Special Announcement
RamSafe Has Moved to the Ride Pingo App
The mobile app for RamSafe (https://parking.vcu.edu/transportation/ramsafe/), VCU's safe ride program, has transitioned to Ride Pingo (https://www.ridepingo.com/). Students and employees interested in scheduling a ride through RamSafe should place their requests using the Ride Pingo mobile app, available for download in Google Play, Apple app stores and on VCU Mobile. Detailed instructions for using the new Ride Pingo app can be found at go.vcu.edu/ramsafe.
This week
VCU Writing Center Workshop: Writing With Confidence
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Learn to break writing into manageable chunks and how to avoid procrastination. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.
For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
HSL Spring Semester Welcome and Information Table
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
All new and returning students, faculty and staff are invited to visit the information table at the Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St., to learn about library resources, including the Spring 2023 Health Sciences Webinar Series and research support services. Tours will be available upon request.
For more information, contact Emily Hurst at ejhurst@vcu.edu or (804) 828-0626 or visit http://go.vcu.edu/hsl.
Elections 2022 and Beyond
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 at noon
Join the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs for a Lunch and Learn Zoom presentation featuring Robert "Bob" Holsworth, Ph.D., managing partner at DecideSmart, political scientist and founding director of the Center for Public Policy and the Wilder School. Robyn McDougle, Ph.D., associate dean of Research and Outreach, will serve as the session moderator and Dean Susan Gooden, Ph.D., will provide opening remarks. Questions: email Stevan Dozier: doziers2@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact David Slipher at slipherd@vcu.edu or (480) 686-6606 or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mT-0HGU5Q6GBHgut3LY7Bg.
Positioning Yourself to Compete for External Research Funding
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.
Patricia Kinser, Ph.D., professor, Family and Community Health Nursing, will discuss strategies for developing competitive research agendas at an online grant-writing session hosted by VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu Register for the Zoom link 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/tZYtdeCppzMpEt2JWaL8nTLo4Tg-RBbxRwvq.
VCU Writing Center To Present Personal Statement Workshop
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Learn how to use the tools you need to write your best statement. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/calendar/.
Opening Reception for Exhibitions at The Anderson
Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
VCUarts and The Anderson. 907 1/2 W. Franklin St., will present The CommArts Show, an exhibition of artworks by students in the Communication Arts Department, and "Cellular Compassion," a solo exhibition of artworks by Rosalind Koons (Sculpture and Extended Media Studies and Art History BFA 2023). Both exhibitions will be on view until Saturday, Feb. 4.
For more information, contact Monica Kinsey at kinseym@vcu.edu or visit https://arts.vcu.edu/community/the-anderson/.
Coming up
CHRI Quarterly Conference
Monday, Jan. 23, 2023 from noon to 1:15 p.m.
Nina Exner of VCU Libraries will be featured at a quarterly research conference of the Child Health Research Institute. The session will be held in person (Children's Hospital of Richmond, Room 5-086, 1001 E. Marshall St.) and via Zoom. Discussions will include NIH data management and research presentations from Melissa Hale. MSN/ED, on "Translational Approaches for the Treatment of Genetic Muscular Dystrophies" and Amanda Dickinson, M.D., and and Larisa Litovchick, M.D., Ph.D., on "DYRK1A Regulators in Development and Disease." Lunch will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Zoom meeting ID is 984 5706 7595. The passcode: 956979.
For more information, contact Emma Burge at emma.burge@vcuhealth.org.
VCU Seasonal and Part-Time Job Fair
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
VCU Career Services will host a job fair for students featuring seasonal and part-time employment opportunities, including local and summer openings. Not sure if you’re ready for a job? Come chat and network with local employers to learn more about the skills they are looking for in an employee. Students are encouraged to bring a copy of their class schedule and a résumé. The event will be in the Richmond Salons, second floor, University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Aimee Selleck at selleckap@vcu.edu or visit https://app.joinhandshake.com/stu/career_fairs/33772.
Blood Drive With VCU Transform
Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join VCU Transform for an American Red Cross Blood Drive in Room 1030J, West Grace Street Student Housing – North, 830 W. Grace St. January is National Blood Donor Month. The Red Cross observes this as a time to celebrate volunteer donors and encourage others to participate. Register to donate at the following URL.
For more information, contact Kaylynn Hill at hillk8@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1216.
Study Abroad Showcase
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VCU's Global Education Office will host its spring Study Abroad Showcase in Rodney's Lounge on the first floor of Shafer Court Dining Center, 810 Cathedral Place. Students will have the opportunity to meet representatives from some of the Global Education Office's partners and affiliate providers as well as VCU faculty leading short-term trips overseas this summer.
For more information, contact Alex Levy at levya@vcu.edu or (804) 828-5794.
Volunteer With the HSCC: Manchester YMCA Community Food Distribution
Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Health Sciences Career Community is seeking volunteers to help support the community through the YMCA Community Food Distribution. This is an opportunity to build connections with other members in the health sciences. Register at the following URL; slots are limited.
For more information, contact Ashli Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://forms.office.com/r/5CjMqc9nfr.
Notices
Rights of Students Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA affords students the rights to inspect and review educational records; request that records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading be corrected; provide written consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent; and to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.
