1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The goal of the Wright Center Consulting Hours is to provide researchers with short consultations on research issues and to provide guidance on the use of high-quality research resources. Representatives will be available at the Richmond Academy of Medicine, 1200 E. Clay St., to help with topics including human subjects protection, grants/contracts, biostatistics, Food and Drug Administration regulations and ClinicalTrials.gov/protocol development practices. Register at the following URL. Walk-in appointments are also available.

For more information, contact Lauren Harris at lauren.harris@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-0245 or visit http://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=H738D9A4EL.

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Grad Fest is an overview of resources and services for graduate students. Learn about campus life and explore research resources. Network with other grad students at the event, Room 303, the Lecture Hall, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave., and learn about opportunities for VCU graduate students. Representatives from the Graduate School, Graduate Student Association, Career Services and National Scholarship Office will be available to answer questions. Topics will include student organizations, funding, careers, technology and more. The event is open to all graduate students. Desserts will be served.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2019-20/grad-fest-2019.html.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Employee training for the proper handling of dangerous goods has been scheduled. VCU Environmental Health and Safety will host the training at George Ben Johnston Auditorium, 305 N. 12th St., for VCU and VCU Health employees who mark, label, pack or prepare/sign shipping documents containing dangerous goods. Handling dangerous goods without training or lapsed training is illegal and may subject the handler and university to fines. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Daniel Munoz at dmunoz2@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1279 or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekQpPDWKN6KF5WcJQVIq44NGQhRf3pQ7xVNwwAKQWpmrHsnw/viewform.

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Need to organize a messy Inbox? Want to know what that cool sidebar has to offer? Not sure what's new? Collaboration Services will host a session about all things Gmail to help master the Inbox. The class, in Room B1-020, Computer Classroom, Sanger Hall, 1101 E. Marshall St., will provide a hands-on walk-through of the organizational and productivity tools Gmail has to offer. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jourdan James at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17315.

Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 from 11 a.m. to noon

VCU and the Central Virginia Chapter of the Society of Clinical Research Associates will host the SOCRA Certified Clinical Research Professional certification exam on Oct. 18. The exam application and supporting documents must be submitted to SOCRA no later than Sept. 6. The informational session will be held in Rooms 11-101/102, James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Medical Education Center, 1201 E. Marshall St.

For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shirley.helm@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2942 or visit https://rampages.us/vcucctr/2019/06/20/socra-certified-clinical-research-professional-ccrp-certification-exam/.

Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Rams in Recovery will host a session to train others to properly use and administer Naloxone, the safe, lifesaving drug that reverses an opioid overdose. The session will be held in Room 2107, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave. Register at the URL below.

For more information, contact Shauntelle Hammonds at shammonds@vcu.edu or visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KGJR2G8.

Monday, Aug. 19, 2019 at 5 p.m.

In a Welcome Week tradition, the freshman class and The Peppas spirit band will march from Convocation to a block party on Floyd Avenue. Join the VCU Office of Alumni Relations with spirit gear and banners to welcome the Class of 2023 and incoming transfer students. Alumni, faculty, staff and current students are encouraged to line Harrison Street to cheer students as they parade from the Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St.

For more information, contact Allison Toney at aktoney@vcu.edu or visit https://www.vcualumni.org/Calendar/Details/18240.

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

At the August Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates chapter meeting, Nina Exner, Ph.D., VCU Libraries research data librarian, will present an introduction to data management best practices. The session will be held in Room 304, Critical Care Hospital, 1213 E. Clay St.

For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shirley.helm@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-2942 or visit https://events.vcu.edu/details.asp?myVal=70548.

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

The goal of chair yoga is to provide a calm and relaxed feeling to promote a greater sensation of happiness and well-being. VCU Human Resources and Recreational Sports will host a 45-minute session in the Jackson Ward A Conference Room, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Register at Talent@VCU or the following URL. Have a colleague register and come with you and you will both receive a sweet prize.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17304.

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU Career Services and VCU Financial Aid will host the Fall 2019 Federal Work-Study Job Fair. The event will be in the Richmond Salons, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Students who accepted Federal Work-Study as part of their Financial Aid package can meet with on-campus and off-campus employers seeking to hire students for Federal Work-Study positions. Register in advance at the following URL. Bring your class schedule, résumé and a pen.

For more information, contact Danielle Pearles at careers@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1645 or visit https://tinyurl.com/FWSFair19.

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education will hold a session on Everyday Mindfulness. The session will be at Regency Square, 1420 N. Parham Road, in the Garden Room just off the food court, as part of its free Third Wednesdays Community Series. Learn more about the proven benefits of mindfulness and how it can be integrated into everyday life.

For more information, contact VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/community.

Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Talicia Tarver, research and education librarian at Tompkins-McCaw library, will discuss collaboration opportunities between the libraries and faculty. The session, presented by the College of Health Professions, will be in Room 2055, College of Health Professions, 900 Leigh St. Examples of how library services have been integrated into College of Health Professions courses will be shared. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Michael Forder at mjforder@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/oNjjVmjNvXb2v3YdA.

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019 from noon to 2 p.m.

Explore the VCU Education Abroad office with the Ed Abroad team and returnee students during an open house on the fourth floor of Grace Street Center, 912. W. Grace St. Chat with students on topics from funding to talking with family about study abroad. Light refreshments. Swag bags for the first 20 guests.

For more information, contact Simone Biasuzzi at sabiasuzzi@vcu.edu or (804) 827-4561.

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 at 3 p.m.

