Category Archives: schools

Message from the VCU Living Wage Campaign

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From email announcement:

The VCU Living Wage Campaign is holding a May Day rally, Wednesday May 1st in the VCU Commons Plaza. The living wage campaign wants students, workers, and educators to be more involved in the Universities allocation of the budget. We do not believe that any university employee (Service workers, Contracted workers, Adjunct professors) should not be paid a living wage.

In the recent Richmond Anti-poverty commission, the committee urged the cities three universities to pay their employees a living wage. We as students are here to see that through. As tuition paying students we allow this University to run, and each year we are paying more. We believe that we should have a say in where our money goes, and demand that it is used in what we believe are ethical ways. VCU Living Wage released a video last semester featuring an interview with Aramark regional manager Michael Martin. Due to Mr. Martin admitting to unacceptable working conditions on camera, Aramark and VCU has bullied and threatened the VCU Living Wage Campaign into taking it down.

We are asking students to show their support by joining us on campus and listen to African drums, spoken word, and speeches about the importance of a living wage in our university community. At the end of the rally we will personally deliver a list of demands to President Rao;s office and Aramark’s campus headquarters. Thank you for your time.

Fast Food Coming To VCU Student Commons

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VCU’s student newspaper Commonwealth Times has an article on how the student center is adding fast food restaurants Burger King and Taco Bell. (Click for link)

In addition, a VCU official “also said that VCU is talking with Panda Express about adding a location to the VCU. Jamba Juice in the Commons Convenience will also be improved next semester.”

Parking Parking Parking

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Not as important as Transportation Transportation Transportation, but still on folks’ minds…

I am not sure what’s going on, but evidently no parking on west side of Laurel Street 195 overpass tomorrow…

In contrast, this sign is more explanatory…some celebrity cook guy is coming to the Landmark tomorrow and needs parking…

But then there is this VCU news… (click for Commonwealth Times link)

Proposal Would Raise Parking Costs

Perhaps some of this will be discussed at the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting tomorrow evening…or maybe the 5th District meeting on Wednesday evening…

Eat Oregon Hill/Pescados Hosts St. Andrew’s School Fundraiser Monday

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From the FaceBook event page:

Please join St. Andrew’s School for a fundraiser at Eat by Pescado’s on April 22nd from 5 pm to 10 pm. Eat will donate a portion of the entire day’s sales to St. Andrew’s!!

Eat by Pescado’s is located at 626 China Street, right in our own Oregon Hill neighborhood!

www.eatoregonhill.com

www.st-andrews-school.org

VCU Paint The Town Green Saturday

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Paint The Town Green is a semi-annual VCU-sponsored cleanup of neighborhoods around Richmond.

From VCU event page:

Paint the Town Green 2013 will canvas the neighborhoods surrounding VCU to inculde, Randolph, Oregon Hill, The Fan, Carver, Jackson Ward, Union Hill, Mosby Ct.

Last year we had approximately 700 people attend, and this semester we are hoping to have about 1000 participants.

Show up with friends and family at 8:30 for a free breakfast, and participate in the clean up until 12pm. There will be a reception afterwards with more free food and drinks.

Afterwards head down to the annual Earth Day event at the 17th St Market. Student Participants who also attend the Earth Day Event and have a PTTG Armband will get a goody bag at the for helping out at the Earth Day Event.

VCU Considers Tuition Hike

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From WTVR News:

Facing the rising costs of retaining teachers and utilities, plus finding money for financial aid, support services and academic facilities, Virginia Commonwealth University may raise tuition rates.
The VCU Board of Visitors met over the weekend to discuss tuition options, according to a news release from university spokeswoman Pam Lepley.
….
To meet increased costs, the board will consider a four-percent tuition increase and some new, ‘market-based tuition strategies.’
“New, market-based tuition pricing may generate revenues to move into fiscal year 2014-2015, but it must be paired with expense reallocation and new ways of thinking about current operational programs that cut costs,” David W. Hanson, chief operating officer and senior vice president, said in a statement.
One market-based tuition pricing strategy is a per-credit pricing structure. It would be based on an annual four percent tuition and fee increase over four years and 15 credits per semester. This set-up, the university said, would mean more money from VCU, but allow students to graduate faster – lowering their overall costs.

This was predicted in November of last year.

5th District Community Action Team Meeting on Friday

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Randolph resident Gregory Day has posted an agenda for the April 12th meeting of the 5th District Action Team. More information is available on their FaceBook page.

5th District Community Action Team Meeting (5CAT)
Friday April 12, 2013
7:00p.m.
Melvin A. Fox Manor
18 W. 27th St. 23225
Meeting Called to Order
Prayer
Minutes of March 8, 2013 meeting
Presentation ——————–Sandra Turner / Turning Point Mental Health Services LLC
Old Business:
RPS Football / VHSL—————Everette Fields / Deborah Butterworth
Grayland Ave./ Harrison St. Intersection:
Gate Way
Bridge Parking
Janes Walk ———————————John Spain
New Business:
Donations for Janes Walk
School Board Rally
Town Hall —- Candidates Forum
City Council Information ——————————–Honorable Parker C. Agelesto
School Board District Forum – Closing of Schools – Group Participation (45 mins.)
*At the end of this discussion/brainstorming, 5 CAT will vote on what we will support as a group.

New business topics for next meeting
Next Meeting Date / Place
Meeting Adjouned

VCU Intercultural Festival in Monroe Park Saturday

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From VCU press release:

Virginia Commonwealth University will honor the culture and diversity that thrives throughout its campuses at the 2013 Intercultural Festival at VCU, themed “A World Premiere.”

The 2013 Intercultural Festival at VCU takes place on Saturday, April 6, from noon until 6 p.m. at Monroe Park. Entrance to the festival and all activities are free and open to the public.

The festival will include a variety of foods from various cultures, as well as cultural displays, performances and fashion shows, student art exhibits and booths with games and crafts for all ages. There will be a petting zoo and door prizes to showcase more than 30 cultural organizations at VCU.

The Intercultural Festival has been at VCU for more than 10 years, but the first recorded festival took place in April 2002. Over the years, the festival has continued to grow and become an annual university-wide celebration.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs within the Division for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services and the Student Government Association sponsor the Intercultural Festival at VCU.

To learn more information about the festival, call 804-828-4514. For information about ICF week activities, which precede the festival, visit https://www.facebook.com/icfvcu.