Richmond May Day Marches Through Controversy

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Union supporters and labor activists came together on May 1st to celebrate one cause – May Day. And like the labor movement, it did not come without controversy.

Nearly 300 people gathered at Monroe Park to listen to performers and speakers rally about workers’ rights and the need to continue to fight for social equality. The third May Day rally led to a parade of flags, signs and puppets with music by the No BS Brass Band. People marched through Monroe Park up to Harrison St. and Broad St.

The parade was not legal. In late April, a federal judge denied the May Day Coalition a permit because the group did not want to pay for security from off-duty police officers. Organizers warned marchers to stay on the sidewalks but many did not listen.

Police did not show up until the parade reached Broad St. The parade finished without any arrests.

The idea of a workers’ holiday came about after the 1886 Haymarket Massacre when Chicago police fired against union strikers and killed a dozen people.

AD Talks About VCU Athletics

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- VCU Athletics has soared to new heights since 2006, including the recent run to the Final Four, and there's one man who's behind it all.

Norwood Teague was hired as VCU's Director of Athletics in 2006 and under his watch, the Rams continue to add more to their trophy case.

Teague was recently interviewed by the University of Miami for the Dir. of Athletics position over there. He said he turned down the position because he loves VCU and Richmond so much and that there's more work he wants to accomplish.

Teague says the success of VCU Athletics comes from hiring great coaches, who in turn will recruit great student athletes.

Rapper Adds "Author" to Résumé

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- A Virginia rapper adds a new occupation to his résumé: author.

Malice from the rap duo Clipse visited VCU on April 11 to promote his new book, "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked."

Malice led a lecture and showed video excerpts that he created to promote the book. Students asked questions and a book signing followed after the lecture.

The Student Hip-Hop Organization (SHHO) of VCU hosted the event after Malice visited the campuses of Old Dominion University, William and Mary and the University of Virginia. Malice says he is working on an audio-book and movie version of the book.

'Mass Comm Week' Highlights Media Leaders

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- The School of Mass Communications is hosting "Mass Comm Week," their annual speaker series about today's media.

Carol Mawyer, a faculty member in mass communications and the event's organizer, said leading representatives from the fields of journalism, advertising and public relations will talk at different panels about how modern media are changing.

Mawyer adds that while they encourage the general public to attend, this is an opportunity for current mass communications student to get career advice, including a chance to attend a career fair for internships.

"Mass Comm Week" runs from Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29. Most events will be in the VCU Temple building or in the Student Commons on the Monroe Park campus.

VCU Students 'Nearly Naked' For Charity

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- "Be bold and feel the cold." That's what 50 students did in the beginning of March as the VCU student organization Students Today Alumni Tomorrow hosted its first Nearly Naked Mile to show what it's like to be coatless during the winter.

Students and volunteers ran laps around the Cary Street Fields and donated a variety of winter clothing, such as coats, sweaters and socks. All donations were given to the charity HillTop Promises, who help those in need.

The organization got the idea from Morehead University and decided to bring it to VCU for fun community service.

Non-Profit Shows Off Pedal Power

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Pedaling isn't just a form of exercise--it's also a form of power. To raise awareness about energy conservation and sustainability, a non-profit organization called Pedal Power held its third annual Pedal Power competition in Richmond in mid-March.

Twenty teams of two pedaled for half an hour while watt meters measured how much power was produced.

Participants produced over 4,000 watts, enough to power a standard desktop computer for 19 hours. They used their power to cook their lunch, provided by P.F. Chang's. Pedal Power plans to power several food vendors at Richmond's Earth Day Festival in April.

Alternative Designs Proposed For Virginia Capital Trail

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Two alternative designs have been proposed for the next phase of development for the Virginia Capital Trail, a separate trail or a widened shoulder along Route 5. The next phase will be constructed in Varina in eastern Henrico County.

A recent public hearing by the Virginia Department of Transportation gathered citizens opinion and found that more than 75% of Varina residents prefer a separate trail. A shoulder-widening project would impact property owners and could cost almost twice as much as a separate trail.

The 55-mile Virginia Capital Trail runs parallel along Route 5 all the way from Richmond to Williamsburg. Four sections of the trail are already complete. The trail should be finished by 2014.

Gender Studies Department Holds Spring Art Show

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies at VCU has opened its doors for its spring art show. It features artwork from 20 students, faculty and other local and national artists. Each art piece focuses on a central idea within the department such as race, class, gender, or sexuality.

This was the department's fifth show since 2009 at the Starke House on Franklin Street. It is free and open to the public and will run until May.

Plans for Construction in Monroe Park Causes Tension

By Junelynn Tran



Monroe Park, located in Richmond’s Fan district, has been used since the mid-19th Century. Originally, it was used as the state agricultural fairground site and now serves as an assembly ground for drifters and homeless people. The City of Richmond is looking to give the park an upgrade but it is causing a stir with some.

