Monday, May 17, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Come learn to be an advocate and ally for people struggling with substance use disorders and people in recovery. This event will be hosted by Rams in Recovery. Questions: http://recovery.vcu.edu/. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Emily Tompkins at tompkinsee@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/a/vcu.edu/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfISpY2Iqmvq_nbttV2YmWSF5cKFHyxSxY5yGrIxiSNXfMh5Q/viewform.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Move through a variety of yoga poses in a balanced and systematic way, connecting breath with movement. The goal of this class is to improve body awareness, mental focus, muscular tension, range of motion at the joints and an overall sensation of a more balanced life. This session is brought to you by VCU Human Resources and VCU Recreational Sports. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/. Register in Talent@VCU or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/3gGEy1S.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at noon

James Thomas, PT, Ph.D., principal investigator on a study of chronic lower back pain, will showcase his research and the associated technological dependencies at a session hosted by VCU's IT Career Community Research Support SIG. Register in Talent@VCU at the following URL.

For more information, contact Hannah Steighner at itcareer@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/itcc-events.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This two-hour workshop hosted by VCU Human Resources will explore unconscious bias – social stereotypes about groups of people that form outside of our own conscious awareness. Participants will examine the origins of unconscious bias, its impact on individuals, organizations and societies and introductory tactics to combat unconscious bias and stereotypes. This interactive, virtual, instructor-led session will be available on Zoom. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Shana Ryman at sryman@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/samldefault.aspx?returnUrl=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlodetails%2526lo%253d2c820efa-f877-490a-95bf-9f4d16dae890.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

VCU Human Resources' Learning, Development and Organizational Culture will offer a two-part virtual course on Effective Groups and Teams. Part One will be held 9:30-11 a.m. on May 25. Part Two will be 2:30-4 p.m. on June 1. Attend both parts to receive credit for the course. Register in Talent@VCU at the following URL.

For more information, contact Penny McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/samldefault.aspx?returnUrl=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlodetails%2526lo%253d3ed3d813-d006-43ab-8a6c-4859b471964c.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

Join VCU's IT Career Community for the inside details about records management and compliance at the university. System storage may be nearly zero cost and an unlimited capacity, but keeping data indefinitely is not allowed in most cases. In this session, Barry Lanneau will discuss compliance requirements, best practices and VCU resources for IT system owners. Click on https://go.vcu.edu/itcc-events-remote for the Zoom link. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Warren Mays at itcareer@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/itcc-events.

Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium in the VCU School of Education is accepting proposals for its 18th annual conference. The theme of the event will be "The Promise of Public Education: Connecting Research, Policy and Practice in a New Era." Each year the MERC Conference brings together hundreds of local stakeholders to discuss research and ideas for addressing immediate and enduring issues in public PK12 education. Submit a proposal at the following URL.

For more information, contact David Naff at naffdb@vcu.edu or visit https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/conference/.

Beginning May 17, all students, faculty and staff will collaborate together in one Google Workspace domain. Students involved have been directly notified of action needed.

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

The VCU Peppas Pep Band is seeking new members for the 2021-2022 season. All instruments and ability levels are encouraged to join and membership is free to all. Practice is held once a week and the band performs at most VCU athletic events.

For more information, contact Duane Coston at costonpd@vcu.edu or (804) 240-7974 or visit https://tinyurl.com/thepeppas.

VCU Human Resources presents "Retiring With the VCU Optional Retirement Plan." These sessions are open to VCU faculty and VCU University and Academic Professionals, not VCU Health System employees. Register at the following URL. Questions: Email benefits@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Alexis Hobbs at hobbsad@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/c9921b6a-d526-48c3-ac2f-b5a913a231f0.

Human Resources presents "How to Retire With the Virginia Retirement System" for VCU employees. These sessions are open to VCU employees only, not VCU Health System employees. View upcoming sessions at the following URL. For more information, contact VCU Benefits at benefits@vcu.edu.

For more information, contact Alexis Hobbs at hobbsad@vcu.wedu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/cf698494-7201-467a-8b5b-c8739911e503.

With the help of the Faculty Senate and the Office of the Provost, a Faculty Technology Advisory Committee has been established to ensure faculty involvement in major technology decisions. Chaired by Valerie Robnolt, Ph.D., the committee recently helped inform multiple aspects of the transition from Blackboard to Canvas and is now beginning to discuss hyflex instruction and its implications for classroom/instructional technologies.

For more information, contact Jana Avery at jcavery@vcu.edu or visit https://ftac.vcu.edu.

The Asian and Pacific American Medical Student Association at VCU is sponsoring a fundraising effort for the Asian-American Society of Central Virginia until May 21. Proceeds will go to the society's efforts in spreading and promoting the group's interests. Those who donate can enter a raffle for one of five $100 gift cards for Wheel Simple Bike Repair Shop. The association requests that donations be a minimum of $5 to enter with each increment of $5 as an additional entry. Donations are accepted until May 21. Venmo @Alan-Ventura donations with note "AASoCV" and "raffle" for those who wish to enter the raffle.

For more information, contact Alan Ventura at venturaam@vcu.edu.

Medicine With Pride at VCU is raising money for Diversity in Recovery, a group which creates safe spaces for LGBTQ+ folk and allies and promotes recovery from substance abuse and trauma. Those who donate can enter a raffle to win one of five $100 gift cards for Wheel Simple Bicycle Repair Shop. The group requests that donations be a minimum of $5 to enter with each increment of $5 as an additional entry. Donations will be accepted until May 21. Venmo donations to @Amy-Coffin and note "MedPride" and "raffle" to enter.

For more information, contact Alan Ventura at venturaam@vcu.edu.

You are invited to participate in a research study aimed at examining what behaviors are considered to be effective in the workplace. This study consists of an online survey, which will last approximately 30 minutes. You must be a current VCU staff member to participate (compensation is available for participating). Complete the survey at the following URL.

For more information, contact Sven Kepes, Ph.D., at skepes@vcu.edu or visit https://vcubusiness.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GqyGBzXF6Vz9OZ.

The Queerantine Archive Project will explore LGBTQIA2+ community life during COVID-19. The project will be funded by VCU's Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL) Challenge Grant. The inaugural cohort of student researchers will gain training in feminist research methods and engage in academic and professional work in their areas of interest (graphic design, website construction, interviewing and more).

For more information, contact B. Ethan Coston at bmcoston@vcu.edu or visit http://bit.ly/QueerArchive.