New & Updated Items posted Feb. 14, 2008

Summer Session Dates, Fall Semester
Information Available on UVI Web Site

Dates and detailed registration information on UVI's two 2008 summer sessions, as well as for the upcoming fall semester are now available on the UVI web site. UVI's Summer Session I is scheduled for May 19 through June 23. Summer Session II will run from June 25 through Aug. 1.

UVI's fall semester classes begin on Aug. 18 and end on Dec. 3. Direct links to this information is available from the Academics link and the BUCSS - Banner Utilization Central for Self Service - button on the UVI home page: http://www.uvi.edu.

Online registration for both summer sessions and the fall semester begins on March 17. Students must confer with advisors on course selection and obtain personal information numbers before they can register online.

Business Major: Miss America Pageant
A 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience'

Upon her return from what she terms "an amazing experience," competing in the Miss America Pageant, 2007 Miss Virgin Islands Janeisha John has resumed her studies at the University of the Virgin Islands. John, who is earning a Business Administration degree on UVI's St. Croix campus, says it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience participating in the 2008 Miss America Pageant, which was broadcast live on January 26 from Las Vegas' Planet Hollywood. A news release and photo are available from the UVI home page - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

February Issue of UVI VOICE
Available Online and On Campus

The February 2008 issue of the student newspaper UVI VOICE is now available online, while printed copies have been distributed on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Among other items, the eight-page Feburary issue includes stories about a student protest, spring semester issues, an introduction to UVI Registrar Edward Alexander, and a look at the new Bucs Fitness Center on the St. Croix campus. UVI VOICE can be accessed on the Internet at www.uvivoice.com.

Senior Week Activities Set on St. Croix

A series of senior week activities for UVI's St. Croix campus have been announced. The week begins at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, with an introduction of the seniors in the UVI Great Hall (NWW). All family, friends, faculty, staff and the general public are invited. Admission is free. A series of workshops on health and finance topics are scheduled at 4 p.m. on Feb. 19 through 22 in the Great Hall. The Senior Ball/Dinner is slated for 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 in the Great Hall. For details, call class president Andres E. Velazquez at 277-7852.

Bucs, Lady Bucs on the Road;
Plan Homecoming Games Feb. 23

UVI Buccaneers basketball squad, 1-2 on the season, and the Lady Bucs, 2-1 on the season, enter their third week of LAI league play with a road trip to Puerto Rico for games against UPR-Carolina on Friday, Feb. 15, and UPR-Humacao on Saturday, Feb. 16.

The Buccaneers' next home game is slated for Feb. 22, when Polytecnica visits the Sports and Fitness Center. The Bucs and Lady Bucs have designated their Feb. 23 matchups in the Sports and Fitness Center against Metropolitan as this year's Homecoming games. The UVI community is encouraged to come out and support their teams.

The complete 2008 basketball schedule as well as team photos are available from the UVI home page - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

Black History Month Presentation
of 'Roots' Set Feb. 26 on St. Croix

In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of Student Activities in conjunction with the St. Croix Educational Complex PTSA invite students, faculty and staff to attend a presentation from the award winning television miniseries "Roots" at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the UVI Great Hall (room 134 in NWW). Based on Alex Haley's best-selling novel about his African ancestors, "Roots" followed several generations in the lives of a slave family. The saga began with Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton), a West African youth captured by slave raiders and shipped to America in the 1700s. The family's saga is depicted up until the Civil War where Kunte Kinte's grandson gained emancipation. Light refreshments will be available.

Annual UVI Queen Mary 5K
Walk/Run Set for March 14

The seventh Annual UVI Queen Mary 5K Walk/Run - a UVI Charter week event - is scheduled for Friday, March 14. The entire UVI community - students, alumni, faculty and staff - and members of the general public are encouraged to participate. The run will start at 6 a.m. at Sunshine Mall and conclude on UVI's St. Croix campus. Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers. Light refreshments will be served at the end of the event. Transportation will be provided to the Sunshine Mall. Registration forms are available in the St. Croix Campus Executive Administrator's office. Registration is $12 for UVI faculty, staff and others, and $7 for students and children. For details, contact Irene Ramos at 692-4000.

