Virginia Commonwealth University
172675
226186242
2008-07-17T06:09:39Z
72.84.199.162
/* Monroe Park Campus */
{{Infobox University
|name =Virginia Commonwealth University
|native_name =
|image_name =VCU Emblem.svg|VCU Emblem
|image_size =144px
|caption =Virginia Commonwealth University Emblem
|latin_name =
|motto =
|tagline =
|established =1838
|type =[[Public university]]
|endowment =[[United States dollar|US]] $410.3 [[million]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vcu.edu/insidevcu/0709thankyou/index.html |title=Thanks to you! |accessdate=2007-09-27}}</ref>
|staff =16,696
|faculty =2,813
|president =[[Eugene P. Trani]]
|provost =Stephen D. Gottfredson
|students =31,907
|undergrad =22,159
|postgrad =9,748
|doctoral =
|divinity =
|profess =
|city ={{flagicon|USA}} [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]]
|state =[[Virginia]]
|country =[[United States|USA]]
|campus =[[Urban area|Urban]], Monroe Park Campus - 88.2 acres (35.7 [[hectares|ha]]), MCV Campus - 52.4 acres (21.2 [[hectares|ha]]).
|colors =[[Black (colour)|Black]] and [[Gold (colour)|Gold]] {{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#F8B800}}
|fightsong =
|nickname =[[Virginia Commonwealth University Rams|Rams]]
|athletics =[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division I]], [[Colonial Athletic Association|CAA]], 16 varsity teams
|mascot =[[Image:VCU_Rams.svg|75px|Rodney the Ram]]{{-}}Rodney the Ram
|affiliations =
|footnotes =
|website =[http://www.vcu.edu/ www.vcu.edu]
|address =
|publictransit =
|telephone =
|coor =
|footnotes = Logo is a trademark of Virginia Commonwealth University; All enrollment figures are as of Fall [[2007]]
|logo = [[Image:VCU_typeface.svg|125px]]
}}
'''Virginia Commonwealth University''', or '''VCU''', is a large public [[United States|American]] research [[university]] with its main campuses located in downtown [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], [[Virginia]]. Particularly recognized for its nationally ranked [[art]], social work, health administration, and medical [[Academic degree|degree]] programs, VCU is the largest university in Virginia with almost 32,000 students enrolled in the fall semester of 2007.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://research.schev.edu/enrollment/E2_Report.asp
|title=Fall Headcount Enrollments
|publisher=State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
|accessdate=2007-04-17
}}</ref> It is one of four Virginia universities rated RU/H: Research Universities (high research activity) by the [http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/Classification/index.htm Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education].
Formed by a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the [[Medical College of Virginia]] in 1968, VCU has a [[medical school]] that is home to the nation's oldest [[organ transplant]] program.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.attachemag.com/profile_series/profile_richmond/richmond.pdf
|title=Profile: Richmond Virginia
|accessdate=2007-04-17
|format=PDF
}}</ref> VCU is host to the annual [[VCU French Film Festival]], the largest French film festival in the United States.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.styleweekly.com/article.asp?idarticle=10093
|author=Shannon O’Neill
|title=The Reel Deal: Two April film festivals keep Richmonders in the dark.
|publisher=Style Weekly
|date=2005-03-30
|accessdate=2007-04-17
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.student.richmond.edu/publications/collegian/current/archives/31Mar2005/features2.html
|author=Kate Connolly
|title=Film festival to draw large crowd at Byrd Theatre
|publisher=The Collegian
|accessdate=2007-04-17
}}</ref>
== History ==
Though officially created with the merger of the [[Richmond Professional Institute]] (RPI) and [[Medical College of Virginia]] (MCV) in 1968, VCU's history stretches back to 1838, when MCV first opened its doors as the medical department of [[Hampden-Sydney College]]. VCU recognizes the latter date on its official seal and promotional materials. RPI traces its roots back to 1917, when it began as the Richmond School of Social Work.
=== Timeline ===
*'''1838''' - The Medical Department of [[Hampden-Sydney College]] opens in Richmond
*'''1844''' - The Medical Department moves into its first permanent home, the [[Egyptian Building]]
*'''1854''' - The Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College receives an independent charter from the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and becomes the '''[[Medical College of Virginia]]''' (MCV)
*'''1860''' - In return for a $30,000 appropriation MCV conveys all its property to the Commonwealth of Virginia and becomes a state institution
*'''1893''' - College of Physicians and Surgeons, later University College of Medicine, was established by Dr. [[Hunter Holmes McGuire]] just three blocks away from MCV
*'''1912''' - McGuire Hall opens as the new home of the University College of Medicine
*'''1913''' - MCV and UCM merged through the efforts of Dr. George Ben Johnston and Dr. Stuart McGuire. MCV acquired the Memorial Hospital as a result of the merger
*'''1917''' - Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health established
*'''1925''' - Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health becomes the Richmond division of the [[College of William and Mary]]
*'''1939''' - Richmond division of William and Mary becomes the "'''Richmond Professional Institute''' of the College of William and Mary" (RPI)
*'''1947''' - MCV Foundation is incorporated.
