Category: News

By: Zain Omar, arts & culture reporter

In collaboration with the Women’s Center at Virginia Tech, graduating senior Courtney Bergeron, debuted an installation titled “What We Were Wearing”. The exhibit was part of Bergeron’s homecoming platform, Consent with Courtney, and was on display in Newman Library from April 21st until May 1st.

The exhibit showcased clothing that local victims were wearing when they became a victim to sexual assault. The purpose of the exhibit is to challenge thoughts that what a person is wearing is equivalent to consent. The clothing in the exhibit represents a range of ages and genders, showing exactly what the person was wearing when the act happened.

Bergeron’s personal experience with sexual assault was the main motivator to start Consent with Courtney. “As a victim of sexual assault, I made it my mission to help others just like me. I faced a lot of challenges when going through the medical and legal process and most of it was from lack of knowledge. I knew if I could have a platform, I could spread information I wish I had,” Bergeron said.

After Bergeron’s own sexual assault case was dismissed, she decided she wanted to make a change. Bergeron shared her story on the Consent with Courtney Instagram to show others they were not alone and to better educate everyone on the subject. She became a victim to sexual assault her freshman year at Virginia Tech and the Women’s Center was one of the main advocacy sources Bergeron worked with.

 In a statement on Consent with Courtney’s official account, Bergeron stated, “Instead of harboring anger for my situation, I took that hate and turned it into passion to help others just like me. I never want anyone to go through what I went through.”

“What Were You Wearing” exhibits have gained popularity worldwide. With a rise in activism against sexual violence and campaigning to give voices to all victims of sexual assault, exhibits dismantling the stigma against sexual assault have become an international trend.

The What Were You Wearing exhibit was first conceptualized when The Director of The Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center at the University of Kansas, Jen Brockman and Dr.  Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert from the University of Arkansas Rape Education Center, attended a reading of Dr. Mary Simmerling’s poem “What I Was Wearing”. The poem touches on Simmerling’s feelings of dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault and having everyone ask her about the outfit she was wearing, as if that caused it.

According to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center at the University of Kansas, “Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert and Ms. Brockman wanted to create a project that would place the work of bearing witness to this question’s answer back on the shoulders of the community and humanize the survivor in the answer. To ask the question, ‘what were you wearing?’ cost the questioner nothing, there is no labor in making this statement. However, the survivor must pay dearly in not only their answer but also, in the burden of self-blame.”

One of the largest exhibits of this kind was held by the United Nations. The exhibit originally had 5 outfits, each representing a different region in the world. By July 2022, the exhibit grew to feature 103 outfits. These outfits represent the 1.3 billion sexual assault survivors worldwide.

The United Nations exhibit had many celebrities, business leaders, and influential figures from around the world sharing their stories of sexual assault. The United Nations exhibit put the issue on a grand scale to show no matter where you are from or what you are wearing, the fault is not with the victim.

The exhibit is meant to show that clothing does not offer consent or permission. Sexual assault can happen in any outfit, at any age, and any place. These exhibits ensure survivors that what they were wearing is not what caused their assault, it was the person who committed the act.

“It’s not the clothing that causes sexual violence; it’s the person who causes harm. Being able to find that peace for survivors and that moment of awareness for communities is the real motivation behind the project,” stated Brockman in an interview with Huff Post.

Courtney not only wants to help provide a platform for survivors but also educate everyone on the concept of victim blaming, especially around sexual assault.

“I hope they see that sexual assault can happen to anyone at any time. Clothing is not consent. It does not determine your safety or your worth. The only way to end this horrible issue is to come together as community, educate ourselves, and support survivors,” Bergeron said.

The Women’s Center at Virginia Tech provides advocacy and care to women facing any issue related to sex or gender. The CARES program has a direct focus on advocacy to victims of sexual assault and other forms of harm.

“CARES stands for campus advocacy, resources and education for survivors, so our primary objective is to just provide support and advocacy to students, faculty and staff of all gender identities that have experienced any kind of sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking or harassment. We do that primarily through advocacy-based counseling, we also do a lot of resource recommendations and accompaniments. For example, some of the resources that are available for students is the Title IX office and the Virginia Tech Police Department or the Blacksburg PD. With accompaniments, what that means is we can go with students or faculty who are making reports or meeting with Title IX or the police to kind of act as a third-party, emotional support person, so they don’t have to go through the process alone,” said Bailey Williams, Advocacy Coordinator for CARES.

