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Contents Page 2

Student Affairs

AC Reviews Student

Evaluation Results Chess

Youth Forum Page 3

Parking at UB

UB-Toledo: Ramps

FST: Ven. Snakes Page 4

UB Sports Page:

Female Canoe Team Gets Sponsor Intramurals

Jaguars b-ball Page 5 Fac/Staff News:

FEA: online course

VP in Namibia

TAC Nursing

Volunteers Leave Staff Leave Policies Being Revisited

Page 6 FNAHSW on the Move!

Page 7 Registration ‘09:

XeneDirect system Invitation: Agric Open Day

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Calendar of Events

UB BULLETIN

Recruitment ’09 Begins in ORANGE WALK and TOLEDO

Education Empowers A Nation

Andrea Middleton, Coordinator of Admissions, has the wonderful opportunity to again travel countrywide and share the excitement of UB, inviting high school students and junior college graduates to join the country’s national university. Yes! The annual recruitment period is here. During the months of February and March, Andrea and her crew attend career days, school fairs and fourth forms, showcasing UB. Andrea may be accompanied, at various times, by two to three lecturers, students, faculty, staff, the sports crew and the publicity officer. Big kudos to Debbie Yates, Engineering secretary featured to the right and to Sharette Yearwood, Tourism/Business lecturer featured to the left, who both did a stellar job of sharing UB information on January 28 (we began earlier this year at the invitation of two schools) at Orange Walk Technical. The presentation was especially targeted in the following areas to the expressed interest of the 160 upcoming graduates: architecture, engineering, building, tourism, the paralegal program, agriculture, primary education, and med lab and pharmacy programs. They were accompanied by Silvana Woods, Public Information Officer. That same day, Andrea Middleton and her crew were recruiting at Toledo Community College. Deadline for applications into UB’s programs is March 27, 2009 for entrance August 2009; for entrance in January 2010, the deadline is the last Friday in October. Want to know the schedule for recruitment or do you know someone who is interested in joining UB? Contact: admissions@ub.edu.bz

UB-Toledo: Helping to Meet the Educational Needs of Disabled Persons in Southern Belize

See page 3: feature story on Rodney Borland, primary ed. student who entered UB-Toledo this semester, now that UB-Toledo’s newly installed ramps can accommodate his wheelchair. Welcome, Rodney!

COBEC’s Feb. Conference:

Academic Focus Opportunities and Challenges in

Primary Education

UB’s Business Focus Meeting Accreditation 2011

Full coverage of the February 4–7 COBEC Conference, which UB is hosting, will be provided in the March 2009 UB Bulletin.

www.ub.edu.bz

Dr. Angel Cal, UB Provost, promoted COBEC’s conference on PLUS TV’s “Conversaciones con Amado” on Jan. 28. COBEC’s Tracy Harrington joins other COBEC members on LOVE TV/FM , Feb. 3. Visit www.cobec.org

February, 2009 Volume 9, Issue 2

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Academic Council Prioritizes Review of Student Evaluation Results The 5th meeting of the Academic Council (AC) occurred on January 21 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m. Leading the agenda was a presentation of an analysis of the results of Student Evaluation forms. The AC, which is chaired by Provost Dr. Angel Cal, spent much time on reviewing the results of student evaluation forms; these are done each semester and form part of the process of faculty evaluation. The primary result of the survey analysis is that, while students expressed dissatisfaction with several UB services, the majority rated faculty teaching as good or excellent. It was also brought to light that students and faculty need to know how UB uses the results. Using this UB Bulletin as one medium of information, the AC advises that the results of student evaluations are used to improve faculty’s own delivery and UB’s delivery of services to them and to look at how faculty are performing aggregately and comparatively; additionally, the results are used as a measure in performance evaluation and decisions on increments.

YOUTH FORUM: SGA and Youth Week 2008

In late November ‘08, UB’s Office of Student Affairs and the SGA held a youth forum in recognition of Youth Week. The forum featured a presentation by Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Marcel Cardona, Dianne Finnegan, Director of Youth for the Future, and Stephanie Daniels of the National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC). The theme was “Youths– Strong and Free: the Foundation of our Nation Empowered Through Strong Participation.”

