UVI Carnival Notes ...

Carnival Troupe Signup
Deadline Now April 23

Wednesday, April 23, is the new deadline to join UVI's 2008 Carnival troupe. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are invited to participate. A web site featuring the 2008 costumes and other troupe details is available from the "Latest Links" menu of the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - and from this link: carnival.uvi.edu.

Costumes cost $150 for students, $170 for faculty and staff , and $180 for others. On St. Croix, students are offered a $150 package that includes the cost of the costume, round-trip transportation and lodging (in the St. Thomas campus dorms). Space in the St. Croix program is limited.

Interested individuals can sign up by calling Liza Margolis at 693-1053 or Sean Georges at 693-1112 on St. Thomas, or Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228 on St. Croix. UVI's 2008 theme is "Aquatic Escape - Coral Reefs ... A Learning Environment." The troupe will consist of five sections - mermaids, turtles and coral reefs for women, and sea horses and stingrays for men. The Carnival's adults parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 26.

CES Employee to be Grand Marshal
of 2008 Carnival Children's Parade

The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service extends congratulations to its employee, 4-H Agent Yvonne Phillips, who has been named the Grand Marshal for the Children's Carnival Parade that will be held on Friday, April 25, on St. Thomas. CES Director Kwame Garcia, Sr., congratulated Phillips and encouraged the entire University community attend the parade and support the 4-H youth Carnival Troupe.

Two Hours of Administrative Leave
Offered to Employees for Cultural Fair Day

UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster has authorized up to two (2) hours of administrative leave for all employees who wish to attend the Cultural Fair activity of Carnival 2008 at Emancipation Garden on Wednesday, April 23. To maintain adequate departmental coverage, all employees are asked to obtain prior approval for this leave from their respective supervisors.

Reichhold to Host J'ouvert Warm-up Jam

A j'ouvert warm-up jam featuring Trinidad Road March King Machel Montano takes place in UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. Soca queen Patrice Roberts and the Virgin Islands' own Jam Tyme and Bouncers Band will also perform. Admission is $35 in advance (more at the door). A news release is available from the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

New & Updated Items posted April 17, 2008

Employee Service Awards
Set for April 17 and 18

UVI's Human Resources Department invites the entire University community to attend service awards presentation ceremonies scheduled this week on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses.

The St. Thomas campus awards presentation will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, in the first floor conference room of the Administration and Conference Center. The St. Croix campus presentations are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 18, in the Great Hall of the North West Wing.

The programs will include the presentation of service, perfect attendance and 2007 Performance Incentive Program awards. Recent retirees will also be recognized and employees of the year for each campus will be announced.

Faculty Colloquium on Rwanda
Planned April 18 on St. Croix

Humanities Professor Valerie Combie will present a faculty colloquium at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 18, entitled "Healing After the Genocide in Rwanda: Women Leading the Way." The session will take place in Evans Center room 401 on UVI's St. Croix campus. Discussion and refreshments will follow in the Faculty Lounge, Evans Center room 407.

UVI Accounting Association
Announces Raffle Winners

The University of the Virgin Islands Accounting Association on the St. Thomas Campus has announced the winners of a raffle drawn on March 30. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support the Accounting Association's Study Abroad Program.

1st Prize: Day trip for two to BVI on Limnos Charters – Ayantha deAlomal (sold by Glendora Husband)

2nd Prize: Wyndham Sugar Bay Journey Spa Swedish massage - Arlene Graham (sold by Elizabeth Williams)

3rd Prize: Roundtrip for two to Tortola on Native Son - Metrona Bellot (sold by Kishma Allen)

4th Prize: Lunch for two - Arian's Restaurant - L. Smith (sold by Dawn Callwood)

UVI Staff Council General Meeting
Set for April 22; Agenda Posted

The University of the Virgin Islands Staff Council (UVISC) invites all UVI staff members to attend the group's next general meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, April 22. An agenda for the meeting has been posted in the Archive section UVI Announcements page - announce.uvi.edu - or from this direct UVISC Agenda link.

The session will be videoconferenced between Chase Auditorium (B-110) on St. Thomas and Evans Center room 401 on St. Croix.

UVI Staff Council to Begin
Next Officer Election Process

The UVI Staff Council (UVISC) has also announced that it is time to start the process for the election of next year's Staff Council officers. Nomination forms for Staff Council officers will be distributed with paychecks on April 17 and April 24. To make a nomination, the completed nomination forms must be placed in special boxes that will be available in the Library, Physical Plant and Business Office on St. Croix and in the Administration and Conference Center on St. Thomas. The deadline to submit nominations is May 1, 2008.

Other Current Items ...

Mead Film Festival Continues April 17;
Features 'Eye on Outside World'

The second annual Margaret Mead Film Festival on the St. Thomas campus of the University of the Virgin Islands continues this Thursday through Saturday, April 17, 18 and 19, in the first floor conference room of the new Administration and Conference Center. Films start at 7 p.m. each night. The festival offers an eye on the outside world. A news release is available from the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI Research and Technology Park
to Hold Board Meeting on April 18

The University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park board of directors will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. (AST) on Friday, April 18. The meeting will be held via teleconference. Interested parties may visit the offices of the Research and Technology Park on UVI's St. Croix campus to participate. For further information call 692-4200.

