USVI Public Records

Document text

dateline: UVI October 27, 2008, vol xiv, number 10 The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands Events Calendar When Hurricane Omar struck the territory on Oct. 15 and 16, the island of St. Croix was hit the hard- est and UVI’s St. Croix campus subsequently received more dam- age than the St. Thomas campus. The St. Croix campus experienced uprooted trees, water damage in of- fices, classrooms and residence halls, power outages and generator problems. UVI was closed Oct. 15 and 16. Faculty and staff returned to work on Oct. 17 and classes resumed on Oct. 20. In a voice mail message to the UVI community on Oct. 17, President Ragster said the territory is fortunate to have escaped worse damage, announced the recovery mode and asked everyone to be patient as UVI worked toward normalcy. “We are fortunate in the fact that the storm impacted us less than it could have,” Dr. Ragster said. “Despite the diffi- culties we’re having at the moment, it could have been worse.” She asked that the UVI family be more tolerant and kinder to each other in the aftermanth of and recovery from the hurricane. “Although we live in a part of the world that does have to go through these natural hazards, we also live in a part of the world that has wonderful people that care about each other, especially during times of difficulty like these,” Dr. Ragster said 24 hours after the hurricane’s passing. Giving an update one week after the hurricane’s passing, Acting St. Criox Campus Executive Administrator Nerida Washington thanked the employees on the St. Croix campus for their collective support. She specifically thanked the mem- bers of the Physical Plant department under the leadership of Arthur Joseph for their “Herculean efforts on restoring the campus.” While technological services on the St. Croix campus were not functional following the storm, services were restored as of Oct. 22. No damage estimates have been made available so far. UVI in Recovery After Hurricane Omar Oct. 27 Alumni Meeting STT Oct. 27-30 Red Ribbon Week STT/STX Oct. 28 Staff Council Meeting STT/STX Oct. 31 Halloween Costume Party STT Nov. 1 Board of Trustees Meeting STX Nov. 2 World Food Day STX Nov. 7 Film Screening STX Nov. 19-21 GIS Conference STT Nov. 20 Incentive Awards Ceremony STT Nov. 21 Incentive Awards Ceremony STX Nov. 22-23 St. Thomas/St. John Ag Fair STT Nov. 22-29 Paradise Jam STT UVI Men’s Volleyball team battles in a home game at the Sports and Fitness Center on Oct. 10. Volleyball Action Photo by Dale Morton A tree uprooted by Hurricane Omar on UVI’s St. Croix campus. Photo courtesy of St. Croix CEA’s Office 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 In her first public showing outside of the Uni- versity, UVI student Cliaunjel Williams won the “Young Emerging Fashion Designer Competition” at the 2008 Virgin Islands Fashion Week. Williams, a biology major, featured seven pieces from her “From Trash to Treasure” collection at the Carib- bean Catwalk runway show. The pieces were cre- ated from plastic bags. Beautifully detailed, the pieces combined creativity and couture. As winner of the competition, Williams’ prizes include having her designs featured in a spread in Posh Caribbean Magazine. Excited about the feedback surrounding her work, Will- iams said she looks forward to the launch of her clothing line Cli.aunjel sometime in 2009. Meanwhile she looks forward to designing the costumes for the UVI 2009 Carnival troupe entry and earning her degree in biology in May. Williams’ designs will be again featured at the UVI St. Photos by Dale Morton Thomas campus’ “Going Green” presentation at noon on Nov. 3, in the Dining Pavillion. The “From Trash to Treasure” collection will complement the theme of recycling and eco-friendliness. Williams, who hopes to continue a career in fashion design- ing and nurse midwifery, began designing clothing as a student at St. Croix’s Central High School. VI Fashion Week, now in its second year, seeks to unite established and emerging local, regional and international fashion and accessory designers, models, pho- tographers, stylists and media companies. The events were held Oct. 9-13 on St. Thomas. UVI Designer Shines on the Runway Cliaunjel Williams Models, some of whom are UVI students, fashion designs created by UVI student Cliaunjel Williams at Virgin Islands Fashion Week Caribbean Catwalk runway show.