11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Health Occupations Students of America at VCU will host a blood drive at Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. Sign up to volunteer at the following URL. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org. Use the sponsor code "VCU" and select the "VCU HOSA" blood drive when signing up.

For more information, contact Lahari Ramagiri at ramagiril@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dTBhT7f7m6xICNhZ0r-mTIEz6gR_ItST3knJJKUn-eE/edit?usp=sharing.

12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

VCU's Science, Technology and Society Program presents "Creating Adaptive Activism: Reframing Disability Through Art." The lecture by Ann Fox, Ph.D., professor of English at Davidson College, will be in Richmond Salons I and II, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. The event is co-sponsored by VCU's Transforming Disability Initiative.

For more information, contact Kathryn Shively at kmeier@vcu.edu.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

VCU Libraries, the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the VCU Postdoctoral Association present “Putting the Pieces Together: Experimentally Evaluating Alternative RNA Splicing Variants.” The talk, part of the 2019 How-to Talks by Postdocs Series, will be in Room 2-010, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, 509 N. 12th St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Stacey Wahl at swahl@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0622 or visit https://rampages.us/howtotalks/upcoming/.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Sandra Barker, Ph.D., VCU Department of Psychiatry, will discuss ways to manage stress during the holidays. The session, hosted by the Health and Wellness Library, will be held in Room G-112, ground floor, Gateway Building, 1200 E. Marshall St. The Dogs on Call therapy dogs will be present. Lunch is provided, but space is limited. Register (required) at the following URL.

For more information, contact K.J. Ricasata at ricasatakj@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2432 or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/event/5999472.

12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs will hold an online graduate program open house via Zoom. An overview of the school's graduate programs will be presented. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ross Losapio at losapior@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/2C5FqrE.

2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement in partnership with the American Red Cross will host a blood drive in the Court End Ballroom, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Schedule an appointment by calling the following number and mentioning Larrick.

For more information, contact Hanan Kourtu at kourtuhm@vcu.edu or (800) 733-2767.

3 p.m.

The National Scholarship Office will hold an informational session on the RISE and SMART programs in Room 1210, The Honors College, 701 W. Grace St. A second workshop will be offered at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the same location. The session is geared for STEM students in all disciplines who are interested in research opportunities. Email the following address to attend online.

For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1803 or visit http://nso.vcu.edu.

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising will host Sass Brown. She was the founding Dean of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation and the former interim Dean for the Fashion Institute of Technology’s School of Art and Design in New York. Brown is currently completing her Ph.D. on global artisanship and models of sustainable development. The talk will be in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave.

For more information, contact Kimberly Guthrie at kguthri1@vcu.edu or (804) 221-9218.

4 p.m.

The Center for the Study of Tobacco Products and Psychology Department will present former FDA commissioner David Kessler, M.D. Kessler will speak on his experiences as head of the FDA from 1990-1997. The event, free and open to the public, will be at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. A reception will follow.

For more information, contact Peter Stauffer at staufferph@vcu.edu.

7 p.m.

VCU's Department of Music will host a free fall pianothon at the James W. Black Music Center, 1015 Grove Ave.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Dumain at dumainamm@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1169 or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/2019/10/15/fall-pianothon/.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate and breakfast snacks. Meet representatives from key VCU resource offices, learn about study abroad programs and network with study abroad staff, faculty leaders and student participants. The event will be in Rodney's Lounge, Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. Ten students will receive a $500 study abroad award.

For more information, contact VCU Education Abroad Office at abroad@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The American Nuclear Society at VCU will host an overview of the Navy's mechanical and nuclear engineering opportunities. The event will be in Room W103, College of Engineering West Hall, 601 W. Main St. Food will be provided. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sarah Strickler at stricklersc@vcu.edu or (540) 574-1859 or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/vcuans/rsvp_boot?id=622836.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Keep all your work in one secure place with online file storage in Google Drive. Learn how to share with others and access on any computer, smartphone or tablet at a workshop presented by VCU's Collaboration Services in Room B1-020, Computer Classroom, Sanger Hall, 1101 E. Marshall St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dr. Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17273.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Honors College will host an informational session for current VCU students in Room 1303, The Honors College, 701 W. Grace St. Learn about the benefits of joining the Honors College and how to apply. Attendance at an informational session is required to apply.

For more information, contact Jenna Venable at venablejl@vcu.edu or visit https://honors.vcu.edu/admissions/continuing-students/.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 at 7 p.m.

