From: The Underground: Student Organization Resources Center
Date: October 10, 2024
Subject: Student Org Newsletter 10/10: Fall Updates and Activities


Would your organization like to host a voter registration drive? Do it! All org members who’d like to volunteer must complete voter registration drive training through the Virginia Board of Elections. 

Encourage your membership to get prepared for the upcoming election! Students are able to register to vote and identify their polling location online through this link. This link has the option to apply to vote absentee for Virginia voters. For out of state voters, the VCU Votes student fellows encourage students to visit this site. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Kelsey Jones at jonesk66@vcu.edu.

VCU catering is offering discounted rates to student organizations! Check out their attached menu for more information or visit https://vcu.campusdish.com/Catering. 

TEDxVCU is seeking a diverse lineup of speakers from the VCU community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. This is a unique opportunity to share innovative and well-formed ideas with VCU and the world. Learn more about becoming a speaker here: Speaking and Performing at TEDxVCU. Or attend our Speaker Interest Meeting on Monday, September 16th @ 5pm.

To apply to speak or perform, fill out our Speaker/Performer Application.

Reach out to us at tedx@vcu.edu if you have any questions!

TEDxVCU welcomes you to join our first Salon of the year on Monday, October 21st from 5pm-6pm in the Honors Multipurpose Room 1303. Unmasking Fear will explore the relevance of fear in our everyday lives and how its presence shapes us in a plethora of ways. Snacks will be provided, so invite your friends to join this fun-filled event!

TEDxVCU Salons are small group sessions where you will join the rest of the community in watching previous TED and TEDx Talks and discuss and engage with the topics that are held within them. Please email tedx@vcu.edu with any questions. 

RSVP here.

Interested in influencing and being a part of the biggest events on Campus? You have the opportunity to join the Activities Programming Board Event Squad; an exclusive, volunteer community that assists with the creation and implementation of APB Events. Applications have been extended so that YOU can join. Apply using the QR Code by September 27th at 11:59pm.

For more upcoming APB events, check out the end of this email.

Ready to make your voice heard? Join us for a voter information event that’s all about getting you prepared to vote! With food and cool giveaways, being an informed voter has never been more fun!! Whether you're a first-timer or a voting vet, we’ve got everything you need to hit the polls with confidence.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM

It’s TIMEEEE! Are you an eager ram looking for a way to get more involved on campus? Are you looking to make lifelong friends while having the MOST FUN EVER? Do you think you have what it takes to be Royalty? Come out to one of our interest meetings to find out more about VCU’s Homecoming Court!! *You must attend an interest meeting in order to apply.*

Whether you're a freshman, transfer student, or have been here for years, we could all use some more RAM GEAR! Come out to the Commons Ballroomon Sunday, October 27th, 2024 and join us in creating your own Ram Gear. We'll have T-Shirts, Totes, and Hats, Markers, Patches, and more to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and show your school spirit!

Get ready for a night of chills and thrills at Spooky Bingo! Wear your best costume for a chance to win eerie-sistible prizes in our costume contest! Bring your friends and let the ghostly games begin—it's a hauntingly good time you won’t want to miss!

All student organizations hosting events where alcohol will be served must complete this Notification of an Event with Alcohol Form in RamsConnect at least fourteen (14) days in advance of any alcohol event. More information about the student organization alcohol policy can be found both on the notification form and in the Student Organization Handbook.

All student organizations are encouraged to share their travel details with the student org office through the Travel Reporting Form. 

Submitting this form is required for any student organization receiving university funding (partial or full funding) for organization travel. Registered Student Organizations receiving any university funding for travel must complete this form 30 days prior to travel to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. Link to form is here.

DSA Finance Updates

If your funded student organization is planning on making a change in personnel to either the President or Treasurer positions this year, please follow the instructions below to successfully transition into the appropriate platforms: 

1. When ready to make a change, please make the proper alterations to the President/Treasurer position in your organization's officer page in RamsConnect.

2. Send an email to cfsof@vcu.edu, stating that a change has been made regarding the President/Treasurer position of your funded student organization. Thereafter, we will begin the process of importing the new user into the Canvas training module, and importing them into RAMorgs.



Want to promote your student organization’s events on campus? Here is a quick guide to help you post fliers on bulletin boards in The Commons.

Who?
Only registered student organizations can post fliers in The Commons. If you’re part of a department or community organization, you can request permission from the student organization team.  

What?
Your flier should follow university policies and keep things positive, inclusive, and respectful. Commercial or for-profit promotions aren’t allowed.

Where?
The lower level and first floor of The Commons.

How?

  1. Submit your flier to the Underground at least 3 business days before you’d like to post. 
  2. Your flier should include your organization’s name, event details, and contact info.
  3. Standard size is 8.5 x 11 in, but we may allow up to 11 x 17 in with special approval.
  4. Fliers will be displayed for up to 3 weeks, and it’s your job to take them down within 3 business days after the posting period ends. 
  5. Reminder to not post on non-designated areas; any unapproved or expired fliers will be removed.

Questions? Reach out to studentorgs@vcu.edu or thecommons@vcu.edu. Happy posting!

Commons Event Services Updates

The Commons Events and Scheduling team will host forums where you can learn more about the scheduling process, our team, and the EMS Webapp. We also hope to hear from you to learn more about your experience and what we can do to help support the process. 

When: November 12th 
Time: 11 AM - 1 PM
RSVP on Ramsconnect (link)
Upcoming dates: 2/4/24, 3/4/25, 4/8/25

Student Activity Fee Funding

The Division of Student Affairs invites all student org leaders to learn more about their Student Activity Funds and the many programs and resources they support. Check out their new website, Support Fully Funding Your Student Activity Fee, for more details and ways to provide your feedback!  Students  Student org leaders are also invited to share their feedback at an upcoming SGA Town Hall meeting on Oct. 21.

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.


Attachments:
  • VCU Catering Student Org Menu (1).pdf
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