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New and Updated Items...
WUVI AM 1090 Radio Holds Grand Opening on St. Thomas Campus
WUVI AM 1090 radio held its official grand opening at the WUVI studio in Penha House on UVI's St. Thomas campus on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. The station, which went live on Jan. 9, is on the air daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. broadcasting from a 250-watt transmitter on St. Thomas. More information and photos from the grand opening are available from the UVI Today... photo blog, available from the Social Media links at the top of all UVI website pages and from this direct link: http://uvitoday.blogspot.com.
Caribbean Green Technology Center Forum to Focus on 'Keeping the Lights On'
The Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) at the University of the Virgin Islands will host a forum on renewable energy policy and financing options titled "Keeping the Lights On" on Jan. 29 and 30, at the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus. The forum will be offered in two sections, the first for policy makers from the Virgin Islands and neighboring islands and the second for members of the general public. The session for policy makers runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The public session is scheduled for 5 to 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Sessions will be held in UVI's first-floor conference room. A news release is available from the UVI homepage - http://www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link. Information is also available from the CGTC website - http://cgtc.uvi.edu.
UVI to Open New Geospatial Laboratory, CGTC Quarters on St. Thomas Campus
The unveiling of two major additions to the science and technology resources available on UVI's St. Thomas campus is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Resources to be unveiled include: the new UVI Geocomputational Analysis and Statistics Institute (GeoCAS) and new quarters for UVI's Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC). Expanded facilities at UVI's Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) will also be displayed.
GeoCAS will offer world-class laboratory facilities for the analysis of geographic and spatial data. It will be available to researchers from UVI and throughout the territory. The CGTC, launched in April 2011, serves as an intellectual hub to stimulate learning, networking and innovation in all areas pertaining to green technology in the Caribbean. The CMES is a research and outreach arm of UVI's Marine Science Program. These expansions and renovations to UVI's research capacity were supported by The Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR), with funding from the National Science Foundation.
UVI Campus Shuttle Available... The new lab and offices are located in the former Business and Finance Office. Parking is limited - UVI Security is suggesting that staff members who wish to attend take the Campus Shuttle to and from the opening ceremony.
St. Croix Launch of VI Caribbean Cultural Center Set for Jan. 30
The St. Croix launch of UVI's Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural Center (VICCC) is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, in the Great Hall on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus. It will feature video presentations of VICCC events and summits held in 2012 and several presentations. The launch will be hosted by VICCC Director Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina, with presentations expected from UVI President Dr. David Hall and Dr. Simon Jones-Hendrickson, dean of UVI's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. A special presentation is expected by Dr. David L. Horne, a professor of Critical Thinking and African History and former chair of the PanAfrican (inclusive of Caribbean) Studies Department at California State University-Northridge. A roundtable discussion on VI and Caribbean Culture and Heritage Restoration is also planned. The VICCC is part of UVI's College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. For more information on the VICCC contact Dr. Davis Kahina at (340) 692-4272 or send email to viccc.uvi@gmail.com.
World-Renowned Neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson to be 'Man-Up' Keynote Speaker
World-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., will be the keynote speaker next week at the University of the Virgin Islands' third-annual "Man-Up" Male Empowerment Conference. The conference slated for Feb. 4, on St. Thomas at UVI's Sports and Fitness Center, and Feb. 5, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This year's theme is: "Man-Up: Discovering Your Gifts and Talent." Also selected to speak at the conference are professor, author and director M.K. Asante, Jr., and Mothers Against Guns (MAG) Executive Director Celia Carroll.
The Man-Up Conference will be the subject of the next "Face to Face" program on the Public Broadcasting System's Channel 12 TV at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Host Addie Ottley will speak with several guests including UVI students and representatives from the departments of Human Services and Education.
A news release is available from the UVI homepage - http://www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.
