1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The VCU Writing Center workshop will demystify the college writing process by breaking it down into manageable chunks, including brainstorming and getting started to avoid procrastination. The Zoom link is hosted on the center's events page at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/events/.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Members of the VCU Writing Center will introduce its services, discuss how to best address writing needs and outline what to expect from a consultation, including how to connect to online Zoom sessions. An open house will also be held at noon on Jan. 25. Questions: https://writing.vcu.edu/events/. The Zoom link is hosted on the center's events page at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/events/.

12 p.m.

Are you taking one or more asynchronous classes this semester? Start your semester strong with a plan. Join a workshop with the directors of the Campus Learning Center and Writing Center to reach your goals for the semester. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Michal Coffey at mzcoffey@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/plan-it1.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Whether you're using Google Forms for the first time or just want to see what new, innovative functionality Google has added, join us for this hands-on workshop hosted by Collaboration Services. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dr. Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/gogoogle.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Can urban farming elicit decolonization, self-determination and healing through access to food? Urban Farming/Common Ground explores these questions with brief presentations and dialogue featuring Duron Chavis, urban farmer and educator; Quilian Riano, founder and lead designer of DSGN AGNC; and Ashley Gripper, founder of Land Based Jawns. This program was inspired by the “Resiliency Garden,” at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Stephanie Stanton at stantons@vcu.edu or visit https://icavcu.org/events/urban-farming-common-ground/.

Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Commons and The Underground invite VCU departments and groups to activate and host a booth at the Virtual Spring Student Org Fair with live chat, live video conferencing, uploads such as photos and links and the "I’m Interested" button. During the live fair, students can chat and Zoom live with organization representatives. Student participants can click the booth's dedicated "I’m Interested" button.  After the fair, booth hosts can access contact information for interested students and share additional information.  See details about activating a booth at the following URL.

For more information, contact Donte Sharpe at studentorgs@vcu.edu or visit http://thecommonsvcu.com/OrgFairInfoDepts.

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

The American Council on Exercise Group Exercise Instructor Prep Course interest meeting will be offered via Zoom. This course is designed to prepare students to lead group classes at VCU Recreational Sports. In order to apply for the ACE Group Exercise Prep Course, students must attend the interest meeting to review the course outline and expectations.

For more information, contact Hannah Kotarski at kotarskih@vcu.edu or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/fitness-and-wellness/group-exercise/.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The purpose of Safe Zone is to reduce anti-queerness, transphobia, biphobia and heterosexism at VCU, making the campus a safer and freer environment for all members of the community regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. Additional opportunities for virtual Safe Zones throughout the spring semester can be found at the following URL and searching "Safe Zone" in the search box.

For more information, contact Safe Zone at safezone@vcu.edu or (804) 828-6200 or visit http://training.vcu.edu.

VCU Recreational Sports personal trainers guide and support their clients through an exercise program customized to meet their needs and goals. One-on-one and Buddy training packages of three, six, 12 or 18 hour-long sessions are available. Each package comes with a free, 45-minute goal-setting session to discuss client needs and goals.

For more information, contact Jessica Norman at fitness@vcu.edu or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/fitness-and-wellness/personal-training/.

VCU Recreational Sports will offer the American Red Cross blended learning Basic Life Support and First Aid course. Single-day sessions will be held Feb. 9, Feb. 13, Feb. 27 and March 2.

For more information, contact Jenna Dillon at dillonj3@vcu.edu or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/certifications/arc-bls/.

VCU Health Promotion and Well-Being Center and Recreational Sports are being integrated into one department. The joining of these units provides opportunities to broaden their collective reach and deepen their collective impact as they move toward a more holistic approach to well-being for the VCU community. The two units will engage in a semester-long process to identify the best path forward to fully merge.

For more information, contact Derek Hottell at dlhottell@vcu.edu.

Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place, will feature a number of pop-ups in January. They include Starbucks coffee and doughnuts, Jan. 25, 9-11 a.m.; dietitian welcome back at AVO Kitchen, Jan. 26, 2-3 p.m.; National Chocolate Day, Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and chili cook-off Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Details, visit the following URL or follow @VCU_Dining on social media.

For more information, contact Lauren Hay at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

VCU's cross-campus shuttle will resume limited service for the spring semester on Jan. 25 and will operate 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday through May 14. To accommodate the reduced service hours, students and employees may contact RamSafe for cross-campus rides during the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., as cross-campus restrictions have been lifted.

For more information, contact VCU Parking and Transportation at parking@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7275 or visit http://go.vcu.edu/vcushuttle.

Applications for the 2021-22 student representatives to the VCU Board of Visitors are now available. The Board of Visitors consists of 16 appointed members who serve as the governing authority for the university and are responsible for long-term planning, policy approval and university budget. Two students, one undergraduate and one graduate/professional, serve as nonvoting representatives to the board. Apply at the following URL by Feb. 19.

For more information, contact Reuban Rodriguez, Ph.D., at vcudean@vcu.edu or visit https://students.vcu.edu/student-life-at-vcu/get-involved/student-leadership/bov-student-reps/.

Are you a woman ages 18 to 25? Would you like to participate in a research study aimed to accept your body? Involvement includes participation in a one-week online intervention that lasts 45 minutes total. Participants are asked to complete one-hour online surveys at three time points. Eligible participants will receive compensation in the form of Amazon gift cards.

For more information, contact Alexandria E Davies at daviesae@mymail.vcu.edu or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=DYARNEF8ND.