Editing Virginia Commonwealth University

{{Short description|Public university in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Virginia Commonwealth University
 | image                  = VCU_Seal_sans_logotype.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.7
 | latin_name             = Virginia rei Publicae Universitates
 | mottoeng               = "Make it Real"
 | motto                  = {{lang|la|Effice ut sit Realis}} ([[Latin]])
 | established            = {{start date and age|1838|10|20}}
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | endowment              = $2.72 billion (2021)<ref name=endowment>As of June 30, 2021. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2021-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--REVISED-February-18-2022.ashx?la=en&hash=FA57411CC4244B7D49C25377165FEC42FFBDEB56 |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
 | budget                 = $4.7 billion
 | administrative_staff   = 11,252<ref name="opds.vcu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.opds.vcu.edu/media/decision-support/factandfigures/facts-cards/FactsCardOPDSWeb14-15.pdf|title=FActs 2014-15|website=Opds.vcu.edu|access-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005257/https://opds.vcu.edu/media/decision-support/factandfigures/facts-cards/FactsCardOPDSWeb14-15.pdf|archive-date=February 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | faculty                = 3,279<ref name="VCU Facts and Rankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.vcu.edu/about/facts-and-rankings.html|title=Facts and rankings|website=Vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522003556/http://www.vcu.edu/about/facts-and-rankings.html|archive-date=May 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | president              = [[Michael Rao]]
 | provost                = [[Fotis Sotiropoulos]]
 | rector                 = H. Benson Dendy III<ref>[https://news.vcu.edu/article/H_Benson_Dendy_III_begins_term_as_rector_of_VCU_Board_of_Visitors] – VCU Office of the President</ref>
 | students               = 28,919  (2021-22)<ref name="Facts and Figures">{{cite web|url=https://irds.vcu.edu/facts-and-figures/factcards|title=Facts and Figures|website=Vcu.edu|access-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 21,707 (2021-22)<ref name="Facts and Figures"/>
 | postgrad               = 7,212 (2021-22)<ref name="Facts and Figures"/>
 | city                   = [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]]
 | state                  = [[Virginia]]
 | country                = United States
 | campus                 = Midsize city
 | campus_size            = {{convert|150|acre|km2}}<ref name="VCU Facts and Rankings"/>
 | colors                 = {{College color list|team=VCU Rams}} <!-- same as athletics -->
 | sports_nickname        = [[VCU Rams|Rams]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I]] – [[Atlantic 10 Conference|A-10]]
 | mascot                 = Rodney the Ram
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities|CUMU]]|[[Great Cities' Universities|GCU]]|[[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]]|[[Coalition of Urban Serving Universities|USU]]|[[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia|SCHEV]]|[[National Sea Grant College Program|Sea-grant]]}}
 | website                = {{URL|https://vcu.edu}}
 | coor                   = {{coord|37.5466|-77.4533|display=inline,title|type:edu}}
 | logo                   = VCU typeface.svg
 | logo_size              = 125
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | free_label             = 
 | free                   = 
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''[[The Commonwealth Times]]''
}}

'''Virginia Commonwealth University''' ('''VCU''') is a [[Public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[Richmond, Virginia]], United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of [[Hampden–Sydney College]], becoming the Medical College of Virginia in 1854. In 1968, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] merged MCV with the [[Richmond Professional Institute]], founded in 1917, to create Virginia Commonwealth University.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vcu.edu/about/history.php|title=Leadership|website=Vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310073902/http://www.vcu.edu/about/history.php|archive-date=March 10, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, more than 28,000 students pursued 217 degree and certificate programs through VCU's 11 schools and three colleges.<ref name="VCU Facts and Rankings" /> The VCU Health System supports health care education, research, and patient care. It was the only school in the South to have graduated a class every year during the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Record |first=C. Wilson |last2=Norris |first2=Hoke |date=April 1963 |title=We Dissent. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2090637 |journal=American Sociological Review |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=311 |doi=10.2307/2090637 |issn=0003-1224|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

VCU had a record $506 million in sponsored research funding in the fiscal year 2024 and is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Anna |title=VCU ranked in top 50 public research universities, receives $506 million in grants |url=https://news.vcu.edu/article/2023/09/vcu-sets-a-record-for-sponsored-research-funding |access-date=December 2, 2023 |work=The Commonwealth Times |publisher=Virginia Commonwealth University |date=January 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=234030|title=Carnegie Foundation Classifications|website=Carnegieclassifications.iu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913073839/http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=234030|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> VCU's athletic teams compete in [[NCAA Division I]] and are collectively known as the [[VCU Rams]]. They are members of the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]]. The VCU campus includes historic buildings such as the [[Ginter House]], now used by the school's [[provost (education)|provost]].

==History==
{{main|History of Virginia Commonwealth University}}

{{further|List of presidents of Virginia Commonwealth University}}VCU's history began in 1838 when the Medical Department of [[Hampden-Sydney College]] opened in Richmond. In 1844, it moved into its first permanent home, the [[Egyptian Building]]. In 1854, the Medical Department of Hampden–Sydney College received an independent charter from the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and became the ''[[Medical College of Virginia]]'' (MCV). A few years later in 1860, MCV conveyed all its property to the Commonwealth of Virginia and becomes a state institution in exchange for $30,000.

As the Civil War began, Richmond became a focal point for battle and politics. After a [[Siege of Petersburg|long siege]], [[Ulysses S. Grant]] captured Petersburg and Richmond in early April 1865. As the fall of Petersburg became imminent, on ''Evacuation Sunday'' (April 2), [[Jefferson Davis|President Davis]], his Cabinet, and the Confederate defenders abandoned Richmond and fled south. The retreating soldiers were under orders to set fire to bridges, the [[Richmond Armory|armory]], and supply warehouses as they left. The fire in the largely abandoned city spread out of control, and along with Union shelling, large parts of Richmond, and virtually all MCV buildings, were destroyed. The city surrendered the next day; Union troops put out the raging fires in the city. Because of the worthless Confederate currency and high inflation, the medical school sold its ambulance horse for enough money to continue operation.<ref name="History VCU School of Medicine">{{Cite web |title=History VCU School of Medicine |url=https://medschool.vcu.edu/about/history/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=medschool.vcu.edu}}</ref>

After the Civil War MCV participated significantly in medical advances, including in anesthesia and antisepsis.<ref name="History VCU School of Medicine" /> In 1893, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, later University College of Medicine, was established by [[Hunter Holmes McGuire]], Stonewall Jackson's friend and personal doctor who had amputated Jackson's arm, just three blocks away from MCV. In 1912, McGuire Hall opened as the new home of the University College of Medicine. The following year, MCV and UCM merged through the efforts of George Ben Johnston and Stuart McGuire. MCV acquired the Memorial Hospital as a result of the merger.

