Special Announcement
Banner Services Outage
From 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 to approximately 12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, Banner will be unavailable while it is being migrated into the cloud, and several other related online systems will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Dec. 2 to approximately 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9. This will affect many tasks regularly performed by students, faculty and staff. For example, you will be unable to enter grades, view or pay student bills, register for classes, view pay stubs and more. Faculty, students and staff are encouraged to plan accordingly. Visit the Banner Cloud Migration website at https://administrativesystems.ts.vcu.edu/banner-cloud-migration-project/ for a list of affected services, a detailed timeline and an FAQ.
Today
The Shape of Relations: Knots and Other Stories
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Radmila Sazdanovic, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, will discuss knots and their invariants at a talk to be hosted by VCU's Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Sazdanovic will also touch on applications to cancer genomics, game theory and materials science. The in-person lecture will be held in Room 4169, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave.
For more information, contact Nicola Tarasca at tarascan@vcu.edu or visit https://math.vcu.edu/events/.
Pi Kappa Alpha To Present Winter Wonderland
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pi Kappa Alpha will host Winter Wonderland at the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter house, 919 W. Grace St. Those who attend will have the opportunity to complete arts and crafts, meet Santa, watch holiday movies and enjoy hot chocolate and holiday treats. The chapter house will be decorated in holiday lights. All toy and monetary donations will go to support the Evans-Haynes Burn Center at the VCU Hospital.
For more information, contact Femi Alabi at alabif@vcu.edu.
'Half & Half & Half & Half' Kinetic Imaging Exhibition Opening Reception
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Half milk, half cream; half real, half dream. Graduate students from VCU's Department of Kinetic Imaging will present a group exhibition of new works made up of more parts than could ever make a whole. The exhibition will be shown through Dec. 15, with an opening reception on Dec. 2. The exhibit will be at Murray N. DePillars Gallery, 1000 W. Broad St., first floor, from the entrance to the left.
For more information, contact Leilei Xia at xial2@vcu.edu.
Black Graduate Student Association: End of Semester Skate Party
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wrap up the semester with VCU's BGSA at the Rollerdome, 4902 Williamsburg Road. No skating fee for the first 10 who register to attend.
For more information, contact Ariel Johnson at bgsa@vcu.edu.
Coming up
OMSA Watch Party for World Cup Round of 16
Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come to the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Suite 215, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., for a watch party for the Round of 16 World Cup games. The 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. games will be shown. Snacks and drinks will be provided during the games and lunch will be available from 12:30-1:30 p.m. All members of the VCU community (faculty, staff and students) are welcome. Register on Ramsconnect at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jair Lecky at leckyjj@vcu.edu or (571) 359-1370 or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1925830.
Emerging Leaders Spring Break in Doha, Qatar Informational Session
Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
VCU's Emerging Leaders Program and Global Education Office will offer an opportunity to explore concepts of global leadership at VCUQ in Doha, Qatar during Spring Break for 1 credit in REAL 491. An in-person informational session will be held in Room 1030J, West Grace Street Student Housing – North, 830 W. Grace St. A session via Zoom will be offered at noon on Monday, Dec. 12. The Zoom link is https://vcu.campusgroups.com/click?linkid=18de45f9-067e-48c4-ab27-e078fb8a6d5a
For more information, contact Jimmie Gahagan at jsgahagan@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=11564.
Poetry Club Open Mic Night
Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Join the Poetry Club for the group's final event of the semester. All are welcome to share their poetry with the group. Snacks will be provided. The meeting will be in Virginia Room B, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.
For more information, contact Souad Shaia at vcupoetryclub@gmail.com.
CLARION Competition Student Interest Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 from noon to 12:45 p.m.
VCU's Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care will host an informational session via Zoom for the 2023 CLARION National Case Competition. The annual event sponsored by the University of Minnesota promotes leadership and communication skills and prepares health care students for interprofessional practice. Last year's VCU team won first place, earning a $7,500 scholarship prize. Register at the following URL for the Zoom link.
For more information, contact Kelly Lockeman at kslockeman@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/3u9lxLi.
Rams in Recovery Speaker Series To Feature Melissa Febos
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rams in Recovery will host Melissa Febos as the final speaker of the group's monthly Recovery Speaker series. This is a virtual only event via Zoom. Melissa Febos is the best-selling author of four books. She is a Girlhood—LAMBDA Award finalist and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. She is the author of "Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative." Her fifth book, "The Dry Season," is forthcoming from Alfred A. Knopf. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtcOusqTwvHNQeimL_Fv-9ceMSDdWoDncj Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact John Freyer at jdfreyer@vcu.edu or visit https://recovery.vcu.edu/.
