Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026

News

Siegel Center becomes first Virginia venue to accept mobile ID

February 10, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor VCU’s Stuart C. Siegel Center — known by Ram Nation as “the Stu” — now accepts Virginia Mobile ID, a digital version of state identification, as a faster method of getting through an ID check. It is the first event venue in the state to do so.  The change was announced at the stadium on Feb. 5 in a press conference hosted by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. It is now in effect for future events. VCU started offering up the Siegel Center as a venue last year to help pay student athletes, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported last year. At roughly 200,000 square feet it becomes Richmond’s largest indoor venue. Virginia Mobile ID was launched as an iOS and Android app in November as a way to use a digital copy of either a Virginia driver’s license or state-issued identification card to process ID checks at airports, police stations, DMVs, ABC stores and other locations.  The DMV’s website calls mobile ID “a companion to your physical ID” and notes that users must still carry their physical ID on their person to use it. Mobile ID is already accepted at multiple Richmond-area locations, including nine

VCU consolidates arts departments despite dean initially saying otherwise

February 5, 2026

Kayla Munecas, Contributing Writer Bryer Haywood, Contributing Writer VCU is pushing forward with mergers of five of its arts departments despite initial assurance from their dean that VCUarts would not be affected by the university’s academic repositioning initiative, according to faculty. The Department of Dance and Choreography and the Department of Theatre will be merged into a Department of Theatre and Dance. Additionally, the Department of Craft and Material studies, Department of Painting and Printmaking and Department of Sculpture and Extended Media are being consolidated into one Department of Fine Arts, according to a previous report by The CT. VCU has consolidated several departments as part of an academic repositioning initiative, a move the school has described to be ensuring a more efficient and academically-focused university. VCUarts was not explicitly mentioned in the final draft of repositioning recommendations shared by former Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos. A slideshow outlining the goals of the initiative listed some objectives including restructuring the College of Humanities and Sciences and renaming it University College, but there is no mention of the school of the arts. When Sotiropoulos solicited input from faculty during the repositioning process, VCUarts Dean Carmenita Higginbotham assured faculty that VCUarts would not be

VCU shuttle service sees 200 daily riders while Pulse operates at capacity

February 4, 2026

Molly Manning, Managing Editor Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor The RamsXpress saw an average of five riders at a time last semester — as city buses are operating at capacity, and the Greater Richmond Transit Company continues its search to fund the fare free operation VCU divested from. VCU introduced the RamsXpress, a shuttle between the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, in August, as their contract to fund GRTC expired, according to a previous report by the CT. During the fall 2025 semester, RamsXpress had 18,317 total riders — faculty and students — with about 1,000 riders per week, or roughly 200 per day, according to VCU Parking & Transportation director Josh Stone. The RamsXpress does not duplicate GRTC routes, and currently has 2 buses running from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. between the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. Depending on traffic, each bus reaches both campuses 40-48 times per day, according to Stone. Though that number is subject to change based on how long the bus waits for riders at each stop. Using the 200 riders per day and 40-48 stops at each campus per day estimates, the average number of RamsXpress riders at any given time

VCU cites operation costs, inflation for rising meal plan prices

February 4, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor The cost of meal plans at VCU has continued to increase into the 2025-26 school year. Some students describe them as overpriced, and are asking for change from the university. All dining plans VCU offers have gone up in price by an average of 14.69% since the 2023-24 school year, according to VCU’s most recent budget plan. Currently, there are 6,270 students with meal plans. VCU Dining Services spokesperson Anna Obermiller said the price increase is due to inflation and a rising cost in food operation and equipment. “Plan rates are adjusted annually in alignment with the Consumer Price Index, which reflects changes in food, labor, utilities, trash, composting, equipment and other operating costs that support campus dining services,” Obermiller said. “It’s these costs that determine increases in dining plan rates.” The inflation rate in the United States went up 5.54% between August 2023 and December 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. First-year students living in underclassmen dorms are required to purchase a meal plan, the cheapest of them being $3,155. Swipes can be used at any VCU dining location for transactions between $7.53 and $10.15. Dividing the cost of meal plans

