12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the VCU Postdoctoral Association present "Exploring a Protein Structure using Chimera: Modeling Missing Loops" with Balaji Nagarajan, Ph.D., in the Tompkins-McCaw Library, Room 2-010. A case study will be used to demonstrate 3D protein structure visualizations and how to identify and model missing loops in Chimera, a molecular visualization and analysis tool. To register for this free workshop, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://rampages.us/howtotalks.

6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

The College of Humanities and Sciences and the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies hold a concert with the musical duo, More Joy!, in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 1104. The founders of the band will help attendees unpack their thoughts, lift their spirits through storytelling and celebrate their individual and collective strength. VCU alumna, Iris Harrell, and her partner, Ann Benson, will reveal their experiences of life's struggle and love as a long-term lesbian couple, and share songs of social justice.

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Black Women in STEM holds its first general body meeting of the semester in West Grace Street Student Housing-North, Room 1030J. Black Women in STEM is an organization devoted to increasing and recognizing diversity in STEM. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the organization and any upcoming events for the year. Refreshments will be provided.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU Career Services presents "Careers in the Commons" with Future Housing Leaders and National Urban League in the University Student Commons. The employer will be sharing information about career opportunities with the National Urban League. Open to all students.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU holds a town hall for feedback on its new strategic plan in the Egyptian Building, Baruch Auditorium. At this town hall, the five work groups will present their draft themes and goals that will make up the backbone of the new plan, and introduce their preliminary work on implementation.

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

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VCU Globe hosts an open house at West Grace Street Student Housing-North. Attendees will learn about the program and have questions answered by Globe staff. Applications are being accepted and the priority deadline is Friday, Nov. 3.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

VCUDine hosts guest restaurant KTown Kitchen, which will be serving up sweet and spicy shrimp, seasoned chicken, dumplings and more traditional Korean cuisine for additional swipes in the Shafer Court Dining Center. Follow @VCUDine on social media or visit the website below for a complete menu and additional swipe information.

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

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development presents "Illuminating Biology with Genetically Encoded Biosensors" with Hui-Wang Ai, Ph.D., assistant professor, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, facilitating in BioTech One, Robert Ball Conference Room, as part of its 2017 Fall Seminar Series.

For more information, visit http://isb3d.pharmacy.vcu.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 at 2 p.m.

The Forensic Science Department welcomes guest speaker, Soma Dhakal, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Chemistry, discussing "Seeing is Believing: Single Molecule Sensing and Protein-DNA Interactions" in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 2201. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 at 3 p.m.

The School of World Studies presents Marie Vergamini, graduate research assistant, discussing "Anthropology and STEM: Primates and Science in the Classroom" in the University Student Commons Theater as part of its Fall 2017 Anthropology Speaker Series. Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/humanities-and-sciences/wp-content/uploads/sites/4656/2017/10/ANTHPOSTER.pdf.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Intercultural Festival presents "Little Italy" in the University Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms. Attendees will enjoy local Italian cuisine, mask painting, games and prizes.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 at 7 p.m.

VCU Music's Clarinet Studio presents a recital in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. Admission is free.

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

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 at 4 p.m.

The Psychology Department welcomes Stephen J. Lepore, Ph.D., Temple University, as a featured speaker in this year's "Distinguished Speaker Series," which will focus on addiction, in the Grace Street Theater. The talk is titled "High Tech-Warm Touch: Integrated Digital Strategies with Traditional Behavioral Health Approaches to Project Low-Income Families from Tobacco Smoke." Light hors d'oeuvres will follow.

For more information, visit http://psychology.vcu.edu/about/events/#d.en.214639.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 at 7 p.m.

The Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, the Humanities Research Center and the Division for Inclusive Excellence present a lecture by Dean Spade, "Can We Survive Mainstreaming? Trans Politics and Criminal Punishment Reform," at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 at 7 p.m.

Mock Trial at VCU holds its first general body meeting of the semester in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 1104. Attendees will learn more about the upcoming workshop with the University of Richmond Mock Trial team and be able to sign up if interested. Attendees will also receive more information about future events planned for the rest of the semester. For details, email ramsmocktrial@gmail.com.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 at 8 p.m.