CHESS at UB Dean Perriott and the crew at Student Affairs extend a heartfelt thanks to Mr. Glen Reneau, National High School Director, for his donation of nine competition-type chess sets to the Office of Student Affairs. Shortly, he will also be donating a chess demonstration board. Mr. Reneau was the judge at UB’s Chess Competition held last Sports Day. Chess players or those who want to learn chess can sign up at the Office of Student Affairs. Chess will also be featured at the May 7, 2009 UB Campus Day, so do sign up today if you would like to be a part of the mental stimulation of chess.

(L) Erwin Woodye, Director of UB Libraries (C ) Dean Dr. Wilma Wright of FEA (R ) Don Thompson, AC volunteer in spreadsheet applications; Mr. Thompson presented the survey analysis of student evaluation forms.

Segment of the deans and directors who were at the UB Provost’s 5th Academic Council meeting for the 2008-09 academic year.

(L) President Dr. Santos Mahung (C ) Provost Dr. Angel Cal (R ) UB Student Government Association President Alex Anderson at UB’s Youth Forum

(L) Moses Sulph, President of UB’s Bz City Student Government (R ) Dianne Finnegan, Director of Youth for the Future

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Parking at UB? We thank you for PARKING only in designated areas at our campus sites. Please do not park on the grass.

-Message from the Office of Physical Plant-

UB-Toledo Campus Installs Ramps

FST’s Venomous Snakes Talk/Display

19 year-old Rodney Borland was accepted to UB in August of 2008 as an IT student at UB-Toledo in the Faculty of Science and Technology. However, due to his incapacity to walk, he was not able to attend classes until this semester when UB had ramps installed that lead to all his classes, to the library, to the computer lab, and to the Administration building. UB congratulates Mr. Stanley Nicholas, UB-Toledo’s Campus Administrator, UB’s Physical Plant Office and Toledo SG for helping to make Rodney one of the newest members of the UB family. Readers may recall the unfortunate 2002 incident

that incapacitated him. Rodney was in Std. 6 at the time, helping out in his family’s store, when the store was robbed and he was shot. His right lung was injured and his spine ruptured. UB salutes his bravery and perseverance in the face of adversity. UB also salutes Special Olympics athlete J. Ramirez who has now also joined UB, for an AA degree in Primary Education. WELCOME. Kudos also to Richard Genus, a visually-impaired student at the UB-Toledo campus.

The Faculty of Science and Technology, through the Natural Resource Management Program, held a talk on Venomous Snakes on January 28 at UB’s Jaguar Auditorium. Guest presenter was well-known Tony Garel, Belize’s snake guru., with over 20 years experience; he worked for many years at the Belize Zoo. Over 150 students attended and they were treated to a display of three of Belize’s venomous snakes under the watchful guidance of Mr. Garel.

Welcome to UB, Rodney! Rodney says the accident

changed his outlook on life. His motto: Anything

possible is worth challenging; quitting is

never an option!

Above: Rodney Borland at the UB-Toledo campus. He says that everyday in life brings a new challenge and while adapting to change is difficult, it is possible. He is living proof. Thanks to Ms. Yesenia Munoz at UB-Toledo for passing on the photos and story.

UB’s Office of Student Affairs held a Memorial

Service at the RLC building for the late

Tryson Ramos who passed away. Tryson was an IT

student, AA degree, in the Faculty of Science and

Technology

UB’s Recreation and Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Football, Canoeing

As we go to press, the UB Black Jaguars BASKETBALL team is the #1 seed in the Belmopan Basketball Association’s tournament! The playoffs, originally scheduled to have begun the week of January 25th, have been postponed several times because of a suspension and protest on the part of one of the teams. In the

meantime, we say...GO UB GO! Coach Siroki advises that the first game in the best of three playoffs WILL BE Thursday, February 5th.

