First in Series of UVI Golden Jubilee 'Friday Forums' Set Feb. 24
The University of the Virgin Islands will launch a new series of academic enrichment programs on Friday, Feb. 24, called "Friday Forums at Fifty: Ideas and Issues." Friday Forums will be conducted monthly throughout 2012, UVI's 50th anniversary year, and are a major component of the University's ongoing Golden Jubilee Celebration.
UVI students, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as members of the greater Virgin Islands community are encouraged to participate. The first forum will be hosted by WSTA (Lucky 13) radio personalities Winston Smith and Jean Forde. It will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and be available via videoconference in Chase Auditorium (B-110) on the St. Thomas campus, in Evans Center Room 401 on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, and at the St. John Academic Center in Cruz Bay, St. John.
A full news release on the Friday Forums series is available from the UVI homepage - www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.
New UVI Bridge Program Seeking Non-Traditional Students; Info Sessions Set Feb. 27
The University of the Virgin Islands invites interested potential students to information sessions outlining a new, 10-week "bridge program" for non-traditional students who wish to go to college. The free program aims to provide structured assistance with the effort to transition into college for individuals who are considered non-traditional students. Non-traditional students are those who delayed enrolling in college after high school graduation or earning a GED. Also included are individuals who work full- or part-time, are financially independent, have dependents, or who are single parents.
Information sessions outlining the program are scheduled on UVI's campuses on St. Thomas and St. Croix at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. The St. Thomas session will be held in Room 213 of the Classroom Administration Building. For details or to RSVP on St. Thomas, contact Jennifer Crawford at (340) 693-1000 (jpalmer@uvi.edu). A separate St. Croix session will be held in Evans Center Room 505. For information or to RSVP on St. Croix contact Shari Wiltshire at (340) 514-3069.
UVI's Non-Traditional Bridge Program is scheduled to begin March 19, on St. Thomas and St. Croix. It will include academic sessions designed to prepare students for the University's placement tests. Interactive sessions will focus on personal development and students will learn to access and navigate UVI wide range of resources.
Bucs, Lady Bucs Preparing for Home Opener - Homecoming - Feb. 25
The UVI Buccaneers and Lady Bucs varsity basketball squads are preparing for their LAI home openers on Saturday, Feb. 25, with matchups against their Metropolitan University counterparts. The games - which have been designated homecoming at UVI - begin at 6 p.m. with the Lady Bucs tip-off, with the men's game to follow. Special activities and pre-game festivities are being planned.
In last week's action, the men's squad split a pair of road games in Puerto Rico, with the Bucs downing Caribbean University 83-81 on Friday. On Saturday, they lost to Sacred Heart, 93-86. The Lady Bucs, facing the women's squads at the same two schools, lost to Caribbean University 54-47, and to Sacred Heart 65-53.
The Buccaneer and Lady Bucs 2012 season schedule is available from the Games Schedule tab in the Athletics section of the UVI website - www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.
Angelique Kidjo Performs at UVI's Reichhold Center on Feb. 25
Angelique Kidjo, one of the greatest forces in World music, will perform at UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. A native of Benin, Kidjo's music is steeped in the tribal and pop rhythms of her West African heritage. Her earthy voice spans musical boundaries, blending funk, salsa, jazz, rumba, makossa and souk. She has 11 albums to her name. More information and tickets are available from the Reichhold Center website - www.reichholdcenter.com.
Discount Reichhold Center Tickets Available to UVI Students, Faculty, Staff
UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts offers special discount ticket rates for UVI students, faculty and staff. Call the Reichhold Box Office at (340) 693-1559 for details and restrictions.
UVI RTPark Schedules Board of Directors Meeting for Feb. 28
The University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park Corporation (RTPark) has scheduled a meeting of the Board of Directors for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. The meeting will take place in the RTPark Offices on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Seating is limited. Teleconference access is available. Call the RTPark at (340) 692-4200 to participate or for more information.
Nominations for Edward E. Thomas Volunteer of the Year Scholarship Awards Sought
Members of the UVI Community are invited to nominate individuals to be considered for the annual Edward Thomas Service Awards which will be presented during UVI's Afternoon on the Green activity on March 11. Awards are made for the Student Volunteer Year and for the Community Volunteer of the Year. Each award winner receives a scholarship which is funded from the proceeds of the Afternoon on the Green. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, March 2.
