3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU holds a second town hall for feedback on its new strategic plan in Sanger Hall, Room 2020. In addition to providing an update on the progress of the plan, these town halls will offer an opportunity for the VCU community to provide input on key themes emerging from the plan thus far.

7 a.m.

This is week four of the annual faculty, staff and retiree fundraising campaign. VCU Police Chief John Venuti is honorary chair of the campaign, which concludes May 16. Gifts made to VCU/VCU Health scholarships, funds or other favorite recipients throughout fiscal year 2017 count toward the campaign. In fiscal year 2016, the faculty, staff and retiree campaign drew 1,757 donors and raised $3.78 million, and organizers hope to top that mark.

For more information, visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/faculty/.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Students Advocating Violence Education and Support (SAVES) presents "Take Back the Night" in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons. "Take Back the Night" is an empowering event focused on giving survivors an opportunity to speak out about the violence committed against them, as well as a call to action for survivors and allies to take back the night from perpetrators.

Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017 from 10 a.m. to noon

VCU Libraries hosts Wayne Wiegand, professor of library and information studies emeritus, Florida State University, for a talk about the fight to open libraries to all during the Jim Crow era, in Cabell Library, Lecture Hall. Civil rights historians offer a rich literature on racism in education, public services, housing and labor. But our understanding of discrimination in public libraries is shallow in comparison. Register by visiting the website below.

For more information, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2016-17/wayne-wiegand-lecture.html.

Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Focused Inquiry Service-Learning students are collecting heart healthy non-perishable food items and monetary donations to benefit their community partner, the Health Brigade Food Farmacy. Collections will be held on the Compass Tuesday, April 25, through Thursday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017 at 12:15 p.m.

Weight Watchers hosts "Inspire" events on both campuses. New members will receive a free starter kit ($70 value) when joining to help get started and stay on track during the summer. The Monroe Park Campus meeting will be held at 12:15 p.m. in Harris Hall, Room 5173. The MCV Campus meeting will be held from 2:15-3 p.m. in the Main Hospital Learning Center. For details on joining with special pricing and reimbursement, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://www.hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/weight-watchers/.

Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kappa Phi Gamma is hosting their annual Mr. C.A.R.E. Pageant in the University Student Commons, Commons Ballrooms. Dinner will be provided by Hibachi Box and a Red Eye Gift Card will be raffled. Contestants from Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Chi, Lambda Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Beta Rho and Students Supporting Doctors without Borders will compete.

Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2017 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Strategic Enrollment Management and University Academic Advising present "Advising - More than Course Registration" featuring Maggie Tolan, Ed.D., in the University Student Commons, Forum Room. Tolan will share details about new initiatives being offered across the VCU advising community. Attendees will learn how advisors work with students to help develop strategic plans that ultimately will make them the best and most-competitive graduates of the university.

Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.

Christ Centered Fellowship invites the VCU community to "Essential Healing" in the University Student Commons, Alumni Board Room, to learn about essential oils as a means to a healthy and clean lifestyle during classes and finals.

Thursday, Apr. 27, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

RamBikes technicians perform free bike maintenance checks on the Compass, Shafer Court side.

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

Thursday, Apr. 27, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In this talk based on his manuscript, "Memoirs of Mass Incarceration: The Rhetoric of Revolutionaries, Witnesses and Survivors," David Coogan, VCU associate professor of English, tells the story of the rise of mass incarceration in America through memoirs and witnesses. VCU Libraries hosts this free talk in Cabell Library, Room 250.

For more information, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2016-17/memoirs-of-mass-incarceration.html.

Thursday, Apr. 27, 2017 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU Sociology hosts activist-scholar Silvia Federici for a talk about feminism and capitalism in this time of widespread protest and organizing at The Depot. New members will also be inducted into the AKD sociology honors society. A reception will follow.

Thursday, Apr. 27, 2017 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Sikh Student Association of VCU presents "Open Mic and Talent Night," featuring visual and verbal performances that reflect the sentiments of minorities and ethnic groups in the United States, in West Grace Street Student Housing-North, Room 1030J.