St. Croix SGA Joins Project Alpha with Youth Forum on Sexual Responsibility for Teen Males on Feb. 2
Young men ages 12 to 16 in the St. Croix community are invited to participate in a forum on sexual responsibility for teenage males as part of a program known as Project Alpha. The forum will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 2, in the Great Hall on UVI's Albert A. Sheen Campus. Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) on St. Croix have joined with the Iota Sigma Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in the launch of Project Alpha, an educational, motivational and skills-building program which focuses on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases for young males. Project Alpha is a national effort of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.
The free program is designed to develop leaders. It also promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for communities. Presenters will include members of the fraternity and SGA President Kevin Dixon. Thought provoking and educational discussions, as well as, fun filled activities are planned throughout the day. A light lunch will be provided. Other program highlights will include coaching on the decision making process, suggestions for actions that support their decisions, and building skills through role-playing with role models and mentors.
Project Alpha is one of several national programs of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A spokesperson for the fraternity's local chapter said members are pleased to have UVI and its SGA students join the ranks of institutions that are collaborating in implementing programs that have a positive impact on their communities. For more information, contact fraternity members Frank Abendigo at (340) 226-3551 or Arthur B. Canaii, Jr. at (310) 597-2878.
Free HIV Testing Set for St. Thomas Campus on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - Feb. 7
Free HIV testing will be offered by Hope, Inc. and UVI's Health Services Center on the St. Thomas campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 - National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Testing will take place in the UVI Bookstore parking lot. For more information contact the Health Services Center at (340) 693-1124.
UVI Bucs Bring Home Two Wins from Puerto Rico Tournament
The UVI Buccaneers men's basketball squad brought home two wins from an early season LAI (Liga Atlética Interuniversitaria) tournament. After falling to UPR-Bayamon, 76-41, in the first round of the Bayamon Tournament, the BUCS re-grouped and went on to beat UPR-Humacao, 57-67, and finally, UPR-Arecibo, 64-72. Regular season games begin in February. A basketball schedule is available from the Athletic section of the UVI website - http://www.uvi.edu - and this direct link. The Bucs have also launched a Facebook, follow and like them at https://www.facebook.com/UVIBucs
UVI Employee Tax Forms Available Online via Banweb
Tax forms for UVI employees, including form W-2 (Wage & Tax Statement) and Form 1098T (Tuition Statement) for 2012, are available online through the UVI Banweb system. Access began on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. These forms are no longer available by mail.
Employees may use any computer with Internet service to access their UVI accounts and review and print these tax forms. Computer access is available at several locations, including the libraries on both campuses. Please check the availability schedules at those locations. Instructions are provided online for each form. For help with Banweb access, please contact the Human Resources Office at extension 1410.
To facilitate online download of tax forms, do the
following:
1. Log-in to your UVI account at BanWeb.
2. Select the "Employee" tab.
3. Select the "Electronic W-2 Consent"
4. In notification box click on required field "my choice"
5. Then click "submit". This will complete the consent process
Physical Plant staff seeking assistance in printing online tax forms can contact Amazia Francis at extension 1502 on the St. Thomas campus or Glendaley Carrasquillo at extension 4171 on St. Croix. Security Department staff can contact Tamara Joseph at extension 1532 on the St. Thomas campus or Riise Thurland at extension 4155 on St. Croix. All other persons requiring printing assistance should contact the Accounting Office at extension(s) 1451, 1456 or 1430. For tax statement information verification, inconsistencies or discrepancies, please contact Sharleen Fahie at extension 1431.
Training Set for UVI Website Content Contributors; RSVP Required
UVI faculty and staff interested in managing their department's section of the UVI website are invited to participate in upcoming Website Content Contributors' Trainings. Participants must RSVP before the training. The Trainings will be held as follows:
Feb. 8 Training Schedule - St. Croix
• Noon to 1 p.m. - Level 1: Posting Basic Content
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Level 2: Uploading Forms, Brochures & Other Documents
• 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. - Working Lab w/Webmaster
Feb. 15 Training Schedule - St. Thomas
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Level 1: Posting Basic Content
• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Level 2: Uploading Forms, Brochures & Other Documents
• 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Working Lab w/Webmaster
First-level training participants learn to log-in to SharePoint, utilize the page edit menu, navigate the tool bar menus to edit a page, layout a page, make a table, preview a webpage and publish a webpage. Second-level training participants learn to upload graphics, forms and brochures into their respective websites. If time permits, the trainer will demonstrate the use Microsoft Picture Manager to edit and resize images. Participants should bring a jump drive with text, graphics and other files for posting online.
