12:30 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs invites you to celebrate National Coming Out Day. Stop by Commons Plaza to be a part of a Ramily photo on Wednesday, Oct. 11 in front of the ram horns at Commons Plaza to celebrate National Coming Out Day. The event will include food, swag giveaways and more.

For more information, contact David Brown at dgbrown@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/OMSA/rsvp_boot?id=1930095.

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.

In this virtual workshop, Health and Wellness Librarian Dana Ladd, MS, Ph.D., AHIP, will discuss how to find and evaluate reliable resources that consumers can use to understand their condition and make more informed decisions regarding their health. This will include resources for low-literacy individuals and resources in languages other than English. Register at https://vcu.libcal.com/event/11183902

For more information, contact Jackson Wright at wrightjc4@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/for-your-health/health-and-wellness-library/.

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m.

Come to the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., to have your blood pressure measured by the Cardio-Renal Physiology Lab. Also, learn how a healthy lifestyle can benefit blood pressure.

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

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU's Pre-Physical Therapy Club will host a panel of physical therapists in the Virginia Rooms, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. to network and learn more about the field. RSVP at the following URL. Questions: Email the following address or club president Trinity Miller at millert8@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Seth Leibowitz at slleibowitz@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/prephysicaltherapyclubatvcu/home/.

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Bill Shaltis, DMA, will present a recital of electro-acoustic works for percussion featuring music by Steve Reich, Emma O'Halloran and Caleb Pickering at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Justin Alexander at jlalexander@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1166.

Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

This virtual slower 30-minute practice, brought to you by VCU HR and VCU RecWell, focuses on active stretching of muscles and opening of connective tissue. Release built-up tension, prevent injury, increase blood flow to muscles and increase long-term flexibility. No equipment requirements, though a yoga mat is recommended. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/457YqAQ

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

National Conflict Resolution Day is the signature event of VCU's Office of the Provost led by the University Ombudsperson. The goal of the day is to "promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict." This event, open to faculty, staff and students, will be held in Court End Ballroom A, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact William King at weking@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/qVuBqnHrQdMPCxCv5.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center's Migration Lab for a talk by Michael Paarlberg, Ph.D., in the Valentine House second floor conference room, Room 201, 920 W. Franklin St. (and hybrid via Zoom). Paarlberg will discuss immigration policy and the imagined connection between immigration and crime. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/much-ado-about-nothing-local-immigration-policy-and-the-ms-13-threat.html.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 at noon

Join the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs for a virtual Lunch and Learn presentation featuring Bryan Slater, Virginia secretary of labor. He will discuss contemporary workforce challenges, including how to fill positions across the commonwealth and solutions to meet current and emerging workforce needs. The Zoom link is at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dqslek8wQp6O9q-CcHS0nA.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Corey Van Landingham, the 2023 Levis Reading Prize winner, will read from her poetry collection "Love Letter to Who Owns the Heavens." The prize is awarded annually for the best debut or second book of poetry published in the previous calendar year and is chosen by the M.F.A. in Creative Writing program at VCU. The event, in the lecture hall at James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. is open to the public and will be presented in person and virtually. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ryan Pander at rbpander@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2023-2024/levis-2023.html.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

This virtual session, brought to you by VCU HR and Virginia Credit Union (VACU), will give you an easy strategy to jump-start your savings and make your emergency fund a reality. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/3rvSX97

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/.

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

VCU Health Pauley Heart Center will host the university's participation in the Richmond Heart Walk at Innsbrook, 4951 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen. Visit the VCU/VCU Health page at the following URL to donate, form or join a team.

For more information, contact Michelle Gossip at michelle.gossip@vcuhealth.org or visit https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?company_id=416106&fr_id=9033&pg=company.

Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 from 10 a.m. to noon

TEDxVCU is holding its first Salon in the RecWell Mind Body Studio in the Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St. TEDxVCU Salons are small group sessions at which the community can gather to watch previous TED and TEDx talks and then discuss the highlighted topics. Salons in Motion will have three different forms of yoga led by an instructor. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact TEDxVCU at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1930221.

As a convenience to university faculty and staff working on campus, VCU Human Resources has arranged for Walgreens, a participating pharmacy with the COVA health plans, to conduct four flu immunization clinics during September and October on both campuses. Appointments are preferred, however, walk-ins will be accepted. Visit the following URL for dates, times, locations and to make an appointment.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/worklife-at-vcu/flu-clinics/.

The Honors College is seeking outstanding students to join us for the Spring 2024 semester. The ideal candidate will be of freshman or sophomore standing and have above a 3.5 GPA. Complete this form at the following URL to refer a student to Honor.

For more information, contact Will Gilbert at honors@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-DiTh49oMd-Mb7EiuxysDiUyInCu8eTvTcho6HMsR_Ta5gQ/viewform.

The Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and VCU Libraries offer a self-paced course on National Center for Biotechnology Information databases Gene, BLAST, Variation tools, GEO and GDC. These databases are central to bioinformatic, genomic, basic science and clinical research projects. Enrollment is open; the course can be completed at any time. Upon completion of the six course modules, you receive a certificate. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Erin Carrillo at emcarrillo@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2070 or visit https://virginiacommonwealth.instructure.com/enroll/9LX44P.

Human Resources will present "How to Retire With the Virginia Retirement System" for VCU employees. These sessions are open to VCU employees only, not VCU Health System employees. Register for an upcoming session at https://bit.ly/3NqLY7a. For more information, create a service request at https://go.vcu.edu/hrsupport or call (804) 827-1723.

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7173 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/retirement/planning-resources/.

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.

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. The signup deadline has been extended to Sunday, Oct. 15.

For more information, contact Polina Beloborodova at vcu.stress.reduction@gmail.com or visit https://beloborodp.wixsite.com/stressreduction.