Faculty/staff Issue for April 14, 2020
Special Announcement
University Events Impacted Due to COVID-19
The majority of events and activities featured in the TelegRAM may be affected as the university follows precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Please confirm with organizers before traveling to events. The university's COVID-19 site, now located at https://covid-19.vcu.edu/, is the source for the latest VCU updates. You can also receive VCU COVID-19 notifications. Download "VCU Mobile" from your iOS or Android App Store, or visit https://mobile.vcu.edu with your smartphone and select the appropriate link.
This week
Getting To Know Google Sheets
Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Whether you're using Google Sheets for the first time or just want to see what new, innovative functionality Google has added, join us for this online hands-on workshop hosted by Collaboration Services. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Dr. Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/gogoogle.
CTLE Virtual Workshop: Exam Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity
Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2020 from 11 a.m. to noon
VCU Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a virtual workshop on exam strategies to promote academic integrity, held via Zoom and facilitated by James Orr from Strategic Enrollment Management. Register at the following URL; a Zoom link will be provided on the confirmation page after filling out the registration form.
For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/JrR2wJW6ET6vTebd9.
Free Webinar: Organize and Share Research Projects Using Open Science Framework ... Remotely
Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2020 at noon
Do you wish there was one place to store research files, track versions in any file (not just Google files) and share with teammates and advisers? VCU librarians will share how the Open Science Framework allows all that plus share research publicly or on your CV. Sign up for the online presentation at the following URL.
For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.libcal.com/calendar/workshops/osf2020.
Ask an Athletic Trainer
Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2020 from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Athletic trainers from VCU and the University of Richmond recreational sports departments will be offering an informational session online about athletic training practices that may help people while at home. Learn about injuries, injury prevention, how to modify rehab, exercises to do around the house, exercise modification due to discomfort/injury, exercises to complete workout goals at home and more. This will be an open forum event for people of all ages. Register at the following URL to be sent a Zoom link.
For more information, contact Connie Kottmann at crkottman@vcu.edu or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/about/virtual-programs/virtual-fitness/.
Final Fulbright Student Scholarship Informational Sessions
Friday, Apr. 17, 2020 at 1 p.m.
VCU's National Scholarship office will offer final online informational sessions regarding the Fulbright Student Scholarship (us.fulbrightonline.org) at 1 p.m. April 17 and 12:30 p.m. April 23. All juniors, seniors, grad students and recent alumni are encouraged to attend. Register to receive the Zoom link at blogs.vcu.edu/natlscholar.
For more information, contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or (804) 317-5929 or visit http://nso.vcu.edu.
Lunchtime Webinar on VCU’s Online MBA Program
Friday, Apr. 17, 2020 from noon to 12:45 p.m.
Learn more about VCU's Online MBA program at a webinar hosted by the School of Business. The program is currently ranked 35th nationally by U.S News & World Report. This online presentation includes an overview of the program and how to apply. Register at the following URL. If you cannot register ahead of time, attend by using this URL: https://vcu.zoom.us/j/662386145.
For more information, contact Robert Clarkson at rmclarkson@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1597 or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/event-webinar-omba-041720?program=OMBA&utm_source=Drip-OMBAProspect&utm_medium=email&utm_content=GMATWaiver&utm_campaign=OMBARY20.
You Are Not Alone: Remote Faculty Chat
Friday, Apr. 17, 2020 at 2 p.m.
Kim Case of the Center for Teaching Excellence will host 30-minute chats for faculty to discuss current issues and find support among colleagues. Additional chats will be held at 3 p.m. April 21, 9 a.m. April 23, 9 a.m. April 27 and 4 p.m. April 29. Join via the Zoom link provided or Zoom ID 521 478 248; password: 967869.
For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/521478248?pwd=TXl6WHpNSlNyVkxwQmlqZy9RMjBQUT09.
Coming up
Surviving Remote@VCU
Monday, Apr. 20, 2020 at 9 a.m.
Surviving Remote@VCU is tailored for faculty members who must move a face-to-face course to emergency remote teaching in response to a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. The intent of this two-week course, hosted by the Academic Learning Transformation Lab, is to help faculty members understand different aspects of remote teaching, including instructor presence, transition considerations, redesigning instructional content and assessments and creating engaging content in Blackboard. Sections will run every two weeks, with cohorts beginning on Mondays, until all interested participants have been given a chance to participate. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Brianne Jackson at bljackson@vcu.edu or visit https://altlab.vcu.edu/program/surviving-remotevcu/.
Notices
Commonwealth Times Asks, What Are You Grateful For?
The Commonwealth Times is asking members of the VCU community what they're grateful for in the midst of the current situation. Share your positive interactions, thoughts and more with The CT for the chance to be published in an upcoming story. What are some things you're grateful for, despite living through a global pandemic? Being at home with family? Home-cooked meals? Health-care workers across the world? Fill out the form at the following URL.
For more information, contact The Commonwealth Times at spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_8HEUKZz1cphnvt_W2at2t-Tn69akVt-b55u8PWlRHH7GFA/viewform.
Alumni Mentors Sought for African-American Alumni Council Mentoring Circle
The VCU Alumni African-American Alumni Council Mentoring Circle is in need of alumni mentors. The program connects African-American undergraduates with African-American alumni who share professional interests. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Larry Powell at wlpowell@vcu.edu or (804) 828-8194 or visit https://link.vcu.edu/hub/vcualumni/program/vcu-mentoring-program/about.
