The Student Government Association (SGA) Elections Commission announced Jeremiah O’Byrant as the newley elected 2020-21 SGA President and Daesia Dixon as Vice-President. O’Bryant a Senior majoring in Political Science from Forestville, Maryland is a member of Epsilon Pi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He is a familiar face among the SGA Family in … Continue reading
Category Archives: Lifestyle
Norfolk Health Department hosting free COVID-19 community testing
Norfolk, Va – The Norfolk Department of Public Health, in partnership with Greater Metropolitan AME Zion Church, will offer a free drive-thru and walk-up coronavirus testing event on Thursday, October 15, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the shopping center parking lot near the BP Gas Station located at 800 E. Brambleton Avenue … Continue reading
Campus Life / Education / Local / Politics / Virginia
Norfolk State University to host U.S. Senatorial Debate at L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center Oct. 3
For the first time in Norfolk State University’s 85-year history, the university will host a live U.S. Senatorial Debate on campus between Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and the Republican challenger, Daniel Gade, Ph.D., at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center. The Oct. 3 debate will focus on racial disparities and inequities in education, healthcare, … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Education / Featured / Local
Spartan Echo accepting applications
Need experience and work product to show a potential employer? Get it at the Spartan Echo! We’re now accepting applications for fall positions. Attention all writers, photographers, graphic designers, and web content producers: the Spartan Echo is accepting applications now for all editor positions. Student editors will serve during the fall 2020 semester and may … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Local
Norfolk State Police issue shopping safety tips to students
Welcome Students to the Fall 2020 Semester! With the excitement of being on campus and close to downtown Norfolk, the NSU Police Department would like to provide students with the following safety tips while on and off-campus. Shopping · Shop with others. There’s always safety in numbers. Shop with friends whenever possible. · Walk confidently. … Continue reading
Governor and First Lady Northam test positive for COVID-19
RICHMOND, Sept. 25, 2020—On Wednesday evening, Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam were notified that a member of the Governor’s official residence staff, who works closely within the couple’s living quarters, had developed symptoms and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Both the Governor and First Lady received PCR nasal swab tests yesterday afternoon, … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Local / Virginia
Governor Northam signs Hampton Roads Transportation Funding Law, welcomes new electric transit buses
~ Virginia’s first zero-emission electric buses to transform regional transit ~ NORFOLK—Governor Ralph Northam celebrated the launch of Virginia’s first zero-emission electric buses today, as he ceremonially signed a new law that provides dedicated funding for the first time in Hampton Roads Transit’s history. The Governor was joined by Senator Louise Lucas, who sponsored Senate … Continue reading
Governor Northam announces expansion of payment relief for student loan borrowers
~ Borrowers are encouraged to contact their loan servicer immediately ~ Governor Ralph Northam announced April 29 that Virginia has secured relief options for more than 200,000 Virginians with privately held student loans. The payment relief is the result of a new initiative by Virginia and several other states to work with the major private student … Continue reading
NSU mandate orders all campus residence halls closed on May 1, empty by May 2
by Keona Frasier NSU’s Housing and Residence Life has ordered students to vacate all campus residential communities by the end of the semester, despite current residents having documented emergency circumstances. Students received a notice that the residence halls will be closing on May 1 and that they should have their belongs removed and be checked … Continue reading
Coronavirus pushes students to online classes and the challenge to pay bills: an inside look at a Norfolk State graduating senior
by Skyler Sales The coronavirus has spread its plague in many ways, affecting everyone in its path. No matter what age or background, it has in some way affected us all. But, for people like me, it has been a hard struggle. Being not only a college student, but being a graduating senior during this … Continue reading
Going online, self isolating, delaying graduation challenge Norfolk State seniors
by Sarah Campos As COVID-19 continues to make national history, Norfolk State University has encountered unprecedented times. Campus is closed off, and all classes have been switched to online. With students and teachers struggling to switch to virtual classes and attempting to keep normal educational standards, seniors have been hit the hardest. After years of … Continue reading
A view from the front lines in Virginia’s pandemic battle
by Ian Williams COVID-19 still haunts the world in an unforgiving fashion. It has taken the lives of many and is projected to do even more damage. As time progresses during this pandemic, treatment in hospitals around the globe have been at an all-time high. Many questions are asked in search of solutions to the … Continue reading