*'''1962''' - RPI separates from William and Mary to become an independent state institution.
*'''1968''' - The first [[heart transplant]] at the Medical College of Virginia is performed by Dr. Richard R. Lower. This was only the 9th such operation performed in the United States, and the 16th in the world.
*'''1968''' - State legislation merges MCV and RPI to become Virginia Commonwealth University. MCV retains the right to use its name.
*'''2000''' - VCU Health System authority is established.
*'''2001''' - Spring- Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Science opened. It includes a 70 acre lake, pine and hardwood forests. In the Summer the Eugene P. and Lois E. Trani Center for Life Science was opened. It features an extensive greenhouse, 18 laboratories for research in genetics to systems biology, and is home to the Bioinformatics program.
*'''2004''' - The name [[VCU Medical Center]] is adopted to refer to MCV Hospitals and VCU's medical schools, and the VCU Academic Campus is renamed the VCU Monroe Park Campus.
*'''2006''' - VCU grew to become the most populated university in Virginia and the state's first to have 30,000 students
[[Image:egyptianbuildingfront.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Egyptian Building]], built in 1845, is one of the University's oldest buildings.]]
=== Expansion ===
More recently the university has focused on what it calls [[life sciences]] as an avenue of future expansion, with the 2001 opening of the Lois E. and Eugene P. Trani Life Sciences Building. Construction has begun on a Monroe Park Campus Extension, which will include the second phase of the School of Engineering building and a new home for the School of Business. There will also be a new dormitory facility along with retail development.
VCU has developed a strategic plan for the future dubbed "VCU 2020." Among its major goals is the creation of a collegiate community promoting student engagement and the campus environment. On the Monroe Park Campus, in addition to the expansion east of Belvidere St, this long range plan includes the renovation and expansion of Cabell Library, dubbed the "Information Commons", academic expansions along Linden St. and on the Harris Hall lawn, parking facilities near Grace and Belvidere, Greek housing along W. Grace St, improvements to Monroe Park, and numerous other projects. The Medical Campus can expect a new School of Allied Health Professions, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, VCUHS Bed Tower, and other projects.
The university has expanded rapidly in recent years, with construction focused mainly along the Broad Street corridor. The school is approximately 70 percent off-campus resident and 30 percent on-campus resident, with new residence hall Brandt Hall having opened in August 2005. RAMZ Hall opened in mid-January 2005, seven months behind schedule after a fire destroyed most of the still-under-construction building in March of 2004. The Shafer Court Dining Center and Phase III construction and renovation of the University Student Commons were completed in 2004. A complete renovation of the Hibbs Building, the oldest of the major academic buildings and former dining hall, was completed in Fall 2006. The Ackell Residence Center (formerly known as West Broad Street Student Apartments) was opened in 2001 across the street from the West Broad Parking Deck, e2 (pronounced "e-squared") Bookstore and VCU Welcome Center that were completed in 1998. 1998 also saw the opening of a new [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ School of the Arts] Building, also on Broad Street.
West Grace Street Student Housing is home to the University Honors Program and honors housing with single one-person rooms. Formerly the Capital Medical Center, the university purchased and converted the building in 1998. The building was once also home VCU OccuHealth Alliance, part of the VCU Health System.
Part of the $228 million East Monroe park expansion is the newly dedicated Snead Hall, Located on Belvedere (Route 1) and Main St. Snead Hall is a {{convert|145000|sqft|m2|sing=on}} facility which will house all the School of Business and Phase II of the School of Engineering. The building will open January 14, 2008 and facilitate classes and offices for the Spring 2008 Semester and beyond. Snead Hall has its own dedicated parking (located on Jefferson St.), student commons, café, and career center. The former School of Business building was rededicated as Grace E. Harris Hall and will serve the Spring 2008 Semester as a general academics building. <ref>[http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=2310 VCU News Center – VCU Dedicates Grace E. Harris Hall<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.bus.vcu.edu/build_com/future1.htm VCU School of Business New Building Plan - VCU<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>=http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=2317</ref>
== Campuses and grounds ==
VCU has two main [[campus]]es in Richmond: the Monroe Park Campus and the Medical College of Virginia Campus. VCUarts also has a branch campus in [[Education City, Qatar]]. Informally, the campuses are known respectively as the "academic campus," "medical campus," and " [http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/ VCUQatar ]."
