From: The Underground: Student Organization Resources Center
Date: March 14
Subject: Student Org Newsletter 3/14: SLA Nominations, Events, and Professional Opportunities


Nominations close tomorrow!
 

On March 20, Hazing Prevention at VCU is partnering with NPHC and UGC for a viewing and discussion of Byron Hurt’s documentary, HAZING.  Join us in the Commons Theater; doors open at 6 PM and the film starts at 6:15 PM.  Discussion to immediately follow.  Register using RamsConnect.

Are you passionate about organizing and leading your peers to be educated and engaged voters? Would you like to promote accessibility of voting to as many students as possible? The VCU Votes Student Coalition is accepting applications for two Executive Director positions to organize registration drives and programs, as well as collaborate with student orgs to promote civic and democratic engagement at VCU. This is a paid opportunity. Students selected to serve as executive directors will receive a semesterly stipend between $700-$900 to serve as Campus Votes Project Democracy Fellows representing VCU as a part of their roles. For more detailed information about the fellowship, visit the CVP Democracy Fellow position description document.

All students are invited to apply by the priority deadline of April 1, 2024, however applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, contact Nicole Patterson at nlpatterson@vcu.edu.

APB is hiring! If you love to plan events and connect people, APB is the place for you! From Bingo Nights to Friday Films to Homecoming Events to concerts, APB makes it happen. APB positions are paid. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Graduating Senior Assistance Grant is now open in the Hub 

The Graduating Senior Assistance Grant is funding available to assist undergraduate students with graduation expenses during their final semester of VCU attendance. Funds may be used to:

  • Purchase of regalia (camp and gown) to participate in VCU graduation ceremony up to $75 or,

  • Help purchase clothing for employment interviews up to $75 or,

  • Help reduce a VCU balance of $500 or less within the final semester for attendance and the student has used all federal aid opportunities offered within the financial aid award package.

Applications are due on March 18 and will be reviewed on a first-received basis until funds have been exhausted for the semester. The criteria to be considered for the grant:

  • Must be an undergraduate, degree-seeking, graduating senior with no previous baccalaureate degree conferred.

  • Must have financial need as determined by the current school year FAFSA or VASA application

  • Must have submitted an application for graduation with the VCU Records and Registration Office

  • Preference for funding is provided to federal Pell grant recipients

Google for Education Student Leader Feedback Session

The Google for Education team will be visiting VCU on Wednesday, March 27th to engage with students and faculty. The goal of their visit is to better understand VCU’s specific needs and challenges and to explore how Google tools and services can be utilized more effectively to enhance these experiences. They would like to invite you to participate in a feedback session for students on Wednesday, March 27th in the Commons (Virginia Rooms C & ) from 10:30 - 11:30 am. Please RSVP via this form by March 15th to let them know you plan to participate. 

Don't forget that student organizations now have access to reserve for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semester Student Center meetings! The EMS template is NOW OPEN and will remain open through June 30th 2025.  This will be exclusive access to reserving all your major events and general body meetings before the space opens up to the rest of campus starting in April. 

Need help reserving a room in the Commons? Check out the Student Organization Event Forum on March 20th at 3pm to ask Event Services questions about room reservations and share your feedback about the process. The forum is open to all VCU student organizations.

Event Services can also help move reservations under incoming student leadership for easy transition. 

Email uscaevent@vcu.edu with any questions! 

Purchase requests are being accepted in RAMorgs until midnight on Wednesday, April 3rd. Please note that exceptions will not be granted to those who submit purchase requests after the stated deadline.

Please note, SGA funding cannot be used for programming/travel/etc. after the last date of classes on the Monroe Park Campus, Friday, May 3rd.

Apply for funding for your summer experience through the VCU Internship Funding Program! Don't let your funding needs cause you to miss out on opportunities for personal and professional development. Funding will be awarded as a direct deposit and can be used to supplement costs for travel to your internship, housing, childcare, professional attire, supplies, and more!

Summer 2024 applications are open now and close Monday, April 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Complete and eligible student applications will go through a competitive selection process that includes multiple rounds of review by a committee of approximately 40 faculty and staff from both campuses. Funding is not guaranteed to all applicants, but we hope to support as many students as possible. We will notify awardees by mid-to-late April and expect funding to be dispersed by mid-May. For questions, contact Jeanette Hickl at jwhickl@vcu.edu.

Miracles in Motion is a local non-profit organization that provides quality dance instruction to people with special needs while promoting awareness in the community through the joy of dancing! We are looking to add more volunteers to our team to help with our current classes, our upcoming recital, and our summer camp we hold for two weeks in July. No dance experience is necessary! 

If interested in volunteering, you can use the QR code on the flier or visit our website. If you have any questions you can contact us at Miraclesinmotion07@gmail.com or Jenningsfe1674@marybaldwin.edu.

The Red Cross continues to face an emergency blood shortage nationwide. Donating blood is a great way to make an impact on others as well as find out your blood type. To thank our donors in February, they will all receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card via email and a T-Shirt! Please make an appointment online to come donate blood using this link.

Also, is your student organization interested in partnering with the Red Cross to host a blood drive on or near the MPC or MCV campuses? The Red Cross can guide you through the process of planning, marketing and coordinating volunteers to help facilitate a drive. This is a simple way to host a campus accessible service project for your org. For more information on partnering to host a drive, contact Christine Homan at christine.homan@redcross.org.