Interested persons should RSVP to UVI Webmaster Moneca Pinkett, in the Public Relations Office via e-mail at mpinket@uvi.edu.
UVI Employees, Others Urged to Review UVI Online Job Postings
UVI employees and external interested individuals are encouraged to review the University's online job postings for updates on available vacancies from the Human Resources Office section of the University website - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link: http://careers.uvi.edu. UVI is committed to attracting, developing and retaining a highly qualified workforce to support our mission of excellence in education and research. The University of the Virgin Islands is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
'Fresh from the Farm Video' on Innovative Government Channels Focuses on UVI-AES Research
Members of the VI community can view a "Fresh from the Farm" segment featuring research being conducted in the UVI Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) Biotechnology Program by Research Associate Professor Thomas Zimmerman on Innovative Government Channels 6 (on St. Croix) and 10 (on St. Thomas). The research is a result of funding provided by the V.I. Department of Agriculture which allowed the study of sweet potato tissue culture virus that of free plants, field production, varieties and sweet potato weevil control. For more information contact Dr. Zimmerman at (340) 692-4074.
Healthy Lifestyle Workshops Planned by UVI's Cooperative Extension Service on St. John
UVI's Cooperative Extension Service 4-H/Family & Consumer Sciences Program will conduct a series of workshops on Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle on St. John in February. Topics of discussion include: weight management, diabetes and hypertension, food pyramid and portion size, energy balance and exercise, behavior modification and menu planning.
The workshops will be held every Wednesday for six weeks beginning Feb. 6. Sessions will run from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cooperative Extension Service Office in UVI's St. John Academic Center, located in The Market Place, Cruz Bay, St. John. Workshops conclude on March 13, 2013. For more information please call Carmen Wesselhoft at (340) 693-1587.
UVI Today...Recent Photo Blog Updates...
To view the latest entries to the "UVI Today..." photo blog, click on the Blogger button in the social media links at the top, right of any page in the UVI website on the direct links below.
WUVI 1090 AM Marks Grand Opening - The station, which went live on Jan. 9, is on the air daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. > read more
UVI Supports MLK March on St. Croix - UVI
showed its colors in the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March
held Jan. 21 on St. Croix. A total of 38 students and staff turned
out for the UVI entry, sponsored by the Student Affairs and Student
Activities offices. > read more
UVI to Sponsor Man Up 2013 - The third
Man-Up conference is slated for Feb. 4, on St. Thomas and Feb. 5,
on St. Croix. > read more
Other Current Items...
UVI Aquaponics Scenes Gracing Current USVI Lottery Tickets
In addition to recent NPR coverage of the UVI Aquaponics System (see UVI Today... updates), VI Lottery tickets for the Jan. 31, 2013, drawing features photos showing the UVI Aquaponics System. More details are also on the UVI Lottery website - http://www.winusvilottery.com. UVI Agricultural Experiment Station Research Specialist Don Bailey said he hopes lottery spotlight will draw local attention to the possibility of developing aquaponics systems in the territory. Information on UVI Aquaponics System courses is available from Bailey at dbailey@uvi.edu and from the UVI Agricultural Experiment Station webpage - http://aes.uvi.edu. Click on the "Aquaculture" tab.
National Student Exchange Program Applications Now Available; Deadline Jan. 31
Now is the time for UVI students considering participation in the National Student Exchange (NSE) program in academic year 2013-2014 to complete and return NSE application forms. The deadline for applications is Thursday, Jan. 31. Applications are available from the Counseling and Placement Center located in Rouppe House (along with Student Housing) on St. Thomas and in Evans Center Room 721 on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. The application form is also available from the NSE page of the Counseling Services section of the UVI website - http://www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.
