From: The Underground: Student Organization Resources Center
Date: April 11
Subject: Student Org Newsletter 4/11: Important Spring Reminders


Annual Student Organization Re-Registration is Coming Soon!

It’s that time again: Annual Student Organization Re-Registration! Each year, all student organizations are required to submit the annual re-registration form in order to be recognized by the university and to be eligible to access (1) SGA funding, (2) SOVO Fair participation, and (3) campus space reservations in EMS. 

Annual re-registration begins May 1st and ends June 1st. 

Visit the Annual Re-Registration information page to learn more about the process and how to prepare.

Key Things to Prepare For BEFORE filling out the form:

Calling all student organization leaders! 

WE NEED YOUR INPUT! This spring, students and staff at VCU have been exploring intentional ways to strengthen and better support student organizations. Our work has been focused on addressing the following areas: finance; communication and policy; training and professional development; and assessment. You are invited to come and provide your feedback on the recommendations that have been developed through this work. The meeting will be held on Friday April 12 from 2-4pm in the West Grace North Residence hall, classroom 1030J. Please RSVP in RamsConnect, and a zoom link will also be provided for those who can't attend in person but would still like to share their input.

Please register here.

The end of the academic year is coming fast and now is the time to start preparing for new officers beginning their roles and outgoing officers to help the transition process. Below are our TOP TEN TIPS for officer transition:

  1. Discuss and define each officer’s roles and responsibilities
  2. Update officer roles/positions in your RamsConnect Group page
  3. Prepare or ask for key documents and access such as:
    • The constitution or bylaws
    • Important account access to Google Drives, generic email accounts, etc.
    • EMS reservations and funding requests
    • Pro tip: think of all the resources and tools you needed to be successful in your exec board position. Make sure whoever is inheriting your role has access to those things!
  4. Meet and get to know your advisor
  5. Review the RamsConnect Officer Training for using the tools in your group page
  6. Prepare for Annual Re-Registration
  7. Prepare for or review your 2024-25 SGA Funding Request
  8. Transition your organization’s EMS accounts to new officers
  9. Read and review the Student Organization Handbook
  10. Read and review Funding and Finance Information
Come join VCU SGA in our annual "The Big Event" Free food, music, and t-shirts for volunteers on Saturday, April 13th, 10am-2pm. Event kickoff and Grab and Go Breakfast at West Grace North Residence Hall located at 830 West Grace Street in the 1030 J Classroom. 

The Big Event at VCU is a one-day, student-run service project where Rams come together to say “Thank You” to the residents of Richmond. VCU SGA is excited to provide leadership and vision for a tradition that shows our appreciation to the surrounding community, completing service projects such as yard work and painting for residents of Richmond. We share in the mission of similar programs throughout the nation - "One Big Help, One Big Day." Please register here, and show up at West Grace North between 9:45 and 10:00am on April 13th! Free food from local RVA restaurants will be provided. 
The Compass is a student publication that goes in the hands of every student visiting campus this summer for orientation. We also have them in the fall to welcome back returning students, too. The Compass is full of content welcoming new students to the Ramily and info they’ll need (academic calendars, support contacts, etc.). It’s the perfect way to get your student org in front of the class of 2028! Last year, we included advertisements for the Chinese Students Association, Crushing Medical Debt and Pi Lambda Phi!

Student organizations:
• Half page: $56 ($50.40 if reserved by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12)
• Quarter page: $41 ($36.90 if reserved by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12)

For more information, email AdvertiseSMC@vcu.edu. 

Don't forget! SGA funding cannot be used for programming/travel/etc. after the last date of classes on the Monroe Park Campus, Friday, May 3rd. 

Save the Date: SOVO 2024 will be on August 23rd in Monroe Park.

All those who complete annual re-registration on time are eligible to participate. To participate, simply answer yes to the SOVO Fair question in the annual re-registration form. 

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! 

Week of Havoc is coming from April 25th-April 27th! Thursday kicks off with the Spring Soiree at the Ram Horns, where we will food and games! Friday will have Wonka movie night with a raffle of the golden ticket! We will also have Havoc on the Block; The Ramily Cookout with games, food trucks, and giveaways. On Saturday, there will be a Little Mermaid screening outside the Commons plaza.

Join us for an unforgettable experience and to have fun!!

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.