2 p.m.

VCU's Department of Painting and Printmaking will present a lecture by visiting artist Louis Osmosis in the Murry N. DePillars Building, Room 301, 1000 W. Broad St. Working primarily in sculpture, installation, drawing and text, Louis Osmosis takes a speculative approach to form to interrogate systems of representation, duration and performativity that enact contemporary culture. His practice revolves heavily around manufacture/craft and humor.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/95888/.

8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Put together a vision board and get to know the brothers of APO in the Metro Room of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

For more information, contact Annie Lebow at lebowas@vcu.edu or (571) 245-7405.

Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.

VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture will host a virtual informational session for prospective students to learn more about the M.S. in mass communications with concentrations in integrated communication and media leadership. The school also offers a certificate in Media and Leadership. Join a session here: https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jonathan Brown at brownj64@vcu.edu or (804) 525-9425 or visit https://robertson.vcu.edu/academics/graduate/.

Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Join the Auctus January GBM to learn how to have your research, art and creative works published in VCU's undergraduate journal. Find out how to join the editorial team and work with peers and faculty and about opportunities to gain leadership experience. Come enjoy fresh Insomnia Cookies. Those who cannot attend in-person (Honors College, Room 1303, Multipurpose Room, 701 W. Grace St.) can join on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6135769251, and receive updates through RamsConnect: https://vcu.campusgroups.com/auctus/club_signup.

For more information, contact Auctus at auctus@vcu.edu.

Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Alpha Phi Omega is a gender-inclusive service organization focusing on developing leadership, promoting friendship and providing service to humanity. Interested in becoming a brother? You're invited to attend the group's induction ceremony in Hibbs Hall, Room 403, 900 Park Ave. Pledges have the opportunity to attend various service events, socials and retreats within the brotherhood. Upon successful completion of all requirements, pledges are initiated brothers of APO. Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early, dressed in business causal attire.

For more information, contact Jessie Tignor at jessielouisetignor@gmail.com or (757) 685-1350.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at noon

Join us for an informational meeting about the upcoming trip to Guatemala sponsored by the Institute for Women's Health in partnership with the Highland Support Project. There are two upcoming meetings, one on Feb. 4 at noon (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88335299629) and another on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83230843586)

For more information, contact Heather Ashton at ashtonhr@vcu.edu or visit https://womenshealth.vcu.edu/education/womens-health-and-healing-in-guatemala/.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

VCU's National Scholarship Office will hold a hybrid postgraduate scholarship informational session in person (NSO Conference Room, Room 1210, 701 W. Grace St.) or via Zoom. Learn about funded opportunities for postgraduate study in the U.S., UK, Ireland, China and at Stanford University, as well as how the NSO can offer support throughout the application process. Register at the following URL. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at natlscholar@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-uG8ku2RF6FpU0kLl4ZnZfafHgDXo6bxJgU6-Xi5eYhwhVg/viewform.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Consider foundational strategies for communicating across difference, preventing harm and fostering cultures of respect and inclusion. The Social Identity workshop is strongly suggested as a pre-requisite. You can choose to attend one or more of the following virtual sessions: Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 5 at noon or Thursday, Feb. 6 at 12:30 p.m. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jackson Barlett at inclusive@vcu.edu or visit https://inclusive.vcu.edu/education/workshops/#d.en.723962.

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at noon

VCU's Department of Sculpture and Extended Media will present a lecture by visiing artist SCRAAATCH at VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. SCRAAATCH is a duo that creates multimedia performances, experimental music, and hybrid DJ sets. They focus on Black diasporan intra-ommunication, generational traumas, social upheaval and the social conditions of urban environments.

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

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Alpha Phi Omega will partner with the American Red Cross for a blood drive at the second-floor ballroom of the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Free food will be available and donors will receive a T-shirt plus a $15 E-gift card to the merchant of their choice. Appointments are recommended. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Alexia Jennings at jenningsac@vcu.edu or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=vcu.

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 at 5 p.m.

VCU's Departments of Craft/Material Studies and Art Education will present, “a sky you can’t see: A Hood as Ornamentation and Otherness,” a lecture by visiting artist Nastassja Swift (BFA ’15) at VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. In this multi-layered conversation, Swift frames her recent research of hoods and varying head coverings through documented perceptions around these garments across place, time, class, race and religion.

For more information, contact Emmy Garcia at garciaem2@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/a-sky-you-cant-see-a-hood-as-ornamentation-and-otherness-visiting-artist-lecture-by-nastassja-swift/.

Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center will host Closing the Gap: Colorectal Cancer Summit at the Virginia State University Multipurpose Center, 20809 Second Ave., Petersburg. Whether you're a researcher seeking new insights, a clinician looking to improve patient care or a community member wanting to engage in meaningful dialogue, this summit will feature leading experts on prevention and screening, clinical trials and survivorship. Register at https://cvent.me/Y53Xyd

For more information, contact Courtney Rose at rosec2@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/9209d198-c466-4105-bacc-40ba0d047620/register.