For more information and assistance on St. Thomas, call NSE Coordinator Dahlia Stridiron at (340) 693-1136 or send email to dstridi@uvi.edu. For details and assistance on St. Croix, call NSE Coordinator Patricia Towal at (340) 692-4187 or send email to ptowal@uvi.edu.
UVI's CETL Offers myCampus Training Sessions in January
UVI's Center for Excellence in Teaching Learning has scheduled training sessions in the use of the University's myCampus portal for Jan. 23, 28 and 30. The portal, among other things, offers a "Messages" function that is now the University's selected method for sending email to internal groups such as students, faculty, staff, etc. MyCampus training takes place from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Library conference rooms on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Faculty and staff who would like to attend should call Christy Vineyard at (340) 693-1214/1609 or send email to cvineya@live.uvi.edu to confirm that space is available. Access to myCampus is featured at the top of all UVI website pages and from this direct link - http://mycampus.uvi.edu.
Deadline for Submissions, Letters for UVI's 50th Anniversary Time Capsules Now Set for Jan. 31, 2013
The Time Capsule Subcommittee of UVI's Golden Jubilee Committee is again asking members of the University community to submit items for inclusion in each time capsule. The committee is also seeking letters from students, staff, faculty and alumni describing what they think UVI will be like in 50 years. Please submit items and/or letters for inclusion in the time capsules by January 31, 2013, to Raquel Silver at rsantia@live.uvi.edu or call (340) 692- 4061.
Since announcing plans to create UVI 50th Anniversary Time Capsules on both campuses, many suggestions and some forwarded items have been received. "The sky is the limit on what can be placed in the time capsule," said Subcommittee Chair Raquel Silver. "Be imaginative." The time capsules will be capped in 2013, not to be opened for 50 years - in 2062.
VIUCEDD to Offer American Sign Language Classes on St. Thomas and St. Croix
Beginner Level I and Level II classes in American Sign Language will be offered in February on St. Thomas and St. Croix by UVI's Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD). Classes begin on Feb. 4 and 5 and continue through April. The Level I class will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. Level II classes will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost for classes is $110.
Classes on St. Thomas are offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Teacher Education Room T114 on the St. Thomas campus. On St. Croix, classes are offered from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at the VIUCEDD Office at #1 Golden Grove (across from Spicy Grill). Call (340) 776-9200 ext. 2334 on St. Thomas or (340) 692-4266 on St. Croix to register, or for more information.
UVI to Offer Summer Course in Global Leadership Development
The University of the Virgin Islands will offer a unique, two-week summer course in Global Leadership Development in 2013. The intensive course is designed for students as well as non-students interested in a wide range of disciplines including: business, education, liberal arts, social science, nursing, science, mathematics, psychology, social sciences, tourism, hospitality, social work, public administration and communication. It is designed to provide training from a multi-discipline perspective for individuals who are passionate about making a difference and who aspire to the top leadership positions in their fields. The course is titled Business 400 Summer Institute Global Leaders for undergraduates and Business 540 Summer Institute Global Leaders for graduates.
Participants in the course may also qualify to attend the Inaugural "International Conference on Leadership, Management and Strategic Development" planned during UVI's Summer Institute course. More information can be found on the Global Institute for Leadership and Management Development section of the UVI website - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link. For more information, contact Dr. Gabriel Ogunmokun, director of UVI's Global Institute for Leadership and Management Development, at gogunmo@uvi.edu.
Afternoon on the Green Items...
Dishes Sought for UVI's Afternoon on the Green
The University of the Virgin Islands annual Afternoon on the Green is set for noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, on the St. Thomas campus' Herman E. Moore Golf Course. The entire community is invited to the Afternoon on the Green for a day of food, family and fun.