VCU's Department of Music will present a free trumpet studio recital at the James W. Black Music Center, 1015 Grove Ave.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Dumain at dumainamm@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1169 or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/music/2019/08/26/trumpet-studio-recital-november-12/.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Ling Ma, winner of the 2019 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award for "Severance," will read from her book in Room 303, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event will be followed by a panel discussion featuring the author, editor and agent, as well as a public reception, book sale and signing. Although the event is free and open to all, register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Thom Didato at tndidato@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1678 or visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/event/2019FirstNovelist.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The November ONE VCU Research Teams Meeting will be held at the first-floor Learning Center in the VCU Medical Center Main Hospital, 1250 E. Marshall St. The session will be hosted by the VCU Office of Innovation and VCU Health and facilitated by the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Slash Coleman will give a Laughter Yoga promo for the Arts in Healthcare Day. IRB changes will be discussed. Join remotely at the following URL.

For more information, contact Lillie Lattimore at lllattimore@vcu.edu or (804) 628-5414 or visit http://vcu.zoom.us/j/415987865.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Need to organize a messy Inbox? Want to know what that cool sidebar has to offer? Not sure what's new? VCU's Collaboration Services invites you to learn all things Gmail and make you the master of your Inbox. The class, in Room 108, Technology Administration Building, 701 W. Broad St., will provide a hands-on walkthrough 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 http://go.vcu.edu/gogoogle.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU Army ROTC will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive in the Ballroom, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Walk in or register at the following URL. Type VCU to find the event and select the Nov. 13 drive.

For more information, contact Natalie Bruhn at bruhnnc@vcu.edu or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Join VCU Human Resources and Recreational Sports to learn yoga poses you can do at your desk to improve posture, flexibility and balance. The class will be held in the Group Exercise Room, Cary Street Gym, 101 S. Linden St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://vcu.csod.com/LMS/LoDetails/DetailsLo.aspx?loId=26b1737e-71ab-4cae-83db-e5de26ce862f&back=%2fLMS%2fBrowseTraining%2fBrowseTraining.aspx%3ftab_page_id%3d-1700000#t=3.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m.

RamTech will host Appy Hour in the SGA Senate Chambers, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Smart devices to be displayed include the Amazon Echo, Google Home, TP-Link Smart LED Bulbs and more. Free food will be provided. This is event is free but requires registration at the following URL.

For more information, contact Erinn Budd at budde@vcu.edu or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ramtech-november-appy-hour-your-smart-home-tickets-70020889365.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

VCU Graduate Studies office in the School of Business will host an evening MBA informational session in Room B3189, Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. The event will include an overview of the program and how to apply. One of the concentrations offered in this program is Healthcare Management. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Robert Clarkson at gsib@vcu.edu or (804) 828-4622 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/?id=51a24a10-ff49-4f1b-acad-592eca63482a&program=MBA.

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The ICA will host the Richmond premiere of "Atlantics," winner of the 2019 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix. The film, to be shown at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St., was directed by Mati Diop, the first black woman to receive the award. "Atlantics" is set along the Atlantic coast in a suburb of Dakar, where workers on the construction site of a futuristic tower, without pay for months, decide to leave the country by the ocean for a better future. Among them is Suleiman, the lover of Ada, promised to another.

For more information, contact Meredith Carrington at mtcarrington@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1088 or visit https://icavcu.org/films/cinema_1113/.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 from 10 a.m. to noon

Rams in Recovery will offer pop-up naloxone training. The condensed version will be offered on the Compass.

For more information, contact Shauntelle Hammonds at shammonds@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tinashe Mushakavanhu, post-doctoral fellow at the Wits Institute of Social and Economic Research at University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, will speak in Room 306, Hibbs Hall, 900 Park Ave. He will discuss finding clues to Zimbabwean political mysteries and intrigues and locating personal and national histories buried in archives spread across the United States. The event is sponsored by VCU Department of English.

For more information, contact Kelsey Cappiello at english@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1331 or visit http://english.vcu.edu.

Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences will host Deborah DiazGranados, Ph.D., for a presentation on team science. The event will be in Room 1102, Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave. Team science is a collaborative effort to address a scientific challenge that leverages the strength and expertise of professionals trained in different fields. Junior faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to attend. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Devin Bowers at bowersdm@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7258 or visit https://intranet.chs.vcu.edu/announcements/nov-15-team-science.html.

Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

RamPantry at VCU will host its semester food drive and fall festival on the lawn side of the Compass. Hot apple cider, pumpkin painting and cornhole will all be available in exchange for food and monetary donations.

