12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU Mass Communications Graduate Program Informational Session VCU's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture will host a virtual infomational 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. Questions: https://robertson.vcu.edu/academic Join the session at https://vcu.zoom.us/my/robertsongrad

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

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU's chapter of Psi Chi will host a psychology student lock-in session in the STEM Building, Room 108, 817 W. Franklin St. Study for finals, meet the people in your virtual or asynchronous classes, refuel with some free food and get your graduate school questions answered by Morgan Reid, Ph.D. Non-Psi Chi members are welcome.

For more information, contact Shreya Patel at patelss14@vcu.edu or visit https://psychology.vcu.edu/undergraduate/student-groups/psi-chi/.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU's Division of Community Engagement in the Office of the Provost will host weekly open consultations for faculty, staff and partners to receive guidance and explore how to make the most of Collaboratory: VCU's Database for Community and Civic Engagement Activities and Partnerships in their work. Bring your questions or simply join the session to explore the database. Sessions will be held every Friday from noon-1 p.m. The Zoom link is https://vcu.zoom.us/j/81793039272?jst=2

For more information, contact Tani Washington at washingtot8@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/community/collaboratory/.

7 p.m.

The VCU Department of Music will host its 38th annual holiday gala in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in VCU’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. The program of holiday music will feature VCU’s Jazz Combo, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Commonwealth Singers, the Guitar Ensembles and other VCU ensembles. Proceeds eill benefit The Doorways. Tickets are $15.40 for adults and $6 for current VCU students and for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance.

For more information, contact VCU Music at music@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/vcus-38th-annual-holiday-gala/.

7 p.m.

Cheer the VCU men's basketball team as they play Samford University in the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Secure your seat at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tavian Elliott at elliottt2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcutickets.evenue.net/event/B25/04.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at 10 a.m.

The Dominion Energy Christmas Parade is expected to cause traffic delays and street closures on the Monroe Park Campus from 10 a.m. until the afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 6. Questions: Visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Britt Dixon at dixonbd@vcu.edu or visit https://www.richmondparade.org/.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Join the Neave Trio, VCU's ensemble in residence, as they perform "In Her Hands," in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall of the W.E. Singleton Center, 922 Park Ave. The performance will feature works by Pejačević, Chaminade and the Virginia premiere of "A Vast Palette" by Jennifer Higdon, which asks: Can colors be reflected in music?

For more information, contact Cleo VanSant at vansantj@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/event/neave-trio-performance-2/.

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sample Buh Baw — slow-simmered rice porridge — with toppings, sides and more from the Institute for Contemporary Art's first chef-in-residence, Santana Hem, of the Khmer-inspired culinary project Hem and Her. This is the third in a series of counter-service brunches presented by Hem at the ICA’s Abby Moore Café as part of its inaugural chef residency program. À la Carte Menu: Khmer Comfort includes a main dish, Buh Baw, with your choice of pork and crispy shallots, poached chicken and ginger or fermented soybean and tofu and side dishes of Cha Quai (crispy fried dough sticks) and Pickled Green Mango and Herbs. Dessert will be Pandan Candied Peanut Blondie. Drinks will be hot jasmine tea and palm sugar-sweetened soy milk. The The Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center is located at 601 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact Michael Lease at leasemk@vcu.edu or (804) 200-8859 or visit https://icavcu.org/events/ica-chef-residency-brunch-khmer-comfort/.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 from noon to 2 p.m.

Create your own holiday wellness kit at “Wrap Yourself in Care: DIY Self-Care Packages” in the Underground, Suite 015, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Take a break, get cozy and celebrate you. Supplies are limited, so come early. Feel free to wear your favorite pajamas. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Sunday Wright at studentorgs@vcu.edu.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 at noon

Join the Graduate and Professional Student Senate at the Hunton Student Center, 1110 E. Broad St., to celebrate the conclusion of the semester. Also, collect a care package including insulated lunch boxes, snacks and coffee for finals week (while supplies last). RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Graduate and Professional Student Senate at gpss@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1942836.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Explore how AI can be an innovative learning tool if used properly. 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/.

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jewish Life at VCU will host Share the Light, the annual Mega Chanukah Drop at the University Student Commons Plaza, 907 Floyd Ave. Ari Lesser, Jewish rapper, singer and spoken-word artist, will perform. Doughnuts and Menorah To Go will be available. Win a gold diamond Star of David necklace. All students, faculty and staff are invited. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rabbi Menachem Lessoff at Rabbi@vcu.edu or (804) 404-3637 or visit https://jewishvcu.org/chanukah.

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Purchase a 2026 Dogs on Call calendar and show your support for the therapy dog teams who visit patients and staff at VCU Health and students at VCU. Sales will take place at the Main Hospital (1250 E. Marshall St.), Floor 1 Box Office near the floor compass. Calendars will also be available for purchase at the Three Bears Gift Shop (MCV), the Fish Bowl Gift Shop (Community Memorial Hospital), and the Hummingbird Gift Shop (Tappahannock).

For more information, contact Center for Human-Animal Interaction at chai@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2532 or visit https://chai.vcu.edu/.

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants will receive information about the stages and symptoms of grief, including the ways that grief can be experienced physically. Participants will then be guided through gentle stretching exercises as a way of coping with the physical expression of grief. The event will be at the Hub Club, 1330 N. 25th St., Suite A.

For more information, contact VCU Health Hub at vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu.

Looking for a fun, community-focused way to make music at VCU? Join one of the university's three choral ensembles. All are welcome — no need to be a music major. Choral Arts Society (APPM 359): No audition required. Open to all students, faculty and staff. Rehearses MW 1:30-2:50 p.m. Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358): Audition required. SATB Mixed Chorus. Rehearses MWF 12-1:15 p.m. Vox Concordia (APPM 378): Audition required. SSAA Treble Chorus. Rehearses T/Th 2-3:20 p.m. All are sponsored by VCU's Department of Music.

For more information, contact Christopher Hansen, Ph.D., at hansenc3@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/ensembles/ensembles-auditions/.

VCU's new AI policy was officially approved Nov. 12. This policy aims to ensure that VCU uses GenAI tools ethically, securely and in alignment with the institution's mission to promote real-world learning, innovative research and community engagement. Technology Services encourages all members of the VCU community to review the policy carefully and consider its impacts on your use of Generative AI. Read the policy at the following URL.

For more information, contact Peyton Burgess, Ph.D. at emergingtech@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.public.doctract.com/doctract/documentportal/08DE25FC31398F5D486E7414FA311446.

In partnership with VCU Libraries, a team of VCU doctoral students in the School of Education invites undergraduate students to share their experiences using, or not using, James Branch Cabell Library. Your feedback will help enhance study spaces, improve library services and strengthen the overall student experience. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. Students who finish the survey will have an opportunity to enter a drawing for a $50 gift card. See the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jonathan Becker, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor, at jbecker@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/t/AcnLkZ7ij5.

This study is inviting individuals between the ages of 20 and 24 with poor sleep quality. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardiovascular responses and vascular inflammation. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Lee Franco, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Questions: Contact The KHS Healthy Heart Lab at healthyheart@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Garrett Oehlert at healthyheart@vcu.edu.