UVI Floupe, Steel Band Take Honors in Crucian Christmas Carnival Adults’ Parade Congratulations to UVI’s entries in the Crucian Christmas Carnival Adult’s Parade. The UVI floupe took the first runner up honors in the Carnival’s Adults’ Parade, in the Floupe 100 to 200 member category. The UVI entry featured a tropical garden theme – with flowers native to the Virgin Islands – and a beach scene. Music was provided by the Albert A. Sheen Campus Steel Band Orchestra. Participants were organized into four categories: Hibiscus, Sea Urchins, Sea Shells and Bougainvillea. The Sea Shells section highlighted UVI’s alumni and honored their historic achievement of a 50 percent alumni giving rate. UVI’s Steel Band also was first runner up in the Steel Pan category. Contact Hedda Finch-Simpson at 692-4228 or Necola Charles at 244-3433 for details.
Spring Semester Classes Begin Jan. 13; Orientation Slated from Today Through Jan. 10 UVI’s Spring Semester classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Online registration for continuing UVI students is now available, with access through the University’s BanWeb registration and student information tool. Late registration for continuing students is set for Jan. 9 and 10. UVI class schedules, a link to the BanWeb login page and additional details are available from the Registrar’s section of the UVI Web site – http://www.uvi.edu.
New and transfer student orientation began today (Tuesday, Jan. 7) and continues through Friday, Jan. 10, on both campuses. Orientation features keynote speakers Dr. Marilyn Braithwaite-Hall, on St. Croix, and UVI alumna Kishma N. Allen on St. Thomas. The official welcome and keynote presentation on St. Thomas were scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today in Business 110. On St. Croix, the welcome and keynote presentation were scheduled at 4 p.m. today in the Great Hall. A news release is available from the Media section of the UVI Web site – http://www.uvi.edu
Hip-Hop Legend Common to Perform at UVI’s Reichhold Center on Jan. 11 Actor, poet, musician and hip-hop recording artist Common takes to the stage of UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts in a show at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. Common is an American hip-hop legend who also stars in the AMC western television series Hell on Wheels. Common’s breakout hit and hip-hop classic “I Used To Love H.E.R.” led to a musical career that has received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, including two Grammy Awards.
On stage, Common is known for his high energy, fluid transition to jazzy tempos, invigorating lyrics and audience interaction. For details, visit the Reichhold Center’s Web site – http://www.reichholdcenter.com. Tickets are available online and from the Reichhold Box Office. For more information call 693-1559.
UVI Board of Trustees to Meet on Monday, Jan. 13 The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees will meet at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, in the third-floor conference room of the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas Campus. The purpose of the meeting is for the board to receive a report from the Executive Committee on communications with UVI President David Hall concerning a draft employment agreement for the period of Aug. 1, 2014, through July 31, 2019. A news release is available from the Media Section of the UVI Web site – http://www.uvi.edu – and from this direct link.
UVI to Close for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Jan. 20 The University of the Virgin Islands will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
UVI Establishes Full-Service HR Office on Albert A. Sheen Campus UVI President Dr. David Hall has announced that a full-service Human Resources (HR) office has been established on the University’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. The office, located in Residence Hall Suite AA103 of the Delta Dorsch Complex, will provide a full complement of core HR services such as employee relations, talent sourcing, selection and retention, compensation consultation, policies and procedures, performance appraisal management, and employee benefits. The office will be permanently staffed by UVI Associate Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development Yvonne D. Lawrence. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
Submissions Call for The Caribbean Writer – Volume 28 The Caribbean Writer, an international, refereed, literary journal with a Caribbean focus, has announced a call for submissions for its 28th edition. Issues unique to the Caribbean should be central to the work submitted, or the work should reflect a Caribbean heritage, experience, or perspective. The theme for Volume 28 is: Re-visioning the Future of the Caribbean Through, Time, Place and Memories. The submission deadline is Feb. 28, 2014.
Individuals are encouraged to submit poems (five maximum), short stories and personal essays on general topics and also on the theme. One-act plays will also be accepted. Only previously unpublished work will be considered. (If self-published, give details.) Include brief biographical information and list all contact information plus title of manuscript on a separate page. Only the title should appear on the manuscript.
All submissions are eligible for these prizes: The Daily News Prize for best poetry ($300), The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for best short fiction ($400), The David Hough Literary Prize to a Caribbean author ($500), The Marguerite Cobb McKay Prize to a Virgin Islands author ($200), and The Charlotte and Isidor Paiewonsky Prize for first-time publication ($250). A new prize for fiction is planned in 2014. Email submissions to [email protected] as attached Word or RTF files or submit via the “Submissions” page at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org. Submissions may also be mailed to: The Caribbean Writer, University of the Virgin Islands, RR 1, Box 10,000, Kingshill St. Croix, VI 00850-9781. Include SASE. For details, visit www.TheCaribbeanWriter.org or e-mail [email protected].
VI Caribbean Cultural Center Staging Amerindian Exhibit Through Jan. 24 "A Walk in My Moccasins," a native Amerindian cultural exhibition installed at UVI’s Virgin Islands and Caribbean Cultural Center (VICCC) on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix is now available to the public as well as the University community. The exhibit continues through Jan. 24. It was prepared in response to President Barak Obama’s National Native American Heritage Month proclamation in November. It honors the achievements, history and culture of indigenous people of the Virgin Islands and wider Caribbean. VICCC Director Chenzira Davis Kahina issued a special thanks to Maekiaphan and Walking Eagle Phillips of the Opia Taino for this contribution. For details, visit www.viccc.net or send e-mail to [email protected]. To schedule visits to the center, call 692-4272.