=== Monroe Park Campus ===
<div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; width: 21.5em; text-align: right; font-size: 0.86em; font-family: lucida grande, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">
<div style="border: 1px solid #999999; background: #ffffbb; text-align: left; padding: 1em 1em; text-align: left;">'''Many VCU buildings are named after influential people in the school's history or in Richmond history.'''
*The '''Pollak Building''', is named after [[Theresa Pollak]], who founded the [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ School of the Arts] at VCU when it was the Richmond Professional Institute. Pollak was one of Virginia's more famous artists and who is often credited with bringing modern art to Richmond. </li>
*The '''Ginter House''' at 901 West Franklin Street, the main administrative building on the Monroe Park Campus. It is named for cigarette magnate Major [[Lewis Ginter]] (1824-1897), one of Virginia’s wealthiest men who was responsible for developing Richmond’s Ginter Park neighborhood and commissioning the [[Jefferson Hotel]].</div></div>
[[Image:RichmondFanDistrictBoundaries.jpg|thumb|275px|left|The boundaries of the Fan.]]Home to most of VCU's general education facilities, the Monroe Park Campus is located at the eastern end of the [[Fan district]], a historic neighborhood built adjacent to downtown Richmond in the early 20th century. The Monroe Park Campus begins at [[Monroe Park]] on North Belvidere Street and continues west to Harrison Street. Most buildings are located on or between West Broad Street and West Cary Street. Originally home to the [[Richmond Professional Institute]] and then the Academic Campus of VCU in 1968, the Monroe Park Campus took on its current name in June 2004. This campus blends the old and new; while it encompasses over 40 buildings older than 1900, new and renovated buildings abound. VCU is currently expanding this campus eastward into Richmond's Monroe Ward.
[[Image:Fine Arts Building VCU.jpg|thumb|275px|right|The Fine Arts Building.]]
Some of the notable buildings in Monroe park are:
*University Student Commons
*[[Stuart C. Siegel Center]]
*Sports Medicine Building
*[[James Branch Cabell]] Library
*West Engineering Building - ''School of Engineering''
*T. Edward Temple Building - ''General Academics, Mass Communications''
*Snead Hall - ''School of Business''
*East Engineering - ''School of Engineering Phase II''
*Grace E. Harris Hall - ''General Academics
*Oliver Hall - ''School of Education, Physical Sciences''
*[http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ School of the Arts] Building
*Hibbs Hall - ''College of Humanities & Sciences''
*Shafer Court Dining Center
*Pollak Building - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ ''VCUarts'' ]
*Trani Life Sciences Building
The housing apartments include:
*West Grace Street Student Housing (Honors)
*Ackell Residence Center
*RAMZ Hall
*Brandt Hall
*Rhoads Hall
*Broad & Belvidere Apartments
*Johnson Hall
*Gladding Residence Center (I,II & III)
*Monroe Park Campus II (Opening in Aug 2008)
=== MCV Campus ===
[[Image:DowntownRichmondNeighborhoods.jpg|thumb|275px|right|The MCV Campus is located in [[Downtown Richmond]] at [[Interstate 95 in Virginia|I-95]] and [[Broad Street, Richmond Virginia|Broad Street]] near the [[Court End]] area.]]
{{main|Medical College of Virginia}}
The [[Medical College of Virginia]] Campus is home to the Health Sciences Division of VCU. This includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Allied Health, Nursing, a recently established School of Public Health, and the MCV Hospitals, which is the major component of the VCU Health System. The Campus is also home to the Massey Cancer Center (an [[NCI-designated Cancer Center]]). The MCV Campus is an integral part of Richmond, located adjacent to the city’s business and financial district near the [[Virginia State Capitol|state capitol]].
[[Image:Sanger Hall VCU Medical Center.jpg|thumb|275px|right|Sanger Hall, part of the VCU Medical College of Virginia Campus.]]