Richmond Professional Institute traces its roots back to 1917, when it began as the Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health. In 1925, it became the Richmond division of [[The College of William & Mary]]. In 1939, this division became the [[Richmond Professional Institute]] of The College of William & Mary (RPI). In 1947, the MCV Foundation was incorporated and in 1962 RPI separated from William & Mary to become an independent state institution. Then in 1968, state legislation (Wayne Commission Report) merged MCV and RPI to become Virginia Commonwealth University. Descendant of [[Thomas Jefferson]], Pulitzer Prize winner and editor of the ''[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]'', [[Virginius Dabney]] was named the first Rector of VCU and went on to write ''Virginia Commonwealth University: A Sesquicentennial History''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virginius Dabney (1901–1995) – Encyclopedia Virginia |url=https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/dabney-virginius-1901-1995/ |access-date=September 5, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Expansion ===
[[File:Egyptian Building, Richmond, VA.jpg|thumb|[[Egyptian Building]] (1845)|left]]
[[File:Hunter McGuire cropped PD image.jpg|thumb|[[Hunter McGuire|Hunter Holmes McGuire]]]] [[File:Egyptian Building (4269022539).jpg|thumb|The [[Egyptian Building]] in the early 20th century.]]
Warren W. Brandt was the first president of VCU. During his tenure, 32 degree programs were added, and the School of Allied Health Professions and the School of Community Services were established. In addition, more than $20 million of new construction was completed or initiated on both campuses, including the [[James Branch Cabell]] Library, Rhoads Hall, the School of Business building, the Larrick Student Center and a large addition to Sanger Hall.<ref name="History">{{cite web|title=Leadership – Virginia Commonwealth University|url=http://www.vcu.edu/about/history.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310073902/http://www.vcu.edu/about/history.php|archive-date=March 10, 2013|access-date=August 16, 2014|publisher=Vcu.edu}}</ref>

In the 1980s, and under the leadership of VCU President Edmund Ackell,  a major overhaul of the university's governance system and administrative structure was initiated. Ackell lead the administration in instituting a new system for both short-range and long-range university planning; establishing faculty convocation and a new set of faculty tenure and promotion guidelines; and establishing greater access to the community by supporting the use of the university's research and educational resources to meet social needs.<ref name="History" /> [[Eugene Trani]] became the president of VCU in 1990. During his tenure VCU became one of the largest universities in Virginia, growing from an enrollment of 21,764 in 1990, to 32,284 at the time of his retirement. VCU was the state's first university to enroll over 30,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|title=VCU News|url=http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/VCU_states_largest_fouryear_public_institution|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722010627/http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/VCU_states_largest_fouryear_public_institution|archive-date=July 22, 2012|access-date=May 29, 2015|website=news.vcu.edu}}</ref> Under Trani's leadership VCU and the VCU Health System undertook more than $2.2 billion in capital construction and renovation projects.<ref>{{cite web|title=VCU's Trani helped transform school, city and lives – Articles/Archives – Richmond Times-Dispatch|url=http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2009/apr/19/tran19_20090418-221302-ar-46006/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204114941/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2009/apr/19/tran19_20090418-221302-ar-46006/|archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, VCU was awarded a $62 million federal grant to oversee a national research consortium of universities, hospitals and clinics to study what happens to service members and veterans who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/latest-news/vcu-gets-million-to-study-military-brain-injuries/article_6f21ae78-02a2-11e3-bcae-0019bb30f31a.html |title=VCU to lead major study of concussions |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=August 12, 2013 |access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/10/fact-sheet-obama-administration-s-work-honor-our-military-families-and-v |title=Fact Sheet: The Obama Administration's Work to Honor Our Military Families and Veterans &#124; The White House |date=August 10, 2013 |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120214304/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/10/fact-sheet-obama-administration-s-work-honor-our-military-families-and-v |archive-date=January 20, 2017 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |publisher=[[White House]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, VCU received a $20 million National Institutes of Health grant to join a nationwide consortium of research institutions working to turn laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients.<ref name="ReferenceA">Buckley, Anne. (January 27, 2011) [http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/Carnegie_Foundation_Upgrades_VCU_to_Research_University_Very VCU News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205052157/http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/Carnegie_Foundation_Upgrades_VCU_to_Research_University_Very |date=February 5, 2011}}. News.vcu.edu. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> The Clinical and Translational Science Award made VCU the only academic health center in Virginia to join the CTSA network. In 2011, the university's [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|Carnegie classification]] was changed to "Very High Research Activity," with over 255 million in sponsored research.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

In 2009, [[Michael Rao]] was appointed the fifth president of VCU. President Rao oversaw a major expansion in enrollment, funding and facilities at VCU. The construction of the Engineering Research and STEM buildings solidified VCU's strategy of becoming a leading scientific university. In 2022, VCU received a $104 million gift, the largest in university history, to support a new Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health.<ref>{{cite press release |last1=Gresham |first1=Tom |title=Largest publicly shared gift for liver research in U.S. history to transform liver care at VCU |url=https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2022/02/state-of-the-university-announcement-to-transform-liver-care-at-vcu |access-date=March 20, 2022 |work=VCU News |date=February 15, 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenberg |first1=Susan H. |date=February 16, 2022 |title=Huge Gifts to Fund Medical Advances at 2 Universities |language=en |work=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2022/02/16/huge-gifts-fund-medical-advances-2-universities |access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref> The university surpassed $400 million in sponsored research funding. As a result, VCU was designated a top 50 university by the [[National Science Foundation]] for research expenditures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Research |first=A. J. HostetlerOffice of the Vice President for |last2=Innovation |title=VCU breaks into top 50 of public research universities in the U.S. |url=https://news.vcu.edu/article/2022/12/vcu-breaks-into-top-50-of-public-research-universities-in-the-us |access-date=August 22, 2023 |website=VCU News |language=en-us}}</ref> In 2018, a series of [[VCUarts adjunct workers' protests|protests by adjunct faculty]] were held at VCU, over low pay and no benefits.<ref name="Mattingly">{{cite web |last1=Mattingly |first1=Justin |date=December 8, 2017 |title=VCU adjunct arts professors, community protest low wages |url=http://www.richmond.com/news/vcu-adjunct-arts-professors-community-protest-low-wages/article_1e7c52ad-bf82-5635-9f41-297596b5739e.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209014301/http://www.richmond.com/news/vcu-adjunct-arts-professors-community-protest-low-wages/article_1e7c52ad-bf82-5635-9f41-297596b5739e.html |archive-date=December 9, 2017 |access-date=May 7, 2018 |website=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]] |publisher=[[Berkshire Hathaway]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pauly |first1=Megan |date=December 8, 2017 |title=VCU Adjunct Arts Professors Rally For Higher Pay |url=http://ideastations.org/radio/news/vcu-adjunct-arts-professors-rally-higher-pay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517010205/http://ideastations.org/radio/news/vcu-adjunct-arts-professors-rally-higher-pay |archive-date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=May 10, 2018 |website=[[WCVE-FM]] |publisher=[[Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> Ahead of the 2018-19 budget, $4.2 million was allocated to increase adjunct faculty funding from $800 to $1,000 per credit hour, about $1,000 less than what the coalition was demanding.<ref name="Mattingly May 11">{{cite web |last1=Mattingly |first1=Justin |date=May 11, 2018 |title=VCU raises tuition 6.4 percent for 2018-19 |url=http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/vcu-raises-tuition-percent-for/article_82ccbd62-c828-5fa5-99f8-d52ae50ed6c3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511213312/http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/vcu-raises-tuition-percent-for/article_82ccbd62-c828-5fa5-99f8-d52ae50ed6c3.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |access-date=May 13, 2018 |website=[[The Richmond Times-Dispatch]]}}</ref> The administration implemented a campus plan which featured a campus green, arts building, dormitories, general student facilities, and renovations of the historic buildings on campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ONE VCU Master Plan – Virginia Commonwealth University |url=https://masterplan.vcu.edu/ |access-date=August 22, 2023 |website=masterplan.vcu.edu}}</ref>

==Campuses==
[[File:Scott House 20130824 141254 HDR.jpg|thumb|[[Scott House (Richmond, Virginia)|Scott House]] ]] [[File:Monroe Park Fountain.jpg|thumb|Monroe Fountain]] Virginia Commonwealth University has two main campuses in [[Richmond, Va.]]: the Monroe Park Campus, located west of downtown Richmond, and the MCV Campus in the urban center. Additionally, VCU has a branch campus in [[Education City]], [[Doha]], [[Qatar]], along with numerous regional facilities.

