The University of the Virgin Islands will welcome new and transfer students with a week of orientation activities beginning Tuesday, Aug. 15, on both the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the St. Thomas Campus. Orientation, which is a requirement for new students, begins with residence hall check-in from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, and from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, on the St. Thomas Campus.
As part of orientation week, UVI will hold its fourth annual New Student Convocation and Buccaneer Welcome Reception from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, and from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, on the St. Thomas Campus. Convocation is a formal event that emphasizes the beginning of a unique new phase in the students’ lives. Faculty dressed in academic regalia will attend the ceremony, and President David Hall will deliver a formal address. New students are required to wear white tops and blue or black bottoms. During the convocation, new students in attendance will receive a UVI medallion, which designates them as members of the University.
“On behalf of Student Affairs, Albert A. Sheen Campus, we are thrilled that our incoming students have decided to make our University their final choice on their first step to higher education,” said Hedda Finch-Simpson, interim dean of students on the Albert A. Sheen Campus.
Student advisement, registration, getting connected, resource presentations, special dining events and campus tours are just a few of the activities planned for orientation week. During the Albert A. Sheen campus’ week of activities, there will be a beach day activity on Sunday, Aug 20. On the St. Thomas campus, continuing the tradition there is the Movie on the Green activity on Thursday, Aug 17, at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday, at the John Brewers Bay Beach from 12:30 – 5 p.m. there will be a UVI BUCnic, a celebration for the new Buccaneers. All students are invited to attend and UVI IDs are required. The goal of these events is to acclimate each new student to college life at UVI.
“This University is committed to helping all students to be successful,” said Verna Rivers, dean of students on the St. Thomas Campus. “Orientation provides the opportunity for students to learn how to navigate the campus and discover resources that will lead them on the pathway to success.”
Orientation Week activities will continue on both campuses through Aug. 20. Other sessions will cover a range of topics from UVI’s library and information technology offerings to campus security, health services and student activities. There will be workshops for international and national exchange students, along with sessions designed to help local students network among themselves.
Orientation schedules and information packets have been distributed via email to all incoming students. However, new students are encouraged to check the Prospective Students section of the UVI website – http://orientation.uvi.edu – regularly for the latest scheduling updates and additional details such as campus maps, class schedules, downloadable forms and residence hall information.
Fall semester classes will begin on Monday, Aug. 21, on both campuses.