3:45 p.m.

Preliminary results from VCU's Spit for Science project will be presented. The program's undergraduate research team will offer findings of the university-wide study in Room 1004F/G, West Grace Street Student Housing – South, 835 W. Grace St. The project's goal is to create cross-disciplinary opportunities for students to work with researchers in emotional health and substance use.

For more information, contact Spit4Science at spit4science@vcu.edu or visit http://spit4science.vcu.edu.

4 p.m.

VCU's Brooke Newman will appear at a Meet the Author event. The event, in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave., will be hosted by VCU's Humanities Research Center. Newman specializes in the legal, social and cultural history of Britain and the British Atlantic during the age of slavery.

For more information, contact Michael Means at meansmm2@vcu.edu.

5 p.m.

VCU's Chamber Brass Ensemble will perform in a free concert. The university's Department of Music presents a recital by the ensemble in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall of the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Dumain at dumainamm@vcu.edu.

7 p.m.

VCU's Department of African American Studies presents a talk and book signing with Bol Gai Deng. The event will be in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Room 215, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Deng, a VCU alumnus, came to the United States as a Sudanese refugee in 1999. He is currently running for president of South Sudan as the Kush Democratic Majority party candidate. He recently told his story to author Andrea McDaniel in "Bol Gai Deng: Legacy of an African Freedom Fighter." The event is free and open to the public, and books will be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Dae Newman at newmanad@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1384 or visit http://afam.vcu.edu.

Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Ten ensembles will be featured in the VCU Department of Music's holiday gala. The annual concert will be at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. Scheduled to perform are Jazz Orchestra II, VCU Guitar Ensemble, VCU Community Guitar Ensemble, Vox Concordia (formerly Women's Choir), Bassoon Ensemble, VCU Symphony, VCU Health Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Commonwealth Singers. The event will benefit the Doorways, a nonprofit which provides lodging and support for patients and their families and friends during hospital stays. Tickets, available at go.vcu.edu/concerts, are $10 for general admissions and $5 for children 12 and younger.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Dumain at dumainamm@vcu.edu or visit https://www.thedoorways.org/.

Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Global Brigades Medical Chapter at VCU will sell cocoa ($1) and baked goods ($2) on the lawn side of the Compass. Funds from "Cocoa in the Compass" will be used to help purchase medical supplies for the group's trip to Honduras this winter.

For more information, contact Janel Boyles de Rondón at boylesderonjp@vcu.edu.

Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.

Rams in Recovery will honor its fall graduates. The ceremony will be held in Room 403, Hibbs Building, 900 Park Ave. A reception will follow at the Wellness Resource Center, 815 S. Cathedral Place. RSVP at the following URL.

For more information, contact Thomas Bannard at recovery@vcu.edu or (804) 366-8027 or visit https://goo.gl/HLMbHq.

Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Chi Alpha Campus Ministries will host its annual Christmas Semiformal at the Chapel, 1836 Park Ave. Chi Alpha is raising money for Project Rescue, an organization whose goal is to rescue and restore victims of sexual slavery. A $10 donation is suggested. Games, dancing, a photo booth and light snacks will be available.

For more information, contact Emily Bambury at bamburyec@mymail.vcu.edu.

VCU announces the option of including pronouns on business cards as part of an ongoing commitment to inclusivity and diversity. For ordering information, visit the following URL or go to the B&B Printing e-catalog on eVA. For custom orders or questions, contact the following email address.

For more information, contact VCU Stationery at stationery@vcu.edu or visit https://stationery.vcu.edu/.

Dec. 17 is the election deadline for changes to become effective in January for Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan participants. Voluntary contributions can be changed once per calendar quarter. Participants can voluntarily contribute up to 4 percent of their creditable salary and receive up to a 2.5 percent employer match.

For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://www.varetirement.org/hybrid.html.

Due to inclement weather, the Retro Rams interest meeting scheduled for Dec. 5 has been canceled. The next meeting will be in January.

For more information, contact Glynis Boyd Hughes at gmboyd2@vcu.edu or (804) 482-9129.