Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Singer and songwriter Elizabeth Wise will perform at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. Music begins at 7:15 p.m.; conversation and complimentary snacks precede the event.

For more information, contact Institute for Contemporary Art at ica@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/inyourear-1119/.

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A course is being offered to reduce stress through mindfulness. VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education presents "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Express" in partnership with the Chrysalis Institute. Techniques for living in the present and reducing worries and fears are offered in the course. Eight two-hour classes will be held at the Chrysalis Institute, 213 Roseneath Road.

For more information, contact Office of Continuing and Professional Education at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6931 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/mindfulness.

James Branch Cabell Library will remain open around the clock until its closing at 8 p.m. Dec. 19. The change is made in response to the new exam schedule, necessitated by recent weather closings. Study areas on all five floors and the information desks at the library, 901 Park Ave., will be open.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/libraries/cabell/hours/.

The VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education offers a variety of on-campus and online learning opportunities for VCU faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. Continuing education is available in addiction studies, craft beer, cultural competency and languages, disability support services, event planning, paralegal studies, play therapy training and test preparation for the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT and ACT. Noncredit online courses and certificates in customer service, sales, self-publishing, computer skills, workplace topics, Google tools and podcasting are also offered.

For more information, contact VCU OCPE at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit http://ocpe.vcu.edu.

Utility work and construction at the VCU Health Outpatient Facility construction site continues. The work, at the corner of North 10th and East Leigh streets, will affect traffic patterns in the area of the MCV Campus over the next several months. For current information and updates, visit the URL below.

For more information, contact Jake Hughes at jake.hughes@am.jll.com or visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/our-story/building-projects/adult-outpatient-facility/updates-adult-outpatient-facility.

Applications are being accepted by Feb. 15 for the Translational Research Fellows program. The Center for Public Policy, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, invites VCU faculty whose research has public policy relevance to apply for the program. Selected fellows work with the center's staff starting in fall 2019 to develop a policy brief and conduct three meetings with state policymakers.

For more information, contact Grant Rissler at risslerge@vcu.edu or (804) 827-2603 or visit https://oppo.vcu.edu/faculty-training/research-fellowship/.

A new pool of statewide funding is available to VCU faculty who want to redesign courses to incorporate affordable and open course materials. The first round of VIVA Course Redesign Grants is open for applications. These $1,000 to $30,000 grants are designed to empower Virginia faculty with the resources and time needed to develop affordable and open materials. Informational webinars are set for Jan. 9 and Jan. 23. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2018/faculty-apply-by-jan-31-for-new-state-grants-to-support-transition-to-affordable-course-materials.html.

VCU's Academic Learning Transformation Lab will offer three faculty development courses in the spring. The online sessions involve designing an individual online course, exploring best practices for online student engagement and the management of time and teaching presence as an online instructor. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tim Luckritz Marquis at tluckritzmarq@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1924 or visit https://altlab.vcu.edu/spring-2019-offerings/.