===Monroe Park Campus===
Named after the city park (see [[Monroe Park]]), the {{cvt|90.6|acre|adj=on}} Monroe Park Campus took its name in June 2004, replacing the former name, the Academic Campus of VCU. The Monroe Park Campus houses most of VCU's general education facilities, and is situated on the eastern end of the [[Fan district]], a historic, late 19th-century neighborhood adjacent to downtown Richmond. Prior to the merger of the [[Richmond Professional Institute]] and the Medical College of Virginia, the campus was the home to the entire Richmond Professional Institute. Today, the campus has a mixture of modern and vintage buildings, with over 40 structures built before 1900.

===MCV Campus===
The {{cvt|52.3|acre|adj=on}} MCV Campus is home to the [[VCU Medical Center]], which includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, [[VCU School of Pharmacy|Pharmacy]], Nursing, Public Health, the [[VCU College of Health Professions]], and the medical center, which is overseen by the VCU Health System Authority. The campus is also home to the [[VCU Massey Cancer Center|Massey Cancer Center]] (an [[NCI-designated Cancer Center]]) and the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. The MCV Campus is an integral part of Richmond in the old [[Court End]] district. The neighborhood is located adjacent to the city's business and financial district near the [[Virginia State Capitol|state capitol]]. VCU's Health Sciences schools are the [[VCU College of Health Professions|College of Health Professions]], the [[Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]], the [[VCU School of Medicine|School of Medicine]], the [[VCU School of Nursing|School of Nursing]], the [[VCU School of Pharmacy|School of Pharmacy]], and [https://sph.vcu.edu/ the School of Public Health].<ref name="sph.vcu.edu">{{Cite web |title=School of Population Health – Virginia Commonwealth University |url=https://sph.vcu.edu/ |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=sph.vcu.edu}}</ref>

===VCU satellite and research locations===
* Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park was incorporated in May 1992 as a joint initiative of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The research park is home to more than 60 life science companies, research institutes and state/federal labs, employing more than 2,200 scientists, engineers and researchers.<ref>[http://vabiotech.com/about/about-the-park/ About the Park • Virginia BioTechnology Research Park • The new East Coast center for biosciences] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218030739/http://vabiotech.com/about/about-the-park/ |date=December 18, 2012 }}. Vabiotech.com. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref>
* Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences is located on {{cvt|494|acre}} along the [[James River]]. The center has a primary focus of research on the science and policy of large rivers and their fringing riparian and wetland landscapes.<ref>[http://www.vcu.edu/rice/about/ VCU Rice Center – About the center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927234242/http://www.vcu.edu/rice/about/ |date=September 27, 2011 }}. Vcu.edu (April 23, 2013). Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref>
* VCU Medical Center at Stony Point, in southwestern Richmond<ref>[http://www.vcuhealth.org/?id=154&sid=1 Stony Point – Virginia Commonwealth University Health System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913033516/http://www.vcuhealth.org/?id=154&sid=1 |date=September 13, 2010 }}. Vcuhealth.org. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref>
* VCU School of Medicine Inova Campus<ref>[http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/inova/ Inova Campus – VCU School of Medicine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609215049/http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/inova/ |date=June 9, 2010 }}. Medschool.vcu.edu. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref>
* [[VCU School of Pharmacy]] Inova Campus<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100829153505/http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/inova/ Inova Campus welcomes you!]. Pharmacy.vcu.edu (October 18, 2012). Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref>
* VCU School of Pharmacy University of Virginia Division<ref>[http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=16967 VCU School of Pharmacy to Open U.Va. Satellite Campus | UVA Today] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120805183448/http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=16967 |date=August 5, 2012 }}. Virginia.edu (January 3, 2012). Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=VCU School of Pharmacy University of Virginia Division|url=http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/programs/pharmd/Satellite_campuses/uva/|website=VCU School of Pharmacy|publisher=VCU|access-date=March 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317004404/http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/programs/pharmd/satellite_campuses/uva/|archive-date=March 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== VCUarts Qatar ===
{{Main|Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar}}

VCUarts Qatar is VCU School of the Arts' branch campus located in the [[State of Qatar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=INQUIRIES|url=http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/deans-letter|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418160729/http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/deans-letter|archive-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> It was established in 1998 through a partnership with Qatar Foundation and was the first university to open its doors in Education City.<ref>[http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/at-a-glance At a glance : VCUQatar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216180344/http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/at-a-glance|date=February 16, 2013}}. Qatar.vcu.edu. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> The contract was renewed in July 2012 and goes through July 2022.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=The Education City contracts: A case study from VCU in Qatar|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/12/06/the-education-city-contracts-a-case-study-from-vcu-in-qatar/|url-status=live|access-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810153233/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/12/06/the-education-city-contracts-a-case-study-from-vcu-in-qatar/|archive-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref> VCUarts Qatar offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees.<ref>{{cite web|title=VCUQatar|url=http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/about-vcuqatar/overview-facts/inside-vcuqatar/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083448/http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/about-vcuqatar/overview-facts/inside-vcuqatar/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2015|website=Qatar.vcu.edu}}</ref> As part of the contract, VCU is not allowed to open any other degree-granting arts or design programs in other Middle Eastern countries.<ref name=":0" /> VCUarts Qatar is accredited by National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

VCU is not the only US campus in Education City, and it, along with the other universities, are the subject of criticism of their implicit acceptance of Qatar's alleged ties to extremism and human rights concerns.<ref>{{cite news|title=In Qatar's Education City, U.S. colleges are building an academic oasis|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-qatars-education-city-us-colleges-are-building-an-academic-oasis/2015/12/06/6b538702-8e01-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=June 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031005/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-qatars-education-city-us-colleges-are-building-an-academic-oasis/2015/12/06/6b538702-8e01-11e5-ae1f-af46b7df8483_story.html|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nakano|first=Hanna|title=Are American universities funding extremists' education?|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510718132-are-american-universities-funding-extremists-education|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701062359/http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510718132-are-american-universities-funding-extremists-education|archive-date=July 1, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016|website=Gulfnewsjournal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Advocate questions motive behind Qatar's financial ties to U.S. colleges|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510712102-advocate-questions-motive-behind-qatar-s-financial-ties-to-u-s-colleges|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418235507/http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510712102-advocate-questions-motive-behind-qatar-s-financial-ties-to-u-s-colleges|archive-date=April 18, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016|website=Gulfnewsjournal.com}}</ref>

== Organization ==
The Virginia Commonwealth University entity is structured as two organizations, the university and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. The president is VCU's Chief Executive Officer, and the school is organized into twenty divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academics |url=https://www.vcu.edu/academics/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Virginia Commonwealth University |language=en-us}}</ref>

There are sixteen members of the board of visitors. The governor of Virginia can select board members. There are six non-voting members who are students and faculty. The VCU Health System has a separate board of directors composed of many local and national healthcare leaders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VCU Board of Visitors – Virginia Commonwealth University |url=https://bov.vcu.edu/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=bov.vcu.edu |language=en}}</ref>

