Student Issue for February 2, 2021
Special Announcement
University Events Impacted Due to COVID-19
Events featured in TelegRAM have been moved to an online setting to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Please check with organizers for assistance in accessing the online venue. Information about the university's One VCU: Responsible Together plan for a phased return to campus is available at https://together.vcu.edu. It is the source for the latest VCU updates. You can also receive VCU Together 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.
Today
VCU da Vinci Center MPI Informational Session
5:30 p.m.
VCU's da Vinci Center will host an informational session about its cross-disciplinary graduate program, the master of product innovation. The presentation will cover general information about the program and a Q&A with an MPI graduate. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Lloyd Young at youngel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/mpi-feb.
OPT and CPT Informational Session for International Students
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
VCU College of Engineering Career Services and the Global Education Office will present an online informational session about OPT and CPT temporary work authorizations. The work authorization process for interning in the United States during school or for working after graduation will be explained. All VCU International students are welcome. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Laura Lemza at lemzala@vcu.edu or (804) 827-7411 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItf--hpjopEt0QqHOWgzRBZz-qrCwz-jw2.
Red Cross Blood Drive Sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity and the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St.
For more information, contact Logan Martin at martinle6@vcu.edu or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.
Workshop: Understanding Your Writing Process
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The VCU Writing Center will present an online workshop via Zoom. The intent of the event is to demystify the writing process by breaking it into manageable chunks, including brainstorming and how 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/.
Lunch and Learn: The Jezebel Syndrome - Hypersexualization of Black Women
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The Black History Month committee will host a program to explore the societal and personal impacts of the Jezebel Syndrome and hypersexualization of Black women. This program, part of a series about misperceptions of Black women, will also focus on dismantling myths and building a common cultural knowledge. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Tameika McCoy at myoptions@vcu.edu or visit http://thecommonsvcu.com/Jezebel-Lunch.
Managing Time and Energy as a College Student in a Pandemic
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn tips to help prioritize and feel more in control of your time and energy. Hear from Focused Inquiry Learning Lounge Peer Mentors on approaches to scheduling their time.
For more information, contact Hannah Franz at askinh@vcu.edu or visit https://focusedinquiry.vcu.edu/the-fi-learning-lounge-fill/.
This week
VCU to Conduct Test of Emergency Communications
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at noon
VCU will conduct a full test of its emergency communications and alerting systems, including sirens throughout the Monroe Park and MCV campuses. The full test will include the sirens along with text messages, Alertus boxes, mass email, digital signs, desktop alerts, LiveSafe, VCU Mobile, social media and VCU website information — all part of a multichannel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community. VCU Police will send out a text message to let the community know that all testing has concluded.
For more information, contact VCU Emergency Management Staff at vcualert@vcu.edu.
Online Open House for Wilder School Graduate Programs
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at 1 p.m.
VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs will hold a graduate programs online open house via Zoom. An overview of the school's graduate programs, benefits and application procedures will be presented. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Ross Losapio at losapior@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/FebWSGrad.
Biomedical Engineering Seminar
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.
VCU's Department of Biomedical Engineering will present Nicholas Giudice, Ph.D., professor at the University of Maine. Giudice will present a seminar titled "The Role of Multimodal, Bio-Inspired Technology Solutions in Blindness Research and Visual Rehabilitation of the Future." The faculty host will be Dianne Pawluk, Ph.D. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact René Olivares-Navarrete, Ph.D. at ronavarrete@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q9noY_jFTH-EkE4ttxGLKQ.
English Language Program To Host Virtual Open House
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
VCU English Language Program's virtual open house will give an overview of program courses and how they provide an opportunity for those who speak English as a second language to improve their skills and confidence. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Rachel Aziz at rcwiltshire@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2551 or visit https://global.vcu.edu/elp/.
VCU's da Vinci Center Informational Session on Design Sprints
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Join da Vinci Center's faculty and staff to learn about Design Sprints. A design sprint uses design thinking and innovation techniques to solve complex problems throughout co-creation, rapid prototyping and qualitative testing. Design Sprints are multi-week opportunities to engage in workshops and learning opportunities that take early stage ideas and ideate, test and prototype alongside community mentors and subject matter experts. Register by Feb. 9 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Lloyd Young at younel3@vcu.edu or visit https://connect.business.vcu.edu/register/sprint-info.
Plan It: Creating Success in Your Asynchronous Classes
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Join a workshop with the directors of the Campus Learning Center and Writing Center to make a plan and reach your goals for this semester. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Michal Coffey at mzcoffey@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/asynchro4.
20th Annual Black History Lecture
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Historian Marcia Chatelain, Ph.D., will discuss her book "Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America" (Liveright, 2020). The talk will be followed by a Q&A. The event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/black-history-lecture-2021.html.
Jan Brown: The Future of the Recovery Movement
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rams in Recovery will host a community conversation with Jan Brown. Details: email recovery@vcu.edu. Click on the following URL for the Zoom link.
For more information, contact Emily Tompkins at tompkinsee@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/3ofT5SB.
Dollar$ and Sen$e: Talking Taxes
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 from noon to 12:45 p.m.
