9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Meet a group of students at the Pace Center (700 W. Franklin St.). The group will ride to Belmont Community Resource Services (3510 Broad Rock Blvd.) together - a 20 minute drive from campus - to work in their food pantry. On Thursday, the pantry prepares for 550 guests who will visit Friday morning. The group will volunteer until 11:30 a.m. or noon. The group will be back to campus in time for a 1 p.m. class.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu.

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 its progression from thoughts to words to actions. Participants will be asked to consider the ways in which prejudice stands in the way of creating an inclusive organization. Richmond Youth Development Network will host Jessica Hawthorne, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, at the 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.

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

VCU's School of Social Work will sponsor a seven-part seminar series via Zoom with sessions Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 22, March 14, March 28, April 11 and April 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. Continuing education credits and digital badge will be available upon completion of all sessions. Separate registration is required. Free to social work students, faculty, staff; $30 per session for field instructors & alumni; $35 for all others. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Stevara Haley Clark at sswinfo@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1030 or visit https://socialwork.vcu.edu/information-for/continuing-education/.

Annual deferral limits for the VCU 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (TDA) and the VRS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan will increase to $23,000 in 2024. Participants eligible for the age 50+ catch-up may contribute up to an additional $7,500 to either or both plans in 2024. No employee action is required due to these changes. However, employees who wish to change deferral amounts should visit the "Changing Your Benefits" page at https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/changing-your-benefits/

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/tax-deferred-and-cash-match-programs/.

Children’s swim lessons at the Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center are now open to VCU students and RecWell members. Four different types of lessons will be offered: Parent/Child, and Preschool 1,2, and 3. Full information is available on the RecWell website. Session dates run Feb. 3-24. Register at the following URL by noon Feb. 2.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program?classificationId=7ed7ea86-88d1-4cc7-8094-d6560f38fd1d.

There is still time to complete VCU HR's Two-Minute Survey. VCU's Quest 2028 strategic plan outlines aspirations for VCU as a place to work, including commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion and providing a culture of care and appreciation. VCU HR is committed to making this vision a reality - and we need your input to do so. Check your VCU email for the link to complete the survey. The survey is anonymous and will be available until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.

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