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As hazing reports increase at UVa, documents show fear of retaliation keeps students, parents from coming forward
Serious hazing complaints on another Virginia college campus have more fraternities in hot water. The University of Virginia has shut down one of the oldest fraternity chapters at the school, Pi Kappa Alpha, for what the university called “serious hazing behavior” in a statement to WUSA9. … Pi Kappa Alpha said the termination of its UVA charter will last for at least four years. Meanwhile, UVA said it has suspended activities at three other fraternities – Kappa Sigma, Theta Chi and Sigma Alpha Mu – pending hazing investigations in those houses.
Demonstration for Palestine at CNU remains peaceful
As protests pop up at colleges and universities across the nation, community members at Christopher Newport University are some of the latest demonstrators to support the Palestinian people and push leaders toward a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. Community members began organizing at the university’s Great Lawn at 7 p.m. Tuesday as the school’s sprinklers watered the grass.
University of Mary Washington president says arrested students won’t face charges
University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino assured a group of students that he’s been in communication with Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Libby Humphries to ensure that nine of their peers who were arrested for trespassing last weekend as part of a campus protest will not ultimately face criminal charges. That was one revelation that came out of a remarkably candid meeting that Paino held with a group of students on Tuesday in a conference room in George Washington Hall, which houses UMW’s administrative offices.
Protest over student arrests blooms anew on University of Mary Washington campus
From the moment University of Mary Washington sociology professor Nora Kim learned that nine students were arrested on campus Saturday and charged with trespassing after re-erecting an encampment during a nonviolent protest in support of Palestine, she believed police intervention was unwarranted. Kim said that while instructing students she explains to them that they should get involved with causes they are passionate about. Kim helped organize a flower protest — a peaceful and silent demonstration — in support of students’ rights to protest Tuesday morning on campus outside of George Washington Hall.
Stoney voices support for VCU while some on council condemn police response
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney responded to the protests that erupted on Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus last night by stating his support for the university. “My administration and Richmond Police have been in close contact with VCU officials and will continue to support them in their mission to ensure the safety of all students and community members,” Stoney said.
Officials, orgs respond to Virginia-wide protest arrests
More than 100 protesters gathered at dusk Tuesday in Richmond’s Abner Clay Park. People took turns standing on a picnic table to address the pro-Palestine gathering. Those speaking to the crowd, who were mostly seated in the grass, touched on topics like healing and self-care. Several spoke about how to weather aggression from law enforcement, and one led protesters in song. Most also mentioned standing against U.S. support for Israel’s military and called for the disclosure of how Virginia Commonwealth University invests its money following 13 arrests during a similar gathering at the school’s library a day before. Earlier on Tuesday, politicians reacted largely along party lines to recent antiwar protests at three Virginia public colleges — as well as law enforcement’s response.
Va. politicians weigh in on clashes on college campuses
As Gov. Glenn Youngkin backed law enforcement officers who broke up protest encampments on Virginia college campuses, a number of Virginia Democrats asserted Tuesday that officers have gone too far. Some other officials, in both parties, emphasized the right to peacefully protest but said universities cannot allow demonstrators to disrupt campuses and intimidate students.
Virginia Beach denies collective bargaining of city employees
The City Council denied collective bargaining of city employees in a 5-5 vote with one abstention Tuesday, and instead decided to establish employee relations committees for full-time city workers. Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services and public works personnel wanted to negotiate better wages and enhanced employment conditions. But Mayor Bobby Dyer said the timing wasn’t right yet “given the budget constraints we have now.”
Virginia lawmakers want postmaster general to deliver on promises
U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy may have bought time with an apology to a bipartisan Virginia congressional delegation that is irate over delays in mail deliveries — including essential medications — to people in the Richmond area. But U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Virginia Democrats, and Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, say they will not relax scrutiny of the Postal Service and its regional mail distribution center in Richmond.
More Republican states, including Virginia, challenge new Title IX rules protecting LGBTQ+ students
Another six Republican states are piling on to challenge the Biden administration’s newly expanded campus sexual assault rules, saying they overstep the president’s authority and undermine the Title IX anti-discrimination law. A federal lawsuit, led by Tennessee and West Virginia, on Tuesday asks a judge to halt and overturn the new policy. The suit is joined by Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Virginia. It follows other legal challenges filed by Monday by nine other states including Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. The lawsuits are the first to challenge the administration’s new Title IX rules, which expand protections to LGBTQ+ students and add new safeguards for victims of sexual assault. The policy was finalized in April and takes effect in August.