Friday, Apr. 28, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Translational Partnership for Mental Health hosts a discussion on the research-to-practice pipeline in BioTech One, VIPBG Conference Room, Room 1-160. Areas covered will include pharmacology, cognitive neuroscience and personality. Light refreshments will be provided. To R.S.V.P., use the contact information below.

For more information, visit http://tpmh.weebly.com.

Friday, Apr. 28, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCUarts presents the 2017 MFA Thesis Exhibition: Round Two Opening Reception at The Anderson. The exhibition will remain on display at The Anderson from April 28 to May 7. For details about all of the end-of-the-year student exhibitions and events, visit the website below.

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

Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Amendment Literary and Art Journal presents the second annual film festival at The Depot. The festival will feature seven short films which reflect Amendment's mission statement of "social progression through artistic expression" and range from abstract video, to narrative film, to documentary. The event is free and open to the public. Free food and drinks will be provided.

Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 10 a.m. to noon

VCU Rec Sports hosts its first "Family Water Safety Fest" at the Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center. Families and attendees should wear swimsuits for a day of water, fun and safety. The event is free and open to the community.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Human Resources presents its Benefits and Wellness Fair for VCU faculty and staff in the University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballroom. Attendees can explore the world of rewards offered to faculty and staff, make open enrollment elections on-site for health benefits and flexible spending, talk with wellness providers and learn more about employee discounts. A direct shuttle service from the MCV Campus will be available.

For more information, visit http://hr.vcu.edu/benefits-fair/.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs announces the retirement of John Mahoney, Ph.D., assistant dean for undergraduate academic affairs, after more than 25 years at Virginia Commonwealth University. A retirement celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 10, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the University Student Commons, James River Terrace. R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, May 3, to the contact below.

Students Advocating for Violence Education and Support (SAVES) presents Denim Day on Wednesday, April 26, on both campuses and encourages the VCU community to wear jeans on campus in solidarity to stand against victim-blaming. SAVES will have tables set up the week before Denim Day in residence halls for a jean drive where students may donate jeans. Tables will also be set up on Monday, April 24, and Tuesday, April 25, on the Compass for students to write on jeans with messages to survivors.

The Wellness Resource Center (The Well) encourages the VCU community to support Denim Day 2017 to show solidarity with survivors of sexual assault at VCU and across the globe. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear blue jeans/denim on Wednesday, April 26.

For more information, visit http://denimdayinfo.org/.

Parking and Transportation launches "Park, Walk and Tweet" from April 1-30. Subscribers who see an enforcement officer patrolling their parking deck or lot are encouraged to approach the officer, share parking concerns and snap a picture. Tweet the photo to @VCUParking using the hashtag #PWT for a chance to win a Parking and Transportation prize pack. The "Park, Walk and Tweet" campaign is being launched as an extension of the "Park, Walk and Talk" program.

The Division for Inclusive Excellence has established the new Curriculum Development Awards. Up to four curricular development awards of $10,000 each will be granted. These awards will allow departments to submit proposals to strengthen a minimum of three graduate and/or undergraduate courses with respect to diversity and inclusion. The awards are for the review, revision, development and enhancement of core curricular courses. Proposals are due Monday, May 1.

For more information, visit http://go.vcu.edu/inclusive/cda.

The VCU Policy Program has published the spring edition of Policy Points, the quarterly notification bringing awareness to all universitywide policy updates. This edition of Policy Points reflects recent updates from January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017. To view this edition, visit the URL below.

For more information, visit https://policy.vcu.edu/policy-points.

The Division for Inclusive Excellence has extended the submission deadline to apply for the Curriculum Development Awards to June 1, 2017. Four curricular development awards of up to $10,000 each will be made available. These awards will allow departments to submit proposals to strengthen a minimum of three graduate and/or undergraduate courses with respect to diversity and inclusion. For more information, please email us the contact information below with the subject "Curriculum Development Awards."

For more information, visit http://go.vcu.edu/inclusive/cda.