The Student Volunteer of the Year Award is intended for a student currently enrolled at UVI who has contributed substantially (a minimum of 50 hours during the past year) to UVI or the local community. The winner receives a UVI scholarship valued at $3,000.
The Community Volunteer of the Year Award is intended to recognize an individual who has contributed substantially (a minimum of 50 hours during the past year) to UVI or the local community. The winner receives a scholarship valued at $1000, which can be used towards tuition at UVI or with UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVI-CELL) Center.
Nomination forms - with details of eligibility and nomination requirements - are available from these direct links: Student Volunteer of the Year | Community Volunteer of the Year. Forms should be sent or delivered to the UVI Office of Institutional Advancement, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802.
Members of UVI Community Sought to Serve on Website Committee
UVI is searching for faculty, staff, alumni and students to serve on the University's Website Committee. The Website Committee will provide guidance and establish standards for the UVI website to ensure high quality and consistency of content, organization and presentation of information. Interested persons should contact UVI Webmaster Moneca Pinkett in the UVI Public Relations Office on the St. Thomas campus via e-mail at mpinket@uvi.edu or call (340) 693-1495.
Training for Website Contributors Offered
UVI Webmaster Moneca Pinkett is conducting training sessions for UVI website contributors. The training schedule is available online at this Website Training Schedule. Individuals interested in managing their department's section of the UVI website must RSVP at least one week before the training. Interested persons should contact Moneca Pinkett in the UVI Public Relations Office on the St. Thomas campus via e-mail at mpinket@uvi.edu or call (340) 693-1495.
Volunteers Sought to Assist with Coastal Water Quality Study on Feb. 26
Volunteers are needed to provide assistance with a study of Trends in Coastal Water Quality of the US Virgin Islands. UVI Masters in Marine and Environmental Sciences candidate Devon Tyson is conducting the study which involves handling a multiple thousand entries database of EPA-sponsored water quality monitoring data of the coastal waters of the USVI. The goal is to provide science and policy recommendations for the sustainable management of USVI's ambient environment. The effort requires assistance in rearranging the database to make it amenable to direct statistical analysis. Undergraduate and graduate students from all UVI schools and colleges are invited to participate in this work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 26, in Chase Auditorium (B110), on UVI's St. Thomas campus. Participants will gain a familiarization with methods employed in policy driven research. Interested persons should contact Tyson, via email, at d_tyson@lycos.com.
Monday, March 12, - STX - SGA Plans Student Forum on Albert A. Sheen Campus
The Student Government Association (SGA) on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix will host a Student Forum from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Monday, March 12. It will take place in the UVI Great Hall in the North West Wing building. All students are invited to participate. The forum is designed to allow students to share opinions and suggestions on the subject of fencing for the campus. For more information, contact the SGA, via email, at sgastx@myuvi.net.
Other Student Activities...
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - STT - The Japanese Club will hold a cupcake sale at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the CA Building. Cupcakes will feature designs in an Asian theme.
Thursday, Feb. 23 - STX - The Golden Key International Honour Society - St. Croix Chapter will conduct a membership drive for all prospective students from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Library Terrace.
Sunday, February 26 - STX - The Psychology Club will show a Movie Matinee in the Theatre (EC 401) at 3 p.m., on Feb. 26. The movie "Seven Pounds," starring Will Smith will be featured. Admission and snacks are free. Members of the Psych Club are reminded that 2011-2012 dues - $20 - are due.
Wednesdays, Feb. 29-April 25 - STX - Students on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix are invited to weekly "Succeeding Past Stress" support series with St. Croix Peer Counselors and the counseling supervisor from noon to 12:50 p.m. each Wednesday, beginning on Feb. 29, and continuing through April 25. The hang outs, which will take place in Evans Center Room 505, are designed to help students share their concerns. They are offered by the UVI Counseling and Career Services Office. For more information call (340) 692-4187.
Thursday, March 1 - STT - A free clinic offering gynecological and STD testing is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 1, at the Health Services Center Office. Pap Smears, birth control pills, STD testing for Chlamydia and gonorrhea and pregnancy testing will be available. For appointments call (340) 693-1124
Other Current Items...
UVI Chapter NSBE Plans Walk for Education on St. Thomas Campus on Feb. 25
The Virgin Islands Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) invites the public to join in a Walk for Education, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, on UVI's St. Thomas campus. The goal is to increase awareness of the opportunities available through education particularly in STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - fields, and to shatter the myths about African Americans in science and technology. One dollar out of every five dollars donated to NSBE for this event will go toward purchasing books for children in orphanages such as Nana Baby Home.
