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VOL. 64, NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
Shooting near campus injures two students
KATRINA LEE News Editor
Student organizations greet students at New Student Convocation 2021. CT File Photo
University to implement hazing education for student organizations ANNA CHEN Audience Editor
V
IRGINIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERsities are now required to provide hazing prevention training following the passage of Adam’s Law. Joe Wheeless, director of VCU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said he plans to keep an eye out for any reports of hazing as student organizations, clubs, sororities and fraternities begin their recruitment process. “The goal of this education is to make sure that they [students] can know and understand what hazing is and how to report it,” Wheeless said. The training provides students with education on the effects and overconsumption of alcohol, Wheeless said. The education also includes information on how to identify hazing and the severity scale of different types of hazing, along with Virginia laws and VCU’s policies on hazing, according to Wheeless.
“The ultimate goal is so students can identify what hazing would be and what resources are available for reporting and supporting students who may experience hazing,” Wheeless said.
The ultimate goal is so students can identify what hazing would be and what resources are available for reporting and supporting students who may experience hazing.” Joe Wheeless, director of VCU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Students interested in joining fraternities and sororities will need to complete the hazing prevention training, per Adam’s law, named after Adam Oakes who died due to alcohol poisoning as a result of hazing on Feb. 26, 2021. The General Assembly passed the bill, and it was subsequently signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in April. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will keep track of student attendance. If the chapter is interested in the student’s bid, the office will do an eligibility check and share with the chapter if the student is eligible to join or not, according to Wheeless. Along with hazing prevention training, the legislation requires Virginia colleges and universities to report any incidents and hazing violations to campus police or local law enforcement, according to the Virginia Legislative Information System.
Richmond Police Department officers responded to the 200 block of South Laurel Street for the report of a shooting on Sept. 5 at 8:09 p.m., according to RPD an email statement. RPD officers located two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Both males were transported to a local hospital for nonlife threatening injuries. The department did not comment on any developments on the suspects involved in the shooting. A VCU alert was emailed to all students approximately two hours after the shooting at 10:13 p.m. “The first suspect is a black male, with dreadlocks and no shirt. The second suspect is a black male, with a low fade haircut, wearing a white T-Shirt and black shorts. They were last seen driving a dark blue or dark green sedan. Last seen heading towards the university,” the alert stated. The alert also stated Richmond Police are leading the investigation, and police have increased patrols in the area. The university’s Division of Student Affairs sent an email to students yesterday afternoon, which consisted of an overview of the situation, safety reminders and links to mental health services. The email also confirmed the two individuals injured were VCU students. “The students were near a large gathering of people on Laurel Street when shots were fired,” the email stated. For more information, go to https://alert.vcu.edu/
See HAZING on page 3
‘WE’RE DEFINITELY ADAPTING’:
Students adjust to relaxed COVID-19 policies See COVID-19 on page 2 Many students are maskless while they wait in line at the Starbucks located in the James Branch Cabell Library. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore