Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at noon

VCU's Department of Painting and Printmaking will present a lecture by visiting artist Catalina Ouyang in Room 301, Murry N. DePillars Building, 1000 W. Broad St. Ouyang is a sculptor, writer and interdisciplinary artist whose practice spans themes of desire, subjugation, race, gender, resistance, healing and intersectionality. Ouyang’s work uses organic and inorganic media often related to the body.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/catalina-ouyang-visiting-artist-lecture/.

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully living in the moment. A self-care routine is a daily journey of intentional living and being mindful about physical, mental and emotional well-being. Educators will be introduced to a variety of mindful-based interventions and strategies to support their own personal well-being. Richmond Youth Development Network will host the event, which will be facilitated by BareSOUL Wellness. Register at the following email address. Registration limited to 18 participants.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2696 or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/92/1702483200000.

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

VCU's Robertson School will host virtual informational sessions for prospective students to learn more about the graduate programs on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at noon-12:30 and 5-5:30 p.m. Questions: Email Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/ Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexandra Chapman at chapmanam3@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad.

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the Health Sciences Library will present a lunch research seminar via Zoom. Nina Exner, Ph.D., research data librarian, will discuss the National Institutes of Health data management and sharing policy and VCU resources to support the policy. Participants will learn how to write an NIH data management and sharing plan. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArdOCvpjspGNDDlaQJoEkgQyomgrFi_keW.

Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center: Facts and Faith Fridays organization will present Pancreatic Cancer and Year in Review Celebration with Luni Emdad, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., and the Facts and Faith Friday Team. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlce6sqT8rEtSnqo4cYE4eHJwca-NghmLM#/registration

For more information, contact Rachel Pierce at piercer2@vcu.edu or (804) 239-7037 or visit https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays.

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Research on unconscious bias shows how the brain takes shortcuts that can be informed by socialized biases. Beginning with the roots of prejudice, this interactive presentation will demonstrate the progression from thoughts to words to actions. This workshop asks participants to consider the ways prejudice stands in the way of creating an inclusive organization. Richmond Youth Development Network will host the free event, which will feature Jessica Hawthorne, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. The event will be at Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. Register at the following email address.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2696 or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/100/1703016000000.

VCU's Human Research Protection Program announces that the nomination period is now open for membership on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the 2024 annual calendar. The IRB is a vital component of VCU's commitment to ethical research practices. The board plays a crucial role in ensuring the protection and welfare of human subjects involved in research conducted at the university. Nominations may be made at the following URL. The deadline is Friday, Jan. 5.

For more information, contact Human Resources Protection Program at HRPP@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0868 or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/humanresearch/?p=2929.

VCU Police and R.M.C. Security will conduct extra mobile and foot patrols in and around James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave., through Monday, Dec. 18. This includes additional R.M.C. Security staff outside the library and on nearby blocks from 7:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. VCU Police officers patrol both VCU campuses 24/7 and can be reached by calling (804) VCU-1234 at any time. Community members can also use the LiveSafe app to text with VCUPD dispatchers.

For more information, contact VCU Police at policedept@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1234.

Women in Science will partner with the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU in a holiday toy drive through Tuesday, Dec. 19. Collection boxes for newly purchased toys in original packaging can be found in the VCU Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St., and Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Both locations are on the MCV campus.

For more information, contact Chloe Simons at simonsc2@vcu.edu or (305) 746-1949.

Theft is 100 percent preventable. The VCU Police Department advises everyone to secure all valuable items, such as cell phones, laptops, bags and wallets. If you're studying and need to take a break, take these items with you. Never leave valuables in public spaces, where someone can take them in the blink of an eye. VCU Men's Basketball Coach Ryan Odom and VCU Police Chief John Venuti encourage everyone to safeguard valuables, especially during finals.

For more information, contact VCU Police at policedept@vcu.edu or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py-QcbFlw5I.

RecWell’s Fall 2023 Group Exercise classes are free to all VCU students and RecWell members. Learn more about the fundamentals of exercise. All skills and fitness levels are welcome. The Finals Week schedule runs from Tuesday, Dec. 12 to Tuesday, Dec. 19. The Winter Break schedule runs from Wednesday, Dec. 20 to Saturday, Dec. 23 and will pick up again in January 2024. Visit the website for registration details.

For more information, contact Nadine Madison at groupexprgm@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/group-exercise/.

CVC is the only annual workplace giving program for the Commonwealth’s workforce and provides employees with a selection of approximately 700-plus screened charities you can support. All monetary donations donated through the CVC are 100 percent tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can give by credit card or payroll deduction.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/commonwealth-of-virginia-campaign/.

RecWell winter break hours run Friday, Dec. 15 through Tuesday, Jan. 15. All facilities will be closed Sunday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. For details, visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Amanda Simmons at recwell@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/facilities-and-hours/.

The “excess leave” carry forward provided during the pandemic expires on Jan. 9, 2024. Employees who have excess leave hours and wish to use them should follow these instructions and select leave code "15 - Excessive Leave Carry Forward" in VCU’s RealTime leave request module. Excess leave requests submitted in RealTime will follow the standard approval process. Employees should consult their HR Professional with any questions about leave accrual, usage or how to view their leave balances.

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources at askhr@vcu.edu.

The Wright Regional Center for Clinical and Translational Science can help. For personalized guidance from the center's research navigator, email a detailed description of your project or any questions to cctr@vcu.edu and you will be directed to the available resources. You can also visit the following URL to learn where to start, how to determine if your sample size is feasible and development of your grant or protocol.

For more information, contact Rose Williams at williamsrm4@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8583 or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/support/research-navigation/.

Unleash your vocal potential at VCU. The university's choir program is the perfect platform to nurture your passion for singing. Discover a world of melodies with Choral Arts Society (APPM-359), Vox Concordia (APPM-378) and Commonwealth Singers (APPM-358). Auditions for Spring 2024 are underway. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/academics/departments/music/ensembles/vocal-ensemble/vocal-ensemble-audition-info/.

If you are a person who is in treatment for opioid or cocaine use, is considering treatment sometime in the future for your opioid or cocaine use or does not use drugs, you may be able to participate in a research study. The goal of the study is to test an assessment battery that could be used to personalize treatment for people who use substances. Eligible volunteers will be compensated for their time.

For more information, contact VCU IDAS at Study4u@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3784.

We are inviting male and female participants with elevated blood pressure between the ages of 18-45 years to participate in a study to examine how the time of day that you eat affects your blood pressure, blood vessel function and kidney function. This study involves a screening visit to determine eligibility; two single-day interventions where you will eat a meal that we provide in the morning or late at night; and two visits to our laboratory. The study involves collection of blood, saliva and urine samples, in addition to blood pressure, blood vessel and body composition assessments. The study is conducted at VCU Kinesiology and Health Sciences Building on the Monroe Park Campus. Participants will be compensated for their time completing the study. Questions: Email Natalie Bohmke at the following email address or Danielle Kirkman at dlkirkman@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Natalie Bohmke at bohmkenj@vcu.edu.