Join the Office of Student Experience as Dana Hatton of Virginia Asset Management discusses the basics of taxes, how to interpret them and what to do to benefit more from them. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Office of Student Experience at studentexp@vcu.edu or visit https://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/vphs/OSEReg/Form.aspx?EventTypeID=2.
Recreational Sports Weekly Virtual Trivia
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 at 5 p.m.
VCU Recreational Sports offers free virtual trivia for individuals or teams. Themed trivia and general trivia contests will be alternated. Games typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of individuals and/or teams participating.
For more information, contact Michael Potter at potterm2@vcu.edu or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/about/virtual-programs/virtual-trivia/.
Bench to Community Seminar, Part Four
Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
The fourth session of the Bench to Community seminar series will focus on funding. The discussion will include the importance of business models, early validation and building traction. Entrepreneurs who have done it, investors who are looking for it and resource providers who can offer assistance are scheduled to participate. The event will be hosted by the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, VCU Institute for Engineering and Medicine and the Office of the Vice President for Research Innovation. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Emily Komornik at komornikea@vcu.edu or visit https://iem.vcu.edu/events/bench-to-community/feb-5-21/.
Coming up
Cancers Below the Belt: The Wright Center Health Equity Series
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 from 10 a.m. to noon
Join speakers and panelists for presentations, discussion and a call to action on prostate and colorectal cancer disparities in minority communities. Featured will be Luisel Ricks-Santi, Ph.D., director of the Hampton University Cancer Research Center; Terrance Afer-Anderson, writer-producer-director of “The Black Walnut” and Renee Malone, program director at Hitting Cancer Below the Belt. The session will be hosted by Debbie Cadet, Ph.D., MSW, program manager for community health education and research at Massey Cancer Center, and is part of the Wright Center's Health Equity Series. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Lauren Harris at cctrhlthdis@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/health-equity/.
'Becoming an Antiracist Educator: Higher Education Series'
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Registration is extended through Feb. 5 for the series, hosted by VCU's School of Education. Participants will develop skills to dismantle systems that perpetuate racial inequities. Register today and begin with the Feb. 10 session. A recording of the kickoff session will be provided to registered participants. For more information email soeose@vcu.edu or register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Joshua Cole at colejp@vcu.edu or visit https://ose.soe.vcu.edu/professional-learning/becoming-an-antiracist-educator-series/.
Notices
New This Semester: Stricter Enforcement of Face-Covering Rules at VCU Libraries
Expect stricter enforcement of VCU’s requirement to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth at all times in library buildings. Non-complying users who refuse to provide their VCU ID when asked will be required to leave the building immediately. Continued noncompliance may result in the suspension of access to library buildings and disciplinary action in accordance with university policy.
For more information, contact Sue Robinson at srobinson26@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/news/2021-news/spring-update.html.
Jan Chlebowski Memorial Research Award
The late Jan F. Chlebowski, Ph.D., was the founding faculty advisor for Women in Science at VCU and an advocate for the advancement of women in STEM. In his memory, Women in Science at VCU offers a research award to all eligible WIS members. Women in Science at VCU will be offering two research awards: one $300 award and one $200 award. This award should be used to attend and present at a conference in 2021. Questions, https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcu.wis; https://www.instagram.com/vcu.wis/; https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12248757/; https://twitter.com/science_women.
For more information, contact Women In Science at vcu.wis@gmail.com.
Recreational Sports' Early Spring Intramural Leagues and Three-Point Contest
Registration is open for Intramural Sports' Three-Point Contest (closes Feb. 4), as well as Soccer Tennis (closes Feb. 7), Table Tennis (closes Feb. 14) and Kickball Leagues (closes Feb. 14). Games begin in mid-February.
For more information, contact Will Adams at intramurals@vcu.edu or visit https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/intramural-sports/league-dates/.
Suit Yourself Professional Closet Drive
In collaboration with VCU Career Services, Women in Science at VCU will be putting out collection boxes in Sanger Hall, 1101 E. Marshall St.; the Molecular Medicine Research Building, 1220 E. Broad St.; Jonah L. Larrick Student Center, 900 Turpin St.; and Robert Blackwell Smith (Pharmacy) Building, 410 N. 12th St. Boxes will be placed in the lobbies of these buildings through Feb. 15. Suggested donations include professional attire, professional shoes and professional accessories.
For more information, contact Women In Science at vcu.wis@gmail.com or visit https://careers.vcu.edu/resources/suit-yourself/.
Free Digital Lifestyle Program
The ACTIVATE study is testing a new self-guided program to understand what works best for young men ages 18 to 35 when it comes to losing weight. This study is being conducted in the Department of Health Behavior and Policy at VCU.
For more information, contact Jean Reading at readingj2@vcu.edu or (804) 827-2250 or visit http://activateyoungmen.com.
Healthy Lifestyle Program for Young Men
ACTIVATE is testing a new self-guided program to understand what works best for young men ages 18-35 when it comes to losing weight. This study is being conducted in the Department of Health Behavior and Policy at VCU. Check eligibility at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jean Reading at optforhealth@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-2250 or visit http://activateyoungmen.com.
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.
RamsConnect events
View all of the student events happening on campus and register for events that interest you.