VIMRCC Slates Fourth Cleanup
of Cas Cay Mangroves for April 19

The Virgin Islands Mangrove Research and Conservation Coalition (VIMRCC) will hold its fourth cleanup and monitoring effort at the Cas Cay Mangrove Sanctuary from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19.

Volunteers are invited to join the effort for a water-based cleanup. Participants are asked to meet at the V.I. Eco Tours entrance in Nadir. They should wear protective clothing and sun protection. Clean up materials, water and lunch will be provided. To sign up as an individual or community group, contact VIMRCC Coordinator Sophia McKenzie at 817-300-0828 or sophia.mckenzie@yahoo.com.

VIMRCC was formed as a result of a grant received by the University of the Virgin Islands from the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. Other funding sources include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

UVI-PEP to Present Play 'It's Still A Mess'
on April 19 on St. Thomas Campus

The general public and the UVI community are invited to attend a presentation of the play "It's Still A Mess - Part II" at 8 p.m. on April 19 at the Dining Pavilion on UVI's St. Thomas campus. The play, written by junior nursing major Nadia Thomas, is sponsored by UVI's Peers Educating Peers (PEP) program. It addresses the issues of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and domestic violence. A cast of 10 students will perform. Guest appearances by "BV and Drastic," the UVI Sports Committee Dance Squad Team and Code Blue are also planned. Admission is $5. For details contact Health Services Supervisor Ronda Hatchett at 693-1124 or Nadia Thomas at 643-3693.

UVI Sets Student Academic Awards
Programs on April 19 and 20

The University of the Virgin Islands will host its annual academic awards programs to honor the institution's most distinguished students on April 19 on the St. Croix campus and on April 20 on the St. Thomas campus. Approximately 130 students in all - 75 on St. Thomas and 55 on St. Croix - will be honored with the formal presentations of awards, scholarships and divisional honors that they have received.

• The St. Croix event - scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the North West Wing building - will be that campus' 34 annual academic awards ceremony.
• The St. Thomas event - set for 3 p.m. in the Sports and Fitness Center - will be the campus' 44th annual awards ceremony.

Refreshments will be served following the ceremonies on both campuses. For more information on St. Thomas, contact Professor Aurelia Donald at 693-1316 or Dr. Kimarie Engerman at 693-1277. For details on St. Croix, contact Maria Fleming at 692-4183.

UVI Music Students Plan
Free, Public Recital on April 20

The University of the Virgin Islands Humanities and Social Sciences Division Music Area will present a Student Recital at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, in the Music Building on UVI's St. Thomas campus. Students from each of the Music Areas studios will perform using a variety of instruments. The public is welcome. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

Other Current Items ... (Cont.)

UVI Students Plan Model United Nations
Conference on April 21 on St. Thomas

Students from both St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses will participate in the first ever University of the Virgin Islands Model United Nations Conference on April 21, on St. Thomas. The conference - designed to provide students with a better sense of international concerns, policies and affairs - will offer a simulation of the committees and programs of the United Nations. A news release is available from the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

SGA Elections Scheduled in April
for St. Croix, St. Thomas Campuses

Student Government Association (SGA) elections are slated for April 21 and 22 on the St. Thomas campus and for April 22 on the St. Croix campus. (Note the St. Thomas campus election was originally slated for April 15 and 16.) Students on each campus will vote for a president, vice president, secretary and three student senators for the sophomore, junior and senior classes. The deadline to apply to run for an office has passed on St. Thomas. For more information contact Junie Violenes at 693-1111. The deadline to submit a petition to be an SGA candidate on St. Croix is April 16. For details, contact Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228.

Film, Speak Out to Mark National
Sexual Assault Awareness Month

UVI students on the St. Croix campus are encouraged to attend a National Sexual Assault Awareness Month film presentation and speakout titled "No Means No" at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, in the UVI Cafetorium. The event is presented by the Women's Coalition in conjunction with the UVI offices of Student Activities and Health Services. For details, contact Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228.

Next Student Trustee Election
Set for April 22 on Both Campuses

UVI students will elect the next student representative to the UVI Board of Trustees in balloting scheduled for Tuesday, April 22. The vote will take place on both campuses, with the student trustee candidates to come from the St. Croix campus. The student trustee position alternates each year between campuses. The current student trustee for 2007-2008 is St. Thomas campus student Dwayne Petersen. The next student trustee will begin service on the UVI Board of Trustees during the upcoming fall semester.

Environmental Club Plans Earth Day
Promotion Focusing on Plastic Trash

UVI's Environmental and Marine Science Club on St. Croix plans to mark Earth Day 2008 - Tuesday, April 22 - by calling attention to the amount of Styrofoam and plastic trash generated on campus. On Earth Day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., members of the UVI community who bring in re-usable cups, plates or tableware to use in lieu of Styrofoam or plastic products, will receive free baked goods from the Cafetorium. For details, contact Emily Tyner at 692.4144.

