The University of the Virgin Islands will welcome new and transfer students with a week of orientation activities beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13, on both the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the St. Thomas Campus. Orientation activities will kick-off with residence hall check-in. All newly accepted students are required to participate in orientation activities prior to the start of the semester.
“We are delighted to welcome new and transfer students to the University as they begin an amazing journey of learning and exploration,” said Verna Rivers, dean of students on the St. Thomas Campus. “I urge students to open their minds and hearts to new experiences and to take advantage of the service learning, leadership and other engagement opportunities that will fuel their passion, clear sense of purpose and their capacity to become agents of change.”
“I am excited about new student orientation, and always look forward to meeting every student,” said Hedda Finch Simpson, dean of students on the Sheen Campus. “I would like to communicate to all the new incoming students that we are elated and ready to orient you into our “UVI Buccaneer Family.”
“New Student Orientation Week is an exciting time for our University. It allows our UVI community to showcase the vast opportunities offered and services provided. Our goal is not to primarily serve our incoming students but to truly amaze them,” Finch-Simpson said. “Each year, we tinker with our programming to ensure that it’s in alignment with a holistic first-year student experience that is informational and memorable. We are genuinely committed to immersing every new student in our UVI Buccaneer Family’s pride and tradition,” she added.
As part of orientation week, UVI will hold its sixth annual New Student Convocation and Buccaneer Welcome Reception from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, and from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, 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.
New student advisement and registration will be held on Wednesday, Aug.14, on both campuses. Student advisement, registration, “meet your dean”, resource presentations, special dining events and campus tours are some of the activities planned for orientation week. Some of the highlights of the Albert A. Sheen Campus’ week of activities will be “Exploring Our Island: Tide Pool Hike,” New Student Island Tour and “College Night: Buccaneer’s Pride” on Thursday, Aug. 15. On the St. Thomas Campus, the traditional Movie on the Green activity will be held on Friday, Aug 16, at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 24, the annual UVI BUCnic will be held from 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the John Brewers Bay Beach, a celebration for the new Buccaneers. All students are invited to attend and UVI IDs are required. The goal of these events is to introduce new students to college life at UVI.
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.19, on both campuses.