Welcome to the 2025 Spring Semester from the Division of Student Affairs
Dear VCU Students,
Happy Black and Gold Wednesday! It has been so nice to welcome both our new and returning students to campus over the past couple of weeks. Below are some opportunities, reminders, and updates I wanted to share with you now that the spring semester is underway.
Engagement 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.
- Public Comment on Campus Policies: I am pleased to share that the Public Comment Period for various campus policies, including the Campus Expression and Space Utilization Policy, opened on January 21, 2025. You can provide feedback by visiting the VCU Policy Website and clicking on “Policies Open for Public Comment.” The draft policies will be listed. Once you open a policy, a link will be included in the policy document which will take you to the comment form. Each policy utilizes a different form.
- 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, 2025.
- Student Representatives to the VCU Board of Visitors and State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV): Applications will be accepted through Friday, February 14, 2025 from students interested in serving as the 2025-2026 VCU student representatives to the VCU Board of Visitors and 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.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week 2025: Continue to join the VCU community this week as we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for a week of reflection, education, and community engagement.
- VCU Homecoming: Save the date for VCU Homecoming week, which will occur February 16 to February 23. 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.
Belonging, Advocacy, and Well-Being
Our team cares deeply about your well-being and belonging at VCU. I want to highlight some of our innovative programs and services that have been designed with student input to help you thrive at VCU.
- The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs offers a multitude of programs and events that promote inclusion on campus. They plan the Cultural Heritage Month programs on campus and have amazing events planned for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. They also plan the Cultural Achievement Ceremonies that occur at the end of each semester.
- The Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity works to foster an environment where all students have equal access to VCU’s programs, services and activities. Connect with them via email and follow the brand new VCUSAEO Instagram account.
- 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.
- University Counseling Services (UCS) offers comprehensive in-person clinical counseling services, recovery support, and outreach to all students.
- 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 and their talented group of physicians and health care professionals are here to assist you when you need medical care.
- Follow the #VeryCaringU hashtag on Instagram to learn about programs, services and events designed to help you be well, form your own holistic well-being plan, and help you make informed decisions during critical moments. Engage with our Peer Health Educators and attend their programs and events.
Critical 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 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.
- 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.
Thank you for taking time to read my spring welcome message. Best wishes for a great semester and remember to wear Black and Gold every Wednesday!
Go Rams!
Aaron J. Hart, Ed.D.
Vice President
Division of Student Affairs
**Make sure to follow @VCUDSA on Instagram **
Categories Fall 2024 - Spring 2025, VPSA Communications