3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

September is Suicide Prevention Month and this interactive virtual Weeks of Welcome event, presented by University Counseling Services, will provide information and resources related to suicide prevention and supporting loved ones in crisis. University Counseling Services will offer a review of warning signs, dispel myths, explore how to show up for others with empathy and share practical guidance for getting help. The chance to win a University Counseling Services care package will be available.

For more information, contact Caroline Coffill at cscoffill@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6200 or visit http://counseling.vcu.edu.

7 p.m.

Media, Art and Text doctoral students will share their interdisciplinary research with the larger VCU community at the MATX Showcase. The event will feature five-minute presentations of current research being conducted by doctoral students and candidates in MATX. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Megan Ratliff at ratliffm2@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gCNEYMNfSAeHQc6sHHhfFQ.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU's Wei-Ning Wang, Ph.D., will speak at a virtual seminar hosted by Chemical and Life Science Engineering. His topic will be "A Microdroplet Approach for Rational Design of MOFs-based Functional Materials for Heterogeneous Catalysis." Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Desiney Lowery at dlowery3@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7789 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/94466072898.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Center for Community Engagement and Impact will host a webinar. Join the center and the Community Foundation to find volunteer opportunities and learn about Richmond’s civic infrastructure. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tito Luna at taluna@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/j/94175240556.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation will host a Zoom workshop for faculty covering strategies for putting together a grant application’s many components on schedule and with ample time for review. Specific project-management tools will be shared to help participants organize a project around writing, refining and submitting proposals. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Melissa Throckmorton at throckmortms@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1443 or visit https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqduCprzosE9ytsUZXMHiEJ9XqsY3YgByd.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Student organization leaders and advisors are invited to a session to learn the basics of RamsConnect to ensure your organization is running smoothly. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Donté Sharpe at studentorgs@vcu.edu or visit http://cglink.me/r743520.

Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Learn more about VCU's Evening MBA program at a webinar hosted by the School of Business. This 45-minute online presentation will provide an overview of the program, curriculum and admissions process. Register at the following URL. Questions, email gsib@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Austen Gouldman at gouldmana@vcu.edu or (804) 828-4622 or visit https://business.vcu.edu/about-us/events/graduate-studies/webinar/evening-mba-program-webinar-090920.html.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

You First at VCU invites all new and returning first-generation college students to learn about the organization's programs and hear about upcoming events and opportunities. Meet other first-gen students and the group's officers. Learn about the You First Peer Mentoring Program and peek at the 2020-2021 speaker series. Not sure if you're first-gen? That can be discussed, too. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Bambacus at youfirst@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3927 or visit https://youfirst.vcu.edu/.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU's Vice President for Research and Innovation will moderate a webinar on “Enhancing the Security and Integrity of America’s Research Enterprise” hosted by Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Kelvin Droegemeier. The event will include a Q&A session. All faculty, post-docs, staff researchers, graduate students and relevant research administrators from VCU and VCU Health are encouraged to attend and submit questions. Visit research.vcu.edu/integrity_compliance/research_security.htm for more.

For more information, contact VCU's Vice President for Research and Innovation at vpresearch@vcu.edu or visit http://research.vcu.edu.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon

Rams in Recovery invites faculty, staff and students to a training session designed to help participants better support students and loved ones in recovery. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Thomas N. Bannard at bannardtn@vcu.edu or (804) 366-8027 or visit https://goo.gl/2hY6KC.

Friday, Sep. 11, 2020 at 10 a.m.

The Center for Community Engagement and Impact sponsors a 9/11 Day of Service event at the VCU Health Hub at 25th Street. Socially distanced volunteers will rip and cut fabric/elastic and prepare kits for those in the community who sew. Shifts are from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Employees may use service leave to participate. Sign up at https://www.handsonrva.org/opportunity/a0C1J00000K6Ov8UAF.

For more information, contact Tito Luna at taluna@vcu.edu or visit http://community.vcu.edu/outreach/employee-service.

