New & Updated Items - May 8, 2008

UVI Spirit Committee to Host
First Barbeque Happy Hour

The UVI Spirit Committee invites UVI employees, their families and friends to "eat 'till your belly bus', laugh 'till you cry, dance 'till your feet hurt and relieve the week's stress" at its first Barbeque Happy Hour. The party starts at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9, on the patio of the St. Thomas campus' Administration and Conference Center. There will be free food and music, along with a cash bar. In celebration of Mother's Day, the first 25 mothers to enter will receive free carnations. There will also be special door prizes for mothers. Activities will include bingo, cards, dominoes and other games along with games for children. The campus party ends at 8 p.m., but the fun will continue when attendees head over to the Charlotte Amalie High School gymnasium at 9 p.m. to cheer on UVI's basketball team. UVI's first game of the newly-formed Inter-governmental Co-ed Basketball League, the squad will take on Innovative Corp. All UVI employees, their families and friends are invited to join the fun. The UVI Spirit Committee is an ad hoc committee of the UVI Staff Council. For details call 693-1482 or 693-1259.

Golden Dragon Acrobats to Present
Free Exhibition at Tutu Park

UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts will present a free exhibition featuring the Golden Dragon Acrobats at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Tutu Park Mall. Come see what makes the Golden Dragon Acrobats one of the top groups in family entertainment. The Acrobats have two performances - at 4 and 7 p.m. - scheduled on Saturday, May 10, at the Reichhold Center. See related item.

Spring Commencement
Set for May 12 and 13

UVI's spring semester has ended for students. Commencement exercises are slated for May 12 on the St. Thomas campus and for May 13 on the St. Croix campus.

UVI to Confer First Master of Mathematics
Degrees During 2008 Commencement

The University of the Virgin Islands will hold its 44th Annual Commencement Ceremonies May 12 and 13 on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses, respectively. The St. Thomas campus ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 12, in the Sports and Fitness Center. The St. Croix campus ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, on the campus grounds. During the ceremony the first cohort of students in UVI's Master of Arts in Mathematics for Secondary Teachers will receive their degrees. A news release is available on the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI's Eastern Caribbean Center
to Conduct '08 V.I. Community Survey

The Eastern Caribbean Center of the University of the Virgin Islands will conduct the 2008 Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS) during the months of May, June and July. This scientific survey of a sample of households is a follow-up to the one conducted in 2007 that collected information similar to that gathered in the census of 2000. VICS data for 2008 will be gathered on two topics–population and housing. A news release is available on the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI and MUSC Agree on Collaboration

UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster last week signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg, president of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), to spur collaborations between the two institutions. Present at the meeting and an active supporter of this collaboration is Delegate to Congress Dr. Donna M. Christiansen. UVI and MUSC have agreed to collaborate to promote teaching, research and public service in biomedical sciences, including programs in marine health research and public health. A news release is available on the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI Community Invited to Share
Hospitality with Visiting Youth Leaders

Members of the UVI community are invited to share their hospitality with aspiring global leaders who will be visiting UVI's St. Thomas campus for the 2008 Summer Institute for Future Global Leaders in the Caribbean. The Institute opens May 15 and runs through May 29. This provides the UVI community an opportunity to play host for a day to a diverse group of young people - French, Spanish, Dutch and English speaking - representing universities in the Caribbean and the U.S mainland. Hosts will share their choice of church services, and/or home cooking, or just the beauty of our island. Sunday, May 18, is the day set aside for their visits with local families. Details were sent to the UVI community via email on May 7. Individuals interested in being a host to one or two of our potential future global leaders are asked to contact Dr. Solomon Kabuka at skabuka@uvi.edu or 626-7588 or 693-1310.

UVI New Hires Report Posted for April

The UVI Human Resources Department has released the University's New Hires, Promotions and Separations report for April 1-30, 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.

Faculty, Staff Proposals Sought
Special Projects Funding

Interested faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals for the funding of projects under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA), which provides temporarily increased support to the Title III, Part B program. A Request for Faculty and Staff proposals form, which provides the guidance needed to submit a pre-proposal that can be considered internally for submittal to the U.S. Department of Education, was distributed along with associated documents to all faculty and staff via email on May 6. For more information, contact Dayle Barry at 693-1054.

St. Thomas/St. John Alumni Chapter
Sets Awards Breakfast for June 7

The UVI St. Thomas/St. John Alumni Association will hold its sixth annual alumni awards breakfast on the St. Thomas campus at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, in the Dining Pavillion. Tickets are $30 per person and the proceeds go toward the chapter's annual scholarship fund at UVI. Information on honorees will be forwarded shortly.

Master Class for Dance Students
Set May 16 at Reichhold Center

Complexions Contemporary Ballet will host a master class for dance students at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at UVI's Reichhold Center fo the Arts. The class is free. Interested persons must register by Wednesday, May 14. Complexions, a New York-based dance company with performers from around the world, will perform at UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Call 693-1550 for more information or visit the Reichhold Center's web site - www.reichholdcenter.com.

Other Current Items ...

Volunteer Ushers Needed
for St. Thomas Commencement

The UVI Commencement Committee is seeking ushers to serve for the 44th Commencement on the St. Thomas campus. The Commencement ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 12. Interested persons should contact LeRue Browne at 693-1566.

UVI Sets May 8 for Mathematics
Diagnostic and Placement Testing

The University of the Virgin Islands will administer its mathematics diagnostic and placement test on Thursday, May 8, on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. The test will be administered at 4:30 p.m. on both campuses in the following locations:

St. Thomas: Classroom Administration Building (CA) rooms 305 and 306

St. Croix: Nursing Division's room R-100

For details, contact Dr. Rosalie Dance at 693-1253.

