Welcome to the Fall Semester from VCU Student Affairs
Dear Students,
Happy Black and Gold Wednesday! It is an honor to welcome you to VCU for the Fall 2026 Semester. Come meet me today at noon at the Weeks of Welcome Black and Gold Wednesday Event! Here are four action items I want you to know as you start the semester.
(1) Get Involved 🤝
Rams show up, in class and at events, and we encourage you to get involved and explore the many opportunities VCU offers to build lifelong friendships and connections.
Your student activity fee helps support the nearly 500 Registered Student Organizations. The best way to learn more about student organizations and things to do on campus is through RamsConnect, at the upcoming SOVO Fair on Friday, Aug. 21 and over the next few weeks at our Weeks of Welcome events.
You can specifically connect with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Office of Student Involvement, Office of Student Leadership and Engaged Learning, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Student Media Center, and Residential Life and Housing for involvement opportunities.
(2) Utilize DSA Support Resources 💡
Our team in the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is here to support you with innovative programs and services designed for your success.
- University Counseling Services (UCS) offers 24/7/365 comprehensive in-person clinical counseling services, recovery support, and outreach to all students. You can always call 804-828-6200 for assistance! Additionally, VCU students have access to free virtual care services through TimelyCare.
- The Office of Student Advocacy is the place to go to find answers to general questions, support when encountering a challenge, assistance in navigating university policies, and help for students needing emergency support. To seek support from the OSA team or to report something of concern visit go.vcu.edu/getsupport.
- University Student Health Services offers a wide variety of primary care services with skilled doctors and healthcare professionals available for your medical needs.
- Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell) offers a wide variety of programs and services that include workout facilities, fitness classes, intramural sports, sports clubs, yoga classes, and much more.
- Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity works to foster an environment where all students have equal access to the University’s programs, services, and activities. Students can consult with the office about possible accommodations or disability-related support.
(3) Review Student Expectations Policies and Resources 📚
As you look to connect with your fellow Rams and get involved, it is important to understand what is expected of you. I encourage you to review the VCU Code of Student Conduct, the Registered Student Organization (RSO) Conduct Report and to familiarize yourself with the Hazing Prevention and Discipline Policy and our VCU Hazing Prevention resources.
If you haven’t already, complete the “Have you Herd? What New Rams Need to Know about Alcohol and Other Drugs at VCU” course on Ram Ready by Monday, Sept. 7. Required training for new and returning students can be found on this helpful website.
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.
(4) Remember These Safety Resources 🛡️
Your safety at VCU is paramount, and we encourage you to play an active role in keeping yourself safe.
- VCU Police encourages students to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to report any suspicious behavior immediately.
- All members of the VCU community are encouraged to become familiar with the Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention Policy.
- VCU Police reminds students that officers are available to help all members of the VCU community; if you need assistance, please call (804) VCU-1234 / (804) 828-1234 to reach VCUPD directly at any time, day or night. Students can also download the free LiveSafe app.
- Pause. Verify. Protect: Look out for scams, particularly phishing scams, that target VCU users. You can read more in this blog post from our VCU IT team.
Thank you for being a member of the Ramily and good luck this semester. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance. Follow us on Instagram for important information and to engage with us.
Go RAMS!
Aaron J. Hart, Ed.D.
Vice President
Division of Student Affairs
Virginia Commonwealth University
[email protected]