12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Anderson and VCUarts will present the 2021 MFA Thesis Exhibition, which will take place in two rounds: Round 1: April 9-April 23 and Round 2: April 30-May 15. The 2021 MFA Thesis Exhibition will feature 32 emerging artists and designers. Representing eight departments, research by the students pushes beyond traditional disciplines to shape what is next in visual and material culture.

For more information, contact Monica Kinsey at kinseym@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/community/news/2021-mfa-thesis-exhibition/.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VegClub at VCU will host a virtual screening of the short documentary, "73 Cows," which tells the story of the first UK farmer to trade beef farming for sustainable organic vegan farming. The screening will be followed by a group discussion. For more information and the Zoom link, visit the organization's Instagram page at the following URL.

For more information, contact Becca Gargiulo at gargiulorl@vcu.edu or visit https://www.instagram.com/vegclubatvcu/.

Saturday, Apr. 10, 2021 at 11 a.m.

Society of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Graduate Student Organization at VCU is holding the first annual BNFOthon, a bioinformatics hackathon to test hackers' skills and meet new hackers in the STEM field. The host organizations will hold workshops, game night and movie night with over $1,000 in prizes. Questions: bnfothon.vcu@gmail.com. Register for the hackathon at the following URL. Join the Hackathon Discord at https://discord.gg/QYvTxeSuec.

For more information, contact Jacob Essig at bnfothon.vcu@gmail.com or (804) 901-1706 or visit https://forms.gle/CyCyiQZ5G2R68ruR6.

Monday, Apr. 12, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

Paula Rodriguez Miguelez, Ph.D., assistant professor, Kinesiology and Health Sciences, will speak via Zoom at a Discovery Dialogues seminar hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pam Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArcOqvrjMpH9EoczSerHyqx1r8FiyMGgQw.

Monday, Apr. 12, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a workshop with tips from experienced faculty members on how to present research and creative arts accomplishments for VCU's tenure and promotion process. The session will also include brainstorming about how to successfully convey research successes. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/SiQ6BE82jnGNSjoK9.

Monday, Apr. 12, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

VCU's Honors College will host Alison Jones-Nassar, volunteer engagement manager at SOAR365, for a Berglund seminar. Jones-Nassar will discuss service, including how the action can transcend divisions, facilitate dialogue and shift power dynamics. She will also share more about the nonprofit organization SOAR365 and delve into why current partisan politics and the pandemic make service even more critical.

For more information, contact Jared Johnson at jajohnson4@vcu.edu.

Tuesday, Apr. 13, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Doctors Without Borders @VCU will co-sponsor a blood drive with the American Red Cross at the Pace Center, 700 W. Franklin St. Volunteers will be accepted the day of the blood drive. Questions: Email or Instagram at @friendsmsf_vcu. Sign up to donate at the following URL.

For more information, contact Doctors Without Borders at vcu.msfchapter@gmail.com or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/dwbsc/rsvp_boot?id=1075844.

Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Brian Palmer and Erin Hollaway Palmer have worked to uncover and reassemble East End Cemetery, an important segment of local Black history. In this session, they discuss their efforts, which include on-site restoration, documentation, community engagement, the collection of oral histories and more. Those who attend may join via Zoom. For questions, contact libdevelop@vcu.edu. Questions: Visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2020-2021/community-zooms.html or email libdevelop@vcu.edu. Visit the following URL to receive a Zoom link to join the session.

For more information, contact Gregory Kimbrell at kimbrellgg@vcu.edu or (804) 393-2951 or visit https://forms.gle/RDxaKxY4opJEk6iJ9.

Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021 at noon

Join VCU HR, VCUHS HR and Virginia Credit Union and learn how to reduce debt through specific examples and strategies. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/. Register in Talent@VCU at the following URL.

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

Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs will host the 14th Excellence in Virginia Government Awards. The free event celebrates Virginians who have made extraordinary contributions to the practice of government and the well-being of the state's communities and citizens. Congressman Bobby Scott will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and three VCU alumni are also being honored. Visit the following URL to register and for information about all seven honorees.

For more information, contact Katie Huynh at huynhkp@vcu.edu or (703) 269-8237 or visit https://wilder.vcu.edu/news-and-events/excellence-in-virginia-government/.

Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

How do you want to make your mark? Talk with Black staff and faculty members in the VCU community who aim to enhance your VCU experience and make it REAL. Make your legacy known so future generations at VCU will have a guide. This program will be hosted by University Academic Advising in Student Success. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Allison N. Norden at nordenan@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElduitrj0pE9LGuhWYW9j4UrVDVqNkhpek.

Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Martha Heeter will serve as moderator, Chris Ball will speak and a panel will include Nia Rodgers, Patty Conway and Amy Wentz in a session about how the discovery of information and the ability to evaluate its reliability is a fundamental civic tool. Richmond librarians, researchers, civic leaders and organizers will help understand the value of information and share practical tips on how data and evidence can be found and used. The event is part of a speaker series co-sponsored and organized by VCU's Center for Community Engagement and Impact. Register at the following URL. Questions: rvaengage.org/civicaction.

For more information, contact Katie Elliott at elliottkl@vcu.edu or visit https://planrva-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wx9FXlpmQRWMo_RRgIrjww.

Friday, Apr. 16, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honor Society will host a social activism panel featuring Richmond community leaders at its induction ceremony. Panelists will include Chelsea Higgs Wise, Omari Al-Qadaffi and Zenobia Bey, who will discuss personal experiences in social justice and community organizing. Questions: Email Alexandra Quezada at arquezada@vcu.edu. RSVP at the following URL for the password.

For more information, contact Alice Quach at quacham@mymail.vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/7x9vRWi9PCCMwX6UA.

Monday, Apr. 19, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon

The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a workshop to explore the imbalances of participation and include a conversation about how cultural assumptions might influence student interaction and their level of engagement. Participants will then explore strategies for a teaching redesign to encourage full participation and accessibility for all students. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/izU4NLvFfSPvSuxP9.

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021 from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Strengthen all the major muscle groups in a class which utilizes body weight with high repetitions. Participants will be guided through a series of exercises targeting the chest, back, arms, legs, glutes and core. No equipment is required, though a yoga mat is recommended. The class will be hosted by VCU Human Resources and VCU Recreational Sports. Questons: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/. Register in Talent@VCU at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/3m7AcSa.

Wednesday, Apr. 21, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A Clinical Research Skills Series (CReSS) workshop will be offered by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. A second session will be 9-10:30 a.m. April 27. The workshop is sponsored by the Translational Workforce Development Program and presented by Dana Ladd, Ph.D., Health and Wellness Librarian, VCU Health Libraries. Topics will include criteria for evaluating COVID-19 and vaccine information accuracy and reliable information sources for research participants. Register for the April 21 session at the following URL. Register for the April 27 session at https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17782.

For more information, contact Shirley Helm at shelm@vcu.edu or (804) 628-2942 or visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=17781.

Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the peer coaches from the Money Spot to learn about paying back student loan debt. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact the Money Spot at themoneyspot@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ezgWSbmlQAWp3xO3IsLquA.

Earlier in the year a system-wide outage affected the IT Career Community Listserv. As a result, the Listserv was repopulated with all IT Career Community members from an HR-provided list. Unfortunately, it appears as though manual subscribers to ITCC's Listserv may not have been repopulated. If you believe you have been affected, contact IT Career Community leadership at the following email address.

For more information, contact ITCC Leadership at itcareer@vcu.edu or visit https://wiki.vcu.edu/x/gBhoBQ.

Hear My Voice, an archive of stories from survivors of sexual violence, is now accepting submissions. Hear My Voice submissions will displayed as an empowerment exhibition during April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This exhibit will highlight strength and empowerment and provide a community of support. Submissions may take the form of a written reflection, poetry, painting, drawing, song, spoken reflection, video or audio file.

For more information, contact Hope Hack at hackh@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3jsvLBFJtDp-AfGi8lVe7gPDvzDXU1bdVF0zt9QgcQebO1Q/viewform?usp=sf_link.

A draft of the policy on University Recognition Through Naming is available for public comment by April 21. The draft policy can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/universitywide-policies/policies-open-for-public-comment/.

A draft of the policy for Endowed Faculty Chairs and Professorships is available for public comment by April 21. The draft policy can be found at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jason Block at blockj2@vcu.edu or visit https://policy.vcu.edu/universitywide-policies/policies-open-for-public-comment/.

On-site VCU day and overnight summer camps for non-enrolled minors are not permissible for summer 2021. Virtual programming may still be held. Updates about fall 2021 in-person youth programming will be available in June. The Safety and Protection of Minors Policy applies to all programs and activities that involve non-enrolled minors and are sponsored by the university or conducted by other organizations on VCU’s campus, including camps, clinics, workshops, conferences, shadowing and virtual.

For more information, contact Charles Johnson, Mary and Frances Youth Center, at youth@vcu.edu or visit https://community.vcu.edu/mfyc/youth-safety/.

VITAL is a research study testing a weight and wellness program specifically designed for people living with diabetes. If you are eligible to participate in this study, you will be asked to attend in-person data collection visits at three time points, participate in a 24-week program consisting of weekly virtual (Zoom) group meetings led by a trained coach at no cost to you and keep track of your weight, food and physical activity using a digital app.

For more information, contact Autumn Lanoye at optforhealth@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-2250 or visit https://www.vcuvitaltrial.com/.