The Fall Block Step Show Committee hosts the annual Stroll-Off on the University Student Commons Plaza. The competition features teams from the National Panhellenic Council at VCU fraternities and sororities. The event will feature the Stroll-Off in addition to opportunities to win prizes and tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

VCU Military Student Services Office sponsors a professional development workshop in the University Student Commons, Forum Room, for veterans and anyone who is interested in jobs in the IT industry post-graduation. The workshop will feature Mike Powers, national IT recruiter and veteran, who will offer insight on resume writing, interview tips and elevator pitches. Refreshments will be served. Open to all.

For more information, visit http://militarystudents@vcu.edu.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

The Department of African American Studies presents a screening of "Toward a Black Psychology: Origin and Evolution of a Discipline" at Grace Street Theater. The documentary, which explores the history and significance of the field of black psychology, is directed by Shawn Utsey, Ph.D., interim chair, Department of African American Studies. There will be a discussion following the film. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the film will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Office of the Provost and University College present Sam Quinones, author of the 2017 Common Book, "Dreamland," speaking at the W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts about the opiate/opioid epidemic in the United States. This event is free and open to the public; first-come, first-seated. Copies of "Dreamland" are available at VCU Libraries. To nominate a book for the 2018 Common Book, visit https://commonbook.vcu.edu/submit-a-book/ and submit by Wednesday, Oct. 25.

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

The Governor of Virginia has granted eight hours of additional leave on January 2, 2018. This extends VCU’s upcoming winter closing by one day. VCU’s 2017-18 winter closing is now Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017 through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. For the full schedule, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://hr.vcu.edu/paydays-and-holidays/.

A major utilities project taking place on 11th Street between Broad and E. Marshall streets will impact RamRide routes from Sunday, Oct. 22, through Friday, Oct. 27. RamRide passengers should expect delays throughout the week due to increased traffic near these areas. Additionally, the Sanger Hall stop will close at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, and will re-open at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. During this closure, passengers should proceed to the alternate stops listed at http://go.vcu.edu/_hl4

For more information, visit http://go.vcu.edu/_hl4.

VCU has launched a new university Master Site Plan, which will guide university development for the next decade, and invites the university community to provide input at one of three informal sessions on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Cabell Library, First Floor Lobby OR in the University Student Commons, First Floor near the food court; Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 5:15-7:15 p.m. in the University Student Commons, First Floor, Floyd Avenue Entrance Lobby; and Thursday, Nov. 2, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the McGlothlin Medical Education Center, Second Floor Lobby by the bridge to Main Hospital OR in the Larrick Student Center Lobby. Parking in the Main Street deck for the Wednesday, Nov. 1 session will be validated for off-campus visitors. Those needing validation should see Master Plan staff at the meeting.

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

VCU has contracted the Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR) to administer the first comprehensive all-alumni survey since 2009. Students graduating this December will receive a survey in their email this week. VCU wants to ensure that students have every opportunity to remain involved with the university after they graduate. Your opinion is important to the development of future alumni programs and communications from both your university and the alumni organization.

The VCU Institute for Contemporary Art offers a free tour of galleries, artist-run projects and other cultural spaces in the greater Richmond area. This event is free and open to any VCU student who agrees to sign up for the ICA mailing list. Transportation and lunch will be provided. Participants should arrive at 818 W. Broad St. no later than five minutes before scheduled tour time for bus pickup. To register, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://ica.vcu.edu/2017/10/10/contemporaryrva/.

Friends of VCU Libraries holds its annual book sale in partnership with the Emerging Leaders Program from Oct. 26-30.

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

VCU Rec Sports OAP offers a spooky Halloween canoe trip in the Great Dismal Swamp from Oct. 28-29. This will be a scenic paddle on calm water in one of Virginia's only natural lakes. Participants will spend the evening camping, cooking a big dinner in dutch ovens and sitting around the campfire. The cost is $44 for students or $50 for members. Price includes food, equipment and guides. Register by Tuesday, Oct. 24.

For more information, visit https://portal.recsports.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=cb6441cb-c456-40e4-aa46-8e2bb0a973bf&semesterId=8224abd5-d5e6-4bc0-b993-c350f6ee9f71 .