ghost.

Theodore Taylor III is an artist and illustrator who makes zines for the creative freedom they offer and the opportunity to share his work with his community, he said.

Taylor III is currently working on “The Bear Maximum,” which is a collection of bear drawings, and the “Outsider,” a series of photography zines that features pictures of a Lakeside neighborhood.

“The spirit of zine [is] just being creative, also being independent and alternative, and against the grain, trying to share different views and ideas,” Taylor III said.

C.A.P. Ward is a cartoonist and illustrator who creates genre fiction and reality-based works. Their work features a lot of diversity due to their Black and

Richmond feels the heat at VisArts’ biggest-ever Chili Throwdown

DAIJAH HINMON Staff Writer

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond held its 11th annual Chili Throwdown on Oct. 3 — bringing together art and food lovers to celebrate clay, community and chili. All proceeds from the event benefited VisArts’ operations and programs.

The event has grown since its first year, according to Abby Holocombe, director of marketing and communications for VisArts. There were 26 participating restaurants this year, the most to ever donate chili for the event.

VisArts’ clay team crafted 1,000 chili bowls for attendees to take home, according to Holocombe. What once was a backyard chili tasting has now grown into a coveted, city-wide event.

“It sells out every year, and we sold out faster this year than ever before,” Holocombe said. “So we’re happy that in our 11th year, people are more excited than ever to join us to taste test some chili and celebrate our clay community.”

Attendees were able to try the 26 chili variations and write down which one they believed to be the best, according to Holocombe. The panel of judges was manned by 12 On Your Side meteorologist Andrew Freiden, media personality Kelli Lemon and food writer Stephanie Gantz.

The featured ceramicist was VCU alum Remy Ciuba, who contributed

queer identity, and can be found on their Wwebsite, artcward.com.

For Ward, zine-making is about independence and its accessibility to different subcultures.

“It’s just a way I can put my work out into the world where I get as much control as I can feasibly get and still make something that feels true to me and I can share with others,” Ward said.

Brooke Inman is an artist and educator at VCUarts. Inman will not table at this year’s festival, but designed their t-shirts and tote bags.

Inman’s zines focus on her personal life and interests, such as relationships and birdwatching. She attended the event in previous years and stressed the importance of supporting artists.

“It’s really important for our culture and our society to support artists and support their voices,” she said. “Zine Fest just gives a space for folks to really speak their minds, and be themselves and it's just a really awesome creative space.”

150 handmade bowls to the event, according to Holocombe. Ciuba was awarded a VMFA fellowship when she was a student, and now teaches classes and private lessons at Hand/ Thrown Ceramics Studio.

After taking a step back from art, Ciuba decided to contribute to the event to reintroduce herself to the scene, she said. Ciuba wants to make a career that can financially support her, so the throwdown was a good opportunity to sharpen her skills and get faster.

“I tried to lean into the things that I was already good at and then challenge myself to develop those skills further,” Ciuba said. “I would say making is a bit of a meditation.”

The point of creating functional work is for it to be used, so combining ceramics with food is an efficient concept, according to Ciuba.

Joe’s Inn was one of the 26 restaurants participating in the Throwdown. Manager Lars Reisinger and kitchen manager John Wise teamed up to create a Bolognese

sauce for a ground beef-style chili, according to Reisinger.

The pair incorporated chili powder, peppers and other classic ingredients into their dish.

Reisinger also got the opportunity to sample other chilies at the event, but was unable to complete the full suite.

“I probably had like six or seven chilies,” Reisinger said. “I couldn’t do all 26.”

The VisArts Center is a gem in the community, Reisinger said. Attendees were able to have a nice dinner and support the art center.

The judges chose Pig and Brew as their victor, and Smoky Mug was the people’s choice winner, according to the VisArts’ Instagram.

The winners received clay trophies of a proud figure with a jalapeno around its head, hand-crafted by VisArts studio manager Matt Spahr, according to a VisArts Instagram post.