The Afternoon on the Green Committee is looking for individuals and restaurants to be a part of this special event by contributing cooked dishes or food items. For more information or to find out how to contribute to the Afternoon on the Green, call UVI at 693-1040 or send e-mail to lmargol@uv.edu.
Volunteers Sought for Afternoon on the Green
Volunteers are sought to assist with the 2013 Afternoon on the Green on March 10. UVI's annual "friendraiser," is seeking food servers, child game supervisors, bartenders, ticket collectors, persons to set-up and more. For more information or to volunteer, individuals should contact Volunteer Committee Chairperson Kyza Callwood at kyzawood3@yahoo.com, Colleen Wilson at cwilson620@aol.com or call the UVI Office of Institutional Advancement at (340) 693-1040.
Nominations for Afternoon on the Green Student and Non-Student Volunteer Scholarships Sought
UVI's Afternoon on the Green Committee is seeking nominations for two scholarships presented annually at the popular Afternoon on the Green "friendraiser" held each March on the St. Thomas campus. Nominations are sought for the UVI Student Volunteer of the Year Scholarship and for the UVI Volunteer of the Year Scholarship. The scholarships - valued at $3,000 for the student and $1,000 for the non-student - are designed to honor individuals who provide significant contributions of service to either UVI or to the Virgin Islands community.
• UVI Student Volunteer: To be eligible for the Student Volunteer of the Year Scholarship, individuals must be currently enrolled at UVI and expect to matriculate to full-time status during the 2013-14 academic year. There are no residency or grade point requirements. To apply students must: submit an application form - see below for a link; attach a summary showing a minimum of 50 hours of community service at UVI or in the local community over the past 12 months; and submit a letter or letters verifying the community service performed.
• UVI Volunteer: To be eligible for the UVI Volunteer of the Year Scholarship, a person affiliated with the University, who is not a student, must: provide basic personal information; and provide specific, verifiable details on how their substantial contributions (a minimum of 50 hours during the past 12 months) impacted the quality of service to the recipient organization. Persons affiliated with UVI could be alumni, parents of students, faculty, staff or supporters.
The deadline to submit application forms and materials is Feb. 15, 2013. Applications and information are available from the UVI Office of Institutional Advancement and from these direct links: AOTG Student Volunteer | AOTG Volunteer.
Send submissions to the UVI Office of Institutional Advancement, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802. Submissions will also be accepted via email to lmargoli@uvi.edu. For more information contact Liza Margolis via email at lmargoli@uvi.edu.
SBDC Notes...
SBDC, Rare Earth Studio Offer Skills Discovery Workshops
The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Rare Earth Studio, Inc. offer a two-hour Skills Discovery Workshops designed for participants to learn about the many facets of the lucrative fine jewelry industry, and other creative expression, on Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. The sessions take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Rare Earth Studio at 32A Dronningens Gada, Suites 2 and 7. The presenters are occupational therapist Tina Blue and Rare Earth Director Ivanne Farr. Seating is limited and pre-registration and pre-payment are required. To sign-up visit the "Skills Training" section of the SBDC website - http://www.sbdcvi.org.
SBDC to Present 2012 Tax Workshop for Farmers on St. Croix and St. Thomas
The V.I. Small Business Development Center (VI-SBDC) in collaboration with the V.I. Department of Agriculture, V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue (IRB) and the UVI Cooperative Extension Service (CES) will present 2012 tax workshops for farmers. The St. Croix workshop is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the SBDC Training Facility in Sion Farm Shopping Center in Christiansted. The St. Thomas workshop is slated for 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the SBDC Training Facility in Nisky Center. The presenter will be Sonia Maynard John. She will cover the basic tax preparation for farmers. A question-and-answer session is also planned. The workshop is free, however pre-registration is required. Register online with the VI SBDC website - www.sbdcvi.org - or call the St. Croix Service Center at (340) 692-5270 or the St. Thomas Service Center at (340) 776-3206.