There are 3,300 staff and 2,000 professors, lecturers and instructors. VCU has an endowment of $2.72 billion, which is the second largest endowment for a public school in Virginia. Funding is received from the state and federal governments and private donations. There was more the $400 million in sponsored research in 2022 with many gifts being the largest in the university's history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossacher |first=Laura |title=VCU breaks record with more than $400M for sponsored research |url=https://news.vcu.edu/article/2022/09/vcu-breaks-record-of-400m-for-sponsored-research |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=VCU News |language=en-us}}</ref> VCU received a $104 million gift, the largest in university history, to support a new Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health. Local businesses including all Fortune 500 companies in Richmond make regular contributions to VCU such as endowed chairs, like the Philip Morris Chair, and donations for facilities. [[Altria]], the largest tobacco company in the United States, has made frequent donations throughout VCU's history. In 2022, the Commonwealth of Virginia awarded VCU most of the funding for a $253 million arts and innovation building. In 2023, [[CoStar Group]] donated $18 million for an arts and innovation room at VCU's new consolidated arts building.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2023 |title=CoStar Group Announces $18 Million Commitment to Virginia Commonwealth University for the Construction of the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation, for the Creative and Digital Economy |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230512005367/en/CoStar-Group-Announces-18-Million-Commitment-to-Virginia-Commonwealth-University-for-the-Construction-of-the-CoStar-Center-for-Arts-and-Innovation-for-the-Creative-and-Digital-Economy |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Academics==

===Schools===
*Robertson School of Media<ref>{{cite web|url=http://masscomm.vcu.edu/|title=Robertson School|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427100359/http://masscomm.vcu.edu/|archive-date=April 27, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.has.vcu.edu/gov|title=HAS " The Impact of Recent US Government Actions on the College of Humanities & Sciences|work=HAS|access-date=May 29, 2015}}</ref>
*College of Health Professions<ref>{{Cite web |title=VCU College of Health Professions |url=https://chp.vcu.edu/ |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=chp.vcu.edu}}</ref>
*[[VCU School of the Arts|School of the Arts]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcu.edu/arts/|title=VCUarts Homepage|website=Vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531114216/http://www.vcu.edu/arts/|archive-date=May 31, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[VCU School of Business|School of Business]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business.vcu.edu|title=VCU School of Business – Home|website=Business.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531114446/http://business.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 31, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/|title=VCU School of Dentistry|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522002620/http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[VCU School of Education|School of Education]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soe.vcu.edu/|title=VCU School of Education|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524231157/http://www.soe.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[VCU School of Engineering|College of Engineering]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egr.vcu.edu/|title=VCU School of Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University|work=VCU School of Engineering – Richmond, Virginia|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530023417/http://www.egr.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:VCU Snead Hall by Jeff Auth.JPG|thumb|The School of Business' Snead Hall]]
*[[VCU School of Medicine|School of Medicine]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medschool.vcu.edu|title=Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine|website=Medschool.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530003516/http://www.medschool.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[VCU School of Nursing|School of Nursing]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nursing.vcu.edu|title=Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing|website=Nursing.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530003135/http://www.nursing.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*School of Pharmacy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu|title=VCU School of Pharmacy|website=Pharmacy.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530004219/http://www.pharmacy.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*School of Public Health<ref name="sph.vcu.edu"/>
*VCU School of Social Work<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.socialwork.vcu.edu/|title=Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work|website=Socialwork.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406044005/http://www.socialwork.vcu.edu/|archive-date=April 6, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*School of World Studies<ref>{{cite web |title=VCU School of World Studies |url=http://www.has.vcu.edu/wld |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017203653/http://www.has.vcu.edu/wld/ |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |access-date=May 29, 2015 |website=Has.vcu.edu}}</ref>
*VCU University College<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uc.vcu.edu/|title=University College – Curricular Innovation and Interdisciplinary Studies|website=Uv.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530001911/http://uc.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
*College of Humanities & Sciences<ref>{{cite web |title=HAS |url=http://www.has.vcu.edu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507040244/http://has.vcu.edu/ |archive-date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=May 29, 2015}}</ref>

===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.<ref>A [http://research.schev.edu/degreeinventory/inventory_1.asp?lbinst='234030' complete degree inventory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909014501/http://research.schev.edu/degreeinventory/inventory_1.asp?lbinst='234030' |date=September 9, 2006 }} is available from the Web site of the [[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia]].</ref>

Seventy-nine 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 225 certificate, undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral degrees in the arts, sciences and humanities.

The university's medical campus provides students with several opportunities for postgraduate study. Under the Guaranteed Admission Program,<ref name="honors.vcu.edu">[http://www.honors.vcu.edu/guaranteed/index.html VCU Honors College – Guaranteed Admission Program] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013025748/http://www.honors.vcu.edu/guaranteed/index.html |date=October 13, 2012 }}. Honors.vcu.edu (May 14, 2013). Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> select incoming undergraduates who maintain a high academic standard are guaranteed a spot in a number of professional health science programs.

====Life Sciences====
[[File:White House of the Confederacy - entrance, May 2013.JPG|thumb|The [[White House of the Confederacy]] is located on the VCU Campus]]
VCU Life Sciences<ref>[http://www.vcu.edu/lifesci/ VCU Life Sciences] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528070855/http://www.vcu.edu/lifesci/ |date=May 28, 2011 }}. Vcu.edu. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> comprises three units: the Center for the Study of Biological Complexity (CSBC), the Center for Environmental Studies (CES), and the Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifesciences.vcu.edu|title=Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences|website=Lifesciences.vcu.edu|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130093121/http://lifesciences.vcu.edu/|archive-date=November 30, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> VCU Life Sciences offers an undergraduate and graduate programs as well as a PhD program in Integrated Life Sciences (ILS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifesciences.vcu.edu/academic-programs/phd-in-integrative-life-sciences/|title=Ph.D. in Integrative Life Sciences – VCU Life Sciences|website=Lifesciences.vcu.edu|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118105340/http://www.lifesciences.vcu.edu/academic-programs/phd-in-integrative-life-sciences/|archive-date=November 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Note that the Department of Biology<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biology.vcu.edu|title=Biology – Virginia Commonwealth University|website=Biology.vcu.edu|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212081829/http://biology.vcu.edu/|archive-date=December 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> is a separate unit independent of Life Sciences although there are numerous active interactions between the two. The highly interdisciplinary, systems-based program relies on hundreds of faculty members. With activities at the local, regional and national levels, VCU Life Sciences helps increase public literacy in the life sciences and provides an assessment of American public attitudes toward the field.

====VCU da Vinci Center====
VCU schools of the Arts, Business, and Engineering have collaborated to create the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation in Product Design and Development. Student teams from these schools take on a product development or design challenge posed by one of the center's industry partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davincicenter.vcu.edu/|title=VCU da Vinci Center – Learn & Do Innovation|work=VCU da Vinci Center|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530004127/http://www.davincicenter.vcu.edu/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the current collaboration, the College of Humanities and Sciences<ref>[http://www.has.vcu.edu/ Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118044818/http://www.has.vcu.edu/ |date=January 18, 2006 }}. Has.vcu.edu (July 29, 2013). Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> joined the Center late in the Fall 2012 semester. The VCU da Vinci Center offers an undergraduate certificate and a master's degree in product innovation.<ref>[http://www.davincicenter.vcu.edu/ VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923005339/http://www.davincicenter.vcu.edu/ |date=September 23, 2009 }}. Davincicenter.vcu.edu. Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref> The Masters of Product Innovation is the first of its kind in the United States.<ref>[http://www.davincicenter.vcu.edu/uncategorized/introducing-our-master-of-product-innovation/ Introducing our Master of Product Innovation | VCU da Vinci Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611063809/http://www.davincicenter.vcu.edu/uncategorized/introducing-our-master-of-product-innovation/ |date=June 11, 2013 }}. Davincicenter.vcu.edu (March 25, 2011). Retrieved August 21, 2013.</ref>

===Rankings and recognitions===
{{Infobox US university ranking
| Forbes = 447
| QS_W = 761–770
| THES_W = 401–500
| THE_WSJ = 358
| USNWR_NU = 136
| USNWR_W = 401
| Wamo_NU = 107
| ARWU_W = 201–300
}}