The Women’s Center also has resources for students and faculty to better educate themselves on sexual and domestic violence. They host events and give presentations to classes and organizations to help them learn more about the Women’s Center and how to get more involved. The Women’s Center also has a webpage where they have all the advocacy resources that they provide listed.

Bailey Williams said, “Obviously doing the research is always a big part of that, taking the time to really understand what consent is, why sexual violence occurs, there’s a lot of really great research and literature out there. Coming to events hosted by the resources that are designed to aid students following an assault is also a big one, we do a lot of tabling and outreach events. Organizations and classes can also request presentations from us. Keeping an eye out for what the resources have available and take the time to do outside research.”

The community of Blacksburg saw the exhibit as a source of comfort and solace, especially those who are victims of sexual assault. Students and other community members felt welcome to share their stories and open about their own experiences.

“I received several messages from survivors and families of survivors reaching out and thanking me for speaking out on this sensitive topic. There is such a stigma around sexual assault and people are scared to talk about it. I am continuously trying to break the stigma. Having the people of this community reach out and let me know that I was helping them was genuinely so rewarding. I said when I started this all if I helped just one person this would all be worth it, and I feel like I really achieved that goal,” Bergeron said.

Bergeron hopes to continue making a difference with her platform after graduation. While she will no longer be in Blacksburg, the Women’s Center at Virginia Tech hopes to keep the legacy going.

“Unfortunately, I will be graduating, so I will be continuing my fight in Northern Virginia. However, we raised over $1000 for the Women’s Center to continue their support of sexual assault victims and educating the community. They hope to make this an annual event,” Bergeron said.

While Bergeron will not be in Blacksburg to continue her platform in the future, the Women’s Center is hoping to keep educating students. The Women’s Center is available to any students and community members looking to learn more or find support regarding sexual assault.

by Evvy Fite, health and wellness reporter

Amid the wave of conservatism currently present in the United States, one major focus of the Trump administration has been to restrict freedoms and limit access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender Americans. Between executive orders, rising sentiments of hate, and doctors refusing to accept new patients for transgender healthcare, many U.S. citizens are scared for their rights, their safety and their lives.

At the end of January, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14187, titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” on January 28. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, “The order specifically asks agencies to ensure that hospitals, medical schools, and other institutions receiving federal research and education funding stop providing such care to minors.” Interestingly, the order restricts gender-affirming healthcare for Americans 19 and under, despite the fact that Americans are legally adults at 18.

Previously, President Trump had signed a series of executive orders targeting transgender Americans. Within hours of returning to the White House, he signed Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” which stated that the federal government would only recognize binary sex as assigned at birth. He also reinstated the previous ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. 

Executive Order 14187 was placed under investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but as of May 2025 is still in effect.

“It is arguably one of the worst times to be trans in the USA since the AIDS epidemic in the 80s.”

H

Restrictions on healthcare could have massive impacts on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of millions of Americans.

Hormone Replacement Therapy, known colloquially as HRT, is a lifeline for many people who do not feel at home in the sex they were assigned at birth. A study conducted by the Trevor Project found that between 2018 and 2022, “anti-transgender laws significantly increased incidents of past-year suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth by as much as 72%.”

A student at Virginia Tech, who has asked to be referred to as H, said “The illegalization of trans medicine will cause the deaths of trans people from mental health. It’s proven that HRT is the #1 way to decrease trans depression and suicide rates. Think of it as a proven medicine to help the known illness of Gender Dysphoria. By eliminating this, you risk the lives of millions.” H also shared their experience being trans at this point in history, saying “it is arguably one of the worst times to be trans in the USA since the AIDs epidemic in the 80s.” 

“82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth,” according to the National Library of Medicine. When attitudes shift against the LGBTQ+ community, studies have also shown an increased murder rate of transgender individuals. According to a 2022 article by CBS News, between 2017 and 2021, during Trump’s first term as president, “there was a 93% increase in tracked homicides of trans and gender-nonconforming people in the United States and Puerto Rico.” Around three quarters of these homicides were made up of Black transgender women, despite only 13% of the trans community being estimated to be Black.

Despite the executive order not actually making it illegal to provide gender-affirming healthcare, many healthcare providers rolled back these services immediately out of fear. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the University of Virginia (UVA) and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond have all stopped taking new patients, though they have continued treatment of existing patients. Other providers have cut off prescriptions and other care to all transgender patients indefinitely.

