Welcome to the Spring 2024 Semester from VCU Division of Student Affairs
Dear Students,
Welcome back! We missed you and are excited to see you back on campus. If you are a new student starting this semester, thank you for joining the Ramily! I am so glad you are here. Below are some opportunities, reminders, and updates I want to share with you now that the spring semester is underway.
Happy 40th Birthday to the University Student Commons
The University Student Commons celebrates its 40th Birthday today. The amazing University Student Commons team has planned a day of celebration. Please stop by to enjoy activities, events, and birthday cake with us.
Black and Gold Wednesdays
Happy Black and Gold Wednesday! Every Wednesday we wear black and gold to support our university and to share our VCU Pride. Make sure to follow @VCUDSA on Instagram for details on how to win special Black and Gold Wednesday prize packages this spring.
Leadership Opportunities for Students
One of the best ways to develop valuable skills that will help you post-graduation is to get involved in leadership opportunities offered to students. Please consider the opportunities below.
- Student Advisory Council for the Vice President for Student Affairs: Members of this council will provide feedback about services, programs, and issues impacting students. Interested students can complete the Vice President for Student Affairs’ Advisory Council form by Jan. 31, 2024.
- Student Representative to the State Council of Higher Education: Applications will be accepted through Sunday, Feb. 11 from students interested in serving as the 2024-2025 VCU student representatives to the Student Advisory Committee for the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. Additional information about the council can be found online here. To apply, please complete this form.
- Student Representatives to the VCU Board of Visitors for 2023-24: Applications will be accepted through Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 from students interested in serving as a student representative to the VCU Board of Visitors during the 2024-25 academic year. To learn more about the application process, and to apply visit this form.
Advocacy and Well-Being
Our team cares deeply about your well-being and I want to highlight some of our innovative programs and services that have been designed with student input to help you thrive at VCU.
- Student Advocacy: Last fall, we launched a brand new office to assist you when facing difficult situations. The Office of Student Advocacy, located in University Student Commons Suite 229, can help you find support and solutions to the challenges you may encounter by assisting you with understanding and navigating university policies, providing emergency support, and answering general questions. The OSA team and our new Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Advocacy, Dr. Gabe Willis, are always available to assist you.
- Self-Care: Taking care of yourself is vital to your ability to succeed at VCU. University Counseling Services (UCS) offers comprehensive in-person clinical counseling services, recovery support, and outreach to all students. Additionally, VCU students have access to free virtual care services through TimelyCare so that you can obtain mental health support and health coaching whenever you need it. University Student Health Services offers primary care services, a low cost pharmacy, and their talented group of physicians and health care professionals are here to assist you when you need medical care.
Important Information:
- On Campus Housing for 2024-2025: Current residential students interested in living on-campus next year will need to complete a Housing Application for the Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 academic year. Housing Applications will open at noon on Monday, Jan. 22, and must be completed no later than Friday, Feb. 9 at noon. Students not currently living in on-campus housing will be able to apply on Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m. Students can apply by visiting housing.vcu.edu/application.
- VCU Homecoming: Save the date for VCU Homecoming week, which will occur February 18-25. Make plans to attend the outstanding programs and athletic events planned for that week. The schedule of events will be posted in RamsConnect later this month.
Important Safety Information:
Contributing positively to the university and greater Richmond community is an integral part of being a VCU Ram. As members of our VCU and Richmond community, it is important to practice civility and to be considerate of those living around you.
- VCU’s Student Organization Conduct Report is designed to help students make informed decisions about joining a student organization or participating in an organization’s activities. Please review that information as you make decisions about your involvement this semester.
- VCU is committed to providing an environment free from sexual misconduct, assault, harassment or any sex/gender discrimination that may violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and other state and federal laws. To make a report and for additional information, please visit the Title IX website.
- VCU Police encourage students to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to report any suspicious behavior to police immediately. Additionally, all members of the VCU community are encouraged to become familiar with the Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention Policy.
Thank you for taking time to read my spring update message. Best wishes for a great semester.
Go Rams!
Aaron J. Hart, Ed.D.
Vice President
Division of Student Affairs
Virginia Commonwealth University
dsa@vcu.edu