Sculptures on the Shafer Court walkway.
VCU's COVID-19 supply kits include launderable face masks, disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer and information about safety protocols. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

Around campus: Here’s where you can pick up a replacement COVID-19 supply kit

Plus: Study abroad canceled through May 2021. VCU creates a “COVID-19 rumor mill” page. Provost Gail Hackett will retire in June.

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Virginia Commonwealth University students and employees can now use their university ID to obtain a replacement COVID-19 supply kit.

The kits — which can be picked up while supplies last at service desks at Cary Street Gym, the Hunton Student Center, the Larrick Student Center and the University Student Commons — include launderable face masks, disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer and information about safety protocols. Students and employees are asked to recycle empty hand sanitizer and disinfectant bottles. 

A glance at other news around campus over the past week:

Addressing COVID-19 rumors


In an effort to differentiate between facts and rumors related to COVID-19 on campus, VCU has added a rumor mill page to the One VCU: Responsible Together website. People can submit questions related to rumors for the university’s medical and public health experts to answer. VCU will still maintain its together@vcu.edu email account for general questions related to COVID-19, campus operations and updates to plans or procedures. 

Provost to retire after this academic year


Gail Hackett, Ph.D., VCU’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, will retire June 30. VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., announced the news in a letter to the university community Sept. 24. 

“I am very grateful to Gail for all that she has done for VCU and our people,” Rao wrote. “She has been a great partner in an important mission.” 

Hackett will have served more than six years at VCU at the time of her retirement. During her tenure, VCU has continued to improve its graduation rate and has narrowed graduation gaps among students. Since 2008, VCU has increased its six-year graduation rate by 37%. The university also has been listed among the top 100 schools in the country for conferring the most degrees to minority students.

Study abroad programs canceled through May 2021 


Citing continued uncertainty related to the pandemic, VCU has canceled all study abroad programs through May. The university announced the cancelation following recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is recommending that higher education institutions consider postponing or canceling upcoming international travel programs due to the possibility of students facing travel restrictions, challenges returning home and challenges accessing health care while abroad. 

VCU is encouraging students to visit the Keep on Studying Abroad website for ways they can maintain momentum in planning a future study abroad experience. 

For more information on VCU’s return to campus, visit together.vcu.edu/.