All About Anthem's Employee Assistance Program
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
In this 30-minute online session you will learn more about your free benefits available through Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program – offered in conjunction with COVA Care and COVA HDHP health plans. Find out how the EAP’s services can help you and members in your household with LiveHealth Online medical, Psychology, and EAP; four free counseling visits per issue per plan year; legal services and more. Register in Talent@VCU or at: http://bit.ly/3V4Al9n
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.
VCU Robertson School Graduate Programs Informational Sessions
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 at noon
VCU's Robertson School of Media and Culture will host virtual informational sessions about its online graduate programs on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at noon-12:30 p.m. and 6:30-7 p.m. Visit the following URL for the Zoom link.
For more information, contact Alexandra Chapman at chapmanam3@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/6684061425.
Test Pattern 06: Dorian Wood
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 at 7 p.m.
As part of Test Pattern, multi-disciplinary artist Dorian Wood will present "Mares Ocultos," a new composition that centers on themes of erasure, anxiety and transgression. The event will be at VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St.
For more information, contact Natalie Hale at halene@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/tp06-dorian-wood/.
Holidaze: How To Enjoy the Holidays and Minimize Stress
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.
Holidays are supposed to be joyful, but they can also create many headaches. In this timely session brought to you by VCU HR and Anthem EAP, we will review common sources of holiday stress and explore ways to minimize the tension and increase the fun for everyone. Register in Talent@VCU or at https://bit.ly/3igEcls
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.
Notices
The VCU Stories You Love, Online at magazine.vcu.edu
VCU Magazine's inaugural issue features stories about a globe-trotting Air Force officer, a nanoscientist, a track sprinter with a burgeoning sneaker art business and an ode to VCU's beloved (now-demolished) Franklin Street Gym. Visit the following URL to read those and more, including the Fall 2022 cover story on sisters Enjoli and Sesha Joi Moon, who are unearthing the forgotten origins, stories and personalities of Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood, long considered the Harlem of the South.
For more information, contact James Irwin at jjirwin@vcu.edu or visit http://magazine.vcu.edu.
Certificate in Clinical Research Program
VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research actively supports clinical research professionals entering the work force or transitioning career paths with the Certificate in Clinical Research. The program prepares students for first-time entry or transition into the field of clinical research and provides professional development for current clinical, allied health and research professionals. Spring 2023 applications due Dec. 30 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Catherine Brown at crbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/education-and-training/certificate-program/.
Makerspace Training Courses
Registration is open for Makers' Training Workshops and for Makers’ Courses (Modules I, II and III) for VCU students who seek to use the College of Engineering Makerspaces. Students must first complete the Orientation and General Safety Training through the College of Engineering before registering for the more advanced courses. Morning and afternoon sections are available. See the full schedule at the following URL.
For more information, contact VCU Continuing and Professional Education at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/engineering.
Recreation and Well-Being Adult Beginner Swim Lessons
This class is open to individuals new to the aquatic environment and those who want to become more independent in the water. Classes will be taught by trained instructors in a small group format. Session 1 classes will be held at Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center, Monday/Wednesday, Feb. 6-March 1, 6-6:55 p.m. Register by Noon Feb. 3 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Mat Scott at scottm14@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/aquatics/adult-swim-programs/.
Come Play With the University Band
Registration is now open for The University Band (APPM 357), which is open to all VCU students and faculty. The band meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2-2:50 p.m. The band performs one concert per semester.
For more information, contact Duane Coston at costonpd@vcu.edu or (804) 240-7974.
Are You Stressed? Participate in a Stress Reduction Study
The VCU Wellbeing Lab invites you to participate in a research study on two stress reduction programs for undergraduate students. VCU investigators seek to understand how two online stress reduction programs affect students’ mood and stress-related behavior. Compensation is available. Sign up before Feb. 1, 2023.
For more information, contact Polina Beloborodova at vcu.stress.reduction@gmail.com or (804) 215-6196 or visit https://beloborodp.wixsite.com/stressreduction.
Do You Smoke Tobacco Cigarettes?
Individuals who smoke tobacco cigarettes daily are needed to participate in a research study that requires multiple laboratory visits. Compensation may be available. This study will be conducted at VCU. Principal investigator is Alison Breland, Ph.D., Department of Psychology.
For more information, contact Alison Breland at abbrelan@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3562 or visit http://cstp.vcu.edu/studies.
