Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

In 1994, human remains were discovered during the construction of the Kontos building. Analysis by VCU and Smithsonian researchers indicated that the skeletal remains were predominantly of individuals of African descent dating to before the 1860s. In 2011, VCU began a public process to gain community input and worked collaboratively to form the Family Representative Council. The council has represented the descendant community since 2015 and made recommendations about research, memorialization and interment. The update will include the university's progress on the project and plan for the biological analysis of the remains. Input will be welcome on research and the next steps in the process. Click on the Zoom link at the following URL to join the session.

For more information, contact Kevin W. Allison, Ph.D., at kallison@vcu.edu or (804) 827-0027 or visit https://zoom.us/j/93877426775.

VCU's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host a #28DaysOfBlackCosplay: Cosplay Competition on Feb. 25. The competition is open to all currently enrolled students, who will have the opportunity to celebrate their favorite fandom while honoring diversity in the cosplay community. The competition will be judged at the novice level, so beginner cosplayers are invited. Rules and an entry form are available at the following URL.

For more information, contact Ash Taylor-Beierl at tayloram8@vcu.edu or visit https://linktr.ee/vcuomsa.

Submit your MLK event at the following URL to be included on the 2022 VCU MLK Celebration website. The theme for the 2022 VCU MLK celebration is: “Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the existence of justice for all people.” Submitted events will be posted on mlkday.vcu.edu and shared with the VCU and Richmond communities.

For more information, contact Archana Pathak, Ph.D., at aapathak@vcu.edu or visit https://bit.ly/3GxreH4.

VCU Police encourages everyone to lock the doors and windows of residences and offices and to take all keys during winter break. Valuables and electronics should be locked away or taken home. Drivers leaving a car on campus should park in a well-lighted area, remove valuables and lock it; drivers should never leave running vehicles unattended. 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 Installment Payment Plan allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees and room and dining plans into four installment payments throughout the semester. The spring enrollment period is open through Feb. 24. Enroll at the following URL.

For more information, contact Student Financial Management Center at sfmc@vcu.edu or visit https://sfs.vcu.edu/billing-and-payments/installment-plan/.

VCU Continuing and Professional Education offers learning options for the VCU community and members of the public. Choose from bookkeeping, computer skills, cultural competency and languages, customer service, digital marketing, digital reporting, event planning, Excel, Google Analytics, managing remote workers, paralegal, play therapy, podcasting, social media, supervisory and leadership and test prep for the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, ACT SAT, MCAT, PCAT and DAT and WordPress.

For more information, contact VCU Continuing and Professional Education at ocpe@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322 or visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/.