The notable buildings in the MCV campus are:
*Main hospital
*Gateway Building
*[[Egyptian Building]]
*Massey Cancer Center
*Sanger Hall
*Lyons Building
*Wood Memorial Building
*Tompkins-McCaw Library
*Hunton Student Center
*Larrick Student Center
*[[West Hospital]]
The housing facilities include:
*Cabaniss Hall
*Bear Hall
*McRae Hall
*Warner Hall
*Rudd Hall
[[Image:James Branch Cabell Library VCU.jpg|thumb|James Branch Cabell Library]]
=== Libraries ===
The VCU Libraries is the third largest research library in Virginia. Together the libraries hold more than 1.7 million print volumes, 3 million microforms, 10,200 digital and print serials, access to 10,000 additional digital titles, and more than 30,000 multimedia titles. The Tompkins-McCaw Library has the largest medical collection in the state which provides electronic access to the latest in life sciences information and research. Cabell Library houses one of the largest book art collections in the Southeast and the largest popular culture and comic art collections in the state.
The VCU Libraries is the only patent and trademark depository in Virginia and has particular strengths in medicine, science, engineering and information technology. Both libraries provide hundreds of computer workstations located throughout the buildings as well as off-campus access from residence halls and home to all computerized resources.
=== Housing ===
[[Image:Johnson Residence Hall VCU.jpg|thumb|Johnson Hall.]]
Rhoads, Johnson and Brandt halls are the largest freshman communities on campus. Together they house approximately 1,870 students. These halls are set up for coeducational living with each floor designated for female or male students only. Brandt Hall is the newest residence hall facility on campus and houses 640 students, with floors reserved for freshmen and selected suites reserved for honors students. The West Grace Street Honors Residential College is adjacent to Rhoads and Johnson. It houses male and female freshman honors students in single rooms. The Gladding Residence Center suites offer a more independent living option for freshmen in a community with upper-level students. Cabaniss Hall at the VCU Medical Center is a freshman community especially of interest to students in the life and health sciences.
Upper-class students may choose to live in Ackell Residence Center, GRC Apartments or RAMZ Hall.
=== Dining ===
Undergraduate students living in a university residence hall (not students living in university apartments), are required to choose a residential dining plan. VCU Dining Services offers block plans at 200-, 250- and 300- meal levels with additional Dining Dollars added. Block plans allow a specific number of meals to be used over an entire semester. These unlimited-serving meals are served in the Shafer Court Dining Center and the Larrick Dining Center. Dining dollars allow students the opportunity to purchase tax-free meals at any VCU retail restaurant. Commuter students and students living off campus have the option of purchasing a nonresidential dining plan.
== Academics ==
=== Programs ===
VCU offers [[Bachelor's degree|Baccalaureate]], [[Master's degree|Master's]] and [[Doctorate|Doctoral]] [[academic degree|degrees]], as well as [[Professional]] and Certificate courses. A [http://research.schev.edu/degreeinventory/inventory_1.asp?lbinst='234030' complete degree inventory] is available from the Web site of the [[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia]].
Over 40 of VCU's programs are unique to Virginia, such as the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness major in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, as well as the Real Estate and Urban Land Development degree in VCU's School of Business. The university also offers a wide range of study options with more than 170 certificate, undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral degrees in the arts, sciences and humanities in fifteen different schools of discipline.
In addition to its [http://www.vcu.edu/ugrad/academics/programs/index.html undergraduate] and [http://www.vcu.edu/graduate/gp/index.html graduate] degree programs, as well as its [http://www.vcu.edu/honors/ honors program], VCU now hosts the [[Illustration]] Academy.
The university's medical campus provides students with several opportunities for postgraduate study at VCU. This has led to the development of "guaranteed admission programs," whereunder select incoming undergraduates are guaranteed a spot in a variety of professional schools so long as a high academic standard is maintained throughout their undergraduate studies. Schools with such a program include medicine, physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy and others.
An accelerated program in the School of Education offers a combined undergraduate, teaching certificate and master's degree in five years.