Volunteer for a “green” Rams basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 4:45-11 p.m., at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St. Guide fans to dispose of recyclable and compostable materials and weigh the waste to determine the diversion rate. The event is a great way to earn service hours. Visit the following URL for a link to the sign-up form.

For more information, contact Ann Kildahl at kildahlac@vcu.edu or visit https://sustainability.vcu.edu/.

First-year students, elevate your academic performance with Peer Academic Coaching. Work with an upperclass student who can personalize a plan to help you level up your academic performance this semester. Peer Academic Coaching provides personalized guidance in time management techniques, study strategies and effective goal setting. Sign up at https://forms.gle/2jAmQaRUo2twpp7u9

For more information, contact Ian Anderson at andersoni2@vcu.edu or visit https://clc.vcu.edu/academic-coaching/.

Interested in meeting new people and becoming more connected on campus? Volunteer as a Peer Mentor with ACE-IT in College, a VCU program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The mission of peer mentors is to help ACE-IT students make authentic friendships and connections during college and beyond. From grabbing a bite to eat to attending club meetings together, you can do whatever works best for you and your mentee. Email aceit@vcu.edu for more.

For more information, contact Hannah Carignan at ramseyhe@vcu.edu or visit https://aceitincollege.vcu.edu/.

VCU wants all students to be successful in class - which is why over the next three weeks, faculty will submit progress reports to update you and your adviser on your progress in class. If you receive a progress report email, don’t worry. There’s plenty of time, people and resources to support you. First, talk to your instructor, then check out https://keeplearning.vcu.edu/stay/ for tips, and make an appointment to meet with your adviser. If you have questions visit Navigate at https://go.vcu.edu/nav

For more information, contact Katina Velentzas at kvelentzas@vcu.edu or visit https://semss.vcu.edu/for-faculty-and-staff/early-notification-programs/.

Adobe has delayed the discontinuation of cloud-based file syncing services to now take place on Monday, Feb. 3 for all Enterprise/Federated customers (including VCU). VCU end-users need to back up/migrate any data and files stored within Adobe’s Cloud storage platform to their local computer, USB storage and/or Google Drive storage. A complete backup/migration guide can be found at https://go.vcu.edu/adobe/backup.

For more information, contact Instructional Computing Services at adobe@vcu.edu or visit https://adobe.vcu.edu/security/file-sync.

VCU's Division of Community Engagement is launching a training series to support Quest 2028 by fostering authentic community partnerships. Focused on seven Priority Partner Communities, this initiative tailors sessions to meet shared needs. Share your input on partnership priorities by completing our Community Partnership Priorities Survey: https://forms.gle/H1h8k36Y6ukNReBL6

For more information, contact Challen Wellington at wellingtonc@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/.

The Division of Student Affairs welcomes nominations for VCU's annual Student Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements in student leadership and community engagement. Students, faculty and staff are invited to nominate individuals or organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to their communities. Submit nominations by Friday, Feb. 14 at the followig URL.

For more information, contact Nicole Patterson at nlpatterson@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/leadershipawards/home/.

This club, affiliated with the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Department at VCU, focuses on students in the Health Science concentration of the Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science major. (However, anyone passionate about health science is welcome to join.) 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 organization on Instagram: vcukhshealthscience and see KHS on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/khshealthscienceclub. A membership form is available at the following URL.

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

VCUarts Program for eighth-10th grade students, Investigation Now, is back for the Spring. This fiur-week program encompasses a range of contemporary art concepts and artmaking techniques taught by VCU Art Education students. Registration is now open. The registration fee is $90 (food and materials will be provided). Investigation Now will take place on Fridays from 5-8 p.m., beginning Feb. 14 and ending March 7. Register at https://apps.art.vcu.edu/investigationnow/

For more information, contact Lia New at artedcadc@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/art-education/investigation-now/.

The Documentary Filmmaking and SGA History Preservation Caucus is dedicated to documenting SGA events and behind-the-scenes, providing low-stakes filming and editing experience and compiling a comprehensive history of SGA using archival materials. This caucus is in partnership with the Student Government Association. All VCU students and faculty are welcome to join. See the interesst form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Natalie Bowen at bowennm@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/LZScqmZP5jHJTc6c6.

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. The principal investigator is Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Questions: Email the KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

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

VCU students are asked to share their experiences with and awareness of on-campus offices and organizations that offer services or resources to students. VCU staff member Jess Hoy, M.S.W., is conducting a research survey that can be completed online and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Students are not required to have ever used a VCU resource to participate. Students who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win one of five $25 gift cards to the VCU bookstore.

For more information, contact Jess Hoy at hoyj2@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1I3jkZe3oTGVt0ufnnNU1aK1zlvbVzSRSAqoCfZ3AnIE/viewform?edit_requested=true.