VCU cita costos operativos e inflación en cuanto a precios crecientes del plan de comidas

February 4, 2026

Sal Orlando, Editor Adjunto de Noticias El costo de los planes de comidas en VCU ha seguido aumentando en el año escolar del 2025-26. Algunos estudiantes los declaran demasiado caros y piden cambio de parte de la universidad. Todos los planes de comidas que ofrece VCU han aumentado en precio por un promedio de 14.69% desde el año escolar del 2023-24 según el presupuesto más reciente de VCU. Actualmente hay 6,270 estudiantes con planes de comidas. Anna Obermiller, portavoz de los servicios alimenticios en VCU, dijo que el aumento en precio se debe a la inflación y al precio creciente del equipamiento y las operaciones alimenticias. “Las tarifas de los planes se ajustan anualmente acorde al índice de precios al consumo, el cual refleja cambios en precios operativos de comida, labor, servicios públicos, basura, composta, equipamiento y además que apoyan a los servicios alimenticios del campus,” dijo Obermiller. “Son estos gastos los que determinan los aumentos en las tarifas del plan de comidas.” La tasa de inflación en los Estados Unidos subió 5.54% entre agosto del 2023 y diciembre del 2025, según la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales de EE.UU. A estudiantes de primer año que viven en dormitorios de estudiantes

Virginia Democrats push to reform boards of visitors

February 4, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Virginia legislators filed legislation to reform the appointment process and make-up of university boards of visitors, the highest governing bodies at public universities. Proposed changes include expanding representation on boards to students, faculty and staff, clarifying the role of the General Assembly in confirming appointments and expanding the terms of appointees to reduce their dependence on individual governors. The largest piece of legislation proposes fundamental changes to the structure of boards. It would expand their membership from 16 to 18, increase terms by two years, and add one person each from the university’s faculty, staff and student bodies as voting members. VCU’s Board of Visitors has made decisions that were criticized by students and faculty in recent years, including the removal of DEI programs at the university in compliance with directives from the Trump administration and the cancellation of the racial literacy requirement developed by students and faculty. Several pieces of legislation address a lack of student or faculty representation on boards. One proposal demands one faculty and one staff voting member on each board, elected by their respective groups to serve at least 12-month terms. Another only calls for the addition of a student

VCU Health employees petition for pay allegedly lost during winter storm

February 4, 2026

VCU Health employees petition for pay allegedly lost during winter storm Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor VCU Health employees published an online petition that asked for administrative pay to make up for paid time off hours they claim were used while outpatient services were closed last week due to a winter storm. The petition states that during last week’s winter storm the health system deducted pay hours from employees’ accrued paid time off, which is generally meant for “vacation, personal days, sick time and holidays” according to Indeed.  The Change.org petition, anonymously created by “Employees of VCU Health,” states that requiring the use of PTO for a “weather-related, employer-mandated closure” was unfair to employees. It describes administrative pay, or full pay and benefits for a period determined by an employer, as a better fit for closures mandated by the employer and outside of employees’ control.  While employers are not required by federal law to offer pay for time not worked during inclement weather, many workers — including federal and City of Richmond employees — do receive such pay.  VCU Health spokesperson Danielle Pierce said VCU had not been contacted about a petition and would be “unable to speak without reviewing

Students, faculty express concerns over icy walkways as VCU returns in-person

January 30, 2026

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor Faculty from at least ten different VCU schools and departments cancelled class or moved to virtual learning on Thursday as the university reopened after a major snowstorm covered Richmond’s streets in ice.  VCU encouraged students to travel back to their hometowns ahead of the weekend snowstorm, and then asked them to return to campus on Thursday with caution.  “Parking lots, sidewalks and public spaces are largely clear of snow and ice on campus, but there may be varying travel conditions and potential icing due to freeze-thaw cycles on your commute,” the university stated on Wednesday.  Many side streets and walkways in neighborhoods around Richmond are still covered in ice. Clearing it has been mostly a losing battle, according to The Richmonder. City officials said their plows are largely ineffective against the giant sheets of ice.  Salt stops working to melt ice when temperatures drop below 20 degrees, as they have each night throughout the week. Virginia is also on winter storm watch again this weekend. “The university prioritizes safety and made the decision to open in-person based on current and expected conditions, and after consulting with many subject matter experts,” stated VCU Police spokesperson Jake Burns.