Planned Parenthood and healthcare providers in various states have continued to provide care, although access to these resources may become limited as the Trump administration and various conservative state governments continue to push for further restriction.

These restrictions and the president’s actions concerning immigration point towards potential criminalization. H stated that her “biggest fear is [the government] criminalizing HRT and making it something you can be arrested, deported, or killed over… We have seen in the past few weeks that this administration is not opposed to violating our constitutional rights and strip US citizens of their privileges as American citizens. By criminalizing HRT and making it an offense similar to addictive drugs, you create an easier path to deport undesirables.”

This is not the first time that moves against transgender healthcare have been seen as a jumping off point for more extreme measures. In Germany in 1933, a group of youth who supported the Nazi movement broke into the Institute of Sexology and burned every book in the library. According to an article by Erin Reed, “the institute housed tens of thousands of books, research notes, and data documenting the first decades of scientific study on transgender and queer people.” Members of the LGBTQ+ community have seen the simultaneous moves against birthright citizenship and against LGBTQ+ identities as an echo of the past and a warning of what could follow.

“We have seen in the past few weeks that this administration is not opposed to violating our constitutional rights and strip US citizens of their privileges as American citizens. By criminalizing HRT and making it an offense similar to addictive drugs, you create an easier path to deport undesirables.”

H

H sees it as the Trump administration “trying to make the act of being Transgender illegal. They are trying to do the most spelled out bigoted end of transphobia… this is pretty clearly an attempt to eliminate all trans people.”

Many transgender people are worried about being targeted for being themselves in public or speaking up about their fears. H is anonymous here for that exact reason–to avoid the potentially deadly repercussions of sharing her experience being trans.

The fact that this executive order defines “minors” as people 19 and under also has members of the LGBTQ+ community concerned. While this could be due to the fact that some states have higher ages of adulthood than the federal government, some are worried that it is being used as a stepping stone towards banning gender-affirming care for transgender adults as well.

Overall, this is a volatile time for healthcare for transgender Americans. These restrictions, as well as the fear of new ones, will have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. Despite this, the community holds strong. H says that “there is an increased sense of community that comes out of hard times like this,” and that being around a community of other trans people is what “makes living through these times bearable.” In the midst of growing uncertainty and fear, this resilience and unity may provide some hope, as well as a reason to keep going despite the administration’s efforts otherwise.

By Bianca Campoverde, crime, safety and justice reporter

Despite various guidelines Virginia Tech has established prohibiting any act of hazing within Fraternity and Sorority Life, incidents continue to occur, with some organizations failing to adhere to policies, resulting in individual harm and chapter suspensions. As students seek connection and leadership opportunities through these organizations, maintaining a safe environment is a shared responsibility that requires both staff and students to remain vigilant, informed and committed to upholding the values of respect and inclusion. Students must stay educated and follow these guidelines to ensure that traditions do not come at the cost of student well-being.

Virginia Tech defines hazing as “any mental or physical requirement, request, or obligation placed upon an individual that could cause discomfort, pain, fright, disgrace, or injury, is personally degrading, or violates any federal, state, or local statute or university policy”. Implemented in July of 2022, Adam’s Law mandates in-person hazing prevention training for all prospective and current members of student organizations, as well as for advisors and university staff who work with these groups.

“Our office works with the chapters on an individual level to oversee and ensure active members are following policy; we hold various educational sessions throughout the year that include bringing in keynote speakers and Risk Management Institutes (RMI) covering various risk minimizing initiatives” – Eva Ruan, Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life

(Photo: Virginia Tech Student Affairs)

“Hokies Don’t Haze” has become Virginia Tech’s leading initiative in the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and prevention. It plays a central role in National Hazing Prevention Week, a national observance where student groups are encouraged to host educational events, open forums, and peer-led discussions focused on what hazing can look like, harmful effects, and legal consequences. The campaign is a part of a broader movement within higher education to reshape campus culture and prioritize student safety, especially in organizations that have long-standing traditions. Reinforcing principles of mutual respect, personal responsibility, and inclusion,

“I think Virginia Tech does offer a safe environment for Fraternities and Sororities, it’s in our motto; it’s very much encouraged for organizations to hold social events to create that sense of community and care” – Ebony, Theta Tau Psi Gamma Chapter member

In compliance with Adam’s Law, Virginia Tech publicly reports all confirmed findings of hazing misconduct involving student organizations. Public disclosure is a key component in keeping transparency, holding student organizations accountable and serving as a preventative tool. By making reports available to the community, the university reinforces its commitment to student safety and ethical leadership as non-negotiable priorities. It also encourages students to speak up and report concerns, knowing the university is committed to taking action and that consequences are both real and visible.

