White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator praises UVM, cautions potential outbreaks
Alek Fleury, Managing Editor
October 10, 2020
In a visit to the University of Vermont’s campus Saturday, Dr. Deborah Birx, the Response Coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force praised the University and the states’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while warning of how quickly low positivity rates can change if the state becomes...
Students and professors speak out about environmental racism in BTV panel
Paige Fisher, Cynic News Reporter
October 1, 2020
As the afternoon sun beamed down on the tents for the 29th day of the Black Lives Matter encampment in Battery Park, organizers set up chairs to talk about environmental racism. Organized by student activist groups The Black Perspective and Organize UVM, the Sept. 21 event attracted a group of roughly 75...
In win for protesters, one Burlington Police officer agrees to resign
Emma Pinezich, News and Sports Editor
September 25, 2020
One police officer involved in a controversial use of force incident will leave his post at Burlington Police Department after 29 days of relentless protest by activists demanding his firing outside Battery Park. Sergeant Jason Bellavance, who was involved in a Sept. 2018 use of force incident, ...
UVM alum chosen to serve as first VT woman of color in electoral college
Irene Choi, Assistant News Editor
September 15, 2020
The UVM alum set to be the first woman of color in the Vermont State Senate will also serve as one of three Vermont electors for the 2020 presidential election. Kesha Ram, a democratic congressional candidate from Chittenden County, is slated to be the first woman of color in the Vermont State Senate...
Two weeks, three officers, zero action.
Emma Pinezich, News Editor
September 8, 2020
For 13 consecutive days, UVM students have blocked roads, marched down streets and disrupted downtown Burlington as part of a multi-day non-stop protest calling for the firing of three Burlington Police officers. As the protests continue and stretch into the third week, UVM students have rout...
UVM alum slated to be first woman of color in Vermont State Senate
Maryann Makosiej, Cynic News Reporter
September 8, 2020
As the first person of color from Burlington in the state legislature and at one time the youngest legislator in the country, Kesha Ram has never been afraid of ambition. The UVM and Harvard alum is set to be the first woman of color in the Vermont State Senate and has broken numerous barriers ...
BREAKING: At least one UVM student has been suspended after breaking COVID policies, says mayor
Ella Ruehsen, Cynic News Reporter
September 2, 2020
At least one UVM student has been removed from campus for violating state and city COVID-19 policies, the city of Burlington announced in a press briefing today. At 2 p.m. Sept. 2 Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and Brian Lowe, Burlington’s Chief Innovation Officer announced that all Burlington ...
UVM pushes ahead with plans to reopen as Burlington officials, residents and students decry plan
August 18, 2020
Despite outcry and concerns expressed by Burlington officials, students, and community members, UVM will continue with its reopening plan. At a press conference on Aug. 18, UVM President Suresh Garimella praised the school's reopening plan describing it as one of the most "rigorous and comprehensive plan...
Community protests UVM’s reopening plan, criticizes off-campus parties and lack of clarity from admin
Maryann Makosiej, Cynic News Reporter
August 15, 2020
On the same day that some UVM students returned to campus in preparation for the fall semester, roughly 30 people stood outside UVM’s Waterman building to protest the school’s plans to reopen. Organized by UVM staff, alumni, students and Burlington City Councilors, many speakers expressed disma...
UVM Athletics confirms multiple positive COVID-19 tests and at least one active case
Kate Vanni, Summer Editor-in-Chief
August 4, 2020
Two unidentified members of UVM Athletics have tested positive for COVID-19 and one case remains active, according to an Aug. 4 UVM Athletics press release. Although UVM Athletics did not provide further detail on who has tested positive, only two teams can currently practice— Men's and Women's...
Hundreds protest police brutality in Burlington as part of nation-wide outcry
Kate Vanni, Summer Editor-in-Chief
May 31, 2020
As cities across the nation protest racial injustice, hundreds gathered in Burlington to speak out against the city’s Police Department and its treatment of black people. The protesters gathered at 6 p.m. May 30 in Battery Park to support the Black Lives Matter movement in wake of the murder of Ge...
UVM junior dies unexpectedly
Irene Choi, Cynic News Reporter
May 18, 2020
UVM junior Sarah “Sas” Starion has died unexpectedly in her Burlington apartment May 14, according to an email to the UVM community. Starion was a junior studying Food Systems in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Starion was an active member of the Sustainability Learning Community,...