Professional Development Training
for Faculty and Staff Offered on May 9

UVI faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage of the three online professional development sessions scheduled for Friday, May 9, through the Teaching, Learning and Technology (TLT) Group. Information about TLT Group can be found at http://TLTgroup.org. Participants can work in groups on either campus or from home or office. Programs planned for May 9 include: Seven Principles of Effective Teaching & Learning with Technology (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.); Using Flashlight for online surveys (11 a.m. - noon); and Using UVI's TLT membership for professional development (2 - 3:30 p.m.). Individuals who plan to attend are asked to contact Suzanne Darrow at sdarrow@uvi.edu.

China's Golden Dragon Acrobats
Coming to Reichhold on May 10

Prepare for a spectacle of dazzling brilliance and breathtaking skill as China's Golden Dragon Acrobats take to the stage as part of UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts' Family Series. The Golden Dragon Acrobats have performances set for 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Reichhold Center. A news release is available on the UVI web site - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

Other Current Items (Cont.) ...

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. For details on this and other class of 2008 events call 693-1111 or send email to myideasforclass2008@yahoo.com.

Luncheon to Honor Cynthia Richards
as Librarian of the Year Set for May 18

The St. Thomas/St. John Library Association's VI/Women's History Month luncheon to honor Cynthia Richards as Librarian of the Year is scheduled for Sunday, May 18. The luncheon will take place at 2 p.m. at Pilgrim's Terrace. For more information, call Bethany Wilkes at 693-1363.

Performance Incentive Nominations
Accepted Thorough Aug. 20

UVI is accepting nominations for the 2008 Performance Incentive Awards program. The nomination process continues through August 20, 2008. The program's goal is to promote consistent and exceptional performance by recognizing the achievements of those who have exceeded personal, unit, and organizational goals, and who have contributed significantly to the progress of UVI and the Virgin Islands community. Details of the 2008 program and links to online nomination forms are available from the "University Compensation Committee" area in the Archives section on the UVI Announcements web page - http://announce.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

Purchasing Announces
Airline Ticket Price Changes

UVI's Purchasing Department has announced changes in the price of tickets on Seaborne Aviation and Cape Air airlines. The round-trip cost for Cape Air is now $130. The round-trip cost on Seaborne is now $160. Details are available from the Purchasing web site which is available from the "Other UVI Sites" menu on the UVI home page - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

UVI To Host Tom Joyner May 22

The University of the Virgin Islands will host radio personality and philanthropist Tom Joyner as he and passengers from his annual Fantastic Voyage cruise disembark in St. Thomas on Thursday, May 22. The cruise raises money for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The "party with a purpose" starts at 11 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m. on the lawn of the Reichhold Center for the Arts and Brewer's Bay Beach with Cool Sessions Brass providing the music. Food and drinks will be on sale. The community is being invited to extend their lunch time to come out and party with UVI, Tom Joyner and the crew.

UVI volunteers/ambassadors will be needed to assist with many aspects of the event. Prof. Aurelia Donald (at 693-1316) is coordinating volunteers. For more information about the event, call Patrice Johnson in the UVI Public Relations Office at 693-1058.

June 6 is Deadline to Submit Student
Worker Requests for Fall Semester

UVI's Student Employment Office on the St. Thomas campus has announced that the deadline to submit Request for Student Worker forms for the fall semester is June 6. The forms, which were distributed to supervisors via email, are also available from the Counseling and Placement web site or this direct link.

Thurgood Marshall Leadership
Institute Seeking UVI Students

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is seeking UVI students interested in developing their leadership skills by attending the organization's ninth annual Leadership Institute and Recruitment Conference scheduled in New York City for Oct. 24-27. The institute is designed to introduce students to representatives from some of the nation's top companies, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations. More than 900 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities attended last year's institute. This will be the fourth consecutive year that UVI students have attended the institute. Recruiter Christopher Binn will visit the St. Thomas campus on May 8 and the Croix campus on May 9. Interviews will be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Prospective participants must be juniors and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. The deadline to apply is May 7. Sign-up sheets are available in UVI's Counseling and Placement Offices. For details contact Doris Farrington-Hepburn at 692-4187 on St. Croix or Verna Rivers at 693-1087. Information is also available from Ardrina Scott-Elliott in UVI's Office of Institutional Advancement at 693-1087.

Volunteers Sought for V.I. Study
Focusing on Health Status of Women

Volunteers are needed in the Virgin Islands to participate in a research study looking at the health status of African American and Afro Caribbean women and at their access to health care services. The study, which seeks to involve 200 women in the territory, is being conducted by the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center in the Division of Nursing at the University of the Virgin Islands. For details, call 693-1212.

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

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 is under way. Students must confer with advisors on course selection and obtain personal information numbers before they can register online.

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.

Accreditation Progress Letter
Available for Review

The text of a progress letter from UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is now available for review by the University community. The document has been posted on the "UVI Accreditation" section in the Archives column on the UVI Announcements (intranet) web site: http://announce.uvi.edu. Note: Access to this web site is only available via the UVI computer network.

SBDC Notes ...

Small Business Week 2008
Activities Set for May 19-23

UVI's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will coordinate this year's annual Small Business Week activities from May 19 through 23. The week is designed to promote entrepreneurship and small business training opportunities. The week will be highlighted by Small Business Week awards ceremonies set for Wednesday, May 21, on St. Croix and for Friday, May 23, for the St. Thomas/St. John awards. For more information, contact the SBDC St. Thomas/St. John office at Nisky Center at 776-3206 or the SBDC St. Croix office in Sunshine Mall at 692-5270. Details are also available at the SBDC web site - http://www.sbdcvi.org/.