1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

University Counseling Services and The Center for Human-Animal Interaction present "Paws for Stress" in the University Student Commons, Virginia Rooms A-D. Participants can play with certified therapy dogs from the Center for Human-Animal Interaction as a way to unwind from semester stress.

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

7:30 p.m.

VCU Music presents a concert by the Commonwealth Singers and the Choral Arts Society 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. 5, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Juniors and seniors who have not purchased official class rings still have the opportunity. Balfour will be at Barnes & Noble @ VCU on the Monroe Park Campus on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees can try on rings and have questions answered by Balfour about VCU's official class ring and ring tradition. Those unable to attend, visit the website below to see what is available.

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

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 from noon 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/.

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at noon

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.

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 from 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.

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at 7 p.m.

VCU Basketball plays Texas in the E.J. Wade Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

For more information, visit http://www.vcuathletics.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at 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 noon to 1 p.m.

The Department of English presents its Faculty Forum featuring Mimi Winick, Ph.D., in Hibbs Hall, Room 308. Late Victorian British readers and writers saw scholarship as a way to preserve or modernize religion and search for meaningfulness in new terms. JG Frazer's "GOLDEN BOUGH" and H. Rider Haggard's novel, "SHE," combine scholarly aesthetics and fantastic conventions to move readers from skepticism to credulity about an extraordinary reality of "wonderful facts." All are welcome and encouraged to bring lunch.

For more information, visit https://english.vcu.edu/about/english-faculty-forum/.

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Global Education Office invites all members of the university community to its monthly Global Café in the University Student Commons, Richmond Salons I-II. Attendees will experience a variety of cuisines and cultures from around the world. This student-centered program is designed to increase awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity at VCU. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet students from across the globe. Each café has a different theme and refreshments are always served. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, visit http://www.global.vcu.edu/students/community/globalcafe/.

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

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program hosts an information session in Harris Hall, Room 5182, for undergraduate students of all majors who are interested in getting involved in research experiences at VCU and beyond. The session will provide information about upcoming opportunities for research and will help interested undergraduates prepare themselves for a research experience. To hear students talk about their research projects, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/vcuurop/2016/04/14/fellows/.

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU Libraries welcomes alumna Eva Dillon as she returns to campus to talk about her best-selling book, "Spies in the Family," in Cabell Library, Lecture Hall, Room 303. With rich insights into Cold War politics, the book is "a riveting true-life thriller and revealing memoir from the daughter of an American intelligence officer—the astonishing true story of two spies and their families on opposite sides of the Cold War." The talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session, a book-signing and a reception. All are welcome.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 at 6 p.m.

VCU Women's Basketball hosts Old Dominion University in the E.J. Wade Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a VCU Fandana.

For more information, visit http://www.vcuathletics.com.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Off Campus Student Services presents a budget workshop in the University Student Commons, Alumni Board Room. This workshop provides students with information on how to create a basic budget, including how to plan for living expenses, savings, paying back debt and incorporating personal values into their budgeting process.

For more information, visit http://offcampus.usca.vcu.edu.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Center for Clinical and Translational Research holds its "Discovery Dialogues" seminar, "Family Dynamics, Brain Development and Addiction Risk," presented by Jennifer Hinesley, Psy.D., assistant professor, psychiatry, in Main Hospital, Learning Center (across from the cafeteria). Faculty, staff, students, patients and families are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

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

The VCU LEAD living-learning program is accepting applications for the 2018 cohort. VCU LEAD is a distinguished leadership-focused living-learning program for undergraduate students of sophomore status or above. VCU LEAD is focused on developing graduates who can successfully lead professional and civic organizations at a local, national and global level within their respective fields. To apply, visit the website below.

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

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is accepting proposals for Black History Month, February 2018. To submit proposals or program suggestions, use the contact information below.

VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art invites those that dream of sharing untold stories about the city of Richmond to contribute ideas for a new radio drama by artist Marinella Senatore, commissioned by the ICA as part of its inaugural exhibition, "Declaration." Submissions are open to all. To submit a story idea (500 word maximum), use the email address below by Friday, Dec. 8.

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

We are inviting 3-6 month-old babies with no developmental delays or health problems to participate in “Tummy Time and Learning” project. By conducting 2 studies under this project, we want to understand if babies can learn a task while playing on their tummy and how parents can encourage tummy time in their baby’s routine. Researchers visit 2 days consecutively or 3 weeks apart based on which study your baby is eligible. We will video record your baby’s skills in a novel play gym and toy play.

For more information, visit https://sahp.vcu.edu/departments/pt/research/research-labs/motor-development-lab/.