10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

University Counseling Services presents the Alive! Mental Health Fair on the Commons Plaza. Attendees will learn more about suicide warning signs, myths and facts; enjoy a graffiti wall where they can spray, write or draw what inspires them; see a brain exhibit with images of brains impacted by mental illness; and share a secret on a postcard. There will be free T-shirts and prizes.

For more information, visit https://students.vcu.edu/counseling/.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity presents Student Code of Conduct Awareness Week. Free Krispy Kreme donuts, photos with Rodney the Ram, information and giveaways will be provided in the University Student Commons Lobby.

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

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research presents "The Art of the Engaged Lecture: Practical Methods to Engage Students" in Tompkins-McCaw Library, Room 2-010. There is a science and art to crafting enriching learning experiences for students. This workshop will walk participants through a variety of best teaching practices that attendees can use in their own teaching. Enoch Hale, Ph.D., and Lisa Phipps, Ph.D., Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, will address topics such as what can instructors do with limited time to nudge student thinking from passive to engaged and how can this be done without significantly adding to our workload. To register, visit the website below.

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

4 p.m.

The Humanities Research Center welcomes Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Ph.D., Georgetown University, lecturing on "Fruit of Pleasure, Source of Sustenance, Object of Shame: The Naked Breasts of Eve and of Mary" in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons I-II. This is part of the Humanities Research Center's fall speaker series. Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information, visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/fall-2017-speaker-series-diane-apostolos-cappadona/.

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Sciences Club hosts an art therapy workshop in The Depot, Interdisciplinary Room. Attendees will join community members in making their own mixed media art therapy project. No art experience is necessary. Open to all ages and skill levels.

For more information, visit https://rampages.us/postbaccprehealth/2017/09/12/upcoming-event-community-art-therapy-workshop/.

Tuesday, Sep. 26, 2017 from 09 a.m. to 03 p.m.

The School of Pharmacy's American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) hosts a blood drive via Virginia Blood Services on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and Thursday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Robert Blackwell Smith Building. Everyone is welcome and snacks will be provided for those who donate. Walk-ins are welcome, but signing up by visiting the website below is preferable.

For more information, visit https://donateblood.vablood.org/.

Tuesday, Sep. 26, 2017 from noon to 2 p.m.

Saudi Students Club at VCU hosts Saudi National Day in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons. Attendees will celebrate Saudi Arabian National Day by representing its significant culture, traditions, government success, vision and leadership programs. Traditional Saudi food will be served.

Tuesday, Sep. 26, 2017 at 7 p.m.

The Department of Music presents guest artist, Anima Vox Duo, in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. Tadeu Coehlo, flute, and Carole Ott, soprano, will present a flute and soprano program. They will be joined by pianist Daniel Stipe and Tabatha Easley, flute. Admission is free.

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

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Offices of Donor Relations, Communications and Annual Giving coordinate two "Thank a Donor Days" on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Compass outside of Cabell Library, and on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Compass outside of Larrick Student Center. The VCU community is invited to join as students thank donors. Cookies, coffee and swag will be provided. To volunteer, use the contact information below.

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

VCUDine welcomes Lehja, the first guest restaurant of the semester, to Market 810 in Shafer Court Dining Center. For both lunch and dinner, the popular Short Pump restaurant will be on-site serving up some of their famed Indian dishes at the Fan Fare station. For a complete menu with uppercut information, follow @VCUDine on social media or visit the website below.

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

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

VCU School of Medicine presents the annual Faculty Excellence Awards Program at the Kontos Medical Sciences Building. This program honors outstanding faculty in the areas of teaching, humanism in medicine, professional achievement of women in medicine, clinical excellence and leadership in graduate medical education. A luncheon reception will be held immediately after the program.

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

Human Resources and Recreational Sports invite faculty and staff to a session at the Cary Street Gym for participants to learn to recognize the importance of being active and healthy, understand how physical activity affects their outlook on life and learn resources and tools to help with a wellness plan. This class counts towards the RamStrong Wellness Challenge. To register, visit the website below.

For more information, visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=16183l.

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 at 5 p.m.

TheatreVCU presents "A Night at the thEATre," an epic food truck night celebrating its new season of shows, on the triangle in front of the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Attendees will enjoy food trucks and have the opportunity to win free tickets.

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

VCU Massey Cancer Center invites the cancer community to "Healthy Living for Cancer Survivors," a series of free weekly workshops held each Wednesday in Sept. at 5:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room at Stony Point 9000, 9000 Stony Point Parkway. This final session will provide practical solutions to managing stress.

Wednesday, Sep. 27, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

VCU Massey Cancer Center presents "Rock Star Friends: How To Be a Friend to Someone with Cancer," an informative evening of personal reflections from survivors, insight and advice from Massey Cancer Center experts, and meaningful dialogue about how to best support a friend facing cancer, at the Downtown Courtyard Marriott, 1320 E. Cary St.

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

Thursday, Sep. 28, 2017 at 1 p.m.

During the American Library Association's Banned Book Week, VCU Libraries hosts a talk by James LaRue, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, in Cabell Library, Room 303. Over the past few years, America's college campuses have become roiling centers of free speech controversy. Professors lose their jobs. Speakers are invited, then uninvited. Researchers can't access the digital content they need. What's going on? What actions should be taken?

