The University of the Virgin Islands is offering a unique tool to help students succeed with final exams, which are scheduled to begin the week of May 3. As a result of the UVI initiative known as Brothers With a Cause (BWC), students on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses will, for the first time, be able to participate in what is being called an “Academic Jam,” consisting of counseling, group study and peer tutoring sessions in key university subject areas. The jam will take place from April 22-27.
Dr. Haldane Davies, special assistant to UVI President Dr. David Hall, has been working closely with the students who formed the group, which has a goal of attracting more male students to the university and to provide tools and support to help them graduate.
“This is something that President Hall broached with the students,” Dr. Davies said. “They evaluated the pros and cons and the officers of Brothers With a Cause decided it was a good thing to do. It was all firmed up last week.” The Academic Jam is open to all UVI students.
“Sometimes students think that the only help that students can get is from faculty and staff,” said St. Clair Hodge, the St. Thomas president of Brothers with a Cause. “We wanted to change the mindset of not only women nurturing and helping,” Hodge said. “As men we also have the capabilities and resources to effectively assist with academics – that you can have men who you can look to for help.”
Group study and peer tutoring will take place on the Thomas and St. Croix campuses beginning Thursday, April 22. On St. Croix, study sessions will take place in the Campus Advising and Tutorial Services (CATS) Writing Center, in the Northwest Wing Computer Lab, and in the Residence Hall Seminar Room. Rooms are generally available between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 a.m., with exact times reflected in reflected in fliers that are available by selecting “Male Initiative” on the UVI Web page at www.uvi.edu.
On the St. Thomas campus, group study sessions will take place in the CATS Center from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., in the Dining Pavilion from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m., in the VIP Room of the Sports and Fitness Center from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., and through the night in the Library Computer Lab. After hours transportation will be made available to commuting students.
Information about additional sessions, which will take place after St. Thomas Carnival, on Sunday and Monday May 2 and 3, will be provided at a later date.
Counseling for students suffering from test anxiety will be offered by appointment. On St. Croix, students should call 692-4187 and on St. Thomas call 693-1136.
