New & Updated Items posted Feb. 18, 2008

37th AGRIFEST Concludes Today

The 37th annual USVI Agriculture and Food Fair - dubbed AGRIFEST - concludes at 6 p.m. today (Monday, Feb. 18), at the fair grounds on St. Croix. Thousands were 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. 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 Students Take National Awards
at Student Newspaper Conference

UVI students won first place, third place and honorable mention awards Sunday, Feb. 17, at the 10th annual National HBCU Student Newspaper Conference in Baltimore, Md.

In direct competition with students at all HBCUs, UVI's Carl A. Christopher won first place for the Best Editorial Cartoon for the cartoon "Smoke Signal" in the UVI VOICE's technology issue. That same technology issue won third place in the competition's Best Section or Theme Edition category. Honorable Mention awards went to Miriam Welderufael in the Best Informational Graphic category for the "Freshman 15: Myth or Fact" graphic. And, Jane Meade took an honorable mention award in the Best Feature Writing category for her story on a 2007 lecture by Charlayne Hunter-Gault. The story was titled "Celebrated Journalist Discusses 'Winds of Change' in the New Africa."

The current issue of UVI VOICE is available online at www.uvivoice.com. Printed copies are also distributed on the St. Croix and St. Thomas campuses. For details, contact Faculty Advisor Dr. Robin Sterns at 692-4124.

'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 week's activities open today, Monday, Feb. 18, with a Black History Movie Night featuring a showing of the film "The Rosa Parks Story" featuring Angela Bassett. The film, which is free, begins at 8 p.m. in the Dining Pavilion. (A forum on Greek life at HBCUs, scheduled for today has been postponed.)

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.

Senior Week Activities Set on St. Croix

A series of senior week activities for UVI's St. Croix campus have been announced. The week began on Sunday, Feb. 17, with an introduction of the seniors in the UVI Great Hall (NWW). 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.

Open Forum Sessions on ECS Programs
Set for St. Croix, St. Thomas Campuses

Dr. Sandra Romano will host open-forum style workshops on UVI's Emerging Caribbean Scientists program on UVI's St. Croix campus on Tuesday, Feb. 19, and on St. Thomas on Thursday, Feb. 21. In the workshop titled "All About ECS," she will discuss scholarship and research opportunities. The St. Croix session is set for noon to 1 p.m. in Evans Center room 716. The St. Thomas session will take place at 1 p.m. in Education room 115. For details, contact Dr. Romano at 693-1389.

Counseling and Placement Offices
Launch New Career Services Software

The Counseling and Placement Center-Career Services Offices on both campuses of the University have announced their newest online service -- e-Campus Recruiter. e-Campus Recruiter is a powerful, web-based career services software that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the job/internship search process.

e-Campus Recruiter provides access for:

• students to search for jobs and post resumes
• the viewing of employer profiles and related job listings
• connection with alumni through an alumni mentorship database
• employers to add and update job listings, track applicants, and access resumes

The University community is invited to a guided tour of the capabilities of the system at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at in Business room 110 on St. Thomas and Evans Center room 401 on St. Croix. Refreshments will be served.

UVI’s e-Campus Recruiter site can be accessed at: http://www.ecampusrecruiter3.com/uvi/

For details, contact: Mary Myers at 693-1088 or send e-mail to mmyers@uvi.edu on the St. Thomas campus. On the St. Croix campus, contact Anyha Lord at 692-4180 or send e-mail to: alord@uviedu.

Visiting Scholar Offers Seminar
on Biotechnology on Feb. 22

Dr. Sarwan Dhir, associate professor of plant science-biotechnology at Fort Valley State University, will present a research seminar titled "What is Biotechnology?" from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at UVI. The session will take place in Chase Auditorium (B-110) on the St. Thomas campus, with a teleconference link to Evans Center room 401 on the St. Croix campus.

Spring Research Symposium
Abstracts Due by Feb. 22

Friday, Feb. 22, is the due date for Spring Research Symposium abstracts. Abstracts should be submitted using the "ECS Research Symposium" form in Blackboard (http://newblackboard.uvi.edu). The Spring Research Symposium will be held on March 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Cafetorium on the UVI's St. Croix Campus.

Lady Bucs Split Road Games, Bucs Drop
Two; Homecoming Games Set Feb. 23

UVI's Lady Bucs won one and lost one during their weekend road trip to Puerto Rico. They fell to Carolina (63-52) on Feb. 15, but came back to defeat UPR-Uumacao (60-56) on Feb 16. The Lady Bucs have a 3-2 league record and are 5-3 including pre-season games. UVI's Buccaneers dropped both their weekend games, losing a controversial, overtime matchup with Carolina (60-55) on Friday, and falling to Humacao on Saturday (81-71). The Bucs are 1-3 in league play and 1-5 for the season overall.

Homecoming Games Set

The Buccaneers men's team returns to the Sports and Fitness Center with a 7 p.m. home game against Polytecnica on Friday, Feb. 22. Following that, the Bucs and Lady Bucs will play this year's Homecoming games on Saturday, Feb. 23, hosting their former ODI league rivals, Metropolitan. The Lady Bucs play at 7 p.m. with the Bucs' game at 9 p.m.

Admission is $ 3 on Friday and $5 on Saturday without a complimentary ticket. Complimentary tickets are available from members of UVI's coaching staff and student athletes on Thursday and Friday. Interested UVI faculty and staff should contact Dr. Jerry Smith at 693-1228 on Thursday or Friday. The UVI community is encouraged to come out and support their teams.

The 2008 basketball schedule and 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.

Hammond to Bring 'Lover's Rock'
to the Reichhold on March 15

The "King of Lover's Rock," Beres Hammond returns to Reichhold Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. Hammond is known for his sultry voice and hypnotic lyrics. Among his numerous hits are: "Groovy Little Thing," "What One Dance Can Do," "Tempted To Touch," "Putting Up Resistance," "No Disturb Sign," "They Gonna Talk," "Rock Away" and "Music is Life."

Tickets -- $25, $36 and $45 -- are available at Modern Music, the 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 from the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

ECS Programs Offer Financial Aid
to Students in STEM Courses

The Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs (ECS) offer a variety of scholarships, research experiences, and tutoring assistance to St. Thomas and St. Croix students enrolled in UVI STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and psychology degree programs. The application deadline is March 1, 2008. Applications for 2008 ECS Programs are available online from this link - http://ecs.uvi.edu/index_files/2008_ECS_application.htm.

Other Current Items ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Ongoing Items ...

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 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.

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.

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.

SBDC Notes ...

SBDC to Host Seminars
on the Film Industry in the V.I.

UVI's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism will present seminars on "Film Industry Opportunities in the Virgin Islands" on Feb. 21 and 27 on St. Thomas. The seminars, Session I and Session II, respectively, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the SBDC Training Facility at Nisky Center. Admission is $20 for each seminar. A $5 discount per seminar is available for those who pre-register. UVI students, staff and faculty with valid ID. who pre-register are admitted free.

The seminars will cover the types of jobs available in the local film industry and what it takes to start a business in production. Participants can also learn about some of the USVI Film Office’s upcoming projects and get on the referral list. Seminar I is designed for individuals and Seminar II is designed for businesses. For details or to pre-register, call the SBDC at 776-3206.

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.