New & Updated Items posted March 6, 2008

OmniSystems, Inc. Selected for Web Redesign; Focus Groups Planned

The University of the Virgin Islands has selected the systems engineering and consulting firm OmniSystems, Inc. to implement the redesign and improvement of the University's presence on the World Wide Web. Over the next several months, representatives from OmniSystems, Inc. will work closely with UVI's Public Relations and Information and Technology Services areas to ensure that the University's new Web presence meets the needs of the entire UVI community - students, prospective students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Focus group sessions are scheduled on St. Croix on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 11 and 12, and on St. Thomas on Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14. Details have been presented to the UVI community via email. The text of that email is available from the Archive section of the UVI Announcements page - http://announce.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

Afternoon on the Green Fun
Kicks Off at Noon on March 9

Don't miss the fun from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, when UVI hosts Afternoon on the Green at the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on the St. Thomas campus. This 19th edition of the popular "friend-raising" event offers some of the Caribbean's best food, fun and family entertainment. The islands' best cooks will compete in several categories. Tortola's Lashing Dogs will play. Dance will be provided by the Mungo Niles Heritage Dancers and the Caribbean Ritual Dancers. Children's games are also planned. The 2008 theme is "Be Seen on the Green for Cultural Cuisine." A news release is available on the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI Spring Break Continues March 3-9

Spring break for students at the University of the Virgin Islands continues through Sunday, March 9. Classes will resume on Monday, March 10. While no classes are being held this week, UVI administrative offices remain open on their regular schedules.

UVI's St. Thomas Class of 2008
Schedules Class Meeting on March 9

The 2008 graduating class on UVI's St. Thomas campus will hold a general meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, (following Afternoon on the Green) at the Recreation Center. Matters to be discussed include pre-graduation events, fund raising activities, the commencement ceremony, etc. For details, call Sandra Gumbs at 693-1632.

VIUCEDD Sets Two Workshops
to Focus on Youth 'Transitions'

The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) will conduct workshops for students with disabilities who are transitioning from school to the world of employment on Monday, March 10, on St. Thomas and on Wednesday, March 12, on St. Croix. The workshops are formally known as "Research-Based T ransition Practices that Support Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education and Competitive Employment." They are designed for the students themselves, as well as parents, care givers and teachers. Topics to be addressed include:

• The importance of youth development and self-determination and how to support youth in acquiring these skills
• Person Centered Plan (PCP): What is it and Why it is Important?
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and Transition Requirements
• The (C3) Model - College Career Connection

The St. Thomas workshop will take place in UVI's new Administration and Conference Center. On St. Croix, the workshop will be held in the Great Hall - North West Wing on UVI's St. Croix campus. Both workshops will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Presentations for parents and community members are also scheduled following each workshop from 6 to 8 p.m.

For details, or to reserve space in a conference, call 693-1322.

'UVI Got Talent' Show Set
for March 13 on St. Croix Campus

The St. Croix campus Office of Student Activities will host a "UVI Got Talent" show at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, in the Cafetorium. Individuals interested in performing - those who can sing, dance, recite poetry, perform a skit, make jokes or play instruments - should call Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228 or send email to hfinch@uvi.edu.

March 14 is Application Deadline
for Hill Memorial Scholarship

March 14 is the deadline for juniors or seniors at UVI to apply for Heyward G. Hill Memorial Scholarship. The one-time-only scholarship is for $5,000 in tuition assistance. For details on requirements and the application process contact Honors Program Director Professor Germaine Lewis at 693-1262 or UVI's Office of the Provost at 693-1200.

UVI Board of Trustees
to Meet March 15 on St. Croix

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will hold its quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, in the Great Hall North West Wing on the St. Croix campus. It will be the Board's first meeting of 2008. The meeting will convene with regular session agenda items. President LaVerne E. Ragster will give the President's Report, followed by Chairman's Comments from Board Chairman Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr. Following the Chairman's Comments, the Board will consider the items that require action.

UVI to Celebrate Charter Day
Anniversary with Month of Activities

The University of the Virgin Islands celebrates the anniversary of its March 16, 1962, founding with Charter Month activities that are planned throughout the month of March. The official Charter Day Ceremony is set for 9 a.m. on Monday, March 17, in Chase Auditorium (room B110) on the St. Thomas campus, with a videoconference link to the Theater of the Evans Center (room EC401) on the St. Croix campus.