In 2025, ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' classified VCU as a Tier&nbsp;1 University with an overall National University rank of tied for 136th and a rank of tied for 69th among all public colleges and universities in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/virginia-commonwealth-university-3735 |title=Virginia Commonwealth University &#124; US News |publisher=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804154137/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/virginia-commonwealth-university-3735 |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:VCU Cary St Gym by Jeff Auth.JPG|left|thumb|Cary Street Gym]]
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) was ranked the No.&nbsp;1 public university school of arts and design in the country (#4 among public & private institutions) by ''U.S. News & World Report'' in 2015. At that time, VCUarts was the only public university arts and design school in the country to ever be ranked this high in overall ranking. The ''[[New York Times]]'' called it "that rare public research institution that has put the arts front and center".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Russell|first1=James S.|title=On Elite Campuses, an Arts Race|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/arts/design/on-elite-campuses-an-arts-race.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 13, 2014|access-date=March 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211012416/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/arts/design/on-elite-campuses-an-arts-race.html|archive-date=December 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[VCU Brandcenter]], the School of Business' graduate program in advertising, has also been ranked first 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 November 18, 2007</ref>

In 2024, ''[[Washington Monthly]]'' ranked VCU 107th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on VCU's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 National University Rankings |url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/2024-college-guide/national/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Washington Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref>[[File:Gen'l W.C. Wickham Monument, In Monroe Park, Richmond, Va. (16811310506).jpg|thumb|[[Monroe Park]]]] 
[[File:VCU James Branch Cabell Library-by Jay Paul.jpg|thumb|James Branch Cabell Library, Monroe Park Campus.]]VCU's [[VCU College of Health Professions]] includes nine departments whose programs are among the highest ranked in the VCU, and the United States. Nurse Anesthesia is ranked #1, Rehabilitation Counseling is ranked #4, Health Administration is ranked #5, Occupational Therapy is ranked #15, and Physical Therapy is ranked #20 by ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' .<ref>[https://www.vcu.edu/about-vcu/facts-and-rankings/ VCU Facts and Rankings]. Retrieved September 15, 2022</ref>

VCU Engineering, started in 1996 has seen tremendous growth and completely new facilities. {{as of|2014}}, U.S. News & Report ranked the [[Biomedical Engineering]] program 58th, [[Computer Engineering]] program 84th, [[Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engineering]] 89th in the United States.<ref>[http://www.vcu.edu/ranking/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128032808/http://www.vcu.edu/ranking/|date=November 28, 2006}}</ref>

In 2016 ''U.S. News & World Report'' ranked [[VCU School of Pharmacy]] 17th among pharmacy schools in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/pharmacy-rankings|title=Best Pharmacy Schools|website=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123202255/https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/pharmacy-rankings|archive-date=January 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the 2012 ''U.S. News & World Report'' VCU School of Social Work was ranked 11<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings.html|title=U.S. News School of Social Work Ranking 2012}}</ref> and the Public Affairs graduate program was ranked 53 in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/2012/03/12/methodology-graduate-public-affairs-rankings.html|title=Methodology: Best Public Affairs Schools Rankings|first1=Sam |last1=Flanigan |first2=Robert |last2=Morse |work=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=May 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/VCU_School_of_Business_PartTime_MBA_is_Nationally_Ranked|title=VCU News|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508022754/http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/VCU_School_of_Business_PartTime_MBA_is_Nationally_Ranked|archive-date=May 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Faculty====
One faculty member and one alumnus have won a [[Nobel Prize]]: [[Baruj Benacerraf]], an alumnus of the [[Medical College of Virginia]], was awarded the 1980 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and [[John Fenn (chemist)|John Fenn]], a professor in the College of Humanities & Sciences, was awarded the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

In the medical field, VCU has had four professors elected to the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]]' [[Institute of Medicine]], most recently Steven Woolf in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=755|title=Virginia Commonwealth University News|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314080707/http://www.news.vcu.edu/news.aspx?v=detail&nid=755|archive-date=March 14, 2007|url-status=live}}</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. "Stonewall" Jackson]] before he founded the "University College of Medicine", which later merged with [[Medical College of Virginia]] where he became the Chairman of Surgery. The [[Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center]] is named in his honor.

The theatre department includes two-time [[Tony Award]] nominee, costume designer [[Toni-Leslie James]]. The department's chair [[Sharon Ott]] received the 1997 [[Regional Theatre Tony Award]] on behalf of [[Berkeley Repertory Theatre]]; film actor [[Bostin Christopher]] is also on the faculty.

===Libraries===
The VCU Libraries is the busiest research library in Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Branch Cabell Library History {{!}} VCU Libraries |url=https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/history/cabell/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=library.vcu.edu}}</ref> The libraries hold more than 3 million volumes (including more than 665,000 electronic books) and extensive journal and database holdings. The VCU Libraries hosts 2.5 million visitors each year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile {{!}} VCU Libraries |url=https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/profile/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=library.vcu.edu}}</ref> The [[James Branch Cabell]] Library supports the Monroe Park Campus. Its Special Collections and Archives department houses one of the largest [[artist's book|book art]] collections in the Southeast<ref>{{Cite web |title=Book Art Collection {{!}} VCU Libraries |url=https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/collections/book-art/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=library.vcu.edu}}</ref> and the fifth largest [[graphic novel]] and [[comic book]] collection in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comic Arts Collection {{!}} VCU Libraries |url=https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/collections/comic-arts/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=library.vcu.edu}}</ref> and is the repository of the [[Eisner Award|Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards]].

The Health Sciences Library on the MCV Campus has the largest medical collection in the state, with extensive journal collections dating back to the 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Health Sciences Library History {{!}} VCU Libraries |url=https://www.library.vcu.edu/about/history/health-sciences-library/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=library.vcu.edu}}</ref> Special Collections and Archives maintain the papers of health care practitioners and the history of health care in Virginia. Its Medical Artifacts Collection has more than 6,000 instruments and equipment related to the history of health care in Virginia over the last 150 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical Artifacts {{!}} VCU Libraries |url=https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/collections/medical-artifacts/ |access-date=November 20, 2023 |website=library.vcu.edu}}</ref>

In March 2016, a 93,000-square-foot expansion of Cabell Library was dedicated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/architecture-review-vcus-new-cabell-library-is-a-bold-and-welcome-addition-to-richmond/Content?oid=2300553|title=Architecture Review: VCU's New Cabell Library Is a Bold and Welcome Addition to Richmond|last=Slipek|first=Edwin|date=March 15, 2016|website=Style Weekly|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408081854/http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/architecture-review-vcus-new-cabell-library-is-a-bold-and-welcome-addition-to-richmond/Content?oid=2300553|archive-date=April 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The new space has allowed for the addition of 25 new study rooms, a graduate and faculty reading room, a silent reading room and "The Workshop," a multimedia production suite, a gaming suite, and a makerspace.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Morehart|first=Phil|year=2016|title=2016 Library Design Showcase|url=https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2016/09/01/2016-library-design-showcase/|journal=American Libraries|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082327/https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2016/09/01/2016-library-design-showcase/|archive-date=April 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Magazine ===
[[Blackbird (journal)|Blackbird Journal]] founded in 2002 by the Creative Writing Program of the Department of English at Virginia Commonwealth University in partnership with New Virginia Review, Inc., a [[nonprofit]] literary arts organization based in [[Richmond, Virginia]]. Blackbird published poems by many poets, including: Seyed Morteza Hamidzadeh, Julia B. Levine, [[Sarah Rose Nordgren]], Dave Smith, Sofia Starnes, Inge Pedersen, Wesley Gibson, Andrew Zawacki, Elizabeth King, Kiki Petrosino, Negar Emrani, [[Kaveh Akbar]] etc.<ref>[https://blackbird.vcu.edu/v20n1 Foreword | Blackbird v20n1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Research ==
[[File:Ginter-2019-12-15-5912c.jpg|thumb|[[Ginter House]], Provost's Office]]
Virginia Commonwealth University is among the top 3 [[Research university|research universities]] in Virginia. In fiscal year 2024, VCU received over $500 million in sponsored research, ranking it in the top 50 in the nation according to the [[National Science Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reinsel |first=Madeline |title=22 VCU health sciences schools and departments rank in top 50 for NIH research funding |url=https://news.vcu.edu/article/2025/03/22-vcu-health-sciences-schools-and-departments-rank-in-top-50-for-nih-research-funding?utm_source=VCUNewsNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VCUNewsNewsletter&utm_content=https://news.vcu.edu/article/2025/03/22-vcu-health-sciences-schools-and-departments-rank-in-top-50-for-nih-research-funding |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=VCU News |language=en-us}}</ref> ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranks VCU as in the top 30 of most innovative universities in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research |url=https://www.vcu.edu/research/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |publisher=Virginia Commonwealth University |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== Centers and institutes ===
Virginia Commonwealth University has many research centers and institutes including (non-exhaustive):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institutes and centers – Virginia Commonwealth University |url=https://research.vcu.edu/resources/institutes-and-centers/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=research.vcu.edu}}</ref>

