11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Write a letter to an author whose works have been banned or challenged. Authors whose works have been challenged or removed from libraries can feel sad, angry, frustrated and misunderstood. Come to the lobby of James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. The library will provide a variety of Free to Read postcards, stamps and mailing addresses.

For more information, contact Ryan Pander at rbpander@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2024-2025/free-to-read-week-.html.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Join the Humanities Research Center for a Meet VCU Authors talk with Caddie Alford, Ph.D., whose book "Entitled Opinions" examines how opinions form and function within the digital realm, especially as they relate to social media, algorithms, digital illiteracy and activism. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rani Sisavath at sisavathr@vcu.edu or visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/events/entitled-opinions-doxa-after-digitality.html.

5 p.m.

Learn how to articulate your own, unique ideas in the style of your discipline. Register at the following URL.

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

5:30 p.m.

Katie's Art Project will meet in the multipurpose room of the Honors College, 701 W. Grace St., for cookie decorating.

For more information, contact Safa Saad at saads@vcu.edu.

6 p.m.

Learn how to use the tools you need to write your best statement. Register at the following URL.

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

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Make a new friend while learning how to cook at Monday Cooking Night hosted by the Pace Center (700 W. Franklin St.). No experience is required; participants will be given step-by-step instructions. Those who attend will prepare the meal from start to finish. Help will be needed to prepare food, set out dishes and clean up. Come and eat and meet someone new.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu or (804) 658-4064 or visit http://thepacecenter.com.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join VCU's Transfer Center for Transfer Tuesdays in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Come to this open study session to work on whatever you need to and meet other transfer students. These sessions will continue throughout the fall semester.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Heck at ebheck@vcu.edu or visit http://transfer.vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join VCU's Global Education Office at its annual Global Learning Fall Fair; Study Abroad Fair at the Rams Horns Plaza. Meet representatives from the office's study abroad providers and partners, talk to students who have studied abroad and connect with VCU's Education Abroad staff. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alex Heyden at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794 or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/eduabroad/rsvp_boot?id=1933253.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from 11 a.m. to noon

Join the Campus Learning Center's Peer Academic Coaches for a roundtable discussion with college students to talk about all the things you can do to set yourself up for success in the semester ahead. The session will be in Room B14, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Bridget Prince at bprince@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from noon to 3 p.m.

Are you exploring majors or considering adding a minor? Do you want to learn more about your current major? Check out the annual Majors Fair, hosted by the Discovery Advising team. Connect with all of the majors VCU has to offer as well as various campus resources. The fair will be held in the Commonwealth Ballroom, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Cathryn Coffey at ccoffey@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Explore over 140 programs at VCU's Graduate Studies Virtual Open House. Register at the following URL. Application fees will be waived to 150 who attend.

For more information, contact The Graduate School at gradrecruit@vcu.edu or visit https://events.ringcentral.com/events/graduate-studies-open-house/registration.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Soteria will hold a Paint and Sip in the Alumni Association Board Room of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Meet other members, learn about Soteria's mission and relax with some painting and refreshments. Supplies will be provided.

For more information, contact Harshini Reddy at reddyhm@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

Morning Tai Chi is returning to the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., and RichmondYDN (Youth Development Network). The class is an introduction to Tai Chi, intended for anyone interested in starting their day by destressing and connecting to their bodies and breath through slow, soft and rooted movement. The eight-week class is open to the community. Register at the following email address.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/173/1727179200000.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This session will help participants understand the academic program assessment process, the administrative effectiveness process and assessment in academic and student support units. Relevant accreditation standards for all areas will be reviewed and participants will see how outcomes and measures are similar and different for both academic and administrative areas. The session will be in Room 2107, Academic Learning Commons, MCALC, 1000 Floyd Ave. Register at https://forms.gle/MM3WFD4ctdE83ZDd8

For more information, contact VCU Academic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at assessment@vcu.edu or visit https://academics.provost.vcu.edu/assessment-accreditation-and-compliance/assessment.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 at noon

Join Inclusive Excellence facilitators to learn about the structural roots of social identities, focusing on group membership, individual agency and strategies for relating to one another in context. Sessions via Zoom will be offered at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jackson Bartlett at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsf--rpjIjGtURxauyCVIDQ74mVO1iHUFq#/registration.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 at noon

VCU's Frank Gupton, Ph.D., Gottwald Chair, Pharmaceutical Engineering; Chair, Professor, Chemical and Life Science Engineering; CEO, Medicines for All, will present an online research seminar for the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health. Registration is required. Register at https://bit.ly/47pIgW3

For more information, contact Emily Wigginton at emily.wigginton@vcuhealth.org or visit https://liverinstitute.medschool.vcu.edu/.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Learn about securing references and letters of recommendation for VCU's health program applications. University Academic Pre-Health Advising will hold a workshop via Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mattie Hedgebeth at prehealthadv@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89689116334.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

The second installment of the Common Book Fall 2024 Speaker Series, "Surviving Memories: Safeguarding Lessons From the Holocaust," will provide unique and local perspectives to our education about the Holocaust. The session will be in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Michaux Dempster at dempsterm@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Learn more about VCU's doctoral program in Health Services Organization and Research at a virtual informational session. Meet with program faculty and learn about admissions and funding. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cameron Parkins at parkinsc@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/FJPPUcSo1QzpLQag7.

Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come stomp, hop and kick to the dabke at an Arab folk dance workshop with Samar Abushkheidem in Room 1102, Academic Learning Commons, MCALC, 1000 Floyd Ave. The event will be hosted by VCU's School of World Studies, Middle East and Islamic Studies Minor. Henna and more will be featured.

For more information, contact Mayda Topoushian, Ph.D., at mtopoushian@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Learn to break writing into manageable chunks and how to avoid procrastination. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

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

Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites students to learn about the Virginia Capitol Semester program, a spring semester internship that allows students to work directly in the office of a Virginia delegate or senator during the General Assembly. Click on the Zoom link at the following URL to attend the informational meeting.

For more information, contact Kai Rogers at rogersk5@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/5246691219.

Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

PennyAppeal will hold a Pack-A-Bag event in Room 2128, Grace E. Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Ave., to make care kits for the local homeless population and earn service hours. Keep up to date at the group's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect page.

For more information, contact PennyAppeal at officialpennyappealatvcu@gmail.com.

Friday, Sep. 27, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Join the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs for Free Food Fridays with Dean Susan Gooden, Ph.D. This month’s spotlight will be on the school's Capitol Semester program. The event will be in the lobby of the Raleigh Building, 1001 W. Franklin St. Students can apply for this firsthand legislative experience through Tuesday, Oct. 1. Learn more about the program and grab a slice of pizza. Be sure to wear your VCU gear.

For more information, contact Kai Rogers at rogersk@vcu.edu.

Friday, Sep. 27, 2024 at 10 a.m.

This session is designed for both staff and faculty (term and tenure track) to discuss opportunities, strategies and techniques for incorporating First-generation and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) inclusiveness in their courses and programs. The group will meet in person at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27; Friday. Oct. 25, Friday, Nov. 15 and Friday, Dec. 6. Register at https://forms.gle/nUrysrJuXLsPX4oa7 Questions: Contact Ellen Carpenter at the following address or Michelle Yee at yeem@vcu.edu,

For more information, contact Ellen Carpenter at emcarpenter@vcu.edu or (757) 581-9262 or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-and-staff-development/.

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Help cultivate community as VCU's Division of Inclusive Excellence hosts an open house on the second floor at 912 W. Grace St. All are welcome, including students and campus partners. Light desserts and refreshments will be available. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tre Straughter at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaYgc800HEEBYVzP3U9Hth4uPXuBBs5Xz8JfTGWuJ2xzK_gg/viewform.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 at noon

VCU's Bioinformatics Shared Resource will host a 30-minute webinar. Explore spatial transcriptomics data from 10x Visium (platform) and gain clarity through a structured guide on Visium data analysis and downstream processes that uncover meaningful biological insights. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Hillary Boucher at connollyh@vcu.edu or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdeCtrDgjGtHRZjtP-GQlujXwd2NhX7H-.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Join VCU's Division of Community Engagement for a virtual conversation on the Carnegie Reclassification. Be a part of the collaborative self-study to audit, assess and advance the university's community engagement and partnership efforts. Initial findings will be shared and feedback and insights will be welcomes. Register at https://forms.gle/sSUyFUaQqKEgdN2S9

For more information, contact Shari Garmise at garmiseso@vcu.edu or visit http://community.vcu.edu/initiatives/carnegie/.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 from 11 a.m. to noon

The Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates and the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research will meet via Zoom and offer an update from the SOCRA 2024 Annual Conference. Members will discuss topics from the conference. SOCRA CE are available for members attending the meeting. Zoom registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shelm@vcu.edu or (804) 241-7340 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlf-GhqzwpGNdYlaPdbk_6BRv_BcjJhecM.

Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Join the UNStoppable VCU Liver Team at the Liver Life Walk on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Richmond's Byrd Park, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd. This American Liver Foundation event provides participants an opportunity to come together and raise awareness and funds in support of the liver community. Register at the following URL and select the VCU team to walk together.

For more information, contact Sarah McCall at Sarah.McCall@vcuhealth.org or visit https://liverlifewalk.org/virginia/.

Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Hispanic Coalition of Healthcare Academics will host a presentation by Cynthia Lebron, Ph.D., MPH, assistant professor at the School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, and president of the American Public Health Association Latino Caucus for Public Health. Lebron will explore critical aspects of maternal and child health among Latinas. The session will be in the auditorium of the Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 E. Marshall St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/13156669.

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This session via Zoom is designed to answer questions for community members and future students who are interested in taking one or one more classes as a non-degree seeking student. A Department Senior Educational Specialist will share common non-degree courses that are taken by provisionally licensed teachers, educational leaders and individuals looking to learn more and experience an academic program before applying. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alease Randall at randallam3@vcu.edu or visit https://rar.vcu.edu/registration/nondegree-seeking-students/.

