12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The Center on Health Disparities hosts a group viewing of "Recruitment and Retention of 'Hard-to-Reach' Populations: Successful Strategies to Increase the Participation of Latinos in Research" in the Theatre Row Building, 730 E. Broad St., Fourth Floor Conference Room. The viewing is free and open to all who are interested. This webinar is sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) of Wake Forest University.

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

12 p.m.

The College of Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute holds its "COBE Connect" lunch lecture in the University Student Commons, Forum Room, featuring Jinni Su, Ph.D., discussing "Genes, Race-Related Experiences and Substance Use Problems." Su will present preliminary analyses from Spit for Science that examine the influence of genetic predispositions and race-related experiences on substance use among African-American young adults.

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

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences presents a workshop on finding reliable consumer health resources in Tompkins-McCaw Library, TML Lecture Room 2010. Dana Ladd, Community Health Education librarian, will lead this workshop. Participants will learn how to find reliable health information written in language patients can understand. During the workshop, Ladd will demonstrate health resources available on the Community Health Education Center's website. CHEC is a source for assistance in finding health information.

For more information, visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/3681298.

8 p.m.

VCU Music presents the VCU Symphony in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. They symphony will perform Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring faculty soloist Magdalena Adamek. Tickets are $10 general admission and free for VCU students with ID.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sociologists for Women in Society collects new or gently used books, canned goods and nonperishable food items for families in need on the Compass.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/humanities-and-sciences/wp-content/uploads/sites/4656/2017/12/SWS-Christmas-Lauren-Payton.pdf.

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m.

VCU Libraries hosts "Wednesday in the Workshop," an open house designed to help attendees explore new equipment, techniques, softwares or experiences every Wednesday in the lower-level of Cabell Library. This week's topic will be "3D Scanning Your World." Attendees will learn the best ways to scan various objects.

For more information, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2017-18/wednesday-workshops-2017-18.html.

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

VCU Music presents a concert by the VCU Women's Choir and Vocal Chamber Ensembles in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 general admission and free for VCU students with ID.

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

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

Human Resources in cooperation with TIAA Investments presents the last in its "Fall Financial Fitness Series," "Health Numbers: Integrating Health Care into Your Retirement Plan," in the HR Training Building, Room 115. Employees do not need to be TIAA participants to attend. This session is open to VCU employees only, not VCU Health employees.

For more information, visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=16211.

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon

Environmental Health and Safety hosts Handling Dangerous Goods training for VCU and VCU Health employees who handle (as in receipt for, mark, label, pack and prepare/sign shipping documents) dangerous goods in the George Ben Johnston Auditorium. Registration is NOT required. Handling dangerous goods without training or with lapsed training is illegal and may subject the handler and university to fines.

For more information, visit https://srm.vcu.edu/.

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Tompkins-McCaw Library present their next lunch research seminar, "Recipe for Success: Effectively Using Web of Science," in Tompkins-McCaw Library, Room 2-010. Erica Brody, research and education librarian, Tompkins-McCaw Library, will discuss how to effectively and efficiently use Web of Science to support research. Participants may bring lunch; drinks will be provided. To register, use the contact information below.

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

Annual deferral limits for the VCU 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (TDA) and the VRS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan will increase to $18,500 in 2018. Participants eligible for the age 50+ catch-up may contribute up to an additional $6,000 to either or both plans in 2018. No employee action is required due to these changes, however employees wishing to change deferral amounts may do so using instructions at the website below.

For more information, visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/.

VCU invites students, faculty, librarians, scientists, writers and researchers to the Virginia satellite session of the international conference OpenCon on Friday, Jan. 12, from 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m. at Cabell Library. OpenCon Virginia seeks submissions for lightening talks on any conference topic: open access publishing, open data, open science, open education or open anything. Each presenter will have five minutes total to deliver the "lightening talk." The deadline to submit is Friday, Dec. 8. For details and the submission form, visit the website below.

For more information, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2017-18/opencon-.html.

VCU Recreational Sports offers massage therapy. Massage Services provides a variety of massages based off of the therapist's specialties. Registration for January's sessions is currently open.

For more information, visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/wellness/massage-services/.

The Honors College seeks faculty proposals for its summer undergraduate research program which seeks to foster academic excellence in undergraduate research in all disciplines. The deadline for receipt of proposals is Thursday, Feb. 1. To complete an application, visit the website below.

For more information, visit https://honors.vcu.edu/for-faculty/research-and-mentoring/.

The Division for Inclusive Excellence sponsors the fifth annual MLK Celebration Week from Jan. 15-21. The MLK Celebration Week Planning Committee invites the VCU community to submit service and educational events for inclusion on the MLK Week website by visiting the website below. Events will then be promoted to the university community.

For more information, visit http://go.vcu.edu/_Y0V.

A revised Research Misconduct policy is now open for university comment through Monday, Dec. 18. The draft policy can be found at https://policy.vcu.edu/policies-open-for-public-comment.

For more information, visit https://policy.vcu.edu/policies-open-for-public-comment.

Are you a woman in menopause experiencing anxiety? Would you like to talk about your experiences? Researchers at the VCU School of Nursing are interested in learning more about women’s health in menopause. Participation in this qualitative study would involve a face to face interview (approximately 1 hour) to discuss your personal experience with anxiety in menopause. The interview will be audio recorded and will take place at a location convenient to you. You will receive a gift card to a local business for participation in the study. For more information, please contact Ellie Bremer, MSN, RN, FNP-C, at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, bremeres@vcu.edu. VCU IRB APPROVAL NO: HM20010855.