Once again, the Richmond community showed up in droves to support local restaurants and artists at VisArts center annual Chili Throwdown, leaving attendees eagerly awaiting next year’s cook-off.

Second Street Festival brings Jackson Ward’s history to life

Continued from front page

“We’ve been to the festival for five years straight,” attendee Kim Brown said. “It’s been a great adventure for us to remember the importance of our heritage in the heart of Richmond.”

Jackson Ward — nicknamed “the Harlem of the South,” according to the Historic Jackson Ward Association — was home to iconic black-owned businesses, renowned jazz clubs and much more that

have become scarce due to gentrification.

“We used to watch movies at the Hippodrome, which was burned down in the 1900s, and a lot of new apartment complexes were built,” Andrea B, an attendee and long-time resident of the neighborhood said. “It’s just not the same, but I’m glad that I get to experience the times I’ve had in Jackson Ward through this festival.”

The neighborhood has suffered from a variety of modernization projects that may have benefited the environment, but took away from the communities that had built their lives there.

“I’m a VCU sophomore, so I’ve been coming for about two years and I remember learning the architectural and environmental history in class, and I think it’s a great opportunity for people in the community to come together,” second-year student, Breanna Brown said.

Regardless of where attendees come from, the festival is a valuable experience for Richmonders and visitors alike.

The festival was a remarkable experience, attendee Mollie MoragneSutherland said.

Despite not growing up in the area, she said hearing about the multitude of stories from Jackson Ward and walking through the culture-filled streets gave her goosebumps.

While gentrification continues to reshape the landscape, the annual Second Street Festival remains essential in preserving the cultural vibrancy that once defined the Jackson Ward neighborhood in 20th century Richmond.

“I was born and raised in Jackson Ward and moved out in the third grade. It has changed a lot,” festival attendee, Jennifer Montgomery, said. “But being back here just brings back memories. It was when we were comfortable, happy and living with our doors open and fans in the window.”

The soul food, music and a variety of local African American stores help the community relive their memories of growing up in Jackson Ward, according to Montgomery.

The event not only acts as a means of remembering the vibrant African American scene in Richmond, but also showcases the talent and resilience of the members from the Jackson Ward community.

Organizers of the festival encourage longtime residents of the area and newcomers to take part in this annual tradition in hopes of honoring the legacy of Jackson Ward while looking toward the future.

To learn more about the history behind Jackson Ward, visit venturerichmond.com.

Meet the local fire performers lighting up First Fridays

CORA PERKINS

Assistant Spectrum Editor

On the first Friday of every month, crowds watch in awe as glowing performers twirl like living flames and the sparks coming off of their torches light the Jackson Ward night sky.

The apex of the dazzling display comes with the Carnival of 5 Fires, which returned for its 20th anniversary on Oct. 3.With DJs, fire performers, a burlesque show and 50 different vendors, Marshall Street quickly filled with hordes of people ready for an unforgettable night.

The main spectacle was the “Pyro Circus,” put on by the Party Liberation Foundation. PLF is a non-profit organization and fire performance group that puts on regular events and workshops throughout the Richmond area.

Encased by a circle of red lights, performers spun staffs, hula hoops, whips and swords — all blazing with fire. They danced along to the music played by local DJs, mixing flow art into their performances.

Fire spinning is an alluringly dangerous activity, but these artists make it look easy. They have improved their craft through years of practice and performances, and though monetary support is rare, the community shares endless love for each other.

Bunny Senpai is a fire spinner and burlesque dancer from the Richmond area. She was introduced to the fire performance community through an old coworker at VCU, she said.

“I randomly took a fire [eating] class a couple of years ago, and one of my coworkers was talking about, ‘Oh well, I spin fire,’” Senpai said. “And she was like, ‘You should join my fire spinning troupe.’ So I joined and got into PLF events, just kind of as an offspring, and I love it.”