It is hard to pass by Monroe Park on Sundays and not notice homeless relief groups giving out food and clothes. But all that may change in the upcoming year. Monroe Park plans to revamp its image by spending $6.2 million to reconstruct paths and add new park amenities, such as moveable chess tables and a stage area.

Alice Massie, President of the Monroe Park Advisory Council, says the goal is to restore the park’s original layout while modernizing it to appeal to VCU students and other visitors.

“The projected changes are based on safety, for all public,” said Massie. “Students, citizens, neighbors, those that are handicap accessible needed and the average student who wants to cruise through the park.”

While the city has received positive feedback from the general public in regards to the renovation, it is the homeless and the homeless relief groups that volunteer in Monroe Park that have the most opposition. Monroe Park will be under construction for at least nine month, which begs the question - what will the homeless and volunteers do now?

Wendell Joyner, a volunteer from the Future Church of Christ, said it would become difficult to find the homeless if they have no where else to go.

Massie agrees that this will cause some challenges for the homeless, but the City of Richmond is looking at alternatives. Massie says they are “working to be proactive” to help the people recognize their options to get a meal, fresh water and other amenities.

Food Not Bombs, a volunteer homeless relief group, has been feeding people in Monroe Park for 16 years. A volunteer from the organization said that closing down the park for nine months is “unacceptable and unfair” to the homeless.

Massie points out that the upgrades are for all people.

“It is for anyone that wants to enjoy the outdoors,” said Massie. “So whether you are a retired man who wants to play chess or a student who wants to study with a group or sunbathe or play any kind of casual sport or if you’re family and you want to have a picnic. It should be for anybody in the city of Richmond.”

Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in spring 2011.

VCU welcomes the class of 2014

By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times

Keys? Check. New TV? Check. Kettle Corn? Why not.

Over the weekend, approximately 3,650 freshman flooded Monroe Park moving into on-campus housing with the help of families and a small army of VCU Residential Life and Housing greeters.

In coordination with the Richmond Police, traffic on both Main and Franklin Street ground to a halt as officers shut down street parking and reserved lanes for freshman move-in only. Families received color-coded parking passes indicating which loading zones and parking decks were reserved for them. Parking officials allotted each family 30 minutes to unload in front of dorms before asking them to move to long-term parking decks. Several tow trucks loomed nearby as a reminder for families to keep moving.

About 60 yellow-shirted greeters waited outside residence halls. They provided water bottles, helpful directions and extra sets of arms, unpacking car after car until the final family cleared the loading area.

After signing into receive room and mailbox keys, new students entered their dorms and met their Resident Assistant.

Not everything about Move-In day was stressful. In Monroe Park there were many festivities to help students and their families relax after unpacking; such as chair massages, a mechanical bull ride and a magician. About 9,000 bottles of water were offered courtesy of the VCU Alumni Association, along with kettle corn and “I Love VCU” buttons. Volunteers from fraternities and sororities wore green shirts and helped guide students and family members to recycling bins.

The planning process took nine months to prepare, according to Jane Firer, associate director of administrative operations in university housing. “It’s a mixture of stress and anticipation,” said Firer. “It’s gratifying to see the process work out successfully.”

In all, about 5,000 students will live in on-campus housing this year, filling the dorms to capacity.

Original article

Student financial assistance funds to double in upcoming year

By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times

For the 2010-2011 academic year, VCU’s ongoing funds for student financial assistance will receive a $4.8 million increase due to tuition increases, nearly doubling the existing funds.

Approximately $45.4 million is available for financial aid, more than 21 percent from the last school year.

More than $20.5 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by state funds. The money goes toward providing scholarships and fellowships through the Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program and the College Scholarship Assistance Program. The amount of money is the same as last year.

More than $24.8 million for student financial assistance is appropriated by federal funds. The money goes towards federal work-study, and grants and scholarships, such as Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (SMART) and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants. The amount of money has almost doubled since last year.

The Pell Grant Program is expected to increase, allowing an individual to receive a maximum Pell Grant award of $5,550, a $200 increase. An increase of 29 percent of the VCU student body qualify for the Pell Grant.

There is a projected increase in the ACG and SMART grants, due to the increase in students who qualify for the Pell Grant and the program expansion. The criteria for the ACG and SMART grants expanded to allow part-time students and eligible non-citizens to receive funding.

VCU will also fund an additional $43 million in need-based aids, scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers and graduate student wages within other university programs – totaling $88.4 million for student financial assistance.

Original article

Relay For Life is one step closer

By Junelynn Tran
The Commonwealth Times

RICHMOND, Va. -– In a few weeks, nearly 40 teams at Virginia Commonwealth University will unite to fight one common enemy -– cancer.

VCU will host its fourth annual Relay For Life event. Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. The purpose of the relay is to celebrate the lives of people battling cancer, remember lost loved ones, increase cancer awareness in the community and raise money for ACS.