=== Rankings ===
VCU holds a number of national rankings, ''[[US News & World Report]]'' graduate rankings include:
<table width="100%"><tr><td width="50%">
*1<sup>st</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/sculpture/dept/ Sculpture ]
*1<sup>st</sup> - Nurse Anesthesia
*4<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/craft/dept/ Fiber Arts ]
*4<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ Fine Arts]
*4<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/graphicdesign/dept/ Graphic Design ]
*4<sup>th</sup> - Health Services Administration
*5<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/craft/dept/ Glass ]
*8<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/paintprint/ Painting and Drawing ]
*9<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ Multimedia/Visual Communications ]
*12<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/craft/dept Ceramics ]
*13<sup>th</sup> - Dentistry<ref>The most recent ranking of dental schools was completed by U.S. News and World Report in 1993. To see the position of the ADA and ADEA on ranking visit: http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/programs/information.asp#rankings</ref>
*13<sup>th</sup> - Occupational Therapy
*13<sup>th</sup> - Rehabilitation Counseling
*14<sup>th</sup> - Social Work
</td><td width="50%">
*17<sup>th</sup> - [http://www.vcu.edu/arts/paintingprintmaking/dept Printmaking ]
*18<sup>th</sup> - Community Health
*18<sup>th</sup> - Women's Health
*21<sup>st</sup> - Pharmacy
*25<sup>th</sup> - Physical Therapy
*39<sup>th</sup> - Secondary education
*40<sup>th</sup> - Education
*47<sup>th</sup> - Nursing
*50<sup>th</sup> - Creative Writing<ref>The most recent ranking of graduate programs in creative writing was completed by U.S. News and World Report in 1997.</ref>
*57<sup>th</sup> - Clinical Psychology
*57<sup>th</sup> - Public Affairs
*67<sup>th</sup> - Medical School (Research)
*Top 50 - Teacher Preparation
</td></tr></table>
[http://www.vcu.edu/arts Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)] is ranked the #1 public university school of arts and design in the country (#4 among public & private institutions) by [http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php U.S. News & World Report (2009)]. VCUarts is the only public university arts and design school in the country to ever be ranked this high in overall ranking.
VCUarts Department of Interior Design graduate program is ranked as the #4 Interior Design graduate program in the south (regional schools) and #6 (national/ regional schools) by DesignIntelligence 2008 America's Best Architecture & Design Schools. The undergraduate program is ranked #5 (regional schools). VCUarts Department of Interior Design has been ranked as one of the top five programs in the country by Interior Design Magazine (1996).
The VCU Brandcenter, the School of Mass Communication’s graduate program in advertising, has also been ranked 1<sup>st</sup> in the nation by ''[[Creativity Magazine]]'' and as one of the top 60 design schools in the world by ''[[BusinessWeek]]''.<ref>[http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=2239|VCU Adcenter Named Top Design School by Businessweek] Retrieved on 2007-11-18</ref>
VCU’s Masters of Health Administration program was ranked second by Modern Healthcare. The University's Health System earned national Magnet nursing designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and has twice been named one of the Solucient Top 100 Hospitals in the U.S. by Solucient Corporation. In research the school has been ranked as a top American university by Lombardi Program on Measuring University Performance and a top 100 university by the [[National Science Foundation]]. [http://www.campusdirt.com Campusdirt.com] lists the University as one of the 10 most diverse student bodies in America.
The [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]] conducted in 2005 by the Institute of Higher Education at [[Shanghai Jiao Tong University]] ranks VCU in the top 100 universities in North & Latin America and one of the top 200 universities in the world.<ref>[http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005TOP500list.htm Academic Ranking of World Universities] Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Retrieved on 2007-05-04</ref>
The VCU Counseling Psychology Graduate Program was ranked 3<sup>rd</sup> in the nation in the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index in 2007.<ref>“The Chronicle of Higher Education.” January 12, 2007</ref>
The VCU Public Administration program in the L. Douglas Wilder School for Government and Public Affairs was ranked 9th in the nation by the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index in 2007.<ref>http://chronicle.com/stats/productivity/page.php?year=2007&primary=3&bycat=Go&secondary=214</ref>
=== Faculty ===
Notable faculty members include [[analytical chemistry|analytical chemist]] [[John Bennett Fenn|Dr. John B. Fenn]], who in 2002 was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] for his contributions to the field of [[mass spectrometry]], and Religious Studies professor [[Amina Wadud]], who caused controversy in 2005 by leading an Islamic prayer service of men and women.
In the medical field, VCU has had four professors elected to the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]]' [[Institute of Medicine]], most recently Dr. Steven Woolf in 2001.<ref>[http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=755 VCU News Center – VCU professor recognized by institute of medicine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Historically, notable faculty members include [[Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard]], M.D., for whom [[Brown-Séquard syndrome]] is named. [[Hunter McGuire]], M.D., was the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] surgeon for General [[Thomas J. Jackson]] before he founded the [[University College of Medicine]] which later merged with MCV where he became the Chairman of Surgery. The [[Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center]] is named in his honor.
Dr. Jennifer Johnson's (Professor of Sociology) work at the Department of Defense in the area of Social Network Analysis won her the 2006 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award, which is the highest-ranking civilian service award given by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dr. Johnson was also awarded the 2004 Analyst of the Quarter by the Joint Warfare Analysis Center for her work on the Social Network Analysis Methodology Team.
