This fall’s orientation for new and transfer students enrolling in the University of the Virgin Islands will feature first ever convocation sessions for new students on UVI’s campuses on St. Thomas and St. Croix. “This year marks the beginning of a new tradition: the New Student Convocation,” said UVI Provost Dr. Camille McKayle. She described the convocation as a “formal activity that underscores, for the new students, that this is the beginning of a new phase in their lives – different from high school and uniquely UVI.”
Faculty, wearing academic regalia, will attend, and UVI President Dr. David Hall will present a formal address. The new students will then be “pinned” with specially designed UVI pins designating them as members of the University. “It will be a welcome to higher education,” said Dr. McKayle. Parents and spouses are invited to attend, and coverage by the media is encouraged. Members of the University staff are also invited to attend, and those who wish may also wear academic caps and gowns.
On the St. Thomas Campus New Student Convocation is slated at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20. It takes place on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21. Both convocations will be followed by welcome receptions for the newly minted UVI Buccaneers.
The special convocations come during a week of orientation activities for students enrolling for the 2014 fall semester. UVI’s official Orientation Week takes place on both campuses from Aug. 18 through 22. Residential students will begin the overall process, making the traditional move from home to campus, into assigned residence hall rooms, on Monday, Aug. 18. Move-in is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m.
All new students are required to participate in the orientation activities. Following residence hall check-in, orientation will bring new students together with UVI administrators, faculty and advisors for several activities. It continues with placement testing, student advisement, class registration and campus tours. The goal of the orientation process is to enhance each student’s academic and social adjustment to college life, and acquaint them with UVI's opportunities, as well as with its rules and regulations. Special sessions for parents, designed to help them understand how best to provide support to their students as they embark on college careers, are also planned.
Various other sessions will cover a range of topics from introductions to UVI’s library and Information Technology offerings, to campus security, health services and student activities. There will also be individual sessions for international and National Student Exchange students, and others designed to help students learn to network among themselves. Welcome fairs and island tours are also planned for new students on both campuses.
Complete orientation schedules and information packets have been distributed via email to all students accepted by UVI. All incoming students are also encouraged to keep checking the Prospective Students section of the UVI website – http://www.uvi.edu – to see the latest updates to the orientation schedule and for additional details, such as campus maps, class schedules, downloadable forms and residence hall information. The New Student Orientation page is also available from this direct link.
Fall Semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 25, on both campuses.