Siegel Center becomes first Virginia venue to accept mobile ID

February 10, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor VCU’s Stuart C. Siegel Center — known by Ram Nation as “the Stu” — now accepts Virginia Mobile ID, a digital version of state identification, as a faster method of getting through an ID check. It is the first event venue in the state to do so.  The change was announced at the stadium on Feb. 5 in a press conference hosted by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. It is now in effect for future events. VCU started offering up the Siegel Center as a venue last year to help pay student athletes, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported last year. At roughly 200,000 square feet it becomes Richmond’s largest indoor venue. Virginia Mobile ID was launched as an iOS and Android app in November as a way to use a digital copy of either a Virginia driver’s license or state-issued identification card to process ID checks at airports, police stations, DMVs, ABC stores and other locations.  The DMV’s website calls mobile ID “a companion to your physical ID” and notes that users must still carry their physical ID on their person to use it. Mobile ID is already accepted at multiple Richmond-area locations, including nine ABC stores and the Richmond International Airport — though some every-day establishments such as certain local bars do not accept the service yet.  Some commentators, including ACLU senior policy analyst Jay Stanley, have warned the establishment of digital state ID programs brings a greater risk of identity and data theft, the expansion of surveillance and the quickening of the process of locking the user experience online behind ID checks.  At least 21 U.S. states and territories currently accept some form of mobile ID, according to the United States Transportation Security Administration. New Jersey and Utah are the only two states with mobile ID that have also signed laws aimed at reducing related privacy risks, according to the ACLU. 

VCU consolidates arts departments despite dean initially saying otherwise

February 5, 2026

Kayla Munecas, Contributing Writer Bryer Haywood, Contributing Writer VCU is pushing forward with mergers of five of its arts departments despite initial assurance from their dean that VCUarts would not be affected by the university’s academic repositioning initiative, according to faculty. The Department of Dance and Choreography and the Department of Theatre will be merged into a Department of Theatre and Dance. Additionally, the Department of Craft and Material studies, Department of Painting and Printmaking and Department of Sculpture and Extended Media are being consolidated into one Department of Fine Arts, according to a previous report by The CT. VCU has consolidated several departments as part of an academic repositioning initiative, a move the school has described to be ensuring a more efficient and academically-focused university. VCUarts was not explicitly mentioned in the final draft of repositioning recommendations shared by former Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos. A slideshow outlining the goals of the initiative listed some objectives including restructuring the College of Humanities and Sciences and renaming it University College, but there is no mention of the school of the arts. When Sotiropoulos solicited input from faculty during the repositioning process, VCUarts Dean Carmenita Higginbotham assured faculty that VCUarts would not be

VCU shuttle service sees 200 daily riders while Pulse operates at capacity

February 4, 2026

Molly Manning, Managing Editor Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor The RamsXpress saw an average of five riders at a time last semester — as city buses are operating at capacity, and the Greater Richmond Transit Company continues its search to fund the fare free operation VCU divested from. VCU introduced the RamsXpress, a shuttle between the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, in August, as their contract to fund GRTC expired, according to a previous report by the CT. During the fall 2025 semester, RamsXpress had 18,317 total riders — faculty and students — with about 1,000 riders per week, or roughly 200 per day, according to VCU Parking & Transportation director Josh Stone. The RamsXpress does not duplicate GRTC routes, and currently has 2 buses running from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. between the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. Depending on traffic, each bus reaches both campuses 40-48 times per day, according to Stone. Though that number is subject to change based on how long the bus waits for riders at each stop. Using the 200 riders per day and 40-48 stops at each campus per day estimates, the average number of RamsXpress riders at any given time