Workshop on 'Managing Visitor Use
in Protected Areas' Set March 26-28

A workshop on managing visitor use in marine and coastal protected areas is planned for March 26 through 28 on St. Thomas. It will be presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center. Included will be an overview of the human dimensions of protected area management, examples of visitor use and associated impacts to natural resources and visitor experiences, and suggestions to help managers address the people side of resource management. In addition to training sessions, presentations will be made by Hubert Brumant, director of the Magen's Bay Authority, Elba Richardson, a concessions specialist at the Virgin Islands National Park, and Sybille Sorrentino, owner of VI Ecotours. Days one and two of the workshop will take place at UVI's Small Business Development Center at Nisky Center. An optional field exercise is planned for day three. For more information, contact Sylvia Vitazkova at 693-1427.

Accounting Association Seeking
to Honor Anniversary Couples

St. Thomas, USVI 00802

The UVI Accounting Association is looking for couples on St. Thomas who will have celebrated their golden or silver wedding anniversaries on or before April 1, 2008. Nominated couples that are selected will be honored at a dinner dance and presented with awards and gifts. To nominate a couple, contact Prof. Sharon Simmons at 693-1314 or send email to ssimmon@uvi.edu. The Accounting Association's Anniversary Committee is asking for the names, phone contact information, anniversary dates and reason for nominating your special couple.

MBA Comprehensive Exam at UVI
Set April 11; Signup Deadline March 14

UVI's Business Administration Division will offer the MBA Comprehensive Examination from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, on the University's St. Thomas and on St. Croix campuses. The rooms to be used will be announced at a later date. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 14. Applications are available in the Business Administration Division offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix. For details, call Jacinthe Proctor at 693-1300 or Renise Johnson at 692-4150.

V.I. Agriculture and Food Fair Notes ...

37th AGRIFEST to Open Saturday

The three-day, 37th annual USVI Agriculture and Food Fair - dubbed AGRIFEST - officially opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the fair grounds on St. Croix. The gates are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 16, 17 and 18. Thousands are expected to turn out for the fair's popular combination of local foods, cultural entertainment and exhibits - including agricultural products, livestock, and arts and crafts. This year's theme is "The Business of Agriculture: The Way Forward." The Agrifest is sponsored by the V.I. Department of Agriculture, the V. I. Department of Tourism and UVI's Cooperative Extension Service. Visit the Agrifest 2008 web site - for complete details, including schedules of events and entertainment.

UVI to Waive Application Fee During
'Cream of the Crop' Ag Fair Promotion

Individuals planning to apply for admissions to the University of the Virgin Islands for the fall 2008 semester can save the $25 application fee by visiting the UVI tent at the upcoming Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair on St. Croix. The fair is scheduled for Feb. 16 through 18. Persons applying during this "Cream of the Crop" promotion at the UVI tent must present a sealed, official transcript from their high school, or another college or university, and an official, original copy of their SAT/ACT scores. For more information contact the UVI Office of Admissions at 693-1150 on St. Thomas or 692-4158 on St. Croix. Details are also available from Ivan Connor at 693-1097 or iconnor@uvi.edu.

Enrollment Services Seeks Volunteers
for Feb. 16-18 Ag and Food Fair

UVI's Office of Enrollment Services on the St. Croix campus is seeking volunteers to assist with recruitment activities during the 2008 Agriculture and Food Fair to be held from Feb. 16 to 18 on St. Croix. Enrollment Services will staff an information table in the UVI tent and would like volunteers to assist in giving out information about UVI programs. Interested persons may sign-up in the Office of Enrollment Services in Evans Center room 811 or contact Charmaine Smith at 692-4070 for additional information.

Fair Wear Competition Set
for 2008 Agriculture and Food Fair

The 2008 Agriculture and Food Fair will be held from Feb. 16 to 18 on St. Croix. The event's sixth annual Fair Wear Competition is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 16. UVI students and community members interested in participating in this fashion extravaganza should contact Fair Wear Coordinator Yvonne Webster-Pryce at 773-1994 for additional information. The preliminary registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 1. Registration forms are available in the Student Activities Office (NW143) on UVI's St. Thomas campus.

UVI's Emerging Scientists Program
to Staff Information Booth at Ag Fair

UVI's Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) program will staff an information booth at the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair slated for Feb. 16-18, on St. Croix. The booth will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For details call 693-1232 or visit the Emerging Caribbean Scientists program web site: ecs.uvi.edu

Other Current Items ...