Charter Month activities, scheduled on both campuses, include a walk/run, an SGA sponsored birthday party, several performances, the World Water Day Festival and the Alfred O. Heath Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Nikki Giovanni. Both campus libraries will also feature a Charter Day library display. Most of the activities will be videoconferenced between the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. A news release and an extensive list of activities is available on the UVI home page - http://www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.

UVI to Host Chamber Business After Hours
in Administration and Conference Center

The UVI community is invited to attend a Business After Hours event held by the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce in UVI's new Administration and Conference Center at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13. The event is designed to help acquaint chamber members with the University's new facilities. Music, food and the Chamber's "Famous Cash Bar" are planned. Raffle prizes, including tickets to Reichhold performances, will also be presented. For details, contact Liza Margolis at 693-1053.

St. Thomas SGA Plans
46th Birthday Party for UVI

The Student Government Association on UVI's St. Thomas campus will host a "Happy 46th Birthday Party" for UVI students, faculty and staff from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, on the golf course. The theme will be "Old School Style" and the party will feature old time cultural events such as musical chairs, rounders, stealing the old man bundle, dominoes, piniata, red light-green light, cricket, football, kickball, candle light story telling at sunset and cutting the birthday cake. Music and a barbeque are also planned. For details, contact the Student Government Office at 693-1098.

Lady Bucs, Buccaneer Basketball

Lady Bucs Face Home Games Friday and Saturday

UVI's Lady Bucs varsity basketball team, now 4-4 on the season, return to the home court for two weekend games. On Friday, March 7, they host Inter-American University. The inter-divisional contest begins at 2 p.m. On Saturday, March 8, the Lady Bucs will host UPR-Cayey in a 7 p.m. contest.

Buccaneers Drop Inter-Division Opener to Turabo;
Will Host UPR-Mayaguez Saturday, March 8

UVI's Buccaneers men's basketball fell to Turabo University, 69-64, on Monday, March 3, in the LAI league's inter-divisional play. The Buccaneers, now 3-7 on the season, continue inter-divisional action with a home game on Saturday, March 8, when they host UPR-Mayaguez in a 1 p.m. matchup.

The Buccaneers continue inter-divisional play at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 10, with a road game against Catholic University of Ponce. Following that, the Bucs return to the Sports and Fitness Center for a March 12 home game against Inter American University. That game has been designated Senior Night. Seniors Omar Olivacce, Art Philip and Ryan Skinner will be honored.

UVI to Host World Water Day
Festival on St. Croix campus

The first annual United Nations World Water Day Festival and Conference will be held on the grounds of the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus on March 21 and 22. The first day of the event will feature a "Let's Talk Water!" conference centering on water conservation and protection and creating public education campaigns. The keynote speaker is William E. Marks, author of Water Voices from Around the World and The Holy Order of Water. A news release and an extensive list of activities is available on the UVI Web site - http://www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.

Human Resources Releases
February New Hires Report

The UVI Human Resources Department has released the University's New Hires, Promotions and Separations report for February 1-29, 2008. The list is available to individuals accessing the Internet via the UVI computer network from the HR section of the UVI Announcements web page or at this direct link.

Presidential Search Notes ...

Presidential Search Firm Announced

With the term of office of Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, the fourth president of the University of the Virgin Islands, set to expire in 2009, the UVI Board of Trustees has retained Isaacson, Miller, a leading national executive search firm, to assist the University in its search for a new president. A news release is available from the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI Community Invited to Meet
with Presidential Search Firm

On March 12 through 14, consultants from Isaacson, Miller - the national executive search firm retained by the UVI Board of Trustees to assist in the search for the University's next President - will visit UVI's St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. The goal will be to learn more about the University and the challenges and opportunities that will face a new President. Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr., chair of UVI's Board of Trustees, announced the presidential search in an email message to the University community on Friday, Feb. 22. (Click to read the text of Dr. Rimpel's announcement.)

Dr. Rimpel has also invited members of the University community - students, faculty, staff and alumni - to participate in meetings with members of the search firm to share their thoughts.