* Center for the Study of Tobacco Products<ref>{{Cite web |title=Center for the Study of Tobacco Products – Virginia Commonwealth University |url=https://cstp.vcu.edu/ |access-date=November 27, 2023 |website=cstp.vcu.edu}}</ref>
* Virginia Center on Aging
* Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics
* Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research
* Institute for drug and alcohol studies
* da Vinci Center for Innovation
* Rice Rivers Center
* Center for Environmental Studies
* Massey Cancer Center
* Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute
* Humanities Research Center
* Kornblau Institute
* Pauly Heart Center
* Center for Biological Data Science
* Institute for Creative Research
* Center on Society and Health
* Center for Drug Discovery
* Institute for Engineering and Medicine (IEM)
* Philips Institute for Oral Health Research
* Center for Public Policy
* Cybersecurity Center

==Student life==
[[File:Johnson Residence Hall VCU.jpg|upright|thumb|Johnson Hall]]
The student body consists of 57% female students and 42% male students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=580&profileId=0|title=College Search – Virginia Commonwealth University – VCU|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113033037/http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=580&profileId=0|archive-date=January 13, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Out-of-state students have increased to 15% as of the fall of 2011, and the remaining 85% of students are from Virginia.<ref name="opds.vcu.edu" /> 
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
|-
! Race and ethnicity<ref>{{cite web |title=College Scorecard: Virginia Commonwealth University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?234030-Virginia-Commonwealth-University |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 20, 2024}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|41|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|21|%|2||background:mediumblue}}
|-
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|14|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|11|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| Other{{efn|Other consists of [[Multiracial Americans]] & those who prefer to not say.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|8|%|2||background:brown}}
|-
| [[Foreign national]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|31|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|69|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Residential life===
{{Main|Housing at Virginia Commonwealth University}}

More than 79% of VCU freshmen live on campus. VCU's current residential hall capacity is around 6,200 students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://housing.vcu.edu/media/housing/documents/resource-general/VCU_Housing_Master_Plan_2014_FINAL-screen.pdf|title=2014 VCU Department of Residential Life and Housing Housing Master Plan|website=Housing.vcu.edu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082533/https://housing.vcu.edu/media/housing/documents/resource-general/VCU_Housing_Master_Plan_2014_FINAL-screen.pdf|archive-date=May 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of the prominent location within the city of Richmond, many upperclassmen live in student apartments located around the campus, specifically in [[Fan district|The Fan]], [[Oregon Hill]] or the [[Carver, Richmond, Virginia|Carver]] neighborhood, and are still able to walk or bike to their classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcu.edu/richmond/places.html|title=Richmond|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529215953/http://www.vcu.edu/richmond/places.html#neighborhoods|archive-date=May 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:Landmark Theater Richmond Virginia.jpg|thumb|[[Altria Theater]], also known as the Mosque.]] [[File:The Fan.png|thumb|[[Fan District]]]]
[[File:MJK50181 Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Richmond, Virginia).jpg|thumb|Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Campus Ministry]]

===Dining===
Dining Services at VCU is contracted to ARAMARK Higher Education.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Isaacs|first1=Sam|title=To Buy Local Food, Students Have to Eat Elsewhere|url=http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/2013/09/17/to-buy-local-food-students-have-to-eat-elsewhere/|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=The Commonwealth Times|date=September 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914093524/http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/2013/09/17/to-buy-local-food-students-have-to-eat-elsewhere/|archive-date=September 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>  Undergraduate students living in a dorm-style university residence hall are required to purchase a residential dining plan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vcu.campusdish.com/-/media/Images/Aramark/Higher-Education/Eastern/VirginiaCommonwealth/Home/Ads/DiningBrochure2016-17_web.pdf |title=2016-2017 Dining Program : VCU Dine|website=Vcu.campusdish.com |access-date=February 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213165445/https://vcu.campusdish.com/-/media/Images/Aramark/Higher-Education/Eastern/VirginiaCommonwealth/Home/Ads/DiningBrochure2016-17_web.pdf |archive-date=February 13, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Activities===
====Student organizations====
VCU has more than 500 registered student organizations in which students can be involved.<ref>{{cite web|title=Student life – VCU Undergraduate Admissions|url=https://www.ugrad.vcu.edu/why/studentlife/index.html|website=Ugrad.vcu.edu|access-date=September 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830094321/http://www.ugrad.vcu.edu/why/studentlife/index.html|archive-date=August 30, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> VCU boasts a well-established net of ethnic and cultural, religious, recreational and special interest organizations. There are two student government associations at VCU, one for each campus.

VCU is also an academic partner to the largest [[VCU French Film Festival|French Film Festival]] in the United States.<ref name="frenchfilm.vcu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://frenchfilmfestival.us/|title=French Film Festival – March 28 to 31 – Richmond , Virginia|website=French Film Festival|access-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612005719/http://frenchfilmfestival.us/|archive-date=June 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Founded in 1993, the total participation in 2012 has grown to more than 22,000 entries for the 27 films.<ref name="frenchfilm.vcu.edu"/>

====Student media====
VCU offers many student-run media outlets that allow students to express themselves:
 
* ''Amendment'' – An annual literary journal that presents points of view outside mainstream culture, specializing in social progression through artistic expression. 
* ''Annum Arcanum'' – An annual literary journal focused on genre fiction. 
* ''[[The Commonwealth Times]]'' – An independent student-run and -written newspaper published weekly online and in print during the school year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/|title=The Commonwealth Times|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523035432/http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''Emanata'' – A student-run comics anthology published every spring.
* ''Ink Magazine''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/ink_magazine|title=Ink Magazine|website=Issuu.com|access-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602065826/https://issuu.com/ink_magazine|archive-date=June 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> – Multi-ethnic student news magazine published two times during the academic year, and publishes online year round.
* ''Pwatem'' (formerly spelled Poictesme) – An undergraduate student literary journal distributed every spring to the student body and surrounding community. Also publishes a fall chapbook, Rabble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://poictesme.com/|title=poictesme (pwa-tem)|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528125445/http://poictesme.com/|archive-date=May 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''River City Fashion'' – A student-run fashion blog with a companion lookbook. 
* [[WVCW (Virginia Commonwealth University)|WVCW]] – A student-run independent online radio station at VCU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wvcw.org/|title=WVCW – WVCW, Student Radio at VCU|website=Wvcw.org|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530005543/http://wvcw.org/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Former, now inactive student media orgs include ''Potboiler Podcast Network'', ''Rams Review'', ''Mesh Media'', and ''The Horn''.

