UVI Welcomes New And Transfer Students With Orientation Week Activities

The University of the Virgin Islands will welcome new and transfer students with a week of orientation activities beginning Monday, Aug. 17, according to a press UVI issued this morning.

Orientation, which is a requirement for all new students, begins with residence hall check-in from noon to 7 p.m. on Aug. 17, on the St. Thomas Campus. Residence will check-in from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus.

Placement testing, student advisement, registration for classes, social media, scavenger hunts, and campus tours are just a few events planned for Orientation Week. The goal of orientation is to enhance each student’s academic and social adjustment to college life, and acquaint them with the wide array of opportunities the University offers.

“We are really excited to welcome this class,” said UVI Provost Dr. Camille McKayle. “Many have already been contacted by the various colleges and schools at UVI welcoming them to our community of scholars.”
“Orientation is a time where you transition to being a Buccaneer,” she said. “We will highlight what can be fun about being at a university, but also the serious side.

As part of orientation week, UVI will hold its second annual New Student Convocation and Buccaneer Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, on the St. Thomas Campus. New Student Convocation is slated from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, on the Sheen Campus.

Convocation is a formal activity that underscores, for the new students, that this is the beginning of a new phase in their lives that is different from high school and uniquely UVI. Faculty, wearing academic regalia, will attend, and UVI President David Hall will present a formal address. New students will receive a “medallion,” designating them as members of the University.

University staff are invited to attend, and may wear academic caps and gowns. Both convocations will be followed by welcome receptions.

For the first time this year, students who have been accepted into UVI can register for early placement testing being conducted at the Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVICELL) Center. Proper placement in the reading, writing and math courses, help to ensure student success and allows for advancement toward their degree goals. Students can register from June through August here or from this direct link: UVI Cell Placement Testing. Testing on St. Thomas will take place at the UVICELL Center on the St. Thomas Campus. On St. Croix, all placement testing will be held at the UVICELL Center located at #23A Hospital Street in Frederiksted.

Formal orientation week activities continue on both campuses through Aug. 21. A Welcome and Community Resource Information Fair is scheduled at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, in the Great Hall on the Sheen Campus. Other sessions will cover a range of topics from UVI’s library and Information Technology offerings, to campus security, health services and student activities. There will also be individual sessions for international and National Student Exchange students, and others designed to help students learn to better network among themselves.

Complete orientation schedules and information packets have been distributed via email to all students accepted by UVI. All incoming students are also encouraged to keep checking the Prospective Students section of the UVI website — to see the latest updates to the orientation schedule and for additional details, such as campus maps, class schedules, downloadable forms and residence hall information.

For more information visit the New Student Orientation page here. Fall Semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 24, on both campuses.

Feature Image: Student leaders who assisted in previous orientations.

Image Creidt: UVI.