She spins mainly palm torches and faces, but will occasionally spin hoops for choreography with her dancing.

“I mostly spin fire just because fire eating and fire breathing kind of have a

shelf life, people kind of call it, ‘cause you’re inhaling fuel,” Senpai said. “So there’s only so long that you can do that.”

She performs full-time, whether it be with fire or her burlesque shows. Many performers do not follow that method because they usually do not get paid at PLF events, according to Senpai. They typically work day jobs and perform because they enjoy it.

The fire performance community creates a safe space for those interested in fire spinning, as it is a dangerous art that people should not learn on their own, Senpai said.

“So coming to events like this is really a great way to find a bunch of weird, usually, most of us are neurodivergent people, and just have a safe space to do this,” Senpai said.

For her, fire spinning is a way to get out of her thoughts and stop overthinking.

“So I guess long story short, fire spinning and flow arts to me is just a space for you to get out of your mind and into your body,” Senpai said.

Kayle Kuser

Kayle Kuser volunteers with PLF and has been fire spinning for the past three years, she said. Aside from a few tips and tricks from friends and videos, she is self-taught.

Kuser began with small handheld props and gradually transitioned through various props over the years, ultimately finding what worked best for her.

“They’re called palm torches, and then I just kind of really felt out the flame and I started exploring different crops because there is a wide variety of those,” Kuser said. “And then I found what was best for me, and that is [a] staff.”

Kuser occasionally performs paid shows, but primarily engages in fire spinning as a hobby while working full-time as a massage therapist.

“For the most part here, this is for Party Liberation and our crew; we are basically just having fun,” Kuser said.

The community is extremely supportive and inviting, according to Kuser.

“Anyone is welcome, no matter who you are, what you go by, [we are] very accepting of race, the LGBTQ community as well,”

Kuser said. “We all are kind of like a little family, truly.”

Casey Lopez

Lopez has been fire spinning since 2023, when she auditioned for Richmond’s only fire troupe, Exothermia. She did flow arts — a variety of movement-based disciplines, including dance, juggling and fire-spinning — for over 10 years before she got into fire performing.

“In 2023, they were having open auditions to join Exothermia to go out to Burning Man, and she kind of convinced me to get into it and since then, that’s how I’ve been going to more First Friday events and spinning fire there,” Lopez said.

Lopez uses First Friday and “Caturday” events as a place to try new things and play around with moves without pressure. Both the art of fire performing and the community have helped her to become more outgoing and confident, she said.

perform in front of, like, a large crowd of people has helped with boosting confidence and just excitement, and you kind of just get lost in the fire when you’re dancing too,” Lopez said. “It’s just a really good space to be in and just kind of almost like a meditation.”

host an “Octoberween” event on Oct. 31 at Powers BMX Shop, starting at 9 p.m., which will feature a costume contest, live DJ sets, fire performances, aerial acts and more. Tickets start at $33.85 and are available for purchase on PLF’s Eventbrite page.

Features

RVA Spotlight

Queen Francine is home! After search efforts from local volunteers on “Task Force Francine” and others, RVA’s resident Lowe’s cat has returned to her loving home on Broad Street.

Atlantic sturgeon are making a comeback in the James River thanks to these conservationists

AUDREY POLVERARI Contributing Writer

Spawning season for the endangered Atlantic sturgeon is underway in the James River, marking a brief but critical window of research and advocacy for the prehistoric fish.

Once thought to be gone from Virginia’s rivers, the Atlantic sturgeon has made a fragile comeback after decades of work by VCU’s Rice Rivers Center, the James River Association, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and tribal nations.

The federally endangered species, which can reach 14 feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds, has been swimming upriver for months to spawn. Breaching activity, when the fish launch themselves from the water, peaks in mid-September.

Tom Dunlap, the James River Association’s riverkeeper, said there were recent reports of up to six breaches an hour near the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge in Chesterfield County.

The sturgeon’s resurgence also signifies the James River’s broader environmental recovery, according to Dunlap.

