4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute (COBE) invites the VCU community to "Thrive Yoga" in Brandt Residence Hall, Community Room. Mats will be provided.

For more information, visit http://cobe.vcu.edu.

5:30 p.m.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs hosts the first Queer and Trans People of Color Student Collective meeting of the semester in the University Student Commons, OMSA Office, Suite 215. This group is for all LGBTQ+ identified students of color to socialize, organize and network with each other.

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

The Department of English MFA Program in Creative Writing hosts an alumni spotlight event featuring readings by Lea Marshall, Katy Resch George, Patty Smith and Audrey Walls in Cabell Library, Third Floor Lecture Hall, Room 303. All VCU Visiting Writers Series events are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit https://english.vcu.edu/about/visiting-writers/.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Rams in Recovery invites students, faculty and staff in recovery and their allies to celebrate milestones in their recovery in the Wellness Resource Center, Recovery Clubhouse.

For more information, visit http://www.thewell.vcu.edu/recovery-support/.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at 11 a.m.

Join President Michael Rao for the State of the University Address in the James Branch Cabell Library, Lecture Hall, Room 303. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. R.S.V.P. by visiting https://goo.gl/k3G0S6. A live webcast of the State of the University Address will be streamed on VCU's home page, www.vcu.edu, and VCU's Facebook page, go.vcu.edu/vcufacebook

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/k3G0S6.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Institute for Women's Health hosts it ongoing "How to Treat a Woman: Strategies for Health Care and Self-Care" brown bag lunch series in Main Hospital's Learning Center. Susan Wolver, M.D., a board certified obesity medicine specialist at VCU, will address looking at your diet in a new way and will share strategies to start to reverse chronic disease. No pre-registration is required. Open to all.

For more information, visit http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu .

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The VCU Community Health Education Center hosts a weight loss surgery information session at the center, VCU Medical Center, Gateway Building, Ground Floor. This program will be presented by the VCU Surgical Weight Loss Center. Refreshments will be provided and registration is required. To register, use the contact information below.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/chec/2017/01/18/jan-26-weight-loss-surgery/.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

VCUDine, the VCU Chinese Student Association and GLOBE welcome the Year of the Rooster with the ultimate Chinese New Year celebration in the Shafer Court Dining Center. Those that swipe in to Shafer between 5-10 p.m. will get to try a variety of authentic Chinese dishes, including marinated beef bao, dan dan noodles, a bubble tea bar and a Dim Sum station. Participants will enjoy live dance and martial arts performances, learn calligraphy and learn more about VCU's study abroad opportunities in Asia.

For more information, visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

The Department of Family Medicine and Population Health's Division of Epidemiology and the College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute host Jaakko Kaprio, M.D., Ph.D., as a special invited speaker in One Capitol Square, Sixth Floor, Room 644. Kaprio, director of Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, will present "Smoking, Dependence and Tobacco-Related Disease: The Role of Genes."

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from noon to 12:50 p.m.

The Department of Biostatistics presents its spring 2017 seminar series featuring Codruta Chiuzan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Columbia University, discussing "Precision Medicine Meets Cancer Immunotherapy: (New) Statistical Challenges in Dose-Finding Trials" in One Capitol Square, Third Floor, Room 305.

For more information, visit http://www.biostatistics.vcu.edu/seminars-invited-talks/.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Muslim Student Association hosts "Warm Meal Gifts" to feed the homeless in Richmond by giving warm meal gifts to those hungry at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, 819 S. Cathedral Place. Meals will also be made at this location.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Muevelo holds an interest workshop in the University Student Commons, Commons Underground. Participants will dance salsa, bachata and hip hop with the Muevelo family.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 at 7 p.m.

The Activities Programming Board presents a showing of "Ghostbusters" (2016) starting at 7 p.m. and "Star Trek Beyond" starting at 9:30 p.m. in the Commons Theater. Movies will also be shown on Saturday, Jan. 28, with "Star Trek Beyond" starting at 7 p.m. and "Ghostbusters" (2016) starting at 9:30 p.m. also in the Commons Theater. Free popcorn will be available on both nights.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The Muslim Student Association hosts a get-together for sisters on campus at 1200 W. Marshall St. Those outside the faith are more than welcome to join the event.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The School of Education presents the 2017 annual Research Colloquium in Cabell Library, Third Floor Conference Room and Atrium. The schedule will be as follows: keynote speaker from 10-11:30 a.m.; student research roundtable and lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.; a panel discussion from 1:15-3 p.m.; and reception from 3:15-5 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 at 2 p.m.

The Activities Programming Board presents a toga bash to benefit RamPantry in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons. Attendees will enjoy kabobs and a game of jousting and are encouraged to bring canned food to help support RamPantry.

Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Asian and Pacific Student Alliance holds its first general body meeting of the semester in the University Student Commons, Virginia Rooms C-D. The Asian and Pacific Student Alliance is an activist organization that focuses on amplifying Asian and Pacific Islander voices and issues within the community. Attendees will learn more about the organization and listen to the first dialogue.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 at 4 p.m.

The Humanities Research Center and the Department of English presents Ayanna Thompson, George Washington University, as part of the spring 2017 speaker series, "What the 'Literary Greats' Have to Say to Us Today," in Cabell Library, Lecture Hall. Thompson will discuss "Is Shakespeare Beyond Race?" Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information, visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/ayanna-thompson/.

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

University College, the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and the Office of Faculty Affairs host an informal conversation focused on "Navigating Difficult Dialogues Inside and Outside the Classroom" at The Depot. This is an opportunity for faculty in different disciplines to socialize and discuss 13th, Just Mercy and pedagogical strategies. H'ors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Register by Monday, Feb. 6, by visiting the website below.

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/forms/ZLZSx6iSoGz15E6r2.

The Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus Student Government Associations (SGAs) have proposed a merger of the two campuses SGAs in order to have one student government to oversee VCU's two Richmond campuses. For information on the merger, visit the website below. Voting will take place on the merger from Jan. 23-25. Students will be emailed a ballot.

For more information, visit https://students.vcu.edu/about-us/administration/reuban-rodriguez/jsgc/.

University Student Health Services offers free flu shots to all students during immunization hours at University Student Health Services. For immunization hours, visit https://students.vcu.edu/health/immunizations/immunization-hours/

For more information, visit https://students.vcu.edu/health/immunizations/immunization-hours/.

Rams in Recovery and Residential Life and Housing offer Recovery Housing for the 2017-18 school year. This will be a 12-month housing contract for returning students.

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/5n9K8j.

For the year 2017, the VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers undergraduate student fellowship awards for research projects mentored by VCU faculty. Successful student/faculty partners will receive funding of $2,000 ($1,500 per student, $500 for faculty mentors). To find details about fellowship opportunities related to global education, community engagement, clinical and translational research and inclusive excellence, visit the website below. Proposals are due Wednesday, March 1.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/vcuurop/2017/01/03/2017fellowshipscall/.

VCU Libraries offers free 30-minute tours of James Branch Cabell Library every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and every Wednesday at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17 and continuing through Wednesday, April 26. No registration is necessary. Participants should meet in the lobby. All are welcome.

The Office of Research Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program invites undergraduate students from every discipline and all levels of research engagement to showcase work in a poster demonstration. Presentations may be for completed research projects, completed papers or research in progress. Poster abstracts must be submitted no later than March 22. All abstracts should be submitted to http://go.vcu.edu/uroppostersubmit and should include students' name and major, mentors' name and academic department.

For more information, visit http://research.vcu.edu/ugresources/symposium_flyer.pdf.

VCU Outdoor Adventure Program holds day ski trips to Wintergreen Resort this February. The first trip will be Saturday, Feb. 4, the second will be Saturday, Feb. 18. Participants will spend a day skiing, snowboarding and sliding on the slopes. Lessons and transportation are free. A purchase of lift ticket and rentals are required for those who do not have their own equipment.

For more information, visit https://portal.recsports.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=66dccf21-934a-484f-bb6f-ebe8ac85838b&semesterId=37f98f22-9852-4a3c-ba39-4fd9c675bdb3.

VCU Official Class Rings will be on sale in the University Student Commons this Tuesday, Jan. 24, through Thursday, Jan. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Qualifying juniors and seniors are invited to visit the Balfour table in the Commons lobby and browse and order rings. Ordering a class ring this week assures delivery for graduation and eligibility to participate in a special ring presentation ceremony. Orders may also be placed online at balfour.com/vcu

For more information, visit http://balfour.com/vcu.

The Mary and Frances Youth Center's Discovery program accepts class proposals for summer 2017. Discovery will be offering week-long career exploration classes focused on STEM, arts and health sciences for middle school youth from July 24 to Aug. 18. Faculty, staff and students are invited to become class instructors and internship opportunities are also available for students pursuing a career in education.

For more information, visit http://mfyc.vcu.edu/summer-programs/discovery/teach-a-class/.

The Commonwealth Society, VCUarts' educational organization for adult learners, opens registration for its spring semester on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The Commonwealth Society connects community learners to the resources of VCU and the robust Richmond arts scene through classes and other programming. To register, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://arts.vcu.edu/csociety.

Rec Sports is forming a standing advisory committee to receive on-going feedback from its users. The committee will review facility changes/upgrades, provide feedback on rules and guidelines changes and offer regular insight and advice on the user experience. Rec Sports is seeking broad representation. If interested in serving in this capacity and learning more about this opportunity, email the contact below by Friday, Feb. 10.

For more information, visit http://recsports.vcu.edu.