Friday, Sep. 11, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research offers consulting hours with experts on hand to answer clinical and translational research questions. Topics include the Institutional Review Board, research navigation, informatics, library, grants and contracts, community engagement and recruitment. Register in advance for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Nyssa Towsley at ntowsley@vcu.edu or visit https://events.vcu.edu/details.asp?myVal=73989.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2020 at 3 p.m.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., invites the VCU community to celebrate this year's Distinguished Faculty Award recipients virtually at the 38th annual Faculty Convocation.  A live webcast will be streamed at the following URL.

For more information, contact Office of University Events and Special Programs at UNIVevents@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/convocation.

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Research Administration Back-to-School meetings are held twice a year to convey updates and information related to research administration and compliance issues. All members of the VCU community interested in research administration and compliance activities are welcome to attend. Register for the Zoom link in Talent@VCU.

For more information, contact Cathy Short at cfshort@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute will host a HIGHER Ground Women's Leadership Development Program Virtual Open House. Hear firsthand experiences from program alumnae about how the program has affected them personally and professionally. A Q&A will also be included. Register at the following URL for the Zoom link. Questions, gehli.vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Kiara Faulks at faulksks@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkf-uprz4uEtSyDPSz5qV9w0grE0wCiPA6.

Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

VCU Office of Continuing and Professional Education presents this session as part of the Third Wednesdays FREE Community Series. Community Health Education Center Librarian Dana Ladd will lead a discussion about accessing the VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library resources and Medline Plus. The discussion will range from the latest information on COVID-19 to managing chronic conditions. Register at the following URL.

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

Friday, Sep. 18, 2020 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The International Pre-Health Student Association is hosting a National Eczema Association event on the VCU Commons Plaza, 907 Floyd Ave. The event will focus on involvement in eczema research.

For more information, contact Hala Idris at idrish@vcu.edu.

Thursday, Sep. 24, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The College of Health Professions is sponsoring a faculty development session via Zoom, which will focus on a strategy-centered design approach to creating engagement experiences. Participants will learn how to assign relevant value to engagement tasks while also reducing the responsibility placed on the instructor to ensure compliance. Register in advance at the following URL.

For more information, contact Michael Forder at mjforder@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/rBnqCF8WoSUhTXkt8.

Thursday, Sep. 24, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join VCU Human Resources and RVA Physical Therapy to learn the effects of posture that can cause back pain and how simple ergonomic measures can help prevent back pain from recurring. Different management techniques to help relieve low back pain will be shown and explained. Register in Talent.

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

Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Central Virginia Society of Clinical Research Associates Chapter at VCU will present "Overview of Stem Cell Transplantation and CAR-T Therapies" via Zoom. Kathryn Candler from VCU Massey Cancer Center will help participants understand the types of transplants commonly performed, the common cell types used for transplantation and CAR-T therapies. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Patricia A. Feldt at pafeldt@vcu.edu or (804) 628-1902 or visit https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUvcOytrTwiH9IP6hkIR_1AqKzpPM_4INrB.

Special Collections and Archives physical departments on both campuses are now open for walk-in researchers. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Appointments are encouraged to allow staff to prepare materials in advance. As a precaution during COVID-19, materials will be quarantined for five days following use. Only three researchers will be allowed in the reading rooms at the same time. Masks and handwashing will be required.

For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu.

Adobe Creative Cloud licenses for faculty and staff are available for $190 per year. These licenses are assigned to an individual and may be used on multiple computers (maximum of two at the same time). Other discounted pricing options are available for Acrobat Pro DC and departmental licenses. Refer to the “Faculty and Staff" portion of the following URL. Faculty and staff currently paying $360 for a Creative Cloud license can contact the IT Support Center to cancel without incurring a fee.

For more information, contact Lucy Halunko at adobe@vcu.edu or visit https://adobe.vcu.edu.

VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation announces the 2020 Grant Academy. The grant-writing program provides training and support for a select cohort of faculty investigators working to submit a successful funding proposal. Apply by Sept. 30. Details at the following URL.

For more information, contact Joshua Hahn at hahnj2@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1524 or visit https://research.vcu.edu/vpr/grant_writing/.

VCU Human Resources and Walgreens are bringing flu immunization clinics to both campuses in September and October. Appointments must be made in advance and all CDC guidelines will be followed including social distancing and screening. See details at the following URL.

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

VCU Police has received nine reports of bike theft this academic year. Police encourage cyclists to take these steps to prevent theft: 1. Use a U-lock and secure to a bike rack. 2. Lock your bike in a well-lighted area. 3. Check on your bike periodically, wherever it’s parked. 4. Register your bike with VCU Police at the following URL. VCUPD provides free U-locks (while supplies last) to students, faculty and staff. To request a lock visit VCUPD at 224 E. Broad St. or email the following address.

For more information, contact VCU Police Crime Prevention Team at crimeprevreq@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1209 or visit https://police.vcu.edu/services/bike-registration/.

Effective the week of Sept. 8, the Ram Pantry will reopen by appointment only from noon-7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, contact the Ram Pantry Staff at the following email address, telephone number or URL.

For more information, contact Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth at rampantry@vcu.edu or (804) 828-4514 or visit https://dos.vcu.edu/services/ram-pantry/.

Construction and related utility work at and around the VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU building sites will affect traffic patterns on the MCV Campus. Visit the following URL for current information and updates.

For more information, contact Carrie Carroll at carrie.carroll@vcuhealth.org or visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/traffic.

VCU's Health Promotion and Well-Being Center (The Well) is partnering with VCU Recreational Sports to offer two weekly virtual, group-guided meditation sessions for VCU students, faculty and staff. Thirty-minute sessions, suitable for all levels of practice, will be offered at noon on Tuesdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Schedule an appointment at the following URL.

For more information, contact Mia Liadis at liadisa@vcu.edu or visit https://thewell.vcu.edu/programs/resilience-lab/.

To manage anticipated budget cuts, VCU Libraries is planning to cancel subscriptions to some journals effective January 2021. At this stage in the process of selecting titles to retire, the VCU Libraries seeks feedback from the university's academic community. The list of proposed cancellations is available until Sept. 18 at library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/collections-overview/cancellations/. A comment form is available for people to offer opinions.

For more information, contact Karen Cary at kcary@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2020-news/journal-cancellations-fall-2020.html.

VCU Recreational Sports is partnering with the Health Promotion and Well-Being Center (The Well) to offer a four-week mindfulness training course for students to learn ways to build resilience using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques. The two-hour, interactive virtual classes will provide resources on topics such as mindfulness in the face of stress and uncertainty, how to tune into thoughts and emotions through mindful practice and how to live compassionately. Register at the following URL by noon Sept. 12.

For more information, contact Jessica Norman at normanj3@vcu.edu or visit https://portal.recsports.vcu.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=3af8bf44-1f76-40a2-994c-546453f4d8b9&semesterId=5e59bd95-36ad-476b-8393-abc1b1f26ed5.

VCU Recreational Sports now offers FLEX by Fitness on Demand access to students. FLEX is a virtual fitness program featuring fitness videos, available to stream anywhere, anytime from phone or computer. To request access to FLEX, fill out the form at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jessica Norman at normanj3@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTVV2c3Ikdm6f8-xuR1a6CAnIhX8im_h6l_CB2NaA0NTfVCg/viewform.

VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies is inviting volunteers aged 21-55 who frequently drink alcohol to participate in a research study to add to the science for developing new treatments for people with alcohol use disorder. To find out if you can volunteer for this study, contact the following email address or telephone number to complete a prescreen questionnaire. All research is confidential and volunteers are paid for their time.

For more information, contact Katie Schifano at study4u@vcu.edu or (804) 827-3784 or visit http://idas.vcu.edu.