Email messages have been sent that list the scheduled meetings with specific groups as well as open sessions for faculty, staff, students and alumni on both campuses. Details for UVI students, faculty, staff and alumni are also available on the UVI Announcements page of the UVI web site - http://announce.uvi.edu - or from these direct links:

• Student, Faculty and Staff Meeting Schedule
• Alumni Meeting Schedule

For details, contact Gail Steele at 693-1008.

Other Current Items ...

Sponsored Programs Offers
Budgeting Workshops on St. Croix

The Office of Sponsored Programs will offer the St. Croix campus session of a workshop on proposal budgeting for faculty and staff from 11 a.m. to noon in Evans Center room 713. (The St. Thomas session was held on March 4.) The workshop will review how to develop line-item budgets that comply both with federal and UVI standards. While the session will focus primarily on budgeting for federally-funded projects, discussion will also cover budgets for V.I. agencies, private foundations and nonprofit organizations. Information about estimating personnel costs, fringe benefits and indirect costs will be included. For more information, contact Steve Goode at sgoode@uvi.edu or call 693-1202.

Showing of Blue Planet Series Film
on March 7 to Highlight 'Year of the Reef'

The 2008 International Year of the Reef committee on St. Croix invites the public to a free family movie night from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at the Great Hall on UVI's St. Croix campus. The film "Tidal Seas" - part of the BBC's Blue Planet series - will be shown. Information on the International Year of the Reef effort will also be available. Free popcorn and snacks will be provided. The Internal Year of the Reef Committee on St. Croix is supported by UVI's Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service and the Virgin Islands' Coastal Zone Management Program. For details, call Emily Tyner at 692-4144 or send email to etyner@uvi.edu.

Other Current Items ... (cont.)

FBLA Awards of Excellence
Dinner Dance Set March 8

The UVI chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) - Phi Beta Lambda - will host its Awards of Excellence Dinner Dance at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. The evening will honor members of the community who have been instrumental in the pursuit of success for all FBLA members. The honorees are Cecilia Walters-Smith, Elmo Adams and Senator Shawn-Michael Malone. Following the honoring ceremony, the audience will be entertained by CeCe Peniston, a Grammy-award-winning artist and Spectrum Band. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased from any FBLA-PBL members, Modern Music and the campus book store. For more information call Professor Aurelia Donald (340) 693-1316.

St. Croix Campus to Host Charter Month
Shadow Our Students Program on March 13

A Shadow Our Students (S.O.S.) program connecting high school students with UVI students is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, on the University's St. Croix campus. The program, part of UVI's Charter Month activities, is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Campus Executive Administrator's office and the Student Government Association. During the day, high school seniors from various St. Croix high schools will have the chance to shadow UVI students as they participate in class, go to lunch and socialize. UVI students interested in participating should visit the Student Government Office in Evans Center room 707 or call 692-4191.

Regalia Order Deadlines

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 692-4162.

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.

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 6 92-4150.

UVI Scholarship Application
Deadline is March 14

March 14 is the deadline for students to apply for UVI scholarships for the fall 2008 and the spring 2009 semesters. A variety of scholarships are available, from one-year awards to four-year scholarships. Scholarships are limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Specific requirements for high school, undergraduate and graduate applicants can be obtained from the University's Financial Aid, Institutional Advancement and Student Activities offices on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Details, as well as online application forms, are available from the Financial Aid section of the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu or from this direct Financial Aid/Scholarship link. Details are also available on St. Croix at 692-4193 and on St. Thomas at 693-1090 or from the Office of Institutional Advancement at 693-1040.

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. A news release is available from the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

Rotaract Club Sets Car Wash on March 15

UVI's Rotaract Club will conduct a car wash at Tutu Park Mall (in front of the Inno vative office) from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. The event is part of the club's participation in World Rotaract Week activities. Prices are $7 for cars and $10 for vans. Larger vehicles will cost more. Tickets will be made available before the event to secure your space. Senior citizens qualify for discounts (with identification). For details, call Sharifa Maloney at 626-9268.