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

Thursday, Sep. 28, 2017 at 7 p.m.

The International Studies Program presents "Monument Avenue, History and Social Justice in Richmond" in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 2104. This will be a panel discussion on the politics of memory, commemoration and a more inclusive Richmond and will feature Daryl Fraser, School of Social Work; Herb Hirsch, Department of Political Science; John Kneebone, Department of History; and will be moderated by Faedah M. Totah.

Friday, Sep. 29, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

Representatives of the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students, University Counseling Services, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Health, Residential Life and Housing, Academic Advising and VCU Police offer a free lunch at West Grace Street Student Housing-South, Room 1004A. Lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

Friday, Sep. 29, 2017 from noon to 7 p.m.

VCU Rec Sports and the Rec Sports Student Development Committee host a golf tournament for students, faculty, staff and guests at Belmont Golf Course, 1600 Hilliard Rd. The cost for registration includes golf, lunch and giveaways. All proceeds go to student scholarships for NIRSA. Registration ends on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

For more information, visit http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/programs/special-events/.

Friday, Sep. 29, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

Strategic Enrollment Management presents "First-Gen Fridays" in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salon III, for students, faculty and staff who will be or were the first in their family to graduate from college. Attendees will enjoy pizza. "First-Gen Fridays" is an opportunity for first-generation college students to meet each other and faculty from around the university. This meeting will showcase learning support resources designed to help increase student success.

For more information, visit http://nsfp.vcu.edu/studentevents/first-gen-fridays/.

Saturday, Sep. 30, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

VCU Libraries holds its annual fall day of drop-in workshops in Cabell Library, Room 205, for graduate students and advanced researchers, designed to make the research process better, faster and smarter. Lunch and fast-moving, info-packed topic sessions will be provided. To see the complete lineup, visit the website below. Free event, but register at the website below.

For more information, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2017-18/advance-your-research-fall-2017.html.

Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

University College's Common Book Program and the Division of Community Engagement present a screening of "Oxyana," about a town at the center of the opioid epidemic, in the Academic Learning Commons, Room 1104. The screening will be followed by a brief discussion. Refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public. For details about other events tied to the 2017 Common Book, "Dreamland," visit the website below.

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

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Human Resources provides eligible VCU faculty and staff with seasonal flu shots on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in October. For dates and locations, visit the website below. To receive the vaccine, employees must participate in the State Health Benefits program and show their health plan card. Note that employees who intend to use the shots to obtain "Do Right" credit for the Aetna Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) must obtain written confirmation of the flu shot from Walgreens when they receive their shot.

For more information, visit http://www.hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/employee-health/flu-vaccination-clinics.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon

The Wellness Resource Center invites faculty and staff to its Recovery Ally Program, a training designed to help participants better support students and loved ones in recovery, at the Wellness Resource Center. Registration is required by visiting https://goo.gl/2hY6KC

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

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.

Human Resources provides eligible VCU faculty and staff with seasonal flu shots on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in October. For dates and locations, visit the website below. To receive the vaccine, employees must participate in the State Health Benefits program and show their health plan card. Note that employees who intend to use the shots to obtain "Do Right" credit for the Aetna Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) must obtain written confirmation of the flu shot from Walgreens when they receive their shot.

For more information, visit http://www.hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/employee-health/flu-vaccination-clinics.

The Medical Literary Messenger, a web-based journal published twice yearly that aims to promote humanism and the healing arts through arts, prose, poetry and visual art, seeks thought-provoking poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and visual art related to medicine, illness and the body for its fall/winter issue. To send submissions, use the email address below. To view past issues, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://www.med-lit.vcu.edu.

The Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity hosts Student Code of Conduct Awareness Week from Sept. 25-29. Daily events are planned for students, faculty and staff. To read the Student Code of Conduct, visit the website below.

For more information, visit https://policy.vcu.edu/sites/default/files/Student%20Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf.

VCU Libraries seeks short videos or animations designed to showcase and promote the annual Friends of VCU Libraries Book Sale. The annual book sale raises money for library programs and student-run community service projects. The one selected animation will run on the Cabell Screen during the last week in October and the artist will receive a $500 prize. Students, faculty, alumni and staff are invited to submit.

For more information, visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2017/contest-for-artwork-for-the-cabell-screen-carries-500-prize--.html.

Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences presents new and updated online workshops this fall for the VCU community. The library offers PubMed, Citation Management, Finding Science and Medical Images to help students, faculty and staff with their research needs. For workshop descriptions and to register, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://go.vcu.edu/library-classes.

A revised Intellectual Property policy is now open for university comment through Friday, Sept. 29. 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 new mom (child aged 6-9 months)? Would you like to be in a research study about healthy lifestyle choices across pregnancy and the postpartum period? The “Weight and Pregnancy” study involves completing questionnaires and brief interviews with staff to discuss aspects of nutrition, weight, physical activity, and interaction with your provider across your pregnancy and into the postpartum period. This study will take approximately 1 hour to complete and participants will be financially compensated. Contact our research coordinator Melissa Kwitowski about participating in the “Weight and Pregnancy” study at VCU: 804-827-9211 or kwitowskima@vcu.edu.