“The decades of work to improve water quality and the existing habitat for these species has laid the foundation for the return that’s happened,” Dunlap said.

The James River Association aims to mobilize the community to protect and take pride in their waters by helping streamside property owners adopt river-friendly practices, such as planting riparian buffers — vegetation that reduces sediment and pollutants while preserving underwater grass habitats vital to sturgeon.

“Every time we’re improving the habitat

emerged. In order to create a recovery plan, they needed good data — something difficult to obtain on a species teetering on extinction.

“It was a black box,” said Greg Garman, an associate professor of biology at VCU who is involved in the project. “We had no idea when they showed up, where they went to spawn, just no information.”

With new sonar tracking tools, researchers discovered sturgeon do not only spawn in the spring, but in late summer and fall.

“That kind of blew the doors off things,” Garman said.

The discovery allowed researchers to build predictive models of spawning runs and work with industries along the river to adjust water intake during critical spawning periods, reducing risks to eggs and larvae.

Researchers collected the first egg of the season in September — a sure sign that spawning is happening. But Garman cautioned that survival rates remain troubling.

“From what we can see, all the environmental conditions are lining up. From that perspective, there should be a good spawning event,” Garman said. “But at least recently, it hasn’t been the spawning. It’s the early juvenile stage. Something seems to go wrong.”

Since 2018’s strong class of juveniles, young have been few and far between, according to Garman. The low recruitment numbers are troubling for recovery and there is no known explanation.

One loose theory is that high freshwater flows in 2018 pushed invasive blue catfish downstream, briefly easing predation pressure on young sturgeon. Researchers agree that blue catfish remain a major obstacle to recovery across Virginia rivers.

the peoples that saw sturgeon as sustenance, a marker of season and strength.

“I see them as a beacon of hope,” Fox said. “For so long, people thought they were basically extinct. Come to find out, that’s not true at all. They’re actually doing a lot better than we would have thought.”

At 23-years-old, Fox is among the newest generation of sturgeon scientists. Her interest began when the Pamunkey Tribe received the NOAA Species Recovery Grant in 2018. Fox connected with the Upper Mattaponi Tribe’s former environmental director through a National Park Service internship, and now works under that same grant.

Working closely with Matt Balazik, the leading sturgeon researcher at Rice Rivers Center, Fox primarily focuses on the Mattaponi River’s juvenile population. They aim to gather data on one of the most pressing questions in sturgeon recovery — why juvenile survival rates remain so low.

“There could be multiple different factors that are plaguing them,” Fox said. “Maybe they’re hatched or maybe they’re larvae. Maybe they make it to one year, but then they don’t make it to two years. We’re trying to find where that breakdown of age is, and why they might not be growing up.”

Fox’s role highlights the growing collaboration between tribes, universities and state and federal agencies on conservation projects, better ensuring that Indigenous voices and knowledge are a part of recovery efforts.

“[The organizations] that have access to these resources are now more willing to not only share these resources, but bring us into the fold,” Fox said. “Connecting these groups of people is giving us the opportunity to reconnect. It’s

Opinions

An ode to the Monroe Park saxophone man

and Richmond’s street artists

KYLIE GRUNSFELD Contributing Writer

If you have spent time in Monroe Park, you have probably heard Bradyn Barr — better known as the “Saxophone Man” — playing his eponymous instrument.

I first heard Barr in the park last year, and I am impressed by his commitment to making Monroe Park a jazzier place. His motivation to play day after day — especially in such a public place — is truly admirable.

Barr, a second-year student at VCU studying music performance, confirmed he chose Monroe Park — specifically near the gazebo or World War II memorial, as his stage due to the high foot traffic.

“I honestly think there is a specific benefit, and it’s not the tips,” Barr said. “It’s more so that I’m getting myself more relaxed in a public environment.”