“To ensure that our community is adhering to policies, every person is required to attend an Anti-Hazing training; participants must check out to receive credit for attendance, which our office will then cross-reference with chapter rosters in efforts to maintain accountability” – Eva Ruan, Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life

If a viable claim of hazing is reported, Virginia Tech’s Office of Student Conduct will initiate a formal investigation. During this process, the organization in question may be required to suspend all upcoming events, activities and recruitment efforts until the investigation is completed. This pause is intended to protect student safety and preserve the integrity of the investigation.

If the organization is found responsible for hazing, it may face a range of progressive sanctions, depending on the severity and nature of the misconduct. These sanctions can include mandatory revisions to the chapter’s risk management plans, participation in additional trainings, and educational workshops facilitated by university departments such as Fraternity and Sorority Life, Hokie Wellness, or the Dean of Students’ Office.

In more serious cases, consequences may escalate to probation, loss of university recognition, or suspension of the chapter’s charter. The goal of these sanctions is education-based, ensuring that student organizations understand the impact of their actions and take concrete steps to prevent future violations.

“It’s [hazing policies] talked about a lot in our first few chapters as we go over policies, documents, and rule changes to make sure we are following everything that is asked of us” – Ebony, Theta Tau Psi Gamma Chapter member

Despite Virginia Tech’s extensive efforts to raise awareness around hazing prevention, not all students fully engage with or retain the information from training, creating gaps in understanding that can hinder prevention efforts.

“Not every member of fraternity and sorority life is fully informed on anti-hazing policies, as a community, we try our best to interpret them [hazing policies] to improve the way we practice them in real-life scenarios” – Juan Bonilla, founding member of Delta Upsilon at Virginia Tech

In some organizations, long-standing traditions–– such as initiation rituals, big/little reveal nights, new member challenges or competitive bonding activities–– are deeply embedded in the group’s culture and history and can create implicit expectations. Participation in these activities, especially when coupled with peer pressure, can be seen as a test of loyalty or belonging and may blur the line between harmless bonding and harmful behavior. As a result, students may feel compelled to take part in questionable activities, even if they feel uncomfortable or unsure– often not realizing that what they are experiencing could qualify as hazing under university policy or state law.

In 2024, several fraternities were found responsible for policy violations, including hazing and alcohol-related offenses, all placed under probation or deferred suspension until May 15, 2025.  Deferred suspension and probation mean the chapter remains recognized but operates under strict university oversight, has limited privileges, and must complete educational sanctions. Any further violations during this period may result in immediate suspension or loss of university recognition.

No matter how comprehensive the university’s policies may be, they can only be effective if student leaders and members actively choose to uphold them. University staff can offer resources, education and oversight, but the day-to-day culture of an organization is shaped by its members. It is up to students to ensure their practices align with university policies and to intervene when peers suggest or carry out behavior that crosses the line into hazing. This may include reevaluating traditions and questioning activities that previously went unchallenged.

“When it comes to a topic as delicate as hazing, members of both fraternities and sororities need to pitch their approaches carefully and meticulously to have more future prospective members be educated on the same policies they’re enforcing”  – Juan Bonilla, founding member of Delta Upsilon at Virginia Tech

Student leaders are meant to set the standard. They hold significant influence in shaping the values and behaviors that define their chapter’s culture. With that influence comes responsibility: to lead by example and model the kind of behavior that prioritizes safety, respect and inclusion.

In organizations where hierarchy and tradition play a strong role, new members often look to upperclassmen or executive board members to define what is acceptable. When leaders turn a blind eye to questionable behavior or partake in it, they send a clear message that rules are optional. Student leaders are uniquely positioned to create change from within, helping ensure that their organization upholds the values they promote. Which can sometimes mean making difficult decisions in calling out inappropriate behavior, reporting concerns when necessary and fostering a chapter environment where all voices are heard and respected.