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

VCU psychology professor Richard Bargdill, Ph.D., will give a dream interpretation workshop at the Innerwork Center, 213 Roseneath Road. The workshop will share the insights of a new book on the meaning of dreams.

For more information, contact Richard Bargdill at rwbargdill@vcu.edu or (804) 549-1967 or visit http://www.dreammetaphors.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Discover the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, tailored for aspiring educational leaders. This 30 credit hour online program delves into vital leadership theories with a focus on equity and social justice. Learn more about all four of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership concentrations. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alease Randall at randallam3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.soe.vcu.edu/register/MedEdLeadFall24.

Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at 9 a.m.

The Mary and Frances Youth Center will host its first 5K fundraiser to support youth programming at Belle Isle. Register at https://givepul.se/7vf7tm. Use this link to volunteer to assist with the race: https://forms.gle/ppcEJHAPPgbUX7SYA

For more information, contact Misti Mueller at muellermr@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs announces to fall 2024 VCU graduates (undergraduate, graduate, professional studies) that registration to participate at the end-of-the-semester Cultural Achievement Ceremony is now open. The ceremony will be held in the Commonwealth Ballrooms, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register by Monday, Nov. 4 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jair Lecky at leckyjj@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/yi7ZoFifUYDSYBAj9.

Students are encouraged to go to eServices to begin checking whether their professors submitted a midterm grade for one or more classes. Log on to Student eServices at the following URL. If you have received a midterm grade indicating unsatisfactory academic progress, see your instructor or academic advisor. The last day to withdraw from classes or opt into Pass/Fail in the full semester is Friday, Oct. 25.

For more information, contact Office of the University Registrar at rar@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/eservices.

How likely is it that you will take out a loan within the next 12 months? Click here to respond: https://vcubusiness.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4YskRo30vVV3GvA

For more information, contact Jodie Ferguson at jlferguson@vcu.edu.

Save the date for the 2024 Richmond Heart Walk, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 19. Join VCU and VCU Health to help raise funds to eliminate heart disease and stroke. Sign up at https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?company_id=465836&fr_id=10714&pg=company or view the flyer at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/resources/physical/.

The American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED course is open for VCU students, RecWell members, non-member faculty/staff and the Richmond community. Learn how to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing and cardiac emergencies. Participants will earn a certificate that satisfies OSHA requirements for workplace First Aid/CPR/AED training in non-health care settings. October class dates are Saturday, Oct. 5; Wednesday, Oct. 16; Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Wednesday, Oct. 30. See registration deadlines at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mat Scott at aquatics@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recwell.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=157236e4-f012-4926-b19a-80ba87072981.

VCU RecWell Intramural Sports runs leagues and tournaments for all experience levels. Registration is currently open for October 5v5 basketball and 8v8 kickball leagues. No prior experience or skill with the sport is required. Make new friends while going for bragging rights in friendly competition with other Rams. Players may join with friends or as free agents. Purchase a $10 Intramural Semester pass, which covers participation in any and all semester Intramural tournaments and leagues.

For more information, contact Alex Bruman at intramurals@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/play/intramural-sports/.

Have you forgotten your VCU eID password? To enhance security for the VCU community and safeguard institutional data, the IT Support Center will now have three data elements to verify student and employee identities for an eID password reset. Contact VCU's IT Support Center at itsc@vcu.edu or visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Gary Garbett at garbettgl@vcu.edu or visit https://ts.vcu.edu/askit/eid/eidpassword/.

TEDxVCU is accepting applications from potential speakers and performers for its 2025 live event, which will feature ideas from VCU Rams through roughly two hours of debut talks and performances. Applications are open on a rolling basis.

For more information, contact Ally Awtry at tedx@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/tedxvcu/speaker-guide/.

Federal regulation 34 CFR 600.9(c)(2) requires VCU to identify and record the location of its current students. Starting Monday, Sept. 30, students will be prompted via email to confirm the state or U.S. territory in which they are located. It will only take a couple of minutes to complete. Visit the student location webpage at the following URL. Questions: Email location@vcu.edu

For more information, contact Angela D. Menjivar at menjivarad@vcu.edu or visit https://academics.provost.vcu.edu/assessment-accreditation-and-compliance/compliance/student-location/.

Students enrolled in HSEP-302 Emergency Planning and Incident Management are conducting an informal survey to better understand the perceived natural or man-made disasters or incidents at VCU. The survey consists of four questions and focuses on the James Branch Cabell Library. Take the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Frank Molina-Valenzuela at molinavalefa@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/7qLHKYVauQ82iWDdA.

VCU School of Nursing is looking for participants ages 0-25 to participate in a Long COVID study. Have you or your child experienced lingering health symptoms or behavior changes since having COVID or a virus? Participants will be paid for their time. Sign up for the study at the following URL.

For more information, contact Amy Rider at recoverkidsva@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/RECOVERkids.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who identify as Black or African American are invited to participate in a research study examining the effect of acute and chronic stress on cardiovascular and inflammation responses to an acute mental challenge. Raffle drawings for financial compensation will be conducted. This study will take place at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Jeremy Via at healthyheart@vcu.edu.