The walk starts at UVI's soccer field and continues towards the airport before returning to the soccer field. A second route will divert onto the road toward Faculty East buildings and continue around the campus toward Brewers Bay before returning to the soccer field. An educational fun day with food, snacks and drinks will be conducted at end of this event. Local NSBE member Dwayne Richardson said adults can participate with a $7 pledge. Pledges for children and students are $5. For more information send email to: b.a.rhymer@gmail.com or call Richardson at (340) 513-9123.
VIUCEDD to Offer American Sign Language Class Beginning Feb. 27
The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) will offer a ten week class in American Sign Language starting Feb. 27. Classes will be held in St. Thomas on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the University and in St. Croix on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the VIUCEDD office. The fee is $100. For further information or to register, call (340) 693-1173 on St. Thomas or (340) 692-4267 on St. Croix.
'The Caribbean Writer' Issues Call for Cover Art; Deadline Feb. 29
"The Caribbean Writer" - the international, literary anthology published by the University of the Virgin Islands - is soliciting colorful, eye-catching, Caribbean artwork for the cover of its upcoming issue. This issue, Volume 26 of the celebrated journal, will be dedicated to the environment, with the theme: Nature and Ecology.
Artists who want their work to be considered for use should submit it in vertical orientation, in either TIFF or JPG format, with a resolution of 300 dpi or greater. Black and white art (line drawings, sketches, block prints, etc.) is also needed for use inside the 300-page publication. Vertical orientation is also preferred for these submissions. Please include all necessary contact information and a brief biographical note with art submissions and email to submit@thecaribbeanwriter.org. The deadline for artwork submission is Feb. 29, 2012. For more information please call (340) 692-4152. Previously selected cover artwork of "The Caribbean Writer" can be viewed at the website: www.thecaribbeanwriter.org.
UVI Posts 2012-2013 Scholarship Application Forms; Application Deadline March 1
UVI's Financial Aid Office has posted scholarship application forms for the 2012-2013 academic year on the Financial Aid section of the UVI web site - www.uvi.edu. The applications are for high school students, and for graduate and undergraduate (including international students). The forms include detailed information on requirements and what types of scholarships are available. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is March 1.
Handy Links: Financial Aid Scholarships Page | High School Scholarship Application Form | Undergraduate/Graduate Application Form (includes international students)
For more information contact the Financial Aid Office at (340) 693-1090 on St. Thomas or (340) 692-4193 on St. Croix.
Actors Sought for Upcoming UVI Theatre Production of 'Kill the Rabbits'
UVI playwright and director David Edgecombe has issued a call for interested persons to audition for two roles as well as positions supporting actors and other personnel in the upcoming world premiere of "Kill the Rabbbits." The play is Edgecombe's adaptation from the collection of short stories entitled "How to Escape From a Leper Colony," by Tiffany Yanique. The short story and the play get the title from the song "Legal" popularized by Nick Friday and The Jam Band. It was at the heart of a 1987 Carnival controversy that local writers and scholars are yet to fully examine. The play features an exploration of how cultural/historic events can lead to the kind of creative expression seen in the short story and play.
Actors are needed for two roles, those of Herman and Herman's father. Herman is a Caucasian male age 35. The actor must also be able to play Herman at age 20. This is a principal role. Herman's father is a Caucasian male age 60 to 65. This is a minor role. Actors are not paid. Also needed are carnival troupe dancers and revelers and persons interested in presenting audio-visual presentations. The play is scheduled to open March16, at the renovated UVI Little Theatre, located in the CA Building on the St. Thomas campus.
Interested persons should contact Edgecombe at (340) 693-1355 or send email to dedgeco@uvi.edu.
Students Encouraged to Consider Applying for Summer Internship Program
Interested UVI students are encouraged to consider applying for federal student internships offered through the Washington Center's Summer 2012 Competitive Program. Internships are available with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and others. An announcement has been shared with faculty and staff, the deans for the schools and colleges and students. The deadline for applications is March 1. Interns will receive significant financial assistance, including a stipend, fully-furnished housing and a travel allowance. For details, visit the Career Services section of the UVI website - www.uvi.edu - or this direct link.
Deadline for Ordering Commencement Regalia Set for March 14 on St. Thomas Campus
UVI faculty and professional staff on the St. Thomas campus are reminded that the deadline to place orders for commencement regalia is March 14. The St. Thomas campus UVI Bookstore has announced that, in addition to accepting regalia orders, it has an inventory of used regalia for sale. For more information visit the Bookstore or call (340) 693-1560.