For more information, contact VCU Office of Records and Registration at rar@vcu.edu or visit https://rar.vcu.edu/records/family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act/.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act: FTC Safeguards Rule
The Office of Records and Registration is responsible for notifying the university community that it does not release nonpublic information about VCU students. This information is used and shared in a limited and carefully controlled manner. It is not disclosed, except as permitted by law, unless authorized by the student.
For more information, contact The Office of Records and Registration at rar@vcu.edu or visit https://rar.vcu.edu/media/rar/forms/FTCSafefuardRule20-21.pdf.
Recreation and Well-Being Women+ on Weights - Session 1
RecWell offers Women+ on Weights, a biweekly small group program open to women and non-binary/gender-nonconforming individuals. This six-week course is designed to teach participants the foundational methods of resistance training and workout design. RecWell personal trainers will utilize strength machines, resistance bands, cable stacks and free weights to build participants’ skill and knowledge of proper technique and progressions. Session 1 runs Monday, Jan. 23 to Wednesday, March 1. Register by Jan. 23 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Tanika Santos MacSwain at santosmacst@vcu.edu or visit https://recwell.vcu.edu/thrive/small-group-training/.
VCUDine Special Events
VCUDine will host special events this month. Chili’s basketball watch party (today, Jan. 20, 7 p.m.) with drawings and giveaways and Ram City Market Grand Opening (Wednesday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.) featuring giveaways, contests and samplings. Plus, sign up or upgrade a spring dining plan between now and Thursday, Feb. 3 to be entered to win three extra swipes. For more events and pop-ups, follow @VCU_Dining on Instagram.
For more information, contact Lauren Hay at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.
2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Now Open
The 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. This FAFSA will consider applicants for financial aid opportunities for fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024. The priority deadline is Feb. 1. Visit www.studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete the application.
For more information, contact Student Financial Management Center at sfmc@vcu.edu or visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Empower a Healthier You
Do you feel as if events keep getting in the way of your goals for a healthier lifestyle? You’re not alone. Many young women find it challenging to be active and maintain a balanced diet. If you’re interested in support for meeting your goals for weight loss and healthy living, check out Ready SET Health — a free program designed especially for young women by researchers at the VCU School of Medicine.
For more information, contact Morgan Meyer at morgan.meyer@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-2250 or visit http://www.readysethealthvcu.com.
Start the Semester With a Quick Library Tour
Start the semester with a 30-minute tour of James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Tours will be: today, Jan. 18, noon; Thursday, Jan. 19, noon and 2 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 20, 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 22, 2 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 23, 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 25, 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 26, 3 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 8, noon. Some tours are primarily intended for first-generation or ELP students, but all are welcome.
For more information, contact Mikayla Braswell at braswellm2@vcu.edu or visit https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/events/2022-2023-ongoing/library-tours.html.
Call for Nominations: Burnside Watstein LGBTQIA Award
Equality VCU and the Queer Research and Advocacy Center are requesting nominations for the 2023 Burnside Watstein LGBTQIA Award. The award honors faculty, staff, students and community members whose work has made a difference for the LGBTQIA+ community at VCU or in the broader Richmond community. All members of the VCU community are invited to nominate individuals they feel are deserving of the award. Nominations should be submitted no later than Feb. 26 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Dae Newman at newmanad@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1371 or visit https://forms.gle/HsgUw9PK44Zd3WFA9.
Smoking Reduction Study for African American Menthol Smokers
Adults who smoke menthol cigarettes and identify as Black/African American are invited to participate in a study that involves electronic cigarette use for six weeks to reduce their smoking. Participants must be willing to visit the study site, receive phone calls and respond to texts and surveys. Compensation is provided. Principal investigators are Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., Health Behavior and Policy, and Caroline Cobb, Ph.D., Psychology.
For more information, contact Caroline Cobb at cobbco@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1867 or visit http://bit.ly/rvaflavors.
Enrolling Now for TEENS, a Virtual Weight-Management Research Program for 12-16 Year Olds
Are you concerned about your teen’s weight? We can help. TEENS is a research program that includes a four-month family-based lifestyle intervention - all conducted virtually - for teens ages 12 to 16 with overweight or obesity. The program is offered by Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. It includes weekly, virtual group classes for teens and parents that cover topics such as healthy eating, physical activity and goal-setting. Teens also participate in live exercise sessions conducted online by personal trainers.
For more information, contact Sarah Farthing at teens@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-8336 or visit http://www.chrichmond.org/TEENS.
Are You Stressed? Participate in a Stress-Reduction Study
The VCU Wellbeing Lab invites you to participate in a research study on two stress-reduction programs for undergraduate students. VCU investigators seek to understand how two online stress reduction programs affect students’ mood and stress-related behavior. Compensation is available. Register at the following URL before Wednesday, Feb. 1.
For more information, contact Polina Beloborodova at vcu.stress.reduction@gmail.com or (804) 215-6196 or visit https://beloborodp.wixsite.com/stressreduction.
Research Study: Body Image, Eating and Wellness Among South Asian Women (Part 2)
Are you a South Asian woman between the ages of 18 and 30? If so, you are invited to participate in a research study at VCU. Researchers in VCU’s Department of Psychology are interested in learning more about eating and wellness in the South Asian community. Participation is easy. Involvement includes completing a series of online health questionnaires. Compensation is available.
For more information, contact Neha Goel at eatingandwellnessvcu@gmail.com or (602) 578-8777 or visit https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=DXLDLMCRXC3RWY4E.