=== Schools and departments ===
[[Image:School Of Business Building VCU.jpg|thumb|275px|right|Grace E. Harris Hall, Monroe Park campus.]]
*College of [[Humanities]] & [[Science]]s<ref>[http://www.has.vcu.edu/ VCU College of Humanities & Sciences<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**School of [[Mass Communication]]s<ref>[http://www.has.vcu.edu/mac VCU School of Mass Communications<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**School of World Studies<ref>[http://www.has.vcu.edu/wld VCU - School of World Studies<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
**[[L. Douglas Wilder]] School of Government and [[Public administration|Public Affairs]]<ref>[http://www.has.vcu.edu/gov VCU :: L Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*School of Allied Health Professions<ref>[http://www.sahp.vcu.edu VCU - School of Allied Health Professions<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[http://www.vcu.edu/arts/ School of the Arts]
*School of [[Business]]<ref>[http://www.bus.vcu.edu VCU School of Business<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/ School of Dentistry ]
*[http://www.soe.vcu.edu/ School of Education]
*[http://www.egr.vcu.edu/ School of Engineering]
*School of [[Medicine]]<ref>[http://www.medschool.vcu.edu VCU School of Medicine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*School of [[Nursing]]<ref>[http://www.nursing.vcu.edu VCU School of Nursing<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*School of [[Pharmacy]]<ref>[http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu VCU School of Pharmacy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*School of [[Social Work]]<ref>[http://www.vcu.edu/slwweb VCU School of Social Work<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Athletics ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:VCU Rams.svg|150px|left|VCU Rams athletic logo]] -->
{{main|Virginia Commonwealth University Rams}}
VCU currently sponsors sixteen varsity teams in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Division I play through the [[Colonial Athletic Association]] (CAA). These teams include [[basketball]], [[baseball]], [[volleyball]], [[soccer]], [[tennis]], [[golf]], [[field hockey]], [[track and field]], and [[cross country running|cross country]]. VCU's mascot is Rodney the Ram, and the teams as well as students are called VCU Rams.
VCU also has many student run club teams. These sports not sponsored by the university include baseball, men's<ref>http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/mensrugbyvcu</ref> and women's<ref>[http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/WomensRugby/ Ram Rugby<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[rugby union]], [[ice hockey]],<ref>[http://www.vcuhockey.net VCU Ice Hockey<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[ultimate (sport)|ultimate]]<ref>[http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/frisbeevcu/home.html VCU Ultimate: Beware of the biscuits<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ,men's and women's [[lacrosse]], and cycling. Previous club sports have also included rowing, wrestling, and tennis.
VCU does not support a football team. The current university president, Eugene P. Trani, has been quoted as saying that he will not allow football to come to VCU under his watch due to the extra incurred cost.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835525157&path=%21sports&s=1045855934844
|title=http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/...
}}</ref> VCU does not currently have a stadium that would be suitable for hosting football-related events.
=== Facilities ===
[[Image:Interior stuart c siegel center VCU richmond VA.jpg|thumb|275px|right|The interior of the Alltel Pavilion, within the Siegel Center, home court of the VCU basketball team.]]
*[[The Diamond]]
**''Baseball''
*[[Alltel]] Pavilion at the [[Stuart C. Siegel Center]]
**''Basketball''
**''Volleyball''
**''Cheerleading''
*[[Sports Backers Stadium]]
**''Soccer''
**''Track and Field''
*Cary Street Field
**''Field Hockey''
*Thalhimer Tennis Center
*Leigh Street Field
**''Men's and Women's Rugby''
== Organizations ==
VCU has numerous student organizations, including the Black Awakening Choir which won first place in the 2005 Baptist Student Union National Choir Competition in Atlanta, GA. Also, 2007 is the first year that STRUT has become an official organization at VCU. STRUT is an annual fashion show that has grown into a week long celebration on campus. In addition, VCU boasts a well-established net of ethnic and cultural organizations such as the African Student Union (ASU), Ethiopian students Union (ESU),Latino Student Association, Queer Action and the [[Vietnamese Student Association]], among many others. Similarly, VCU offers a variety of religious organizations, such as [http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/aletheia/ Aletheia Campus Organization], [[Muslim Student Association]], [[InterVarsity Christian Fellowship]], [[Catholic Campus Ministry]], [[Chi-Alpha|Chi Alpha]] Christian Fellowship house, [[Baptist Student Union|BSU]], [[Hillel]] @ VCU, and Lotus Buddhist Group. VCU also has one of the most active student, pep-club organizations in the Rowdy Rams. VCU also offers many different special interest organizations such as the (S.H.H.O.) Student Hip-Hop Organization, which allows students to network with VCU’s thriving hip-hop community and to utilize hip-hop as a tool for creating unity within this vibrant culture on campus.