First sloth born at Virginia Zoo
NORFOLK, VA – The Virginia Zoo has something to celebrate. The Zoo had its first sloth birth on Sunday, March 8, 2020. This two-toed sloth is the first offspring for mom, Honey, and dad, Mervin. Even though baby sloths are approximately 12-16 ounces when born, they are covered in fur, have nails and teeth and … Continue reading
Norfolk State graduate students excluded from temporary “Pass or Fail” grading policy
by Keona Frasier As the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened world-wide health precautions, Norfolk State is among the many educational institutions that suspended classes in effort to limit the spread of the virus. In response to student upheaval, NSU has implemented a temporary pass or fail option to alleviate academic stress for some … Continue reading
Norfolk State institutes Temporary Pass/Fail Policy due to pandemic
by Skyler Sales As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect people all around the world, college students are being affected more than ever. Since all schools have been shut down or moved to online, students have been finding it harder to cope with the newly placed changes. But, with the help of Student Government Association … Continue reading
COVID-19 has repercussions on education
by Sarah Campos According to memes and posts across the nation, 2020 was supposed to be everyone’s year. New Years’ resolutions were going to be followed, someone may just find ‘the one’ to spend the rest of their life with, and people were going to ‘finally get their life together’. Then COVID-19 struck and life … Continue reading
Frequently Asked Questions on the CARES Act
~From Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA)~ Congress recently passed and President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its effect on individuals, students, families, businesses as well as states and localities. Please find answers below to common questions about direct cash payments, relief for … Continue reading
Virginia receives Major Disaster Declaration from federal government for COVID-19
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced April 2 that Virginia has received a Major Disaster Declaration to aid in the Commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Governor Northam requested this federal disaster assistance on Monday, March 30. A Major Disaster Declaration designation provides federal public assistance for all areas in the Commonwealth of Virginia affected by … Continue reading
Campus Life / Health / Local / National
Students navigate challenges of campus evacuations
by Kevin Alexander, Jr. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic taking the world by storm, numerous students are left clueless as to where they’ll eat or even lay their heads for the next few months. Due to this unforeseen pandemic crisis, many universities across the country, including Norfolk State University, have decided to conduct the remainder … Continue reading
Storm of coronavirus challenges university students, businesses: a Norfolk State student’s first-hand observations
by Ian Williams The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a quiet storm making its way inside households. Unlike most storms, it is neither seen nor heard. It shows no sign of approaching, and more importantly, no sign of leaving. This sudden storm shows no pattern in claiming its victims causing those at risk to adjust. All … Continue reading
“The Amen Corner” captured audiences just before spring break
by Sarah Campos Norfolk State University is home to Virginia’s most nationally recognized collegiate theatre program. Also, America’s most nationally recognized HBCU Theatre program in the last five years, NSU has struck again with a stellar program. From March 5-8, 2020 NSU’s theatre company presented James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner. A three-act play, James Baldwin’s … Continue reading
Trump says 30 more days
by Jamia Queen, March 30 President Donald Trump said Sunday, March 29, he would expand the social distancing rules for an additional 30 days, an unexpected setback from his push to revive the nation as coronavirus keeps on spreading. The 15-day rules Trump imposed two weeks ago were set to be lifted on Monday, and … Continue reading
Ways to utilize online activity during nation-wide call for social distancing
by Keona Frasier The COVID-19 pandemic released an unprecedented amount of economic and social setbacks for the nation, one of the most obvious being the call for self-quarantine. Students across the nation are feeling the effects of social distancing, as many institutions of higher education have suspended campus activity and require students to complete their … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Local / Music
WNSB embracing brand changes after 40 years
by Keona Frasier Norfolk State’s WNSB celebrated 40 years of operation and partnership with community organizations. Although the station has a long history on NSU’s campus, they plan to implement some new changes to push their mission forward. NSU can expect to hear a fresh sound, see live performances and a brand new studio space … Continue reading
Virginia governor orders statewide closure of certain non-essential businesses, K-12 schools
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide order March 23 to protect the health and safety of Virginians and reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Executive Order Fifty-Three orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the … Continue reading
