Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual university-wide Holiday Open House hosted by President Michael and Mrs. Monica Rao is an opportunity for the university community to come together and celebrate the holidays prior to winter closing. It is an informal gathering, in the Commonwealth Ballroom, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., with food and drink provided. RSVP by Nov. 24 at the following URL.

For more information, contact Casey Petrizzi at perkinsc3@vcu.edu or visit https://forms.gle/XKaH2UAWrjTeM1D78.

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the Department of Biostatistics will present a lunch research seminar with Roy Sabo, Ph.D., associate professor of Biostatistics, who will provide a general and accessible description of the most frequently used adaptive designs for Phase I, II and III trials. In particular, strategies for adaptive allocation, early termination, dose-finding and seamless trials will be discussed. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArcO6uqDgoHdfgEqZCbiJrPP6LWVyMpUnX?_x_zm_rtaid=swc4EMCuSVSeC_8uuv06ew.1634735952106.acf7033a82880aad5f673449f76feed9&_x_zm_rhtaid=854.

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

What's the difference between a group and a team? The Human Relations office of VCU's Learning, Development and Organizational Culture will offer a virtual course to help design effective teams and diagnose issues of context, team process and structure. Register in Talent@VCU or at the following URL. The course closes five days in advance of the session date to allow time to view a preparatory video.

For more information, contact Penny McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/event/2b8b16f4-2553-44f0-ac93-70dd50d3b12b.

Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

How are you doing amid the many ongoing racial and social upheavals? Do you wonder how those with different identities are affected? Share your lived experiences and bear witness to what others have to share in open dialogue in Room 250, James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Engage with students, faculty and staff in a special RAMmalogues session about social unrest. RAMmalogues, led by a trained facilitator, is a space for intercultural, multigenerational and community-wide conversations around who we are and what matters to us. All students, faculty and staff are invited, but registration is limited to 25, so reserve your spot now.

For more information, contact Jan Altman, Ph.D., at iexcel@vcu.edu or visit http://inclusive.vcu.edu/rammalogues.

VCU Police encourages everyone to lock the doors and windows of residences and offices and to take all keys during the Thanksgiving break. Valuables should be stored in a locked drawer or closet or taken home. Drivers leaving a car on campus should park in a well-lighted area, remove valuables and lock the doors; drivers staying in Richmond should park closer to residences and work sites. Cyclists should store bikes legally with a U-lock. More holiday safety tips are available at the following URL.

For more information, contact VCU Police Crime Prevention Team at crimeprevreq@vcu.edu or visit https://police.vcu.edu/stay-safe/holiday-safety/.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research has announced a new funding program aimed at helping researchers recruit study participants in rural areas. The Rural Pilots Voucher Program offers VCU researchers and investigators at partner institutions the opportunity to apply for a voucher to offset costs related to innovative digital health methods for participant engagement and recruitment in hard-to-reach patient populations. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

For more information, contact Lauren D. Harris at ruralpilots@vcu.edu or visit https://cctr.vcu.edu/support/funding/rural-pilots-voucher-program/.

Interested in joining the Enrichmond Foundation in restoring the Historic East End and Evergreen cemeteries for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 17 from 8:30 a.m.-noon? Sign up now with The Commons at the following URL to reserve a spot.

For more information, contact Nico Orsini at orsinin@vcu.edu or visit https://cglink.me/2dV/r1383447.

The next cohort of the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Certificate Program begins Jan. 31 and continues through April 25. Each of the five courses consists of four weekly modules, including participation in online discussions and activities with the cohort. Participants attend two core courses at once for the first two months; then finish with a specialization course March 28 to April 25. Applications are coming soon and due in mid-January. Enrollment is limited. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Jan Altman, Ph.D., IExcel Education executive director, at iexcel@vcu.edu or visit https://iexcel.vcu.edu/faculty-and-staff/.

VCU's December Commencement exercises will take place at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Faculty members who plan to participate in VCU’s universitywide commencement can register by filling out the form at the following URL.

For more information, contact University Events at UNIVevents@vcu.edu or visit https://go.vcu.edu/decfaculty2021.