===== Altria Theater (Mosque) =====
A large contributor to VCU, [[Altria]] Group purchased the theater located centrally on campus. Formerly known as '''The Mosque''' and the '''Landmark Theater''', the Altria Theater was originally built for [[Shriners]] of the '''Acca Temple Shrine'''. In 1940, the building was purchased by the City of Richmond, which converted much of its interior for municipal use. The [[Richmond Police Department (Virginia)|Richmond Police Department]] occupied the theater's basement, where they opened up office space, classrooms, a gymnasium, and a shooting range for the police academy. An underground swimming pool was maintained, initially for training purposes, until it was filled in with concrete during the 2014 renovation. Many are familiar with the basement of the Mosque as the location for VCU class registration, which occurred several times each year.

The theater was designed in [[Moorish Revival architecture|Moorish Revival]] style by [[Marcellus E. Wright Sr.]] in association with [[Charles M. Robinson (architect)|Charles M. Robinson]] and Charles Custer Robinson circa 1925. J. R. Ray, of the Richmond Tile and Mosaic Works, was responsible for the widely used ornamental tile, and J. Frank Jones, of the [[Rambusch Decorating Company]], oversaw the interior decoration. The building officially opened in 1927, and was dedicated by the Shriners in 1928.

Performers such as [[Elvis Presley]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Bill Burr]], [[Grateful Dead]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Roy Buchanan]], [[B. B. King]], [[Widespread Panic]] and [[The Supremes]] held shows at this venue. Notable Broadway performances such as ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', ''[[The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King]]'', ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Miserables]]'', and ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'' have been past visitors of The Altria Theater.

====Recreational sports====
Recreational Sports<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/ |title=Recreational Sports &#124; Virginia Commonwealth University |website=Recsports.vcu.edu |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818015528/http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/ |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> offers facilities on both campuses.  Opened in spring 2010, the newly renovated Cary Street Gym<ref>[http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/facilities/cary_st_complex.html/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814152946/http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/facilities/cary_st_complex.html/|date=August 14, 2009}}</ref> includes the 18,000-square-foot fitness center, a rock climbing wall, two pools, racquetball and basketball courts, a track and an aerobics mezzanine.

The MCV Campus Recreation and Aquatic Center provide space for basketball, volleyball, racquetball and other sports. A 25-meter, six-lane pool is available for lap swimming, water basketball and volleyball.

The VCU Outdoor Adventure Program<ref>[http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/outdoor_adventure.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812133043/http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/outdoor_adventure.html|date=August 12, 2009}}</ref> provides a full schedule of day trips and weekend excursions focused on such outdoor activities as camping, kayaking, white-water rafting, canoeing and caving.

====Service learning====
Service learning at VCU is a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets community-identified needs. More than 3,000 VCU students are enrolled in service learning at VCU.

====Greek system====
Virginia Commonwealth University hosts 36 international fraternities and sororities across four governing councils with over 1,700 students. Within the student body, a total of 6.3% of women join a sorority and 8% of men join a fraternity.<ref>[http://www.opds.vcu.edu/documents/CommonDataSet201112.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103093326/http://www.opds.vcu.edu/documents/CommonDataSet201112.pdf|date=November 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://greeksatvcu.com/history|title=Virginia Commonwealth University, Fraternities and Sororities|website=Greeksatvcu.com|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315105238/http://www.greeksatvcu.com/history|archive-date=March 15, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> VCU's fraternity and sorority community has grown particularly rapidly in the last few years. .<ref name="commonwealthtimes.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/?p=4545|title=Greek housing could find home on Grace Street|work=The Commonwealth Times|date=November 15, 2004 |access-date=May 29, 2015}}</ref>

List of VCU's Fraternity and Sorority Chapters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greeksatvcu.com/home|title=Virginia Commonwealth University, Fraternities and Sororities|website=Greeksatvcu.com|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530010154/http://greeksatvcu.com/home|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Security===
VCU's police force consists of 99 sworn police officers and more than 200 security personnel.<ref>[https://www.police.vcu.edu/docs/CampusSafetyReport.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825034100/https://www.police.vcu.edu/docs/CampusSafetyReport.pdf|date=August 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/John_Venuti_Named_VCU_Police_Chief|title=VCU News|website=Police.vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508022737/http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/John_Venuti_Named_VCU_Police_Chief|archive-date=May 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> VCU also provides a free Security Escort service (RAM SAFE) to students and faculty to assist them in reaching their destination and have stationed more than 370 Emergency Reporting Telephone Systems in various areas throughout campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vcu.edu/police/security.html|title=Security Escort Service – VCU Police|website=Vcu.edu|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205180005/http://www.vcu.edu/police/security.html|archive-date=February 5, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Athletics==

{{main|VCU Rams}}
[[File:VCU Rams logo.svg|thumb|[[VCU Rams]] athletic logo]]
Having competed at the NCAA Division I level for little more than 30 years, Virginia Commonwealth University has sponsored a broad-based program of intercollegiate athletics. The VCU Rams have won in excess of 30 conference championships, participated in numerous NCAA post-season championship events, including a run to the Final Four in men's basketball in 2011, and had a number of All-Americans—both academic and athletic.<ref>[http://www.vcuathletics.com/history.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906223317/http://www.vcuathletics.com/history.php|date=September 6, 2008}}</ref> VCU currently sponsors sixteen varsity teams in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Division I play through the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] (A10).
VCU Men's tennis is one of the school's most successful programs. The team is coached by Paul Kostin who is one of five Division I coaches to reach the 900-victory mark. The Men's tennis team holds 12 CAA Championships, 18 NCAA tournament appearances, and 17 years of finishing in the top 25 rankings in the country.<ref>[http://www.vcuathletics.com/mte_coaches.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017075051/http://www.vcuathletics.com/mte_coaches.php|date=October 17, 2008}}</ref> In 2000, VCU men's tennis had its best season, finishing runner up to Stanford in the NCAA Finals Championship match. The team finished with a No. 9 ranking in the country.<ref>[http://www.vcuathletics.com/mte/mte_history.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018035624/http://www.vcuathletics.com/mte/mte_history.php|date=October 18, 2008}}</ref>

Also under coach Paul Kostin, VCU's women's tennis team has 3 CAA championships, 12 NCAA appearances, and 8 years in the top 25.

[[VCU Rams baseball|VCU Baseball]] has won a total of 3 CAA Championships and has been to a total of 8 NCAA Regionals. Bradley LeCroy is VCU Baseball's head coach, and the school plays its games at [[The Diamond (Richmond, Virginia)]].

Other intercollegiate sports include Men and Women's Basketball, Men and Women's Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Men and Women's Soccer (played at [[Sports Backers Stadium]]), Men and Women's Track and Field, Volleyball, and Women's Lacrosse.

VCU also has many student run club teams. These sports not sponsored by the university include coed & all-girl cheerleading, baseball,  softball, men's<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/mensrugbyvcu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040217230849/http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/mensrugbyvcu/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2004|title=Untitled Document}}</ref> and women's<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/WomensRugby/|title=RAM RUGBY|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232827/http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/WomensRugby/|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[rugby union]],  [[ultimate (sport)|ultimate]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/frisbeevcu/home.html|title=VCU Ultimate: Beware of the biscuits|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111103/http://www.studentorg.vcu.edu/frisbeevcu/home.html|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> men's and women's [[lacrosse]], cycling, [[men's and women's crew]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crewteamatvcu.org/ |title=Home |publisher=Crew Team At VCU |access-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207064528/http://www.crewteamatvcu.org/ |archive-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and dodgeball. Previous club sports have also included [[ice hockey]], wrestling and tennis.