For more information, contact Kathryn Rowe at roweks@mymail.vcu.edu.

Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VCU Women in Science and the Graduate and Professional Student Programming Board will host a wine and cheese mixer. The annual event will be in Court End Ballroom A, Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St. Those who attend must be 21 or older and have a valid ID.

For more information, contact Anna Kovilakath at vcu.wis@gmail.com.

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

"Touch of Elegance," a new ICA-commissioned opera by Richard Kennedy, will be performed at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St. The production is about a small-town black hair salon and a neighboring '90s streetwear store. Kennedy’s mother was the receptionist at the salon and his father was part-owner of the store. Kennedy has transformed a biographical fiction into a live, 50-minute opera.

For more information, contact Meredith Carrington at mtcarrington@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1088 or visit https://icavcu.org/performances/touch-of-elegance/.

Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU Libraries, the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the VCU Postdoctoral Association will present “Designing Obstacle Avoidance Tools for the Visually Impaired Using Modern Technology.” The session, part of the 2019 How-to Talks by Postdocs Series, will be in Room 2-010, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, 509 N. 12th St. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Stacey Wahl at swahl@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0622 or visit https://rampages.us/howtotalks/upcoming/.

Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 at 8 p.m.

VCUarts Department of Theatre will present a night of unscripted comedy by the VCU Improv House Teams. The event will be held at Raymond Hodges Theatre, W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in person at the box office or online at the following URL. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Byland at ebyland@vcu.edu or (859) 803-3374 or visit https://www.showclix.com/event/improv.

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Diversity Ambassadors and The Changemakers will host "Open Book: A Human Library Experience." The showcase of identity-based storytelling from members of the VCU community will highlight stories and experiences to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. The event will be held in the Ram's Lounge, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. To share your experiences, register at the following URL by 5 p.m. Nov. 15.

For more information, contact Chris Jeter at rlhmaga@vcu.edu or visit http://tinyurl.com/OpenBook19.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Do you feel stiffness in your neck and shoulders from sitting at a desk all day? Join VCU Human Resources and Recreational Sports to learn to ground mind and body with flow yoga that can be done at a desk or anywhere you need to stretch. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://vcu.csod.com/LMS/LoDetails/DetailsLo.aspx?loId=8fff9af6-aa90-4f5b-b12d-c4707c50b085&back=%2fLMS%2fBrowseTraining%2fBrowseTraining.aspx%3ftab_page_id%3d-1700000#t=3.

Open forum videos and candidate feedback forms are now available for the Executive Director for Online@VCU search. Videos and feedback forms will be available to the university community at the following URL until 5 p.m. Nov. 18.

For more information, contact Channing Holloway at csholloway@vcu.edu or visit https://provost.vcu.edu/searches/online/candidates/.

VCU's Institute for Women’s Health and Highland Support Project will host a week in partnership with indigenous midwives and community leaders in Guatemala. Participants will learn about traditional Maya medicine and midwifery practices in the region. The trip will be May 16-23, 2020. The cost is $985 plus airfare. Apply at the following URL by March 1.

For more information, contact Heather Ashton at ashtonhr@vcu.edu or visit http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu.

The Faculty Council of the College of Humanities and Sciences is now accepting applications for Faculty Council Research and Professional Development Grants. Apply at the following URL by 5 p.m. Nov. 19.

For more information, contact Mignonne C. Guy at mguy@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Kz0FL7KYbxM0EVNoA3LnNqnBF8ljBO0HoRl9K7vbig/edit.

University Student Health Services offers free flu vaccines to all students on both campuses. The flu vaccine is available during immunization hours or immediately following a scheduled medical appointment. University Student Health Services is located on both campuses: Monroe Park Campus at 1300 W. Broad St., Suite 2200, and MCV campus at 1000 E. Marshall St., Room 305.

For more information, contact USHS Immunization Department at ushsimmuniz@vcu.edu or (804) 827-8047 or visit https://health.students.vcu.edu//immunizations/.

VCU Recreational Sports facilities will operate on modified hours Nov. 22-27. All facilities will be closed Nov. 28-30. A list of hours for facilities is available at the following URL.

For more information, contact Meredith Hawkins at mlhawkins@vcu.edu or (804) 335-4607 or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/facilities/hours/#Thanksgiving.

Katie's Art Project, a 501(c)(3) organization which connects children facing life-threatening illnesses with artists through collaborative programs, is seeking participants. Individuals interested in art, the health field and volunteering in the community are sought.

For more information, contact Kendal Dill at dillk2@mymail.vcu.edu or (434) 466-7949.