“Organizations that continue to learn and build on their knowledge of hazing and risk management continue to engage in the conversation, helping  keep our community safe” – Eva Ruan, Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life

Ongoing engagement is critical, as hazing prevention is not a one-time training or checklist. It is an evolving conversation that requires continuous reflection and adaptation. As student organizations change leadership each year and new members cycle in, the risks of misinformation, misinterpretation or complacency increase. Staying educated ensures that both seasoned and new members are aware of current policies, evolving best practices and the real-life consequences of unsafe or inappropriate behavior.  

By remaining active in these conversations, organizations demonstrate a commitment not only to compliance but also to the well-being of their peers and the reputation of their community. Risk management becomes more than just avoiding penalties– it becomes a tool for fostering a positive and sustainable environment that upholds the values of Greek life.

 When students, advisors and university staff work together with a unified purpose, safety and inclusion become more than policies– they become the standard.

FSL Showcase (Photo: Virginia Tech Fraternity and Sorority Life)

By Kyndall Hanson, education reporter  

Public schools provide a free, accessible means of education to children across the country. However, in recent years, parents have expressed worries regarding various aspects of the system, with many looking toward alternative means for schooling their children.  

“I am a proponent of public education,” said Charles Lowery, associate professor of educational leadership at Virginia Tech. “I think that public school, in a democratic republic, is a necessity – we have to have them.”  

Sitting at his desk surrounded by stacks of books, many with variations of the word ‘education’ plastered on the spine in bold letters, Lowery reflected on the mounting distrust and discontent toward public education expressed by parents across Virginia.  

“Political rhetoric drives a lot of distrust,” said Lowery. “There’s been an increase in distrust in education for years; we’ve had this misinformation about what’s happening in K-12 schools.” 

According to Cardinal News, Virginia’s public school enrollment rate is projected to decline 2.9% by 2029, with drops stemming from a declining birth rate and increased enrollment in private and homeschooling curricula both during and after the COVID pandemic.  

According to data obtained by the Johns Hopkins School of Education’s Homeschool Hub, from the 2023-24 to 2024-25 academic year, homeschooling rates in Virginia increased by 4.34%, with over 56,000 homeschooled students currently enrolled in the state. The data also reflects that significant gains were made during the COVID pandemic, with a 55.79% increase in homeschooled students from the 2019-20 to the 2020-21 school year. While gains have fallen since this period, the number of homeschooled students remains in the 50,000s.  

Christine Berry, a parent in Virginia, started her journey with homeschooling during COVID in Pennsylvania. She describes that since then her family has tried both private and public schooling, with one of the motivators for their move to Virginia being the resources and opportunities allocated to children in public schools.  

While some families like Berry’s have moved back to the public school system, others have continued to embrace alternative means of schooling – suggesting the COVID pandemic is not the only reason for the continued decline in public school enrollment.  

“There’s an author who writes about how back in the 60s and early 70s, there was a shift from being front porch households to backyard households, Lowery described. “… I think COVID pushed us into a new generation of thinking like that, where it pushed us from ‘I feel safe in open areas’ to ‘there’s stuff out there that can not only hurt us but cause conflict between us and our neighbors.’” 

Danielle McCoy, a parent in the New River Valley with children in public school, describes that communication is a poignant issue informing her perspective on public school. McCoy says that if she could, she would “pull both of [her] boys and homeschool in a heartbeat.”  

“My issue mainly is communication and not being able to see what they’re learning,” said McCoy, describing her experience with the lessening connection between her and the school as her son moved from elementary to middle school. “I don’t feel like locally, I can’t speak for everyone in Virginia, that our school board or our administrators really listen to parents.” 

Both McCoy and Berry describe a desire to have a greater say as parents in what curriculum is being used to teach their children, voicing concerns with administrative decisions across public schools.  

“It’s like everything has moved away from actually teaching and doing a lot of hands-on things,” said McCoy, considering her two sons’ respective learning experiences. “Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing teachers, and I support them fully, but there is a slight disconnect between what [children] need to survive in real life and what they need to learn versus what they’re learning on paper.”  

In Virginia, curriculum is determined largely at the state level, with Standards of Learning (SOLs) serving as a standard to measure students’ learning across the state.  

While these standards are determined at the state level, according to the Virginia Code, local school boards are responsible for “implement[ing] the Standards of Learning or objectives specifically designed for their school divisions that are equivalent to or exceed the Board’s requirements.”  

According to Virginia Mercury, the majority of Virginia’s school boards are elected, with 15 being appointed by local governance. For parents, this means having a say in curriculum can take place at the ballot box.  