Despite his academic concentration on the jazz trombone and ability to play several other instruments, Barr identified the saxophone as one of his personal favorites to play. You will often find him in the park practicing with headphones in, playing along to various tracks.

As a musician myself, I often shy away from opportunities to play if I do not feel polished enough. I practice in my bedroom with the door shut and my sound machine on.

What makes Barr so impressive is that his practices are his performances — he doesn’t wait until he is on a proper stage to share his music with the people. It takes guts to play for an audience, let alone to practice a piece in front of hundreds of passerbys that traverse through Monroe Park every day.

While he mostly gets positive feedback, sometimes people have some choice words for Barr that are not always the kindest. Barr said that heckling won’t stop him.

“I haven’t listened,” Barr said. “That honestly hasn’t stopped me. The only thing that stopped me is my inconsistency with scheduling. But I will try to be out in Monroe Park as often as possible.”

You can get a front row seat to one of his performances in various places around

Quote of the week

“No night is long enough for us to dream twice.” — Mahmoud Darwish, Unfortunately, It Was Paradise: Selected Poems

Monroe, and you might even start seeing him at Triangle Park.

Suffice to say, Barr is a great example of putting yourself out there despite the constraints of being a college student. When you go to school full-time, it’s challenging to find a suitable time or place to showcase your creations. But that is the great thing about Richmond and VCU — there are, quite literally, opportunities at every corner.

In general, the artists most worth commending are those who make art

purely out of a love of the process. These kinds of artists help make Richmond the vibrant, authentic place it is — the Carytown buskers, the “Belvedere break dancer,” the bucket drummers and each and every person who sells prints, portraits or jewelry in the park.

You don’t need to book a concert venue or an art gallery to be seen. All you really need is a desire to create — and, if you stick with it like Barr, you might just become a local legend.

Fake frats have real consequences

Continued from front page

When reviewing the various Greek life organizations that have been suspended for misconduct on VCU’s website, you will see it is composed almost entirely of fraternities, such as Pi Kappa Phi, now operating under the name “Rose Club,” and Phi Mu, which now goes by “The Collective RVA.”

One of the most common reasons for these suspensions is “Abusive Conduct: Endangering Health or Safety.” It is not surprising that the vast majority of these suspensions are directly related to the notorious parties being thrown.

These terminations have not stopped many of these fraternities from operating — it simply prevents them from being recognized as official student organizations.

When these groups throw their parties, people assume they are legitimate, unaware that the frat had been previously suspended for allegedly spiking partygoers.

I conducted an informal poll in an Instagram group chat containing almost 200 female-identifying VCU students. 50% of them do not know whose frat party they are attending more than half of the time. This, combined with the lurking threat of these fake frats like “Rose Club” and “The Collective,” is a dangerous combination. You tell yourself that not knowing whose party you are going to is not the end of the world. You are in college and just want to have fun. You probably go with your friends and say you will stay as alert as you can. You are all dancing, talking and getting distracted.

Then someone slips something into your cup. It is not your fault, but it will affect you for a very long time.

An anonymous comment left on the poll stated: “Not only did I get roofied, but no one from the school did anything about it.”

VCU does try to protect its students in some ways. Last month, VCU sent out an email warning students about the suspended fraternities and the new names they operate under. Generally speaking, the school responds and assists when a catastrophic event occurs at a recognized organization.

Four years ago, Adam Oakes, a pledge, died during a hazing incident at the off-campus Delta Chi house. VCU permanently banned Delta Chi from being a recognized organization, resulting in 11 fraternity brothers

being indicted and the creation of “Adam’s Law.”

Within the last week, a hazing incident occurred at Theta Chi, another unrecognized fraternity. VCU sent out another email on Oct. 7 to inform students of the allegations against the fraternity — physical battery, forced alcohol consumption and more. The previously mentioned poll supports that none of this is particularly surprising to hear, which should be concerning.

In the emails the school sends out cautioning against unrecognized fraternities, they make sure to mention the group in question is not a recognized part of VCU.

