Special Announcement
Ends Today: Faculty and Staff Open Enrollment for Health Coverage and Flexible Spending
Today, Wednesday, May 15, is the last day for eligible university faculty and staff to make health coverage changes and/or enroll in flexible spending for the plan year that begins July 1. Elections made be made online or by using an enrollment form. Enrollment forms must be received by VCU Human Resources no later than 5 p.m. today or postmarked by today if sent by mail. See information and instructions at https://hr.vcu.edu/open-enrollment. Questions? Request HR Support from https://go.vcu.edu/hrsupport or contact openenroll@vcu.edu.
Coming up
EmpowerED Spaces: A Youth Healing and Education Series
Monday, May 20, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Qasarah Bey Spencer, Ed.D., will discuss imagining youth futures. EmpowerED Spaces: A Youth Healing and Education Series aims to empower educators and youth development professionals in creating spaces where youth can engage in transformative learning experiences while also addressing and supporting emotional well-being. The session will be at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St. Register at the following email address. A Zoom option will be available.
For more information, contact Vaughn Garland at garlandvw@vcu.edu or visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9yRE4QBnSJJmQ03RcuZVFppuPAhxb1PJOSmEBwfnY5C6Wjg/viewform.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Academic Medicine: Experiences and Challenges
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from noon to 1 p.m.
In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the School of Medicine's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a presentation via Zoom by Associate Professor Lindsay E. Y. Kuo, M.D., MBA, FACS, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Kuo will delve into the unique journey of AAPI individuals within the medical profession. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Ashli Renee Phillips at ashli.phillips@vcuhealth.org or visit https://vcuhealth.libcal.com/event/12382235.
Learn More About Studying Abroad in Australia
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Staff from Curtin University will be visiting VCU and will host an informational session on the fourth floor of the Global Education Office, 912 W. Grace St. Located in the coastal town of Perth in western Australia, Curtin is an affordable semester study abroad option for many majors. Questions: Email abroad@vcu.edu.
For more information, contact Kelly Richard at richardkj@vcu.edu or (919) 816-5318.
Virtual Guided Meditation
Thursday, May 23, 2024 from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Take a break from the noise to find a quiet reflection in the middle of your day with guided meditation. This meditation, brought to you by VCU HR and RecWell, is suitable for all levels of practice. Register in Talent@VCU or at: https://bit.ly/4bdWlXq
For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or visit https://ramstrong.vcu.edu/events/upcoming-events-for-employees/.
Director's Distinguished Visiting Scholars Seminar Series: 'Symptom Science and Cancer Survivors'
Friday, Jun. 7, 2024 at 4 p.m.
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center will host Patricia A. Ganz, M.D., a National Academy of Medicine member and national expert in quality-of-life outcomes and cancer survivorship at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 S. Broad St. As part of the Director's Distinguished Visiting Scholars Seminar Series, national visionaries in the field of science are invited to speak on the latest scientific advances influencing new approaches in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivor. Register at the following URL.
For more information, contact Courtney Rose at rosec2@vcu.edu or visit https://web.cvent.com/event/F7340398-AC1A-46B9-A5EC-ED4FC35BE341/summary.
Notices
RamPages 2024 Spring Cleaning
VCU Online is working to improve RamPages by cleaning up websites that are no longer needed. If you are a VCU faculty or staff member and would like to keep your RamPages website active, email siteupdates@rampages.us by Friday, May 17 to prevent permanent site deletion. Your email should include your full name, VCU email address and website URL(s).
For more information, contact Elaine Reeder at ereeder@vcu.edu.
How to Retire With VCU ORP
Human Resources will present "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 for an upcoming session at https://bit.ly/3xuwHLZ. For more information, create a service request at https://go.vcu.edu/hrsupport or call the following telephone number.
For more information, contact VCU Human Resources, Benefits Administration at benefits@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1723 or visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/a-z-list-of-benefits/retirement/planning-resources/.
Upcoming High School Graduation Impacts
VCU Police and VCU Parking and Transportation remind the VCU community that upcoming high school graduations will create interruptions to parking from May 20-24, Monday-Friday. Additionally, traffic surrounding the Siegel Center is expected to be heavier than normal. West Broad Street Deck subscribers will relocate to alternate facilities and a dedicated shuttle service will be provided. Reciprocal parking will be disabled at West Broad Street Deck from May 20-24.
For more information, contact VCU Parking and Transportation at parking@vcu.edu or (804) 828-7275 or visit https://parking.vcu.edu/special-events/high-school-graduations.
Annual Federal Work-Study On-Campus Supervisor Training on May 24
Supervisors seeking to hire work-study students in 2024–2025 must attend a virtual training on work-study requirements and expectations. The training will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 24 from 9–10 a.m. and will be hosted by the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships and VCU Career Services. Supervisors — and any staff who support the recruitment process (e.g., post in Handshake) — should register at the following URL. If you are unable to attend, email the following address.
For more information, contact VCU Career Services at HireVCURams@vcu.edu or visit https://tinyurl.com/VCUFWS2425ON.
New Website: Audit and Compliance Services
Visit Audit and Compliance Services' new website at the following URL. Content has been streamlined, making searches easier. Follow the links to the COI/OPA disclosure form, the Policy Library, the ICO blog, the new ICO Resource Library and more.
For more information, contact Kim McQuillen at ucompliance@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2028 or visit https://acs.vcu.edu/.
Brain Health After Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and in Healthy Volunteers
Chemotherapy may impact memory, attention, processing speed, multitasking and problem solving. We hope to improve our understanding of these difficulties and identify women who are at the most risk for having them. We are seeking healthy female volunteers (35-68 years) free of MRI contraindications. Participation involves two study visits 12-18 months apart. Visits include brain MRI and online assessments.
For more information, contact Cancer Survivorship Team at cancerwellness@vcuhealth.org or (804) 628-8869.
VCU Alcohol Research Center: Call for Pilot Project Proposals
The VCU Alcohol Research Center (VCU-ARC, P50AA022537) is soliciting pilot grant applications for studies relevant to alcohol use disorder. Two pilot grants of $40,000 for one year will be awarded in August 2024. Novel approaches and submissions from investigators new to alcohol research are encouraged.
One-page pre-proposals are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 30 at the following URL.
For more information, contact Jill Bettinger at jill.bettinger@vcuhealth.org or visit https://arc.vcu.edu/center-research/call-for-pilot-projects-2024/.