VCU cites operation costs, inflation for rising meal plan prices

February 4, 2026

Sal Orlando, Assistant News Editor The cost of meal plans at VCU has continued to increase into the 2025-26 school year. Some students describe them as overpriced, and are asking for change from the university. All dining plans VCU offers have gone up in price by an average of 14.69% since the 2023-24 school year, according to VCU’s most recent budget plan. Currently, there are 6,270 students with meal plans. VCU Dining Services spokesperson Anna Obermiller said the price increase is due to inflation and a rising cost in food operation and equipment. “Plan rates are adjusted annually in alignment with the Consumer Price Index, which reflects changes in food, labor, utilities, trash, composting, equipment and other operating costs that support campus dining services,” Obermiller said. “It’s these costs that determine increases in dining plan rates.” The inflation rate in the United States went up 5.54% between August 2023 and December 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. First-year students living in underclassmen dorms are required to purchase a meal plan, the cheapest of them being $3,155. Swipes can be used at any VCU dining location for transactions between $7.53 and $10.15. Dividing the cost of meal plans

VCU cita costos operativos e inflación en cuanto a precios crecientes del plan de comidas

February 4, 2026

Sal Orlando, Editor Adjunto de Noticias El costo de los planes de comidas en VCU ha seguido aumentando en el año escolar del 2025-26. Algunos estudiantes los declaran demasiado caros y piden cambio de parte de la universidad. Todos los planes de comidas que ofrece VCU han aumentado en precio por un promedio de 14.69% desde el año escolar del 2023-24 según el presupuesto más reciente de VCU. Actualmente hay 6,270 estudiantes con planes de comidas. Anna Obermiller, portavoz de los servicios alimenticios en VCU, dijo que el aumento en precio se debe a la inflación y al precio creciente del equipamiento y las operaciones alimenticias. “Las tarifas de los planes se ajustan anualmente acorde al índice de precios al consumo, el cual refleja cambios en precios operativos de comida, labor, servicios públicos, basura, composta, equipamiento y además que apoyan a los servicios alimenticios del campus,” dijo Obermiller. “Son estos gastos los que determinan los aumentos en las tarifas del plan de comidas.” La tasa de inflación en los Estados Unidos subió 5.54% entre agosto del 2023 y diciembre del 2025, según la Oficina de Estadísticas Laborales de EE.UU. A estudiantes de primer año que viven en dormitorios de estudiantes

Virginia Democrats push to reform boards of visitors

February 4, 2026

Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Virginia legislators filed legislation to reform the appointment process and make-up of university boards of visitors, the highest governing bodies at public universities. Proposed changes include expanding representation on boards to students, faculty and staff, clarifying the role of the General Assembly in confirming appointments and expanding the terms of appointees to reduce their dependence on individual governors. The largest piece of legislation proposes fundamental changes to the structure of boards. It would expand their membership from 16 to 18, increase terms by two years, and add one person each from the university’s faculty, staff and student bodies as voting members. VCU’s Board of Visitors has made decisions that were criticized by students and faculty in recent years, including the removal of DEI programs at the university in compliance with directives from the Trump administration and the cancellation of the racial literacy requirement developed by students and faculty. Several pieces of legislation address a lack of student or faculty representation on boards. One proposal demands one faculty and one staff voting member on each board, elected by their respective groups to serve at least 12-month terms. Another only calls for the addition of a student

VCU Health employees petition for pay allegedly lost during winter storm

February 4, 2026

VCU Health employees petition for pay allegedly lost during winter storm Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor VCU Health employees published an online petition that asked for administrative pay to make up for paid time off hours they claim were used while outpatient services were closed last week due to a winter storm. The petition states that during last week’s winter storm the health system deducted pay hours from employees’ accrued paid time off, which is generally meant for “vacation, personal days, sick time and holidays” according to Indeed.  The Change.org petition, anonymously created by “Employees of VCU Health,” states that requiring the use of PTO for a “weather-related, employer-mandated closure” was unfair to employees. It describes administrative pay, or full pay and benefits for a period determined by an employer, as a better fit for closures mandated by the employer and outside of employees’ control.  While employers are not required by federal law to offer pay for time not worked during inclement weather, many workers — including federal and City of Richmond employees — do receive such pay.  VCU Health spokesperson Danielle Pierce said VCU had not been contacted about a petition and would be “unable to speak without reviewing