===Men’s basketball===
[[File:X-ray (1914) (14802180503).jpg|thumb|Basketball team, 1914]]
[[File:Mo Alie-Cox.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mo Alie-Cox]]]]
{{main|VCU Rams men's basketball}}

VCU reached the Final Four in the 2011 NCAA tournament. The team has won a total of 9 conference championships with the most recent coming in 2015, the team's first A10 championship win. The VCU Rams currently play at the [[Stuart C. Siegel Center]], where they hold the 11th highest Home Court winning percentage in Division I basketball with a winning percentage of .8579<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rpiratings.com/homecourtrec.html|title=RPIRatings.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813060308/http://rpiratings.com/homecourtrec.html|archive-date=August 13, 2009}}</ref>

In the [[2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament]], [[2010–11 VCU Rams men's basketball team|VCU]] qualified as an at-large bid, having to play in the newly formatted tournament's "First Four" against [[2010–11 USC Trojans men's basketball team|USC]]. The decision to allow VCU to participate in the tournament was widely criticized among pundits and the media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-basketball/jay-bilas-calls-selections-of-uab/|title=Jay Bilas Calls Selections Of UAB, VCU "Indefensible" |work=SportsGrid|access-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530023903/http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-basketball/jay-bilas-calls-selections-of-uab/|archive-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> VCU defeated USC 59–46 in the "First Four" play-in game. VCU then went on to upset [[2010–11 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team|Georgetown]] 74–56 in the round of 64. The 11th-seeded VCU Rams then upset third-seeded [[2010–11 Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team|Purdue]] 94–76 to advance to the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship#Regional semifinals and finals|Sweet 16]] for the first time in school history. In the sweet sixteen, VCU defeated tenth-seeded [[2010–11 Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team|Florida State]] 72–71 on a last second bucket in overtime to advance to the [[Elite 8]] for the first time in school history. VCU beat the No. 1 seed [[2010–11 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team|Kansas]] in the Southwest Regional final by a score of 71–61. It was the Rams' first trip to the [[Final Four]]. Against [[2010–11 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team|Butler]] in the Final Four, VCU lost 70–62. The [[2010–11 VCU Rams men's basketball team]] finished sixth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/2 |title=NCAA College Basketball Polls, College Basketball Rankings, NCAA Basketball Polls |publisher=ESPN |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225231310/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/2 |archive-date=February 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the highest ranking in VCU's history and the highest ranking of any team from the [[Colonial Athletic Association|CAA]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/releases/20110405bzx9gm |title=RAMS FINISH THE SEASON RANKED SIXTH IN USA TODAY/ESPN TOP 25 POLL – VCU |publisher=Vcuathletics.com |date=April 5, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113149/http://www.vcuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/releases/20110405bzx9gm |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Women's basketball ===
The VCU Rams Women's team enjoyed its most successful season in 2008–2009. Led by future WNBA Draft Pick Quanitra Hollingsworth, that team finished the season with a mark of 26–7 overall and a 15–3 conference record. Notably the team was a perfect 16–0 at home. After finishing second in the Colonial Athletic Association the team headed to their first ever NCAA tournament game as a 10 seed, where the No. 7 seeded Rutgers eliminated them 57–51 at the RAC in Piscataway, N.J.<ref>[http://www.vcuathletics.com/wbb/0809stats/teamcume.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203083404/http://www.vcuathletics.com/wbb/0809stats/teamcume.htm|date=February 3, 2009}}</ref> The 2009–10 squad also reached the Sweet 16 of the WNIT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2011-03-21 |title=How sweet it is: VCU reaches Sweet 16 for first time in school's 43-year history The Commonwealth Times |url=https://commonwealthtimes.org/2011/03/20/how-sweet-it-is-vcu-reaches-sweet-16-for-first-time-in-schools-43-year-history/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Commonwealth Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Athletics rivals===
[[File:VCU basketball fans 2011.jpeg|thumb|Students celebrate VCU's upset victory over Kansas. The win gave VCU a berth into the Final Four.]]
VCU's main rival is [[Old Dominion Monarchs|Old Dominion University]]. The [[Old Dominion–VCU men's basketball rivalry]] is often regarded as the best college basketball rivalry in the Commonwealth of [[Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caahoops.com/2011/01/vcuodu-the-rivalry-is-just-different/|title=VCU/ODU: The Rivalry Is Just Different…|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119120344/http://www.caahoops.com/2011/01/vcuodu-the-rivalry-is-just-different/|archive-date=January 19, 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://fdhub.net/odu-at-vcu-sold-out/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215040118/http://fdhub.net/odu-at-vcu-sold-out/|date=February 15, 2011}}</ref> The Rams' intra-city rivalry with [[Richmond Spiders|University of Richmond]] ("[[Black & Blue Classic]]"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.richmond.com/lifestyles/2010/dec/10/vcu-vs-ur-ar-705330/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212194226/http://www2.richmond.com/lifestyles/2010/dec/10/vcu-vs-ur-ar-705330/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2010|title=VCU vs. UR|work=Richmond.com|access-date=May 29, 2015}}</ref> is bound to heat up now that the two schools are playing in the same conference again for the first time since 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2012/may/15/urs-miller-believes-vcus-move-10-benefits-both-sch-ar-1916412/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518103546/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2012/may/15/urs-miller-believes-vcus-move-10-benefits-both-sch-ar-1916412/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |title=UR's Miller believes VCU's move to A-10 benefits both schools |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref>

===Rowdy Rams===
The Rowdy Rams is a student-run athletic support organization that focuses on VCU men's basketball, while also attending and supporting the university's 16 other varsity teams. The group began during the 2002–2003 basketball season when a group of VCU Pep Band members and other students began coordinating cheers together and taking road trips to away games. The following year, the Rowdy Rams procured funding from the SGA and sponsorship from VCU's Athletic Department, solidifying themselves as an official organization.<ref name="sites.google.com">{{cite web |url=https://sites.google.com/site/vcurowdyrams/about-us |title=About Us – VCU Rowdy Rams |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222221037/https://sites.google.com/site/vcurowdyrams/about-us |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2013, The Rowdy Rams won the annual Naismith Student Section of the Year award, which awards the most passionate student section in college basketball.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Cushing |url=http://rvanews.com/news/rowdy-rams-named-student-section-of-the-year/85820 |title=Rowdy Rams named Student Section of the Year |publisher=RVANews |date=March 27, 2013 |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801021334/http://rvanews.com/news/rowdy-rams-named-student-section-of-the-year/85820 |archive-date=August 1, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{main|List of Virginia Commonwealth University alumni}}VCU's Alumni are distinguished in various fields, notably interdisciplinary ones. [[Patch Adams]] is a medical doctor, author, activist, and clown; [[Christopher Poole]] is an internet entrepreneur and founder of [[4chan]], which revolutionized internet communication; [[David Baldacci]] is a best-selling author and speaker; [[Altria|William Gifford]] is the CEO for [[Altria]], the largest producer of tobacco products in the United States and partial owners of [[Juul]]. VCU alumni include many renowned artists and musicians, including [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]], [[Gwar|GWAR]], [[Sam Beam]], [[Lucy Dacus]] and [[Will Toledo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous VCU Alumni · Making VCU · VCU Libraries Gallery |url=https://gallery.library.vcu.edu/exhibits/show/making-vcu/famous-vcu-alumni |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=gallery.library.vcu.edu}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Institute for Contemporary Art, Richmond]]
* [[VCU School of the Arts]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://vcuathletics.com/ VCU Athletics website]

{{Virginia Commonwealth University}}
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