Dean Perriott accepts cheque from Belize Roadway Construction Mr. Tim Banman, Project Manager at Belize Roadway Construction presented a cheque to cover full sponsorship of UB ‘s Lady Jaguars canoe team in this year’s La Ruta Maya Challenge to Dr. Jean Perriott, Dean of Student Affairs, on January 13th in Dean Perriott’s UB office. “With this full sponsorship our Lady Jaguars are poised to make a comeback to the La Ruta Maya Challenge after not participating for a couple years,” said Dr Perriott. The race is held each year to coincide with Baron Bliss Day (March 9). The La Ruta Maya Challenge is the longest and most grueling canoe race in this hemisphere and it takes four days to arrive in Belize City. The race leaves San Ignacio on March 6 and is scheduled to end at the Civic Center in Belize City March 9 The challengers paddle along the Macal and Belize Rivers. The La Ruta Maya Challenge was founded by Cayo Tropical Fruits Ltd. The exciting race is divided into eight categories and is for the amateur and professional paddlers alike. The first Ruta Maya Challenge made its debut in 1998. In the meantime, UB also congratulates the UB Black Jaguars male canoe team, the intramural defending champs!

UB Intramural Campus Games 2009 FOOTBALL Sat. February 28 Host: UB-Toledo

SOFTBALL Sat. March 21 Host: UB-Belize City BASKETBALL Sat. April 18 Host: UB-Belmopan VOLLEYBALL Sat. April 25 Host: Belmopan

All games start at 10:00 a.m. The order for all games will be:

Belmopan vs. Bz City Toledo vs Belmopan

Bz City vs Toledo

UB Campus Day—All campuses Thursday, May 7

Championship of Campus Competition High and Long Jump

Marathon Dominoes ...Chess

60m …100m ...400m Egg Toss ...Water Balloon Toss

3 Legged Race... Sack Race... Eating Contest... Tug-o-War ...Obstacle Race

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FEB. 23: FEA’s new online Study Skills course begins (8 weeks) srhaburn@ub.edu.bz; ftorres@ub.edu.bz

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Dr. Geraldo Flowers in Namibia Dr. Geraldo Flowers, UB’s Vice President and Director of Business Development and Administration, was in in Windhoek, Namibia from Jan.17 -25 attending the annual Erasmus Mundos Lot 10 Board meeting. Readers may recall that in our August 2008 UB Bulletin, we reported on UB’s joining this scholarship program of the European Union from which UB received five scholarships for faculty development and for graduates, as well as for staff exchanges. Dr. Flowers was seeking opportunities for UB for the 2010 allotment.

Another priority at UB’s Jan. 21 Academic Council (AC) meeting (see page 2 also) was an update on the changes being suggested regarding staff leave policies. The current Faculty Handbook, as well as the Staff and Promotions Handbook, are being revised. Yura Monsanto, Director of Human Resources, presented drafts of the staff leave policies that are under revision. All deans & department heads were sent the drafts electronically to share as relevant with their colleagues and to then feedback to Ms. Monsanto before the changes are presented to the UB Board. Specific areas under review concern creating a firm policy to govern study leave and how to apply for it, leave of absence without pay, sabbatical leave, fellowship leave and professional leave. How to deal with faculty and staff who take leave without approval is also under review.

Several UB personnel gladly attended NIDO’s Send-Off ceremony for members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Volunteer Corps (TAC) who completed their two years of service in Belize. UB is fortunate to have several of these professionals working with us, and we fondly say a hearty thank you to two who are leaving:Iyerefama Theresa Membere and Steven Mamudu. Ms. Membere was a Nursing lecturer and Mr. Mamudu was the UB nurse assigned to the Wellness Center. The guest speaker was His Excellency Ambassador Peter L. Oyedele, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ja ma ica w it h co ncurr ent accreditation to Belize.

(L) Iyerefama Theresa Membere (C ) UB’s Human Resources Director Yura Monsanto (R ) Steven Mamudu at NIDO’s farewell for Nigerian TAC volunteers. HR wishes them all the very best! Thanks to Corine Gallego in Accounts, Bmp, for the photo!

