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January 29, 2011 vol xvii, number 1 Events Calendar Jan. 29 Michael Bolton Concert STT Feb. 1 STEM Luncheon Meeting STT Feb. 7 HIV/AIDS Awareness STT Feb. 7 VIUCEDD Workshop STT Feb. 8 Male Empowerment Conference STT Feb. 9 VIUCEDD Workshop STX Feb. 10 Male Empowerment Conference STX Feb. 19-21 Agriculture Fair STX St. Thomas Campus Library Renovations Completed T he Ralph Paiewonsky Li­ brary is perhaps the most recognizable landmark on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. On the out­ side the library looks almost the same as it has for the past four decades, but step inside and you may think you have entered a hotel lobby or a trendy coffee shop. It boasts open spaces, col­ orful and modern furniture, new carpet, additional study rooms, an updated computer lab and Wi-Fi throughout. The first no­ ticeable change is the new circu­ lation desk. There is also a “café” where students are allowed to snack. The “wow” factor is perhaps the new compact shelving. With the new system the aisles between each bookshelf are eliminated and the bookshelves are com­ pacted. When someone wants a book, they will look for the call number, approach the appropri­ ate shelf, and press a button – the bookshelves will then retract to create an aisle so that the person may retrieve the book. “It’s very different,” fresh­ man Thalia Lake said of the changes. “It’s more welcoming and it makes you want to learn and stay around to study,” said the biology major who com­ mutes to UVI and utilizes the library every day. “I think it’s cool,” sopho­ more Makysha William said of the renovations. “It gives a whole new feel to the library. It’s a comfortable place where you can read and study.” Business major Levette Ruan agreed. “It’s more vibrant,” he said. “Before, it was too dark. It made me feel like I wanted to go to sleep, honestly,” Ruan said. The “new” library, as Ruan described it, makes him want to come to the library more often to study. “They did a good job,” he said of the renovations. As part of the changes, the Melchior and Caribbean Col­ lections were relocated to the main level. The room where the collections are located also houses the office of the Special Collections librarian, provid­ ing improved customer service. “And even more security,” added Special Collections Librarian Sherna Gumbs. Literature from the special collections must not leave the room. Four “smart” study rooms, complete with Promethean Boards, are expected to be completed this year. “They love it,” Cherie Wheatley said of the student’s reactions to the library. Wheatley is the customer ser­ vice manager in the Information and Technology Service component. “We love it too. It’s like coming to a new place to work!” The library is compliant with the American with Dis­ See Library on next page Top: Rachelle Shells, manager of Learning Resources and Technology Services, left, and Library Specialist Carey Galdo, look over a book in the lounge area of the newly renovated Ralph Paiewonsky Library on UVI’s St. Thom­ as campus. Bottom: Recent UVI nursing graduates, from left, Carlamari Maria, Rhea Brown and Sandra Joseph study for the state nursing licensure examination in the library’s cafe. GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline: UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 dateline: UVI is a production of the UVI Public Rela­ tions Office. Contact us by telephone at 340-693-1056 or by fax at 340-693-1055. Male Conference Seeks to ‘Redefine What it Means to Be a Man’ abilities Act requirements. The library also houses UVI’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Renovations to the St. Croix campus library are near completion. Library Continued I n a historic event, the Univer­ sity of the Virgin Islands and the VI Department of Education will bring together all the males in the territory’s junior high and high schools for a Male Empow­ erment Conference. The confer­ ence will be held on Feb. 8, in the Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas campus and on Feb. 10, on the grounds of the St. Cro­ ix campus. It will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. The conference’s theme is “Man Up: Realize Your Potential - Tools and Resources for Males on the Journey Toward a Successful Life.” It is a networking and mentoring forum to gather young men of all ages to discuss, identify and change common beliefs about manhood. It grew out of the UVI male initiative Brothers With a Cause. The idea was to have an activity that would touch the lives of young men in the community, not just those at UVI, said Dr. Haldane Davies. “We want to bring to the forefront of young men the opportunities for all of us and strategies to help us be successful in our homes, schools and personal lives,” said Dr. Davies, UVI’s special assis­ tant to the president and coordinator of the event. “We want to redefine what it means to be a man.” The conference will feature speakers Entrepreneur Farrah Gray, Pastor Dexter Skepple, NFL Player Linval Joseph, and entertainment by Rock City. Gray is a young man from the impoverished South Side of Chicago who defied odds to be­ come a self-made millionaire by age 14. As a teenager, his Farr- Out Foods generated orders ex­ ceeding $1.5 million. Appealing to the spiritual side will be Pastor Skepple of Speak the Word Ministries, a multi-cul­ tural, non-denominational ministry on St. Croix. Also slated to speak is New York Giants defensive tackle, Crucian Linval Joseph. He was a round-two pick by the Giants, who signed him for a four-year, multi-mil­ lion dollar contract. Performing will be renowned R&B/Rap duo Rock City, comprised of brothers Theron and Timothy Thom­ as who have written songs for Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Ashlee Simpson, to name a few. Attendees must pre-register. Students must pre-reg­ ister at their respective schools. Other males may pre- register on the UVI website www.uvi.edu or at 693-1000. Sponsors include the Virgin Islands Lottery, VI-EPSCoR, UVI’s College Access Grant Program, First Bank and the West Indian Company. Pictured clockwise: Entrepreneur Farrah Gray, NFL Player Linval Joseph, Pastor Dexter Skepple and R&B/Rap Duo Rock City.