Technology Training Sessions
Scheduled on Both Campuses

A series of technology training sessions are scheduled for the week of Feb. 11 on UVI's St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. The sessions will cover Blackboard Basics, the Classroom Performance System and Web 2.0 tools. A schedule of the training times and locations was distributed via email and is available at this direct link. To register for a session, please send an email indicating your campus, time and date preference to Blackboard Administrator Suzanne Darrow at sdarrow@uvi.edu.

Other Current Items ... (cont.)

UVI Writing Center Sets Open House
in Observance of Writing Center Week

The Writing Center on UVI's St. Croix campus will conduct an open house in conjunction with the International Writing Center Association's observance of Writing Center Week from Feb. 11-15. UVI students, faculty and staff are invited to meet the center's tutors and learn more about the program. All are also encouraged to try one of the center's "brain twister" puzzles. The Writing Center is located in Modular Building room 104 (across from the Great House). Open house hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, call 778-1620 - ext 4218.

Financial Aid Workshop Slated
for Feb. 15 on St. Thomas Campus

UVI's St. Thomas campus Financial Aid Workshop for 2008-2009 is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 15, in the first-floor conference room of the Administration and Conference Center. The workshop, which is open to all students, will focus on what types of financial aid is available and provide assistance in filling out the online Federal Application for Student Aid (FASA). Sessions are planned from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Norma Williams at 693-1090.

Renowned Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti
to Play at the Reichhold Feb. 16

Celebrate Valentines weekend at UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, playing such standards as "When I Fall in Love," "Let There be Love" and "My One and Only Love." Botti performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16. A New York Times article about a recent New York performance hailed the jazz virtuoso as "Sting-endorsed and Oprah-approved." Tickets are $25, $36 and $45. Tickets are available at Modern Music, UVI Bookstore, V.I. Bridal & Tuxedo, Urban Threadz, Essentric Shoe Boutique, Island Video (Nisky), Home Again (Red Hook) and the Reichhold Center Box Office at 693-1559. A news release is available on the UVI home page - http://www.uvi.edu - of from this direct link. Photos from previous Reichhold performances are available from the Reichhold Center web site - http://www.reichholdcenter.com - or from this link.

'A Week in Black History' Events
Set on St. Thomas Campus

UVI's Black Heritage Committee and the UVI Accounting Association will present a series of events and activities titled "A Week in Black History" during the week of Feb. 17 on the University's St. Thomas campus. The groups are also sponsoring an "I Have A Dream" essay contest for all UVI students. The deadline to submit essays is Feb. 10. (Click here to see essay contest rules.)

The week's activities open with a forum on Greek life at HBCUs which will be held at 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, in the Dining Pavilion. A social arts and crafts night, and art show are planned at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Dining Pavilion.

A dance show at the Dining Pavilion is scheduled from 9 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 20. A civil rights debate is scheduled at 8 p.m. on Feb. 21 in Chase Auditorium (B-110). A rally is set for 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Dining Pavilion.

A play on Black History, sponsored in collaboration with the St. Croix Guild Workshop, is planned for Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Charlotte Amalie High School auditorium. An exhibit opens at 5 p.m. and the play follows at 7 p.m.

For details, call Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre at 693-1357.

Diabetes to be Subject of Feb. 18
Lunch and Learn Presentation

Diabetes will be the topic in the next Lunch and Learn presentation on UVI's St. Thomas campus. The presentation will be made by Dr. Wishburne Hunte at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, at the Health Services Office. It is part of a series of free health related presentations for the UVI community sponsored by the Health Services Center. For details, contact Health Services Supervisor Ronda Hatchet at 692-1124.

Regalia Measurements Offered
at St. Croix Bookstore

The St. Croix campus Bookstore will offer measurement for commencement regalia (caps and gowns) through March 14. Measurements completed after March 14 will incur a $15 shipping charge. After March 21 there will be a $25 express shipping charge. Students need to present receipts from the business office to take part. For details, call the Bookstore at 692-4162.

UVI Buck Island Excursion
Scheduled for Feb. 23

UVI's 2008 spring semester Buck Island Excursion is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 23. Organized by the Office of Student Activities on the St. Croix campus, the excursion will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will cost $20 for registered UVI students and $40 for faculty, staff, and non-UVI students. Included are round-trip transportation (UVI Campus to Christiansted Wharf), on-site barbeque, and optional snorkeling and hiking. Space is limited. Sign-up in the Student Activities Lounge. Contact Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228 for additional information.

