11 a.m.

This interactive Zoom workshop is a guide to finding, reading, evaluating and incorporating academic sources into your work. Register at the following URL.

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

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

Join VCU's Transfer Center for Transfer Tuesdays in James Branch Cabell Library, Room 250, 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 spring semester.

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

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

PennyAppeal will host a Pack-A-Bag event in the Honors College Multipurpose Room (1303, 701 W. Grace St.) to make care kits for the local homeless population. Can't make it? Join the organization's Instagram (@pennyappealatvcu) or RamsConnect to keep up to date on future events.

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

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 at noon

When it comes to leadership, we sometimes fall back on what we know, regardless of our values. In this workshop, participants will come away with concrete strategies for translating inclusive and team-centered values into practice. Register at https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcOipqjgoHd0JBq-AOzx63g_OCiG48Q4d#/registration

For more information, contact Tre Straughter at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/education/.

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

VCU Emergency Management, alongside VCU Police, Safety and Risk Management, Rams in Recovery, RecWell and Survivor Support Services will host a tabling event at the University Student Commons, Richmond Salon III, 907 Floyd Ave. This event will highlight safety measures implemented across campus to ensure the well-being of the VCU community. Staff will also offer demonstrations on lifesaving techniques and provide opportunities to sign up for CPR, Narcan and Stop the Bleed training.

For more information, contact Matthew Majid at majidm@vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Do you teach a service-learning course and do you want to learn more about having a service-learning teaching assistant? Or are you a student who has taken a service-learning course and are interested in becoming a teaching assistant? Join Service-Learning at VCU and discuss all things TA related. Learn about the process, benefits and opportunities that come with being or having a service-learning teaching assistant. The session will be in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 4100, 1000 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Shanza Isom at isomsa@vcu.edu or visit https://academics.provost.vcu.edu/transformative-learning/service-learning/.

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St., will host Food and Faith. Students will meet on Wednesdays, check in with one another, discuss scripture and share a simple meal.

For more information, contact Russ Kerr at kerrr@vcu.edu or visit https://www.thepacecenter.com/.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Come to the SHIFT Retail Lab, 1235 W, Broad St., for an event designed to create a space for Black students, faculty and staff to reflect on the resilience and healing within Black communities. This event celebrates stories of survival, fosters connections and promotes wellness and unity across generations.

For more information, contact Joshua Lockhart at lockhartjcj@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A musical and queer celebration of Black History Month will combine bingo and iconic songs that have shaped Black culture and music. As each song plays, participants will mark their cards and groove to the beats while learning about influential artists and moments in history. The event will be held in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons III-IV, 907 Floyd Ave., and will be sponsored by VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA), P.R.I.S.M (Programs That Reimagine Identity, Sexuality and Membership) and The Honey Club. Melanin Monroe and Javon Love are scheduled to host.

For more information, contact Beck Oh at ohrn@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU's Office of Alumni Relations will present: "Historically VCU." In honor of Black History Month, hear from four alumni trailblazers who discuss how Black students, faculty members and staff have built the legacy of VCU and Richmond at large. This event brings together alumni who have made their mark on the university throughout their careers for a fireside chat-style discussion. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and a performance by the Black Awakening Choir. The event, co-hosted by the VCU Black Alumni Council, will be in the University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Tiera Byrd at mcguiretj@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

VCU’s Music Jazz Faculty Septet will be playing a tribute event for legendary jazz drummer Roy Haynes in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. General admission tickets are available for $12. Discounts are offered for current VCU Music faculty/staff and VCU students. Tickets are available at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Department of Music at music@vcu.edu.

Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Rams Aging and Engaging will be tabling at the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., with Lego candygrams for sharing with friends and loved ones and to raise funds for the organization. See the form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rhea Chatterjee at chatterjeer2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/u/2/d/e/1FAIpQLSehov6noeinTVvXGXwj9ZYfv9gNno4ih_3V2snnV272e-D5Vw/viewform?usp=send_form.

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Design Thinking is all about collaboration and problem-solving. A virtual session, which emphasizes problem-solving and adaptability, will be hosted by the SHIFT Retail Lab. Earn an “Introduction to Design Thinking” credential via a credly badge that you can post on your LinkedIn. This online workshop is free and open to all VCU students and community members. Register at the following URL to secure your spot.

For more information, contact Manjari Kumarappan at kumarappanma@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/Design-Thinking-2-18.

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Department of African American Studies announces a performance by the Voices of Gullah, a singing and storytelling group which shares the cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee peoples. The performance will be in the University Student Commons Theater, 907 Floyd Ave. Co-sponsors are the Black Education Association, Department of Gender Sexuality and Women's Studies and Department of History.

For more information, contact Christian Thompson at thompsonc19@vcu.edu or (703) 789-2994.

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Join You First for an evening of painting at Hibbs Hall, Room 207, 900 Park Ave. Register in advance to make sure we have supplies for you, and feel free to bring your own. Register on RamsConnect at https://cglink.me/2dV/r1937359.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at youfirst@vcu.edu or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/calendar/.

