Orientation season is upon us. New medical students started in July with most students on the MCV and Monroe Park Campuses in orientations through mid-August.

In addition to the intense one- or two-day orientations that new and transfer students experience in the summer, VCU offers Weeks of Welcome during the first three weeks of the new academic year. This prolonged introduction to campus and academic life is designed to give students new to VCU a deeper sense of place and possibilities. The theme for this year’s Weeks of Welcome is Rodney-Con: Enter the Ram Universe! It brings a sense of fun, with a mix of cosplay and comic-con, and VCU’s own Rodney the Ram mascot, leading our new students on adventures across campus. 

Days are filled with tours, picnics, socials, a silent dance party, food truck fest, and much more.  

Alumni are encouraged to return to campus for the Ram Spirit Walk, Monday, August 18, from 4-5 p.m., starting just after the New Student Convocation at the Siegel Center and parading to Monroe Park. Since 2009, the incoming class joins a parade after New Student Convocation to be welcomed by students, student organizations, faculty and staff.  

VCU Libraries offers 23 orientation activities August 18-September 5. Librarians will staff tables and will engage in “ask me anything” conversations with new students. Tours of library spaces and open houses are scheduled. 

Some highlights for fall 2025:

• Tour for engineering and computer science students: James Branch Cabell Library Lobby, 901 Park Ave.,  Aug. 22, 11- 11:30 a.m. 

An engineering librarian leads a new tour focused on engineering and computer science resources, designed for innovators, builders and creators. Discover where to find the information, technologies and expertise that will help you bring your ideas to life.

• eBook Collections: Instantly access hundreds of engineering and computer science books and tutorials.
• The Workshop: Explore the creative technologies space featuring 3D printers, laser cutters, virtual reality equipment and more. 
• Expert Guidance: Meet your subject librarian and learn about specialized databases for discovering engineering research and patents.

• Health Sciences Library Open House, 501 N. 12th St., Aug. 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Take a guided or a self-paced tour. Meet librarians and staff assigned to health sciences programs. Visit The Makerspace for an overview of available equipment and the Special Collections and Archives department for a special display of medical artifacts..  

• Special Collections and Archives Open House, Cabell Library, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  See limited-edition artists’ books, underground comics, one-of-a-kind artworks and other treasures.  
• An Artist’s Quest Through the Library, Cabell Library, Sept. 5, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.
  Discover portals to fantastical worlds of imagination in the stacks, uncover special treasures in the archives, find the keys to unlocking your creative magic in The Workshop, and more. Space is limited, so register to attend:
• Library Arts Tour 1 @ noon: https://vcu.libcal.com/calendar/arts-events/library-arts-tour1
• Library Arts Tour 2 @ 2 pm: https://vcu.libcal.com/calendar/arts-events/library-arts-tour2

The full schedule:  

• August 18: GradFest
• August 18: Ask Me Anything table 
• August 19: Ask Me Anything table 
• August 19: Tour for New Rams
• August 20: Tour for New Rams
• August 21:Ask Me Anything table 
• August 21: Leisure reading with Humanities Librarian John Glover. 
• August 22: Tour for engineering and computer science students 
• August 22: Ask Me Anything table.
• August 25: Tour of Quiet Spaces in the Library
• August 25: Tour for New Rams
• August 26: Tour of Talking Spaces in the Library
• August 26: Health Sciences Library Open House 
• August 27: Leisure reading 
• August 27: Tour of stacks where fiction, graphic novels, poetry and other genres is shelved 
• August 28:  Tour of stacks where fiction, graphic novels, poetry and other genres is shelved 
• August 29: Tour for New Rams
• September 1: Tour for New Rams 
• September 2: Tour of Quiet Spaces in the Library 
• September 3: Focus on the Workshop tour 
• September 3: Tour of Talking Spaces in the Library
• September 4: Tour for New Rams 
• September 5: Special Collections and Archives Open House
• September 5: An Artist's Quest