Spring Get-A-Way to Jost Van Dyke
Slated for March 1; Space Limited

Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands will be the destination for the St. Thomas campus Student Activities Office "Spring Get-A-Way." Scheduled for Saturday, March 1, the excursion will depart the Tortola Wharf in Charlotte Amalie at 9 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $40 for UVI students, $60 for UVI faculty and staff, $80 for non-staff and non-students and $25 for children under 12. An eco-tour to Jost Van Dyke's bubbling pool is available for an extra $50. Space is limited to the first 149 persons to sign up. For details, contact the Student Activities office on St.Croix at 692-4228 or St.Thomas at 693-1111. Pictures of the last Jost Van Dyke trip are available on the Student Activities web site: http://studentactivity.uvi.edu.

V.I.'s Top Cooks, Volunteers Sought
for UVI's 19th Afternoon of the Green

The Virgin Islands' top cooks are invited to enter food dishes - entrees, side dishes, drinks and desserts - in the competition at the University of the Virgin Islands' 19th annual Afternoon on the Green. UVI's annual "friend-raiser" is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2008, on the St. Thomas campus golf course. This year's theme is "Be Seen on the green for Cultural Cuisine!"

Along with the food competition, where members of the community sample dishes and cast ballots for their favorites, the day features live entertainment, admission prizes, children's games and family fun. Also featured are informational booths that focus on how the community can take advantage of UVI's wide array of academic, public service and research offerings.

General volunteers, and especially those with valid health cards who can act as food servers, are also sought. Individuals who wish to enter a dish or participate as a server or general volunteer should call UVI's Office of Institutional Advancement at 693-1040.

SUNY New Paltz Study Program
Information Updated for Fall 2008

UVI students interested in participating in an exchange program with the State University of New York at New Paltz can find updated information - application forms, etc. - for the fall semester on the Student Life page of UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

SBDC Notes ...

SBA to Hold Federal Procurement
Seminars on St. Croix, St. Thomas

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) invites small business owners to participate in seminars covering government contracting on Thursday, Feb. 21, on St. Croix and on Friday, Feb/ 22, on St. Thomas. Both seminars begin at 2 p.m. at UVI's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) training facilities.

The free seminars will cover the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program, the Small Disadvantaged Business Program and the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program. Attendees will learn about the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database, a government-maintained resource that serves as the primary source for agencies to learn about prospective vendors.

"We encourage Virgin Islands small businesses to take advantage of this opportunity to increase their visibility in the marketplace and to improve the economic conditions of their communities," said SBA Acting District Director Ana del Toro. For details or to register, call 692-5270 in St. Croix or 776-3206 in St. Thomas.

UVI CELL Notes ...

Basic Computing Course
for Beginners Starts March 9

UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center will offer a course for individuals interested in learning the basics of using a computer. Classes will be held 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday, from March 5 to April 9. Sessions will be held at the UVI campus on St. Croix. The course will cover the basics of computing such as working with windows, using the Internet, emailing, safe computing and much more. The information will be presented in an easy to understand format, with hands-on exercises. For details or to register, call 693-1100 or visit UVI-CELL online at http://cell.uvi.edu.

Governor's Safety, Health Conference
Set for St. Thomas and St. Croix

The third annual Governor's Safety and Health Conference - with sessions on St. Croix and St. Thomas - will be sponsored this year by the V.I. Department of Labor in partnership with UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center. The St. Croix session is set for Feb. 21-22 at the Carambola Beach Resort. On St. Thomas, the conference will take place on Feb. 25-28 at Marriott's Frehchman's Reef Resort.

The conference - which is free - is designed to emphasize the prevention of workplace injury, illness, and death while reducing worker compensation costs. It is open to the general public as well as private sector employers. Safety and health professionals will provide expert instruction on topics such as hazard communication, personal protective equipment and how mold affects workers. Training sessions for the general construction, healthcare and hospitality industries will be included. Conference seating is limited. For details, or to register, call the UVI-CELL at 693-1100 or visit the conference website: http://cell.uvi.edu/osha_conference.htm.