12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Meditation has been shown to increase overall well-being. Take a break for weekly guided meditation with Brenna. Meditation is suitable for all levels of practice. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brenna Denicola at denicolabr@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1825036.

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

You First Peer Mentors Bri, Joana, Jennifer, Alicia, Izzy and Allison will host a get-together for first-generation college students who want to make new friends and make VCU start feeling like home. All are welcome at the session, which will be in Room 207, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. Participation in the mentoring program is not required. Games and pizza will be available. Space is limited. Register at https://cglink.me/2dV/r1747056

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit http://youfirst.vcu.edu.

7 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Join Richmond Chi Alpha for a night of worship, prayer and community at 822 W. Franklin St.

For more information, contact Mike Godzwa at mikegodz@vcu.edu or visit http://rvaxa.com.

8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

An RVA First Friday solo musical performance will feature composer, vocalist and sitarist Ami Dang. The performance will be in the forum of the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. The concert will feature a combination of South Asian music with experimental use of the sitar, lighting design, synthesizers and MIDI controllers.

For more information, contact Natalie Hale at halene@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/ami-dang/.

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 from noon to 2 p.m.

Shift Retail Lab at VCU is a multifunctional retail space where past and present VCU students can showcase their work to gain insights and test their products, services and ideas with real-world customers. Shelfies have about a month to showcase and test their ideas and need your help. Join students and alumni at this market, 1235 W. Broad St., to purchase their products and/or give them invaluable insight that will help take their idea to the next level.

For more information, contact Lloyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/shelfiefall22-2.

Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

AUCTUS, VCU’s Journal for Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship, is currently looking for students to review works submitted to its STEM, social sciences, creative and humanities sections. The group will meet online. Click on https://vcu.zoom.us/j/6521177882 to join the meeting.

For more information, contact VCU AUCTUS Journal at auctus@vcu.edu or visit http://auctus.vcu.edu.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Humanities Research Center will host Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., associate professor and Chair of the Department of Gerontology at VCU, to discuss her recent book, "Ageism Unmasked" as part of the Meet VCU's Authors series. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Agd8AZ5TRtubnh5Y5aMp_g.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 at 3 p.m.

This interactive Zoom workshop will break down the artist's statement, how to write one and why art students should focus on their writing skills. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU's Society of Physics Students will host a catapult competition in Room 2141, The Honors College, 701 W. Grace St. The group which builds the best catapult will win a prize. Warm cookies (nut-free) will be available.

For more information, contact Linda Beyer at beyerlt@vcu.edu.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU Poetry Club will hold its first poetry competition. Participants will compete to win a club T-shirt and a spotlight on the club's Instagram. Audience members will vote for the winner. Snacks will be provided at the meeting, which will be in Virginia Room B, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Souad Shaia at vcupoetryclub@gmail.com.

Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host a guided discussion with American writer and artist JP Brammer. Brammer is most known for his queer advice column “¡Hola Papi!”, originally published in Grindr's magazine Into and subsequently via Substack. He is the author of the memoir: “¡Hola Papi! How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons.” The discussion will include topics and themes from his book and will be at Grace Street Theatre, 934 W. Grace St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Joshua Lockhart at lockhartjcj@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/OMSA/rsvp_boot?id=1818863.

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Don't miss the annual VCU Tech Fair on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12. Join VCU Technology Services for demonstrations, Q&A and more. Talk with university tech staff about the technologies and services they provide (Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Cloud, classroom technologies). VCU's vendors, whose contributions help make the Tech Fair possible, will also be on hand and will provide free bag lunches (while they last) and giveaways. The fair will be at University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.; Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St., and virtually.

For more information, contact Technology Services at tsengage@vcu.edu or visit https://techfair.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How does your ability/disability status impact your daily life? Do you wonder how that differs for others? Join a Rammalogues session on these topics, hosted by IExcel Education. The first session will be in person on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at 912 W. Grace St., second floor. A second session will be virtual on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Rammalogues provide a safer space for the VCU community to have braver conversations around social identity. Register at https://iexcel.vcu.edu/calendar/

For more information, contact IExcel Education at iexcel@vcu.edu or visit https://iexcel.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

RamBikes offers a class for every bicycle rider of any skill level. Come get your hands dirty at its fix-a-flat class, 1106 W. Broad St., where all participants will have the experience of swapping out and patching a tube. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sera Erickson at rambikes@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2453 or visit http://bikes.vcu.edu/events.

Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center at VCU in exploring the intersections of Black and Indigenous sounds and music in the early Atlantic world. The event will feature short presentations from leading scholars, Q&A sessions and a performance by the Charlottesville-based band Lua, known for an innovative blend of Latin-American and Appalachian tradition. This hybrid event will be held online via Zoom and in Room 2104, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/intersections-black-and-indigenous-sound-in-the-early-atlantic-world.html.

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Leaders Unleashed is a gateway student conference experience to discover yourself as a leader, find inspiration and meet and learn from your peers. Shape your experience as a leader at VCU, in your community and beyond. The online event is free and open to all VCU students, regardless of experience. The event is sponsored by The Commons and VCU's Office of Student Leadership and Engaged Learning. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Laura O'Brien at thecommons@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1828687.

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Leaders Unleashed, the virtual student leadership conference, seeks staff and faculty to lead breakout sessions with students to help connect their conference learning and experiences at VCU through guided questions. Those interested in assisting as a reflection facilitator should complete the Google Form at the following URL by Friday, Oct. 7. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Kaylynn Hill at hillk8@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/vDJVgYBzTQ3MGi6x5.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Want a high-impact career? Want to champion social justice? Fuel dreams? Dedicate your life to making a difference while getting a fully paid degree? RTR is a selective teacher residency program that equips passionate future teachers with the tools to teach for change. Learn more at an informational session Thursday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up at https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/RTRInfoNov10. A session will also be held Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up at https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/RTRInfoNov16

For more information, contact Sabrina Evans at https://teachrtr.org/ or visit http://teachrtr.org.

Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Advocates Richmond Youth, with support from the VCU School of Social Work, will present their research on how system involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice system, public housing, or foster care impacts the ability of youth and young adults to find and maintain stable housing. The event will be held in Room 3100, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave., and virtually. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jenee Lee at leej101@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/DyEd6uu2Nrz4eNMf7.

The 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. This FAFSA will consider applicants for financial aid opportunities for fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024. Complete the FAFSA early; some financial aid programs have limited opportunities. If you think you may not be considered for financial aid based upon your financial situation, you are still encouraged to apply. It's free. Need help? If you have questions about applying for financial aid or paying for college, visit VCU's Student Financial Management Center in Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave.. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

For more information, contact Student Financial Management Center at sfmc@vcu.edu or visit https://sfs.vcu.edu/.

Virginians who are ineligible to file the FAFSA and want to be considered for state financial aid should complete the 2023-2024 Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA). The VASA application is now open. Need help? If you have questions about applying for financial aid or paying for college, visit VCU's Student Financial Management Center in Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave.. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

For more information, contact Student Financial Management Center at sfmc@vcu.edu or visit https://sfs.vcu.edu/.

Students and parents are invited to attend financial health online sessions hosted by JPMorgan Chase Bank. These two-part sessions are offered on Zoom by JPMorgan Chase Bank. A seminar on budget and savings will be held Nov. 1. Seminars on credit will be held Oct. 13 and Nov. 8. All workshops will be held 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Zoom webinar ID is 929 6163 1318. The pass code is 632518. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Denise Laussade at laussaded@vcu.edu or visit https://jpmc.surveymonkey.com/r/Fall22Student.

All VCU students are eligible to receive a free flu vaccine at Student Health. Appointments are required and may be scheduled via the Web Portal or by phone. Students can also request the flu vaccine during a scheduled medical appointment. Student Health will also be offering a flu vaccine clinic at the Virginia Rooms, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24. No appointment is necessary at this clinic; however face masks will be required in the vaccine clinic area.

For more information, contact Student Health Immunization Department at ushsimmuniz@vcu.edu or (804) 827-8047 or visit https://health.students.vcu.edu/immunizations/#flu.

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.