GRE Study Sessions Continue
on March 15 on St. Croix

UVI's St. Croix campus Psychology Club is sponsoring Graduate Record Exam (GRE) study group sessions for individuals interested in preparing for the GRE. The final session is set for 3 to 5 p.m. on March 15, in Evans Center room 902. The sessions are not limited to psychology majors. Additional sessions will be scheduled if necessary. For details, contact Dr. Aletha Baumann at 692-4178.

UVI's Cynthia Richards to be Honored as
St. Thomas-St. John 'Librarian of the Year'

Cynthia Richards, Public Services Librarian at UVI's Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library, will be honored in March by the St. Thomas-St. John Library Association (STSJLA) as Librarian of the Year. Richards has worked in both public libraries and public school libraries in addition to the Paiewonsky Library, where she has been a full-time librarian for eight years and a part-time librarian for more than 20 years. Richards will be recognized for the contributions that she has made to libraries in the territory at the STSJLA's first annual Women's and USVI History Month luncheon at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, at Pilgrim Terrace. Tickets are $50 for the general public and $40 for (dues-paid) members of STSJLA. Tickets are available in the Paiewonsky Library. For details, contact Bethany Wilkes at 693-1372.

UVI to Administer Noel-Levitz
Student Satisfaction Survey in March

UVI's Office of Institutional Research and Planning has announced that it will administer the Noel-Levitz 2008 Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) Survey from March 24 through 28.

The SSI is the first survey of its kind to measure student satisfaction and the importance of campus issues to students. UVI will benefit from consulting and data services provided by Noel-Levitz by identifying where attention is needed, especially in the area of student retention and enrollment. An initial overview of the survey and details of the requirements for UVI students, faculty and staff are included in this Noel-Levitz 2008 Student Satisfaction Survey document. For more information, call the Office of Institutional Research and Planning at 693-1013.

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. Workshop registration is now open and available to all at this Workshop Registration link. 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.

Mathematics Placement Test
to be Offered May 8 at UVI

The University of the Virgin Islands has announced that the Mathematics Diagnostic and Placement Test will be administered on May 8. The test is required for all incoming students who scored below 490 on the math section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). UVI advises students planning to enroll in summer session or fall semester classes to take the test in May. Doing so will allow students who may need a non-credit math course to take it in the summer and be ready for college-level courses in the fall. Parents, teachers and school counselors are asked to urge their students to take this test in May. Students applying for UVI's SummerBridge program can also use the test to demonstrate eligibility.

The Mathematics Diagnostic and Placement Test will be offered at 4:30 p.m. on May 8 on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. The test will be offered in Classroom Administration Building (CA) rooms 305 and 306 on St. Thomas. On St. Croix the test will be administered in the Nursing Division's room R-100. For details, contact Dr. Rosalie Dance at 693-1253.

Ongoing Items ...

February Issue of Dateline: UVI
Available from UVI web site

The February 2008 issue of the monthly newsletter Dateline: UVI is now available from the UVI web site's home page - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link. The newsletter, wish is also distributed on both campuses, features stories about the 2008 Ag Fair on St. Croix, a high turnout for HIV/AIDS screening on St. Thomas, a calendar published by UVI Alumnus James Weeks and the Homecoming weekend basketball games played by UVI's Lady Bucs and Buccaneers.

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.

Access and Security Plan Set for Smart
Classrooms, Video Conference Rooms

UVI has established an access and security plan for the 26 smart classrooms and video conference rooms that are in use on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. The Security Department will collaborate with the University community in administering the plan. The plan lists all smart classrooms and video conference rooms, guidelines for use and specifies which individuals have authorized access. It is available from the Policies and Procedures page of the UVI Security web site and from this direct link. For more information, contact the Security Department at 693-1530 on St. Thomas or 692-4155 on St. Croix.

SBDC Notes ...

Seminar on Business Tax Filing
Set for St. Thomas on March 12

A seminars on filing 2007 Virgin Islands business tax returns will be offered by UVI's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on March 12 on St. Thomas. (A St. John seminar took place on March 5.) The St. Thomas seminar will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the SBDC Training Facility in Nisky Center. Senior BIR Revenue Agent Clifford Charleswell will cover tax changes for 2007, local and federal taxes, accurately filing business taxes and how tax returns are selected for audit. Admission is free. Pre-registration is requested. For details or to pre-register call 776-3206.