USVI Public Records

Document text

dateline: UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands February 15, 2005, vol xi, number 2 Hundreds of pre-school and grade school students were treated to a special visit from Disney characters and local mascots on Jan. 25 and 26, at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center. They included Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Nemo and Stitch – all Disney cartoon characters. The Litter Critter of the V.I. Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission and Tommy Star Fish of the V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association also made appearances. While being loads of fun, the activity also served as a lesson in Virgin Islands pride. When Stitch, who is known for his disruptive behavior, began throwing food around, the Lit- ter Critter came out with a broom and dust pan and repri- manded him. “You cannot come to the Virgin Islands and mess up our beautiful islands,” Litter Critter said. He then engaged the students in a refrain, saying “we keep our islands...” and the students answering “clean.” The event was sponsored by Quality Family Entertainment. Cartoon Characters Delight Students at SFC Tommy Star Fish, the tourism mascot of the V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association, dances with children at UVI Sports and Fitness Cen- ter. Tommy Star Fish was one of several characters who performed at the event. Owning a home is usually a significant accomplishment for anyone, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. is hoping to make that dream a reality for students across the country – including those at UVI. The Caucus has created the Student Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), an educational program designed to help young people become homeowners at an early age by avoiding the pitfalls of poor credit habits and excessive debt. Through the program, graduating seniors at se- lect HBCUs engage in homeownership seminars that encour- age them to purchase homes within the first two years after graduation. Graduating seniors who participate in the seminar will re- ceive a $1,000 certificate towards the down payment and clos- ing costs on their first home. The grant letter is good for two years after graduation. A senior is classified as a UVI student who fulfills the requirement for graduation in either May or De- cember of 2005. Recent graduates are not eligible for the grants. The UVI SHOP seminar will be held from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, in the Chase Auditorium, room B-110, on the St. Thomas campus and in Evans Center, room 401, on the St. Croix campus. Graduating seniors interested in participating in the SHOP seminar should pre-register at the CBCF website www.cbcfinc.org. For more information call St. Thomas cam- pus Associate Chancellor Dr. Doris Battiste at 693-1120. Program to Encourage UVI Seniors to Buy Homes Events Calendar Feb. 15 EPSCoR Seminar STT/STX Feb. 15 Golden Key Bake Sale STT Feb. 16 Sex & Sexuality Forum STX Feb. 17 Nursing Bake Sale STT Feb. 18 AKA Rush STT Feb. 19-21 Agriculture Fair STX March 1 Home Seminar STT/STX March 6 Afternoon on the Green STT March 7 Jost Van Dyke Trip STT March 11 Queen Mary Walk/Run STX March 11-13 Intercollegiate Debates STT Thank you for responding to the first-time Dateline UVI sur- vey that was published in January’s edition of the newsletter. If you haven’t responded yet, there’s still time. Kindly fax your response to (340) 693-1055. You may call with additional com- ments at (340) 693-1056. With Gratitude . . . dateline:UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline:UVI is a production of the UVI Public Relations Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1056 FAX: (340) 693-1055 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu If the theme of the Uni- versity of the Virgin Islands Debate Society – “Small Minds Talk, While Great Minds Debate” – is true, there will be dozens of “great minds” from throughout the Caribbean on the St. Thomas campus in March when UVI will host the 15th Annual Car- ibbean Intercollegiate Debat- ing Competition. Eight teams will participate in the three- day event scheduled for March 11-13 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Participating teams are from the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine campuses, the University of Guyana, the University of the Netherland Antilles, Medgar Evers College CUNY, UTECH of Jamaica and UVI’s St. Thomas campus. Each team will be repre- sented by a maximum of four debaters. St. Thomas campus Student Activities Supervi- sor Junie Violenes said that the debates are essential for student development, as they help students to gain deeper understanding about themselves and the world around them. She encour- ages members of the com- munity to attend the debates for “educational enlighten- ment and an opportunity to discuss world, national and regional issues.” Violenes also urged high school and junior high school administrators to bring their stu- dents to the debates. There will be opportunities for audience participation while judges are deliberating. For more informa- tion call Junie Violenes at 693-1111. The 15th Annual Caribbean Intercollegiate Debating Competition schedule: Friday, March 11 — 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony — 10 a.m. Debate #1: “Environmental Activism Jeopardizes Growth and Progress” — 1 p.m. Debate #2: “CARICOM Should Ostracize Haiti” — 3 p.m. Debate #3: “International Lending Agencies Promote Eco- nomic Slavery in the Developing World” Saturday, March 12 — 6 p.m. Semi Finals: “The ‘Willy Lynch Legacy’ Still Influences Caribbean Culture” Sunday, March 13 — 3 p.m. Finals: “Peace is Not Possible in the Middle East” Afternoon on the Green Promises to be “Sweet” “Great Minds” to Gather for Debates on St. Thomas Campus The University of the Virgin Islands is gearing up for After- noon on the Green – its annual food, fun and family event – from noon to 5 p.m. on the St. Thomas campus’ Herman E. Moore Golf Course. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the activ- ity, and hence the theme “Sixteen on the Green, Make it Sweet.” Event organizers expect culinary concoctions to run the gamut, including breads, soups, side dishes, main dishes, seafood and drinks, with a special emphasis on desserts. Afternoon on the Green will live up to its tradition of great entertainment, this year featuring the Starlites band. Cooks, as well as general volunteers, are being sought. If you’re interested in preparing a dish or you have a valid health permit and are interested in volunteering to serve food, please call the UVI Institutional Advancement Component at 693-1040.