VCU's Greek system has grown particularly rapidly in the last few years, with expansions within the Interfraternity Council and among multicultural organizations. [[Alpha Kappa Lambda]], [[Delta Chi]], [[Delta Phi Omega]], [[Theta Chi]], Pi Lambda Phi, [[Kappa Sigma]], [[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]], [[Sigma Phi Epsilon]], Sigma Beta Rho, [[Delta Phi Omega]], [[Lambda Upsilon Lambda]], Kappa Phi Gamma, [[Sigma Lambda Upsilon]] and [[alpha Kappa Delta Phi]] have all chartered on campus since 2007.
=== Student government associations ===
There are two student government associations at VCU, one for each campus.<ref>[http://www.vcu.edu/sga Vcu - Sga<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to the Monroe Park Campus SGA Web site, it "serves as the unifying voice for all students to members of Virginia Commonwealth University administration, faculty, staff, and the Board of Visitors as well as to the City of Richmond." It is the stated goal of the SGA "to represent the concerns and interests of all students to the various groups that have an influence on student life," and it "oversees more than 200 student organizations."<ref>[http://www.vcusga.com/index.php?sub=about Vcu Sga<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
=== Student media ===
VCU's media organizations fall under the jurisdiction of the VCU Student Media Commission. Organizations include news journals [http://www.commonwealthtimes.com The Commonwealth Times] and The Vine, radio station [http://www.wvcw.org WVCW], and literary journals [http://www.amendment.vcustudentmedia.com Amendment] and [http://www.poictesme.vcustudentmedia.com Poictesme]. <ref>[http://vcustudentmedia.com/ VCU Student Media Center<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Controversy==
VCU's research integrity has recently been called into question with the disclosure of a restrictive agreement with Philip Morris USA, signed in 2006. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/us/22tobacco.html?em&ex=1211601600&en=469d5df6d6f75b76&ei=5070] The New York Times obtained a copy of the contract under the Virginia Freedom of Information law.
The contract prohibits VCU scientists from disclosing their performing research for Philip Morris. Furthermore, they are prohibited from publishing their studies without Philip Morris approval. VCU may be the only school in the country to allow the tobacco industry such control over its studies and ability even to disclose a potential conflict of interest. Why VCU was willing to sign such an agreement -- given that grants related to the agreement total less than one percent of the school total research grants -- is unclear.
The controversy came at a time when nondisclosure of ties to interested parties in medical journal research papers was gaining media attention, including pharmaceutical companies ghostwriting articles for the researchers. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/business/19ghost.html?scp=10&sq=%22medical+journal%22&st=nyt] [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/business/16vioxx.html?scp=12&sq=%22medical+journal%22&st=nyt] [http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/15/1800] [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/health/research/26lung.html?_r=1&scp=13&sq=%22medical+journal%22&st=nyt&oref=login] [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/business/31censure.html?scp=22&sq=%22medical+journal%22&st=nyt]
Virginia Commonwealth University contends the New York Times failed to distinguish between two very different types of research, both of which are undertaken at most major research universities in the world, and which VCU President Eugene P. Trani explained in an open letter [http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=2518]to the community following the Times’ article.
The New York Times article revolved around a research services agreement, but applied the standards of investigator-initiated research. It failed to make the very important distinction between the two types of research contracts, and therefore, information was taken out of context, Trani wrote.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch followed with an article [http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-23-0190.html]and an editorial[http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/opinion/editorials/more.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-29-0025.html] that accurately depicted the research services contract with Philip Morris. Trani went on to establish a research task force [http://www.research.vcu.edu/vpr/corporate_sponsor.htm] to continue the dialogue on the nature of the relationships that the university should have with corporate sponsors of research going forward.
== Notable alumni ==
'''Health and medicine'''
*[[Patch Adams|Hunter "Patch" Adams]], M.D. - Founder of the [[Gesundheit! Institute]] and subject of the movie [[Patch Adams (film)|Patch Adams]].
*[[Baruj Benacerraf]], M.D. - Winner of the 1980 [[Nobel Prize in Medicine]].
*[[Saul Krugman]], M.D. - A medical researcher who discovered a vaccine against [[hepatitis B]].