The Bookstore also noted that the deadline for graduating students to be measured for their regalia is Wednesday, Feb. 29.
St. Croix Bookstore Commencement Regalia Deadline Set for March 15
UVI faculty and professional staff on the St. Croix campus are reminded that the deadline to place orders for commencement regalia is March 15. For more information visit the Bookstore or call (340) 692-4162.
ADD PHOTO...
'We Are UVI' Submissions Sought; Do You Know This Week's Contributor?
The Golden Jubilee "We Are UVI" web project - sharing the stories of individuals who have had a close affiliation with the University at some point during the last 50 years - was updated with the latest entry on Sunday, Feb 5. Can you identify who it is from the accompanying photo?
This week's entry, posted Feb. 12, joins submissions from Sinclair Wilkinson ('72), Rafe Boulon, Jr. ('76), Carmie Thompson ('10), Frank Mills ('67), James Rakocy, Arah Lockhart ('78) and Utha Williams ('82). A new submission is being featured each week during 2012.
"We Are UVI" can be viewed from a link at the right of the UVI homepage - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link. Interested individuals are encouraged to add their own comments to any submissions. Everyone is invited to share the "We Are UVI" page via e-mail and social media links which accompany each entry. Narratives and photos are still being assembled for the ongoing project. Persons interested in contributing their stories should contact Dr. Henry H. Smith at hsmith@uvi.edu or call (340) 693-1062.
UVI's Afternoon on the Green Promises New Surprises for Golden Jubilee
The University of the Virgin Islands annual Afternoon on the Green is set for noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, on the St. Thomas campus' Herman E. Moore Golf Course. The event brings the Virgin Islands community together for a day of food, family and fun. In celebration of UVI's 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee, Afternoon on the Green will be filled with new and exciting surprises. The entire community is invited to attend Afternoon on the Green.
The Afternoon on the Green Committee also invites individuals and restaurants to be part of this momentous event by contributing cooked dishes or food items. For more information or to find out how to contribute to Afternoon on the Green, call UVI at 693-1040 or send e-mail to lmargol@uv.edu.
Volunteers Sought for Afternoon on the Green
Volunteer Planning Committee
Volunteers are sought to join the 2012 Afternoon on the Green Volunteer Planning Committee. Afternoon on the Green, UVI's annual "friendraiser," is scheduled for Sunday, March 11. For more information or to volunteer, individuals should contact Volunteer Committee Chairperson Kyza Callwood at kyzawood3@yahoo.com or call the UVI Office of Institutional Advancement at (340) 693-1040.
Dr. Jones-Hendrickson Named Interim Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Simon Jones-Hendrickson has been appointed Interim Dean of UVI's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The appointment, announced by President David Hall, serves to fill the vacant administrative position resulting from Dr. George Lord's resignation in January 2012. The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is one of the largest academic areas at the University and offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. CLASS is also the academic unit through which the majority of General Education requirements are offered.
Dr. Hall noted that Dr. Jones-Hendrickson has served the University in a number of capacities and on numerous institutional committees and task forces throughout his 36-year tenure at CVI/UVI. Dr. Jones Hendrickson is a prolific writer and is known throughout the Caribbean for his economic and cultural expertise. Dr. Hall also called on members of the UVI community to lend support to Dr. Jones-Hendrickson to ensure his success in this role.
CLEP Test Dates Set on St. Thomas Campus
Students are advised that the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test dates for the Spring 2012 semester have been finalized on the St. Thomas campus. CLEP tests will be administered on Feb. 24, March 22, April 11 and April 17, in the CATS computer lab (CA Building Room 123). Students can register for the test at the Office of Access and Enrollment Services' front desk, located on the first floor of the Administration and Conference Center.
Test candidates must report to the test site no later than 9:30 a.m. on the test day with appropriate identification and form of payment. Acceptable forms of identification include a current driver's license, state or federal ID, a current passport, tribal ID card, naturalization card or certificate of citizenship.
The cost associated with CLEP is $77 (payable to College Board) per test and an additional administrative fee of $15 (payable to UVI prior to the test date). Payment must be made in the form of check, money order, or credit card. Cash will not be accepted. Students can email cmorris@uvi.edu for additional information.