With more than 300 participants, VCU has raised more than $11,250. Its goal is to raise $30,000 at the relay. Relay teams will set up fundraising booths at the VCU Cary Street Track and Field grounds on April 17, 2010. Each team will conduct its own fundraiser in an effort to raise money for cancer. Representatives from each team will walk or run around the field throughout the event.

Currently, the team that has raised the most money is Rehabbin’ Rams. Its members are a part of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club at VCU. They have raised nearly $1,400, surpassing their team goal of $1,000. QuaShauna Smith, the team’s co-captain, said she “constantly reminds people about the relay” and encourages supporters for donations.

“I found out this year that my grandfather died of cancer, so actually, this fundraiser means a lot to me,” Smith said. “I pray that I am helping out someone with all the participants’ efforts of awareness.”

Rehabbin’ Rams has already completed a fundraiser with Tropical Smoothie Cafe and expects to have another fundraiser before the date of the relay. Smith said the team will have snacks and games at their fundraising booth.

One of the top participants, Nikki Johnson, has raised almost $500 for her team, Muevelo. Muevelo is a student dance organization committed to community service and teaching dance workshops. As president of her team, Johnson said she became involved after she heard her friend was diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Because Relay For Life is well known and well promoted, it’s easy to find people who support the cause,” Johnson said. “Everyone should come out. Do something good for the world.”

Muevelo has fundraised with Panera Bread, and recently, hosted a handcuff party to encourage guests to donate for cancer. They raised $280 in one night. Johnson plans to participate in another fundraising event, possibly a penny wars between her team members.

The day of Relay For Life will include an opening ceremony from a cancer survivor family, in addition to several guest speakers. The rest of the day will be dedicated to fundraising and special activities for everyone to participate. At night, there will be a Luminaria ceremony, a candlelight ceremony dedicated to honor those who have died or battled cancer.

Nadine Malpass, the Central Virginia area director for ACS, said the ceremony “is very moving, starting somber to very uplifting.”

Malpass also said she is “thankful to the college movement” because they are the next generation to keep fighting against cancer.

Rachel Prunier, the team recruitment and volunteer chair for Relay For Life, said this year’s event is different because there is more community involvement and more teams.

“Teams make the event. They help it grow and help find a cure,” Prunier said. “Cancer affects, more than just a cancer patient. It affects the caretaker, family and friends.”

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.relayforlife.org/vcu.

Original article

Flu vaccine in short supply

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. -– The number of swine flu cases in Virginia is rising, but the vaccine against the H1N1 flu virus is in short supply, the state’s top health official said Friday.

Health Commissioner Karen Remley said that fewer than 400,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine are available in Virginia, which has almost 8 million residents.

The limited supply of vaccines has been distributed or is in transit to health care providers throughout the state. The immediate goal is to provide doses to high-risk priority groups, such as pregnant women, health care providers and people with chronic medical problems.

“We have a state of 7.7 million people, so you’re looking at about over 3.5 million people who fit in those priority groups, and we have less than 400,000 doses,” Remley said in a telephone conference call with reporters Friday.

Emergency room treatment for suspected flu in Virginia reached an all-time high of 14.2 percent this week, Remley said. Previous seasonal flu cycles have peaked around 7 percent.

About 60 percent of the vaccine doses sent to Virginia health care providers are injectable, while 40 percent are in the nasal mist form.

With 2,800 vaccination sites statewide, not every location will receive its entire order of vaccines. Some sites have received as few as 100 doses.

Remley attributed the short supply of vaccines to production delays. It takes weeks to manufacture because the process requires recreating the H1N1 virus to create the vaccine. Then each batch of vaccine must be tested to make sure it is safe and effective.

The Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are working to distribute the vaccines in a timely fashion because the vaccines are perishable.

Remley said Virginia should expect to receive more of the H1N1 vaccine next week. She hopes the vaccine will be readily available to the general public in mid-November.

The Virginia Department of Health created a statewide media campaign and vaccination program against the H1N1 flu virus called “H1N1Get1. It’s up to you to fight the flu.” The campaign promotes awareness against the virus and encourages Virginians to get vaccinated.

Last week, at an event at Virginia Commonwealth University’s medical campus, Remley received one of the first vaccinations. Remley has asthma, a chronic health condition that puts her in a high-risk priority group.

The VDH’s media campaign strongly encourages people to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of the contagious flu virus.

Virginia has had 10 reported deaths associated with the H1N1 virus. That’s fewer deaths than most other states when compared with their population, Remley said.

Besides getting vaccinated, health officials are promoting other ways to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover the mouth when sneezing and coughing
• Use hand sanitizers
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home if feeling unwell

For more information about swine flu, visit www.h1n1get1.com, a Web site created by Virginia Department of Health. The department also has a toll-free hot line -– 1-877-ASK-VDH3.

Original article