“There is room there for parents to have a voice in curriculum…” said Lowery. “In the United States, we value independence and individualism. So, a lot of times you feel like, ‘well, my personal voice wasn’t heard.’ In a Democratic Republic, it’s everybody’s voice coming together – and we’re trying to capture that. I think education has always attempted to do that.” 

SOLs and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) standardized testing can be a major point of contention for parents with children in public school.  

“The stress they put on these kids is insane,” said McCoy regarding MAP testing in her local school district. “I feel like they’re constantly readying them for a test, and there’s not real educating going on.”  

Lowery describes that SOLs can be limiting for educators, as well as students. With teachers and administrators working to accommodate and fulfill state testing standards, they may feel as though they have little room to explore other areas of interest with students, “narrowing” learning for children in K-12 public schools.  

“[Standardized testing] is one of the areas I’m definitely, as a parent myself, I’m very sympathetic with,” said Lowery as he recalled his experiences navigating testing as an educator and administrator. “But it’s our legislators that we vote in who keep putting this standardized testing in place, not schools.”  

With over 20 years dedicated to education, Lowery describes his worries that while many concerns with public schooling, like testing, are apparent in the system, other concerns cited in the news and across social media, like the teaching of controversial content, are often heightened by political rhetoric.  

McCoy describes that she feels the material her children are exposed to are often based on opinion, a sentiment shared by many parents across social media and in conversations surrounding the state of education: “I don’t want my kids to learn a teacher’s opinion,” said McCoy. I want them to learn facts.”  

Likewise, Berry describes feelings of wanting to have a greater say in her children’s educational environment, expressing discomfort with administrative decisions in areas surrounding what content is allowed in libraries. 

Federal and state actions in recent years regarding public school curriculum have often centered around regulating the content taught in schools, such as Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order entitled “Ending the use of inherently divisive concepts, including critical race theory, and restoring excellence in K-12 public education in the commonwealth.” 

“Divisive concepts can become a catch-all for all manner of things that make us feel ‘uncomfortable,” said Lowery, discussing parental dissatisfaction with K-12 curriculum. “Learning new information, whether it’s history or algebra, can make us all in different ways feel ‘uncomfortable. Too often, it’s guided by political perspective and not pedagogical means, and that’s led  some parents to want more control over what their kids are taught.”  

Public education, at large, is facing significant changes, no matter the source – from potential funding changes with the elimination of the Federal Department of Education to greater parental involvement in learning.  

Even as some parents steer away from this avenue of schooling, public schools remain the largest source of education for children in Virginia; according to the Virginia Department of Education, 1.2 million students were enrolled in public schools during the 2024-25 academic year.  

“The part that scares me [about homeschooling] is are we making these decisions based on a lack of information or maybe too much misinformation,” said Lowery. “Are we making these decisions on our emotional decision-making facilities, or are we basing these decisions on what’s best for my child? There’s a huge world between that, and I don’t fault people who want to homeschool their children. There’s legitimate reasons why a person may want to homeschool their child, but there are also reasons that are not grounded in the reality of what happens in education.”  

By Caroline Herbert, arts and culture reporter

The above image was generated by ChatGPT.

“The great thing about AI is it makes a lot of things more convenient, and the bad thing about AI is it makes a lot of things too convenient.”

-Dr. Justin Horn, Professor of AI Ethics at Virginia Tech

Dr. Justin Horn, a Professor of AI Ethics at Virginia Tech, recently had an eye-opening experience with artificial intelligence. 

“I was thinking about unique ways to teach something in particular for class and thought it would be useful to have a cartoon conversation explaining the material I was teaching,” Horn said. “I asked ChatGPT to create this image, and it created exactly what I needed in a matter of seconds.” 

As tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E become more widely used, professionals are incorporating AI into their daily workflow. The nature of human creativity is shifting fast. This has sparked a growing debate: Are we witnessing the expansion of art, or its transition into automation?  

AI’s ability to generate visual art has created a new creative space, where machine-generated and human-made art intersect. For some, this signals a new era of artistic innovation. For others, it raises difficult questions about authorship, value and authenticity. 

AI is changing how creators think, conceptualize and execute their work, presenting both opportunity and controversy. 

Savannah Penven, exhibitions program manager at the Moss Arts Center, has extensive experience working with various artists. While the Moss hasn’t actively sought artists who work with AI, she’s observed firsthand how technology is influencing creative work. 