SGA to Host St. Croix Campus Shadow Our Students Program on March 13
The Student Government Association on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix will host its sixth annual SOS (Shadow Our Students) Program on Tuesday, March 13. The program is designed to enhance UVI's recruitment efforts and build mentoring relationships between UVI students and graduating seniors in the local high schools.
This year's theme is "SOS: Celebrating 50 Years of Students Success." UVI students who have made a significant impact at UVI and the wider community will be highlighted. The presenters will be State Command Sergeant Major Mona L. Barnes, of the Virgin Islands National Guard, and highly regarded motivational speaker Keith L. Brown.
For details, contact SOS Program Coordinator/SGA Treasurer Kevin Dixon at (340) 692-4228 or send email to sgastx@myuvi.net. Information is also available from Student Activities Supervisor Hedda Finch-Simpson at (340) 692-4228.
UVI Celebrates Black History Month
UVI is celebrating Black History Month with a series of student activities on both campuses. A new Black History Month webpage lists UVI's upcoming Black Heritage events and includes links to compelling stories from successful black entrepreneurs, black CEO's, black executives and black business leaders from around the world. Black History Month page is available from the Student Life section of the UVI website - www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.
Free Stress Relief Hour Program Set for Mondays through Thursdays
The Student Health Services Center on UVI's St. Thomas campus is offering a "Stress Relief Hour" from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. The program offers 10-minute sessions with natural healing and magnetic resonance therapy. The service is free to all students, faculty and staff. For details or to make an appointment, call (340) 693-1124.
Golden Jubilee Items...
Golden Jubilee Calendar Available Online
Information and a calendar of
upcoming Golden Jubilee events is available from the Golden Jubilee
button on the UVI homepage - http://www.uvi.edu/
- and from this direct
link.
Research Day Activity Set April 14; Submissions Deadline Feb. 29
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the University of the Virgin Islands, a Research Day activity will be held on April 14, 2012, on UVI campuses on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The UVI Research Day Committee has issued a call for submissions of posters and roundtable discussion topics for inclusion in the Research Day program.
The roundtable sessions will allow a group of participants to convene with the goal of generating discussion around a shared concern. The poster session allows participants to present their research and have informal discussions with attendees.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. Contributions may be submitted using the form available at this link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/UVIResearchDay. The access password is: weareuvi. Please direct any comments or questions to Dr. Frank Mills, chair of the UVI Research Day Committee, via email at fmills@uvi.edu or call (340) 693-1027.
Submissions for UVI Golden Jubilee Time Capsules Sought
Submissions of ideas for commemorative items to be placed in UVI Golden Jubilee time capsules on both campuses are sought by the Time Capsule Subcommittee of UVI's Golden Jubilee Committee.
"This is our opportunity to pass on legacies, lessons, knowledge, formulas, equations and models that may impact humanity, along with artifacts, poetry, hopes and dreams," said Raquel Silver chair of the subcommittee. "What do we want our students, alumni, faculty and staff to know about our University, our community and the early 21st Century?"
Contributions will be accepted from UVI students, alumni, departments and staff members. Collection of items will commence March 1, and conclude Oct, 31. Please submit items to be considered for inclusion in the time capsule. Indicate the contributor's name, department and campus, and include contact information. Items can be mailed or dropped off as follows:
- Albert A. Sheen Campus - St. Croix: Raquel Silver / rsantia@uvi.edu / ext 4061 / Research and Extension Center Room 106
- St. Thomas campus: Dr. Angela Dikou / adikou@uvi.edu / ext 1284 / Quarters B Room 202
The Time Capsule Subcommittee will make the final determination of what should be included in the time capsules before they are finally capped in December 2012. Members of the committee, are Raquel Silver, Dr. Gene Lacy Butcher III and Dr. Angela Dikou (faculty), Sharon Pickering (student), Maria Friday, Shelly Ansyln-Jones and Lorna J. Williams-Sutton (staff/alumni).
Official UVI Golden Jubilee Logos Available from myCampus Portal
Access to the official UVI Golden Jubilee logo artwork is now available from the "UVI Projects" page on the University's myCampus portal. To access the portal, go to http://mycampus.uvi.edu. A link is available from the top of all UVI web pages. Logos are provided in high-resolution (print) and low-resolution (email) JPG formats. They may be used without alteration to promote 50th anniversary events and activities. Please refer to the official UVI Golden Jubilee Logo Use Policy. Please contact UVI Public Relations - pr@uvi.edu - for special size or high resolution (CMYK/EPS) files.