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VOL. 71, NO. 7 OCT. 8, 2025 THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
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VIRGINIA FACULTY, STUDENTS PREPARE LEGISLATIVE PUSH TO
REGAIN POWER AT UNIVERSITIES YENNI JIMENEZ ACOSTA Contributing Writer 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 “work ing 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 OPINIONS
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 — prima rily 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 Dona ld Tr u mp, accord ing to a previous report by The Commonwealth Times. A member of the VCU chapter of the United Campus Workers of Virginia protests a Board of Visitors meeting in 2024. CT file photo by Andrew Kerley. HIGHER ED Continued on page 3
SPECTRUM
Illustration by Zoë Luis.
Rhythms of History:
Second Street Festival brings Jackson Ward’s history to life
Fake frats have real consequences MOLLY CHRISTIANSON Contributing Writer 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. FAKE FRATS Continued on page 9
SAANVI VOOTLA Contributing Writer 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
Souped up low riders on display at the 2nd St Festival. Photo by Hassan Lowery. 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.
SECOND STREET FESTIVAL Continued on page 7
Richmond Zine Fest to return
Scouting Report
Sturgeon Resurgence
see SPECTRUM page 6
see SPORTS page 5
see FEATURES page 8