“Artists who are already engaging in visual art have found ways to use AI to their advantage,” Penven said. “But also, a lot of people who haven’t really engaged with the arts before are dipping their toes in, and I think that comes from a feeling of not being able to create art themselves.” 

Penven’s observations highlight one defining characteristic of AI tools: accessibility. Now, anyone with an idea and just a few descriptive words can produce high-quality art or design in seconds. For some, that’s empowering. For others, it’s worrisome.  

Regardless of viewpoint, the ability to instantly create polished, visually appealing art from a text prompt is significantly transforming artistic expression and impacting the creative process. 

“We’re already at a point where AI-generated music and art can fool professionals. That’s one of the things I find most unnerving, that even the most human forms of expression are being created by machines.” 

-Dr. Justin Horn 

Horn explained that most generative AI models are trained on massive datasets, often created using artists’ original work without permission, compensation or credit. This raises several questions about ownership.  

“When someone creates a work of art, there’s a sense in which they should own it,” Horn said. “But a lot of the AI systems we have now are trained on huge quantities of artwork, and we don’t have any system in place for compensating the original creators.” 

In 2023, several artists filed lawsuits against companies including Stability AI, Midjourney and DeviantArt, alleging that their artwork was used to train AI image-generation models without permission. The case, Andersen v. Stability AI, highlights the legal gaps surrounding intellectual property and creative AI. According to the Copyright Alliance, the plaintiffs claim their work was repurposed without consent. 

A report by the Interaction Design Foundation, states that AI-generated art “challenges traditional notions of authorship, intent, and ownership.”  

One Van Gogh painting (far right) alongside two pieces of AI-generated art: Image retrieved from Goldpenguin.org 

While AI can mimic artistic styles, Penven argues it still lacks one essential element: emotion. Human art, she said, remains distinctive because of its emotional drive. 

“The core draw of art is still its personal, emotional connection to the viewer,” she said. 

Penven said AI can serve as a useful brainstorming tool, but the line between collaboration and creation matters.  

“AI can be helpful in conceptualizing different ways of creating art,” she said. “But when it’s used just to produce a final product without any intention behind it, that’s when it gets messy.” 

She compared today’s debates about AI to the 19^th-century resistance against photography, another technology that disrupted how people viewed art.  

“There’s always been this battle of, ‘Is it art or is it not?’” Penven said. “AI is just the next chapter, just as photography was a new chapter at one point in time.” 

“Do people want to view something that is aesthetically pleasing, which AI can certainly generate, or something that reflects the inner world of an artist?” 

-Savannah Penven

Beyond the arts, Horn sees additional risks, especially as an educator. He worries about students taking advantage of AI on assignments, but his deeper concern is the long-term cost of dependence.  

“It’s very easy to let AI do things for us rather than struggle through them ourselves,” Horn said. “And if we don’t struggle, we risk losing the ability altogether.” 

Even something as intimate as a love letter, he warned, could soon become a task people will be tempted to use AI to write. 

Whether it’s composing letters, conducting research or developing original ideas, Horn cautioned that consistent shortcuts can hinder one’s creativity.

“We’re moving into a world where it’s going to be very tempting for things not to come from human beings,” he said. 

Horn compared the future of art to the fashion industry. While custom-made clothing still exists, most people buy mass-produced clothing made by machines. 

“I don’t think human art will die,” he said. “But it might be seen as more of a luxury.” 

Despite his concerns, Horn doesn’t reject AI altogether. 

“In medicine, AI can detect cancer earlier than a human can,” Horn said. “If the goal is to save lives, I don’t care if it’s a machine or a person doing the diagnosing.” 

Still, he noted, there’s a profound difference between scanning a medical image and composing a symphony. 

That difference, Penven believes, is what will make human art irreplaceable.  

“There’s always going to be people who want to see something created by a human,” she said. “We have this intrinsic drive to create art.” 

“AI is here,” she added. “And we’re going to keep finding new ways to deal with it.” 

As the creative world adapts, one thing remains clear: AI isn’t going away, and neither are the artists.  

By: Sophia Gerni, Crime, Safety, and Justice Reporter.

The Montgomery county animal care and adoption center sees it all. From the good to the bad, their goal is to give all animals a second chance at life. Many of the animals come to the shelter with heart wrenching stories behind them. The shelter wants to help and that is just what they will do. 

Editor’s note: This story includes images of neglected animals some viewers may find disturbing.