From: The Underground: Student Organization Resources Center
Date: February 1
Subject: Student Org Newsletter 2/1: Transform Leadership Deadline, Volunteer Opportunities, Upcoming Events


Unlock your leadership potential with VCU Transform! This exclusive 2-year living-learning program offers a dynamic blend of activities and coursework, empowering students to build essential skills while enjoying guaranteed apartments at West Grace North. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion in Leadership Studies & Experiential Learning. 

Applications are open until February 7th! Apply now at lead.vcu.edu or contact transformllp@vcu.edu for more information.

Chalkley Elementary School in Chesterfield County is hosting a Multicultural Night on Thursday, February 22nd from 5:45-7:45pm. We are looking for clubs and organizations that would be willing to put on a performance for our students and families or provide interactive cultural activities during the event. We would love any involvement from our community to make this event as success! If your organization is interested in performing or participating please reach out to Jacklyn Smith at jacklyn_smith@ccpsnet.net.

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.  

We hope you will drop by at some point on Wednesday, February 14, between 1-3 PM to grab candy as you walk through the Underground to enjoy decorations. We will also offer crafts, snacks, and games!

Hey Rams!! Homecoming is less than 3 weeks away!! We can’t wait to see our RAMS UNLEASHED!! 

Check out all of our upcoming 2024 Homecoming Events here. 

Student organizations now have access to reserve for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semester Student Center meetings and events even earlier this year! Starting on Monday, February 19th, at 9:00 AM the EMS template will open through June 30th 2025. 

This will be exclusive access to reserving all your major events and general body meetings. EMS will open for the rest of campus starting on April 1st.

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

Academic Space for Spring 2024 will open after Add/Drop on January 23rd.

For any questions email uscaevent@vcu.edu. 

The student org team wants to hear from you! Please let us know how we can better serve you by completing this quick survey.

If your funded student organization is planning on making a change in personnel for 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. 

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.