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

The Hub New Music chamber ensemble will perform at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. Called “contemporary chamber trailblazers” by the Boston Globe, Hub New Music is a “prime mover of piping-hot 21st century repertoire” (Washington Post). Individual tickets are available for $12. Discounts offered for current VCU Music faculty/staff and VCU students. Tickets are available now at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jessica Casey at music@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/hub-chamber-ensemble-2/.

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The program is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth and young adults and will be facilitated by BeWellVA. The session will be held at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., across from the Cary Street Gym.

For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://tockify.com/iexcel/detail/177/1739890800000.

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join international crime and ethics expert Jay Albanese, Ph.D., for a virtual discussion on global corruption and steps to tackle a growing problem. Albanese will outline strategies from more than three decades of global crime-fighting research, along with new approaches to cultivate ethics in criminal justice. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8iq5BG1UQDS8VKIxldYU6Q#/registration.

Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU Graduate Studies will host a virtual open house for prospective graduate students. The Graduate School at VCU is home to more than 140 master’s, doctoral and certificate programs. Take advantage of an inside look at VCU and connect with representatives from a diverse selection of programs. Recent VCU graduates are eligible for an application fee waiver. Registration is required. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Haya Hamid at gradrecreuit@vcu.edu or visit https://events.ringcentral.com/events/vcu-graduate-studies-open-house-spring-2025-8840fb3f-a8e3-4e8d-bfdb-2c9a5d8bd72e/registration.

Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025 at 7 a.m.

VCU Emergency Management will host a full-scale, multijurisdictional training exercise on the Monroe Park Campus. Volunteers are sought to act as casualties for the duration of the training. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, must sign a liability waiver and photo release and be willing to have simulated injuries applied to them. Want to volunteer? Email the following address.

For more information, contact Matthew Majid at majidm@vcu.edu or (804) 837-2999.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME). The VCU and VCU Health System communities are invited to nominate a faculty member, staff member, academic or administrative leader or organization, or a student or student organization. Submit nominations by Monday, March 3 using this link: https://forms.gle/z1pGNGMH9UWJqxts5

For more information, contact VCU Inclusive at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://president.vcu.edu/nominations/pacme/.

Drafts of the following policies are now open for public comment until Feb. 28: Campus Expression and Space Utilization, Concealment of Identity, and the Student Code of Conduct. Visit the following URL and click on "Policies Open for Public Comment" to view and comment on the draft policies.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@Vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu.

Connect with fellow health, physical education and exercise science (HPEX) students and health enthusiasts through résumé workshops, networking events, shadowing opportunities, CPR/First Aid certifications and collaborations with organizations like the HPEX Exercise Science and Women in Medicine/Health clubs. Follow the club on Instagram: vcukhshealthscience and join by filling out a membership form at https://forms.gle/LVub9jzDJwjV8HCU9, see the organization on LinkTree at: https://linktr.ee/khshealthscienceclub

For more information, contact KHS Health Science Club at khsclub@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/LVub9jzDJwjV8HCU9.

Summer course registration is open to all students, regardless of credits earned. To register, visit eServices and be sure to speak with your academic adviser to see what summer classes will fit in your degree plan. Classes are also listed at the following URL.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at bambacuses@vcu.edu or (804) 827-4586 or visit http://summer.vcu.edu.

This month’s Google features post brings improvements to mentions in Google Chat, granular responder link sharing in Google Forms and instant video playback for newly uploaded videos to Google Drive.

For more information, contact Doctor Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/drgee/2025/02/06/google-updates-recap-february-2025/.

VCU and VCU Health successfully conducted a full test of the VCU Alert system and facility lockdown capabilities on Feb. 5 at noon. This activation included all types of alerting technology available to notify the community of an emergency, including outdoor sirens, Alertus boxes, text messages, emails and desktop alerts. VCU and VCU Health also successfully tested the ability to place seven different locations on lockdown, confirming the capability to simultaneously lock down buildings on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses in the event of an immediate threat. VCU's Emergency Notification Response and Evacuation Policy is located within the VCU Policy Library. The link is at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Emergency Management at emergencymgmt@vcu.edu or (804) 827-2238 or visit https://vcu.public.doctract.com/doctract/documentportal/08DA32A63EDBD450BA5FA430535F31B3.

How are those first exams going? Schedule an appointment to meet with an academic coach from the Campus Learning Center to discuss your academic progress and formalize a plan for success. The center specializes in time management, study strategies and goal setting. Get started by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/BJiLBh9FVNkRREm98

For more information, contact Bridget Prince at bprince@vcu.edu or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/academic-coaching/.

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab is recruiting adolescents and young adults assigned female at birth (aged 12-25) for a brain imaging study to understand how risky decision-making differs between individuals with bulimia nervosa and individuals without a psychological disorder. Compensation is available for participation.

For more information, contact TREAT Lab (or Serena Gu, Clinical Research Coordinator, or Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D., PI) at treatlab@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-4174 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=48YEAYT8MK33E8EJ.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or symptoms of PTSD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of cold water immersion on PTSD symptoms with specific focus on blood vessel function. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principle Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.