UVI's Title III Program Publishes
Its First Annual Newsletter

UVI's Title III Program Coordinator Dayle Barry has announced the publication of the program's first annual newsletter - Title III Impact. The newsletter provides information for UVI students, faculty and staff about the many initiatives on both campuses that are supported by the Title III Program. This first issue highlights Title III initiatives in communications, information technology and chemistry programs, and the Campus Advising and Tutorial Services (CATS) Centers. The newsletter also announced that UVI will host the June meeting of the National Association of HBCU Title III Administrators' Association. This will be the first time that the 97-member institution holds its annual session outside the continental United States. The newsletter can be viewed online from the "Latest Links" section of the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - or this direct link. For additional information on UVI's Title III program visit the web site - www.uvi.edu/TitleIII - or call 693-1052.

Graduation Ball for 2008 Graduates
Slated for May 11; Tickets Available

The annual Graduation Ball for prospective 2008 graduates (Associates, Bachelors and Masters) on UVI's St. Thomas campus will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Resort. Tickets are $60 and are available at VI Bridal & Tuxedo - Tutu Park Mall, Modern Music - Havensight, Max Mart - Nisky Center and at the UVI Bookstore. A $5 discount is available for students with an I.D. There is also an early bird special rate of $45 available for 10 days beginning Wednesday, April 9. For details on this and other class of 2008 events call 693-1111 or send email to myideasforclass2008@yahoo.com.

Graduation Wishes Available
in Graduation Ball Booklet

Individuals who want to send a special "Graduation Wish" to a student worker, advisee, co-worker, friend or organization member who is graduating this year on UVI's St. Thomas campus can do so in a special Graduation Ball Booklet being compiled by the Student Activities Office. Depending on size, "wishes" cost from $5 to $35. The deadline to submit a "wish" is Wednesday, April 30. The Graduation Ball is scheduled for May 11. More information and a submission form are available at this "Graduation Wish" link. Details are also available by calling the Student Activities Office at 693-1111.

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: www.uvi.edu.

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

Microsoft Office 2007
Offered to UVI Faculty, Staff

UVI's Information Technology Services has announced that it is ready to install Office 2007, on a voluntary basis, on faculty and staff computers. Interested individuals should submit requests for an Office 2007 upgrade to Suzanne Darrow at sdarrow@uvi.edu. DVD and face-to-face training will be offered, with the first round of face-to-face training sessions beginning the weeks of April 28 on St. Thomas and May 5 on St. Croix. More training sessions will be offered in the future. Information on computer requirements and other details was distributed to faculty and staff via email on April 8.

Young People Sought for Reichhold's
2008 Youth Moviemaking Workshop

UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts is accepting applications for its 2008 Youth Moviemaking Workshop. The workshop starts Monday, June 23. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 30. Applications are available at the Reichhold Center's office at 693-1550 or via email from ffenton@uvi.edu. For more information on the Youth Moviemaking Workshop visit Reichhold Center's website at www.reichholdcenter.com. A news release is available from the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - or this direct link.

Rotary Offering Scholarship
to UVI Student for Study Abroad

Rotary of St. Thomas is presenting students in their first or second year of study at UVI with the opportunity to compete for an ambassadorial scholarship for international studies. The scholarship is valued at $23,000 per year. Please call Ardrina Scott Elliott at 693-1040 or Yegin Habtes at 693-1323 for additional information.

Volunteers Sought for Study
on Health Status, Health Practices

African American and Afro Caribbean women who are 40 or older are being sought for participation in a study on health status and health practices by the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center in the Division of Nursing at the University of the Virgin Islands. The study will begin with one-hour, face-to-face interviews with a nurse researcher. Some participants will be randomly selected for inclusion in two-hour focus group sessions. The Caribbean Exploratory Research Center is funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. For details, call 693-1212.

CELL Notes ...

Real Estate Sales Course
to be Offered on St. Thomas

Individuals interested in learning more about the real estate industry are encouraged to register for the Real Estate Sales course offered by the University of the Virgin Islands' Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center. Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays beginning April 19. All sessions will be held at the UVI-CELL Center on the St. Thomas campus. The Real Estate Sales course is designed to prepare individuals for the Real Estate Salesperson licensing examination. A variety of topics will be covered including Real Estate Theory, Mathematics, USVI Rules, and Regulations and all applicable sections of the VI Code. For more information on the course, call 693-1100 or visit UVI-CELL on-line at cell.uvi.edu.

UVI-CELL Schedules One-Day
Workshop in Microsoft Access

The University of the Virgin Islands' Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVI-CELL) Center will hold a one-day workshop for individuals interested becoming proficient in Microsoft Access. This hands-on workshop will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, on UVI's St. Croix campus.

The workshop will provide valuable tools to create custom database solutions and organize data. Participants will learn to structure databases, create reports, enter, retrieve and sort data, and much more. For details or to register, call 693-1100 or visit UVI-CELL online at cell.uvi.edu.