MCV Campus Construction: Traffic Impact Updates
Construction and utility work at and around the VCU Health Outpatient Pavilion and Inpatient Children's Hospital sites will affect traffic patterns on the MCV Campus. For current information and updates, visit the URL below.
For more information, contact Carrie Carroll at carrie.carroll@vcuhealth.org or visit http://vcuhealth.org/traffic.
Weekly Guided Meditation With The Well
Looking for a way to restore the calm? Join the Health Promotion and Well-Being Center online each Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. for a 30-minute group guided meditation. Sign up at the following URL to use the Zoom link on the Resilience Lab calendar to join. Meditation is suitable for all levels of practice.
For more information, contact Mia Liadis at liadisa@vcu.edu or visit https://thewell.vcu.edu/programs/resilience-lab/.
Call for Fall 2020 Proposals: Honors College Berglund Seminar and Diverse Conversation Series
The Honors College invites faculty to participate in the Berglund Seminar and Diverse Conversations Series. The purpose of the series is to engage honors students with a variety of topics and current events. It is also an opportunity for faculty to highlight research, practice for an upcoming conference or spread the word about a course they will be teaching. Speakers are asked to sign up using the Google Form at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jared Johnson at jajohnson4@vcu.edu or visit http://honors.vcu.edu.
Virtual Smoking Cessation Appointments
Thinking about quitting or cutting back the use of tobacco products or e-cigarettes/vapes? The Health Promotion and Well-Being Center is offering virtual one-on-one smoking cessation appointments for students.
For more information, contact Kendyll Graham at grahamk4@vcu.edu or visit https://thewell.vcu.edu/programs/tobacco-cessation/.
10 Under 10 Alumni Award Nominations
The VCU Office of Alumni Relations is accepting nominations for its annual 10 Under 10 awards. Submit nominations online by April 30 for outstanding graduates of the past decade to be honored with a 10 Under 10 award this fall. The award recognizes distinctive achievements of alumni who earned their first VCU degree between 2010 and 2019. The nominee’s service to the university, professional success and outstanding contributions to the community are considered. Any person or group affiliated with VCU can submit nominations.
For more information, contact Lauren Leavy (Cert.’19/GPA) at leleavy@vcu.edu or visit https://vcuportal.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=Bd5gV1s9yuM%3D.
Flexible Grading Option
The Change in Grade Mode Authorization forms to choose the temporary flexible grading options for the spring semester are now available at the following URL. The deadline for submission is May 15.
For more information, contact Records and Registration at rar@vcu.edu or visit http://rar.vcu.edu/flexiblegradeoption.
Online@VCU Open Office Hours
ALT Lab/Online@VCU is offering virtual office hours from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays for anyone needing help with teaching online or moving a class to remote instruction. An instructional designer, media production specialist and a web development expert will all be available through Zoom to answer questions and help determine the best way to share knowledge and measure learning in the online environment. No appointment is necessary.
For more information, contact Elaine Reeder at ereeder@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1798 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/640171317.
Zoom Call for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
The Advocacy Program through University Counseling Services invites students to join a Zoom call to discuss sexual assault awareness and prevention. The virtual meeting follows the successful Take Back the Net initiative. April is sexual assault awareness month. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Confidential Advocates at myoptions@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6200 or visit http://tinyurl.com/ActionSpaceVCU.
Conflict Coaching With VCU HR
VCU Human Resources now offers virtual "Conflict Coaching for Managers" sessions. The content includes an overview of conflict management and best practices for informal dispute resolution. The training is offered monthly, on April 14, May 19 and June 16. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact VCU HR Learning, Development and Organizational Culture at learndev@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/talentatvcu.
Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR)
The Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) is a registry of twins and their families who are willing to consider taking part in health-related research. As the largest twin registry in the United States, the MATR aims to be a resource for researchers at VCU and other organizations who are interested in conducting studies with twins. The registry welcomes twins of any age, ethnicity and zygosity (identical or fraternal). All twins (triplets, etc.) are invited to register.
For more information, contact Emily Lilley at echlilley@vcu.edu.
Experiences Sought of Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Outbreak
Researchers at VCU School of Nursing and VCU Health are reaching out to pregnant and postpartum women who may have an interest in sharing their experiences related to COVID-19. Please click the link below to learn more. We will provide you with information about the study and give you the option to participate in a short survey (25 minutes or less). Everyone who chooses to participate will have a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Questions, VCUCOPEstudy@gmail.com or the following email address.
For more information, contact Patricia Kinser, Principal Investigator, Ph.D., Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified, RN, at kinserpa@vcu.edu or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=E94WFDTDR8.
Social Network Survey Participants Sought
VCU Active and Supportive Personal Networks Lab seeks undergraduate and graduate students at the university to participate in a 30-minute online survey about their mental health, school achievement and social relationships. Compensation for time and participation will be provided. Find the survey at the following URL.
For more information, contact Claire Luce at socialties@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5411 or visit https://rampages.us/aspnlab/2019/09/28/welcome-to-aspn-lab/.
Other resources
VCU Libraries workshops
See a schedule of workshops and classes that teach how to use collections and databases.
LinkedIn Learning @ VCU
Navigate a vast library of online video tutorials to supplement teaching, learning, and professional development.