When VCU fails to enforce the suspension

of unrecognized fraternities, it creates a significant gap in accountability and support. When an incident occurs at a non-recognized organization off-campus, the school has limited legal obligations to act. While the threat of these “fake frats” is not necessarily the university’s fault, the absence of school support can make the victims feel more vulnerable and powerless. As Halloween approaches, parties will become more frequent. Please do not blindly attend these functions and simply hope for the best. Find out what frat is throwing the party. Do a quick Google search on their chapter at VCU and see what you find. Reddit is your best resource — news outlets don’t cover a lot of the “smaller” time incidents.

Ultimately, you need to know whose party you are attending. Be conscious of your surroundings when in unfamiliar spaces surrounded by strangers. Awareness is your best defense against tragedy.

Opinions

‘Hive minds’ in media reflect a real-world need for compassion

MAYA SUNDERRAJ

Assistant Opinions Editor

I have noticed many people, including myself, often repeat particular language when discussing the current zeitgeist within the United States and internationally. People reference an “extreme ideological polarization” between and within political parties and a growing desensitization to political violence and human rights violations.

Despite these global patterns of chaos, foreign nations and peoples are often characterized by the West as representing contrasting cultures, such as the “collectivist” and “individualist” divide between hemispheres. This veneer of nationalism and superiority distracts from larger, widespread issues that overlap cultural and political borders.

When I look for representations of this sentiment in fiction, I end up with works that employ the “hive mind” trope. This trope features a group that shares a collective identity, often literally, and functions as a whole made up of individual parts. It is inspired by the behavior of real-life species such as ants and bees.

Authors apply these social and behavioral characteristics to their own work, but often in a dramatized and fantastical manner. In Western

media, hive minds are typically portrayed as antagonists, often depicted as an alien civilization at war with individualistic, non-assimilated protagonists. It is unsurprising when the hive mind’s destruction is consequently viewed as the “good” ending.

There are many examples, from the enemy in Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game,” to the “Arcane” character Viktor’s commune in the show’s second season.

“Arcane” is representative of my favorite use of this trope — when authors don’t debate whether one ideology is superior, but rather whether or not the two must be mutually exclusive.

The collective in the show is born out of a desire to help others, but becomes a problem when it must resort to stealing

from normal society to maintain itself. Eventually, the commune is brought down, with the show illustrating that individual identity is more valuable than a collective one, including all the suffering that results from individuality.

The hive mind in “Arcane” is not some alien race or AI that has no explanation for its creation. It is created due to holes within its preexisting society — including literal segregation, a lack of welfare and neglect of addicts and the disabled. Although I have many other qualms with season two of “Arcane,” certain themes presented by the hive mind are not one of them.

I do not enjoy how hive minds are typically simplified in fiction as an omniscient and apathetic being that acts more like a math formula — desaturated,

deterministic and dull — than anything that reflects human behavior. While I subscribe to the idea that life is beautiful because of and despite its complexities, including suffering, I am unsure that hive minds, often portrayed as a rejected utopia, are truly the most horrible answer. They are unfamiliar and strange, but that doesn’t mean they are inherently evil or antithetical to life.

“Arcane” exemplifies this perspective in both fiction and real life. Individualist and collectivist cultures — fictional or not — are not entirely different things. They both have the same needs, fears and problems. It is not just the West that has issues with fascism — it is being characterized as a global descent into the ideology for a reason.

The exploration of hive minds, of pitting things against one another, reflects the very human desire for a quick solution to very nuanced issues. If a group is characterized as collectivist, real or not, then it is easy to simplify and misunderstand the nature of that group.

In times of growing extremism, seeing the world in its full spectrum is a virtue and advantage. We must resist the human tendency to simplify the unfamiliar and unlikable into rigid categories and instead criticize false dichotomies that delay the progression of individuals and communities alike.

Puzzles

GAME CHANGERS

By Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol

By Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol

By The Mepham Group