President Michael Rao invites the VCU community to the 37th annual Faculty Convocation at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. Faculty members will be welcomed and this year’s distinguished faculty award recipients will be honored. Faculty and staff traveling to the Monroe Park Campus may use the Pulse (VCU/VUU stop) or GRTC Route 5 (Main and Harrison stop) or find reciprocal parking options at http://www.parking.vcu.edu/parking/faculty-and-staff/reciprocal-parking/.

For more information, contact VCU's Office of Events and Special Programs at UNIVevents@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/vcuconvocation2019.

VCU's Records Management Office will offer Records Management 101 training sessions in the upcoming months. The training, open to all university staff, will cover recordkeeping requirements and practices to be compliant with state regulations and university policy. Register at the following URL (keyword "records"). Too busy to attend? Self-paced Records Management 101 training is available in Blackboard.

For more information, contact Amber Peranski at aperanski@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2097 or visit https://training.vcu.edu/.

In conjunction with a new version of its system, Event Management Systems at VCU has scheduled in-person training workshops at both campuses. Sessions to learn how to use the new Virtual EMS to request space (now called WebApp) will be held 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 14, SGA Senate Chamber, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.; and 1-3 p.m. Aug. 15, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. How-to documents are also available at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tyler Jarrett at tljarrett@vcu.edu or (804) 827-2357 or visit https://usca.vcu.edu/event-services/faqs/.

The VCU leave calculator now shows university employees a more detailed breakdown of individual leave. When employees enter a hypothetical separation date, the calculator will show the total payable hours if the employee separates from the university on that date. It will also show the total hours to be used, if the employee wishes to use the rest of his or her leave.

For more information, contact VCU HR at leave@vcu.edu or visit http://leavecalculator.vcu.edu.

VCU Recreational Sports facilities will begin Fall 2019 semester hours on Aug. 17. Cary Street Gym and the MCV Campus Recreation Center will open weekdays at 5:45 a.m. Cary Street Gym will close nightly at midnight. A full list of hours is available at the following URL.

For more information, contact Amanda Simmons at alsimmons@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0321 or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/facilities/hours/.

VCU Recreational Sports is offering an RVA Adventure Sampler Platter, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. The weekend includes whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing and stand-up paddleboarding, all within the city limits. Register by Aug. 27 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Karl Schmidt at kmschmidt@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1274 or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/outdoor-adventure-program/trips-clinics-weekly-activities/.

The Tina L. Bachas Oncology Nursing Research Award, announced by Massey Cancer Center, strives to advance oncology nursing research. Bachas served as Massey's first director of oncology nursing and she and her husband have committed their support in honor of Walter Lawrence Jr., M.D. Bachas worked closely with Lawrence throughout her tenure. This award will support full-scale, nursing-led research and evidence-based projects. This is a general cancer-focused grant. Project funding is up to $20,000 for one year. Apply at the following URL.

For more information, contact Olivia Patterson at opatterson@vcu.edu or (804) 628-3400 or visit https://massey.vcu.edu/research/funding/tina-l-bachas-nursing-award/.

Human Resources presents "Retiring with the VCU Optional Retirement Plan." The sessions are open to VCU faculty and VCU University and Academic Professionals, not VCU Health System employees. See upcoming sessions at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Benefits at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://bit.ly/2XvaJIH.

Grade sheets are available on faculty eServices. New for this semester is an option to try out the new Banner 9 grading module. The traditional link and the new Banner 9 link are both available within faculty eServices. New in Banner 9 is the ability to upload grades from an excel file. Grades are due by noon on Aug. 13; at which time grading will be turned off. Faculty may only access grade sheets for courses to which they have been assigned in the Class Schedule.

For more information, contact VCU's Office of Records and Registration at rar@vcu.edu.

VCU's ALT Lab/Online@VCU announces a new faculty professional development program for online teaching. Starting this fall, facilitated courses on different elements of online education and self-paced courses on a variety of topics in instructional technology will be offered. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Brianne Jackson, Ph.D., at bljackson@vcu.edu or visit http://altlab.vcu.edu.

Nominations are being accepted for the Dorris Douglas Budd Award. The award honors outstanding administrative and office support staff who enhance the image and mission of VCU and VCU Health. Nominations should be submitted at the following URL by Sept. 20.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/wss/hr/.

Adobe Creative Cloud licenses are now available for purchase by VCU students. The fee is $60 per year or $30 for six months. View “Student Licenses and Purchasing” information at the following URL. Adobe representatives will be on-campus Aug. 19 for demonstrations, games and prizes at Library Fest.

For more information, contact Jana Avery at adobe@vcu.edu or visit https://adobe.vcu.edu/students/.

VCU's Department of Sociology, in partnership with the Institute for Contemporary Art, is accepting proposals for its inaugural Race, Space and Place Initiative DATUM 2019 unConference. The initiative is a multiyear community of thought and practice in the digitally mediated society. VCU scholars, staff, students and non-VCU members are welcome to submit proposals by Sept. 1 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Eduardo Vidal at info@rspivcu.org or (804) 828-5272 or visit https://www.rspivcu.org/the-unconference.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 are sought to participate in a study examining the effect of physical activity on sleep quality. Individuals must be willing to significantly increase their physical activity level (+5,000 steps per day) for two weeks. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre, 1020 W. Grace St.

For more information, contact Principal Investigator Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, at rsgarten@vcu.edu.

The BMI Project is a healthy lifestyle program designed specifically for young adults to manage their health and well-being. If you are overweight and between the ages of 18 and 25, visit the following URL or call the following number to see if you are eligible.

For more information, contact Autumn Lanoye at autumn.lanoye@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-2250 or visit https://optforhealth.org/research/studies/.