'''Media'''
*[[Wiley Miller]] - American cartoonist and author of the comic strip [[Non Sequitur (comic strip)|Non Sequitur]].
*[[Tom Robbins]] - American author, best known for his novel [[Even Cowgirls Get the Blues]] (1976).
*[[David Baldacci]] - American author, best known for his novel [[Absolute Power (novel)|Absolute Power]] (1996).
*[[Stephen Furst]] - American Actor and Director, best known as "Flounder" in the National Lampoon classic [[Animal House]] (1978) as well as TV series [[St. Elsewhere]] and [[Babylon 5]].
*[[Robert Lanham]] - American author, best known for his book [[The Hipster Handbook]] (2003).
*[[Boris Kodjoe]] - Austrian-born model (Ford Modeling), actor ([[Soul Food: The Series]], [[Madea's Family Reunion]])
*[[Debbie Matenopoulos]] - American TV host, best known for co-hosting ABC's [[The View]], The Daily 10, and TV Guide Channel's The Screening Room.
*[[Robb Spewak]] - Producer and radio personality for [[The Don and Mike Show]].
*[[Zachary Knighton]] - Actor, starred most recently in [[The Hitcher (2007 film)|The Hitcher]].
*Bruce Cunningham - Baltimore sportscaster
*[[Jodi Weatherton]] - MTV Road Rules cast member
'''Sports'''
*[[Sean Marshall]] - Starting pitcher for the [[Chicago Cubs]].
*[[Brandon Inge]] - Third baseman for the [[Detroit Tigers]].
*[[Gerald Henderson]] - Played for the [[Boston Celtics]], [[Detroit Pistons]], [[Seattle SuperSonics]], and the [[San Antonio Spurs]] winning 4 NBA Championships.
*[[John Rollins (golfer)|John Rollins]] - American professional golfer and [[PGA]] Pro.
*[[Cla Meredith]] - Currently one of the pitchers for the [[San Diego Padres]].
*[[Gonzalo Segares]] - Current Defender for the [[Chicago Fire (soccer)|Chicago Fire]] in the [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
*[[Dominic Oduro]] - Current Forward for [[FC Dallas]] in the MLS
'''Art'''
*[[Sam Beam]] - Musician, [[Iron and Wine]].
*[[Philip B. Meggs]] - historian of [[design]].
*[[Randy Blythe]]- Lead Singer for [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]]
*[[Willie Adler]]- Guitarist for Lamb of God.
*[[Mark Morton]] - Lead guitarist of the metal band Lamb of God.
*[[Chris Adler (drummer)|Chris Adler]] - Drummer for Lamb of God.
*[[John Campbell (bassist)]] - Bassist for Lamb of God.
*[[Stefan Lessard]] - Bassist for [[Dave Matthews Band]].
*[[GWAR]] - Several founding members of the band.
*[[Jason Butler Harner]] - Broadway Actor, performed in original production of [[Coast of Utopia]].
*[[Andrea Detwiler]] - 2006 Daytime Emmy Winner.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835638422&path=!flair&s=1045855936229
|title=http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/...
}}</ref>
*[[Donwan Harrell]] - founder of the New York-based urban clothing company, [[Akademiks]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1996/vp960228/02280041.htm
|title=http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/...
}}</ref>
*Pamela Armstrong, opera singer
'''Other'''
*Grace Harris - Civil rights activist and one of the first three African American faculty members hired by VCU.
*Ron Tillett - Former Treasurer of Virginia, Secretary of Finance for Virginia.
*Nancy C. Everett - CEO of General Motors Asset Management Corp. and its U.S. subsidiaries.
*John C. Neal - CEO of Union Bank and Trust Company
*Dick Robertson - President of [[Warner Bros.]] Domestic Television Distribution.<ref>[http://www.vcuf.org/hatsofftoyou/featureddonors.html VCU Foundation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Robert Wittman]] - [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] representing [[Virginia's 1st congressional district]]
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.vcu.edu/ vcu.edu Official Web site]
* [http://www.vcu.edu/ramcam Ram Webcams]
{{Geolinks-US-streetscale|37.5481|-77.4533}}
{{Virginia Commonwealth University}}
{{Colleges and universities in Virginia}}
{{Colonial Athletic Association}}
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1838]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Virginia]]
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[[Category:Virginia Commonwealth University| ]]
[[Category:Oak Ridge Associated Universities]]
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[[de:Virginia Commonwealth University]]
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[[pl:Uniwersytet Virginia Commonwealth]]
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