You First at VCU

Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success

Students lifting weights at the gym

Resources

In addition to the many ways VCU can help you with and, here are some other resources that first-gen students may find useful.

Taking care of you

University life is an adventure, but you may find that the very things that are new, different and exciting can also be stressful. Whether it is adapting to a busy academic and social schedule, meeting new people, or finding that you’re a little homesick, VCU offers numerous resources to help you adjust to your new environment and take care of yourself physically and mentally.

We encourage you to take advantage of the many resources VCU offers, all of which are covered in your student fees.

  • Health: University Student Health Services provides outpatient primary care services to all VCU students. Students must schedule appointments to be seen. For more information about the services offered and to make an appointment, visit University Student Health Services.

  • Emotional and mental health: University Counseling Services provides services to students to help support their emotional and mental wellness, taking a multidisciplinary approach to comprehensive psychological services and mental health training. For more information about services and how to make an appointment, visit University Counseling Services.

  • Overall wellness: The Health Promotion and Well-Being Center (The Well) strives to create a healthier campus environment through educational programming, peer education, individual health education and more. Visit The Well online to see the multitude of services it offers to VCU students, including mindfulness sessions, resiliency training, and sexual health information.

  • Physical fitness: Keeping a healthy mind and body are keys to your overall success, and what’s great is that your gym membership is included in your student fees. Visit Rec Sports to see what kinds of classes are offered.

Making the most of VCU

Don’t go it alone. VCU offers a lot of resources to ensure that your student experience is nothing but the best, with resources that help you navigate the campus, the city and your life.

  • Extracurricular activities: Now that you’re officially a VCU Ram, you probably want to know how to get involved in the many activities available to you on campus. Join one of more than 450 student organizations and get immersed in something you’re passionate about, gain a new community and strengthen your leadership skills.

  • Events: How do you get a ticket to basketball games? Visit the athletics section of the VCU homepage for the answer to that question and more. Maybe you want to know more about the events on campus? The VCU events calendar is the place to go if you’re looking for what’s happening on and around campus.

  • Getting around: VCU Parking and Transportation offers free shuttles, including RamRide and RamSafe. VCU RamBikes promotes bicycling and serves as your campus resource guide for biking enjoyment and safety at VCU. The RVA Bike Share system offers users bicycles 24/7 throughout the city. VCU and the Greater Richmond Transit Company have partnered to offer the VCU community with free, unlimited transportation on city buses, including the Pulse.

  • Ram Pantry: The VCU Ram Pantry exists to address food insecurity by providing in-need VCU students with healthy, culturally appropriate emergency food. For more information, visit the Ram Pantry website.