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dateline: UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands January 27, 2004 vol x, number 1 Reichhold Center Unveils New Season Line-up With Performances to Make You Laugh and Dance Comedy, dance, salsa and more are on the Reichhold Center season line-up for 2004! Although the season is shorter, Reichhold’s scheduled per- formances promise to be big on fun. After a four-month de- lay to renovate the seating area at the University of the Virgin Islands Reichhold Center for the Arts, the sea- son opens on February 28 with a performance by legendary soul/ R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne. The events continue on March 27 with the modern dance company Philadanco. On May 8-9 the center will showcase su- perb talent from across the Virgin Islands. Be sure to wear com- fortable shoes for the Latin festival on June 19, because you are sure to be dancing in the aisles. On August 13 and 14 Oliver Samuels promises a comedic performance to make you laugh until you cry. Bring your handkerchiefs for this one. For more information or to purchase season tickets call 693- 1559. • Jeffrey Osborne, February 28 Since emerging on the soul/ R&B scene with the group LTD (Love, Tenderness and Devo- tion), Osborne has enjoyed a long musical career. He is known for classics like “Back in Love Again” and “On the Wings of Love.” With the re- lease of his “Music is Life” CD in 2003, Osborne has shown his staying power, having recorded numerous albums over the past 30 years. • Philadanco, March 27 The city of Philadelphia’s most renowned dance troupe brings its high-powered, non-stop, repertoire of ballet, modern and ethnic dance styles to the Virgin Islands. A troupe of about 20 will dance their way into the hearts of audience members. Oliver Samuels Jeffrey Osborne Campus Restructuring Raises Discussion, Questions at Convocation Reichhold Continued on Page 2 Jan. 29 Career Workshop STT Jan. 30,31 NSF Workshops STX, STT Jan. 31 Welcome Back Bashment STX Jan. 31, Feb 1 “Me & Mrs. Jones” Film STX Feb. 2 AES Cassava Seminar STX Feb. 4 SBDC Tax Prep Seminar STX Feb. 6,7 Amiri Baraka Appearance STT Feb. 10 SBDC Credit Seminar STX The University of the Virgin Islands is about to take off – to “fly and float” as President LaVerne Ragster describes it. President Ragster outlined the University’s “mechanism to continue to move forward . . . despite significant cuts” to its budget at the Spring Convocation held on January 20. The announced goals include a leaner and more produc- tive University that is financially sustainable and less depen- dent on government appropriations. President Ragster’s vi- sion of “flying and floating” involves adding collaborations, entrepreneurialism and partnership to the University’s exist- ing mandate to provide instruction, research and public ser- vice. President Ragster elaborated on the Gap Funding Plan that was approved by the UVI Board of Trustees in Decem- ber. The Gap Funding Plan was created to address an im- pending $2.7 million budget shortfall that is expected to de- velop between the V.I. government’s $27 million appropria- Events Calendar Convocation Continued on Page 2 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 As if last season’s 8-0 winning streak was all too easy, the UVI Lady Buccaneers are on their way to top that. The Lady Buccaneers recorded their first-ever win over an NCAA member college during holi- day season play. The Buccaneers downed the Moravian College Greyhounds 83-82 during a Sunday, January 4, game at the Rena Stephens UVI Lady Bucs Celebrate First Win Over NCAA Team UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Moravian College, which is located in Bethlehem, Pa., is a NCAA Division III school. UVI’s leading scorers in the victory were Rena Stephens, Diana Palmer and LaToya Garvey. The Lady Buccaneers had an impressive 2002-2003 sea- son. In addition to being undefeated, the squad also claimed the Inter-University Sports Organization (ODI) Basketball Championship. It was the first time the Lady Buccaneers won that title. • STARfest 10, May 8-9 Now in its 10th year, STARfest has retained its reputa- tion as “the Virgin Islands’ best show.” Song, dance and poetry are highlighted at this must-see event. The variety-styled show highlights talented locals. Expect a resounding performance as STARfest celebrates its 10th year. • Latin Festival, June 19 Salsa’s best and hottest artists spice up the Reichhold Center with a musical recipe that blends Afro-Carib- bean and Cuban sounds with a dash of American Jazz. The performance will present various Latin styles in celebration of the musically prolific Hispanic heritage. • Oliver Samuels, August 13-14 Get ready to “laugh ‘till your belly burst.” This offer- ing will feature popular Jamaican comedian Oliver Samuels, who needs no introduction in the Virgin Is- lands. He will perform his newly released “Christopher Cum-Buck-US,” with topics such as electioneering, Highway 2000 and the war in Iraq. Reichhold Continued tion for 2003-2004 and $25 million – the amount UVI re- ceived from the V.I. government for 2002-2003. The Gap Funding Plan includes identifying sources of funds through the following avenues: tuition and fees, an- nual giving, workforce training, process redesign, campus re- structuring, and reduction in subsidy. Campus restructuring created the most discussion from faculty and staff. President Ragster explained that the plan for campus restructuring will create two schools – a school of professional, applied and technical studies and a school of arts and sciences. The campus restructuring is expected to be implemented by the Fall ’04 semester. The President also outlined strategic priorities for 2004 and 2005 and detailed her vision of UVI as a “university- college”. She called on the UVI family to work together to- ward the institution’s goals. “I’m counting on all of you to help define the things that we can do best,” she said. President Ragster assured those assembled that an im- proved UVI image, along with increased excellence in out- puts and graduates, combined with increased public and pri- vate financial support, will lead to better compensation and enhanced working conditions for faculty and staff. “In 2006 UVI will be someplace different than it is now and even more viable in the territory,” President Ragster said. Convocation Continued