1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn about an opportunity to participate in the Camp Qmunity program as an LGBTQIA+ study abroad option in Cape Town, South Africa during spring break. The trip will include walking tours, visits to reserves and museums, lectures and discussions. The session will be held in Room 2121, second floor, 912 W. Grace St. Register at https://connect.inclusive.vcu.edu/register/qcollective-capetown-221205

For more information, contact Q Collective at qcollective@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/institutes-and-centers/q-collective/q-events/.

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.

12 p.m.

VCU's Online MBA program, ranked 40th nationally by Fortune (highest among schools in Virginia), is now accepting applications for Fall 2023. Learn why this synchronous two-year cohort format is a great choice for working professionals; current students have an average work experience of 10 years and the graduation rate is over 90 percent. Questions: https://business.vcu.edu/academics/mba-options/online-mba/ Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Robert Clarkson at rmclarkson@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1597 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/event-webinar-omba-120522?program=OMBA&utm_source=Commercial%20Radio&utm_medium=Radio&utm_content=FitBusyLifestyle&utm_term=DetailsAt&utm_campaign=OMBARY2018.

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.

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.

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.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 at 7 p.m.

VCU's Medical Journal Club will host a game night via Zoom. See the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jefin Jose at josej@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/81299756416.

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Stop by on your way to work to meet and network with members of the Health Sciences Career Community at the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Paid parking is available next door in the Eighth Street Parking Deck. RSVP to the following email address.

For more information, contact Kim Ivey at healthscicc@vcu.edu. or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/career-development/career-communities/health-sciences-career-community/.

Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

High Intensity Interval Training is a training technique in which participants give all-out, quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by short, sometimes active recovery periods. Join VCU HR and RecWell for this virtual workout class. Register in Talent@VCU or at http://bit.ly/3OcEaan

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/.

Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 at 6 p.m.

A Teddy "Toss" for the Children's Hospital of Richmond will be held at the Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Bring a teddy bear and receive discounted admission to the game. All teddy bears collected will be donated to the Children's Hospital of Richmond and other local charities. Also, take your holiday card photo before the game with Rodney the Ram at a photo booth. Pick up a free women's basketball team poster at the VCU fan center.

For more information, contact Sarah Frasier at frasiers2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuathletics.com/news/2021/10/26/2021-22-womens-basketball-promotions.aspx.

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Department of Health Administration will host a virtual informational session for the Master of Health Administration and Master of Science in Health Administration programs. Register to attend at https://forms.gle/1J3CQVm2srbEAd638.

For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit http://ha.chp.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.

Full-time faculty and staff can shop in-store through Friday, Dec. 9 using payroll deduction and pay zero percent down at the time of purchase. Discounted items include iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches, gaming accessories and more.

For more information, contact Rafael Wells at ramtech@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8324 or visit http://ramtech.vcu.edu.

Deferral limits for 403(b) and 457(b) will increase in 2023. Employees who wish to change their TDA or DCP deferral elections for 2023 should refer to "Retirement tax-savings limits" at https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/tax-deferred-annuity-and-cash-match-programs/ for details. No action is required for employees who wish to continue their existing deferral elections with no changes. Questions: Request HR support at https://go.vcu.edu/hrsupport

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/.

VCU's Global Education Office announces that applications to study abroad during Spring Break and Summer 2023 are open. Visit the following URL to review the growing list of opportunities, including faculty-led programming.

For more information, contact Alex Levy at abroad@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7882 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/abroad/.

Virginia Retirement System will increase Hybrid Plan member contributions by half a percent effective January 2023 for members hired and reported to VRS on or before September 2022 who are not already making the maximum 4 percent voluntary contribution and who have not already elected a half percent or greater voluntary contribution increase for January 2023. Members can opt out or elect a different amount on or before Dec. 15 to override the automatic increase. See more at https://www.varetire.org/auto-escalation.

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/.

We’re all reminded during the holiday season that joy comes from giving. This year, consider making a gift to one or more funds that directly impact our students and employees. The funds are Ram Pantry, Suit Yourself, the Open and Affordable Course Content Initiative, the Student Emergency Fund, the Student Life and Learning Fund and the Rainbow Society. Each of these funds can transform a life. Choose your favorite(s) to support by visiting the following URL.

For more information, contact Catherine Brown at brownck6@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/BGY22.

RecWell Children's Swim Lessons will be held on Saturday mornings at the Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center, 101 S. Linden St. Four levels of lessons will be available for ages 6 months-5 years old. Register for Spring Session 1 by Feb. 3 at noon.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at scottm14@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/aquatics/childrens-swim-lessons/.

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.

During the next several weeks, the Human Research Protection Program will undergo changes in personnel that may impact HRPP/Institutional Review Board services and time lines. Additional details and instructions are available on the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation Human Subject Research Protection blog at the following URL.

For more information, contact HRPP at orsp@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0868 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/humanresearch/.

VCU's Department of African American Studies is soliciting submissions for the 2023 Black History in the Making Award. Founded in 1983, the award was created to honor the achievements of exceptional Black students. Students are selected by their departments/programs and honored at a reception hosted by the Department of African American Studies in February. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 30.

For more information, contact Dae Newman at newmanad@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1371 or visit https://afam.vcu.edu/program/scholarships-and-awards/black-history-in-the-making-awards/.

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.

Individuals who dip/use smokeless tobacco 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.

This is a research study aiming to receive feedback on a sexual health intervention designed for couples. To be eligible to participate, you have to identity as Black or African American and be 18 to 35 years of age. The study requires participation in a 120-minute session and completion of a questionnaire. Amazon gift card compensation is available. Participation in this research study is voluntary. Email the following address to participate.

For more information, contact Kristina Hood, Ph.D., at progresslab@vcu.edu or visit https://progress.vcu.edu.