TAC Nursing Volunteers Leave

Stephanne Castillo-Hamilton, Administrative Assistant to the Provost, has been with UB 16 years; she was formerly with Univ. College of Belize. Mrs. Hamilton is the recorder at all Academic Council meetings.

Staff Leave Policies Being Revisited at AC

Dr. Geraldo Flowers in Namibia

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Faculty of Nursing , Allied Health and Social Work on the move! In addition to the nursing students FREE health checkups, FNAHSW coordinated a blood drive with the Central Medical Laboratory. The Wellness Center also offered massages for just a dollar! FNAHSW will next be hosting a forum on Nutrition Education during the Regular Wednesday student hour on Feb. 11 at the Jaguar Auditorium in Belmopan. All are invited.

UB Architecture Students: Booth Design Contest concludes on February 16/Judging: Feb. 18. Kudos to Acting Chair of the Engineering Dept. Steve Wright & to p/t lecturer Sheldon Mahung!

Above L-R: Faye Issacs, Kimberly Broaster and Susie Banman: three of the Nursing students who helped to make the Health Fair happen. (L) Chair Isidora Espadas: she was very proud of the 4th year baccalaureate nursing students at the Dec. 3, 2008. Reproductive Health Fair at UB’s Belmopan campus. The fair featured a variety of FREE medical check ups.

(R) Student Coordinator Sharon Palacio looks on as other UB employees join students in benefiting from information available at the Dec. 3, 2008 Reproductive Health Fair. Kudos to the 4th Year Baccalaureate nursing students, Office of Student Affairs, and the organizations who partnered with UB’s FNAHSW to make this health fair a great success.

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Registration 2009 Introduces XeneDirect

Research Methods FMSS students conduct the follow up survey to UB’s recent Crimes Symposium to approx. 800—1000 respondents during February

XeneDirect is the new computerized registration system to which UB has subscribed. Up until last semester, UB was using the S.M.A.R.T system. XeneDirect is a student records program that has the capacity to give us a lot more information than S.M.A.R.T. was able to give. XeneDirect was implemented during Semester Two’s registration period, Jan. 13—16. Faculty who serve as student advisors, as well as Registration and Accounts personnel, were trained in using XeneDirect during the months of November—January. UB’s registrar, Dr. Roy Young, notes that the new system is already proving useful. “We have used it quite effectively to iron out the clashes of classes; thus this semester we experienced the least clashes. Kudos to the Accounts and Registration UB employees and to all faculty advisors and students for their cooperation!

(L) Dr. Roy Young, UB’s Registrar was hands on during the early days of registration with the new XeneDirect system. Standing is Mike Link, technician at UB’s Information and Communication Technology Department.

REMEMBER:

FEB. 6: Last day to withdraw

from a class with 50% tuition refund

FEB. 16:

Last day to withdraw from a class with

25% tuition refund

FEB. 27 Last day to apply for

Summer 2009 degree completion

Correction: In our January UB Bulletin, we gave kudos to an FMSS lecturer and her class for their Marketing Expo. Her name should be spelt EDA ARZU. FMSS’s EDA ARZU

INVITATION: The Agriculture Department and

Central Farm Campus, in the Faculty of Science and

Technology, invite all to the OPEN DAY on Friday, Feb. 13.

`Sun Mon TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1 2 -University Census Day -Withdrawal from a course w/“w” begins -Withdrawal with 50% refund begins

3 -COBEC featured on LoveTV/Radio morning show, 7:30 a.m.

4 -COBEC conference begins w/ undergraduate and graduate fair at SJC Gym, Bz City, 4 to 7:30 pm

5 -COBEC Panel Presentation: “Context of Belize Education System” 9:30 @Jaguar Auditorium BMP -HR Holds 2nd Housekeeping wkshp, Bz City -UB Bmp SG dance at Alwin’s, 8 p.m.+ -Jaguars b-ball playoffs (BBA)

6 -COBEC Mtg. -Last day to withdraw w/ 50% tuition refund

8 9 -Withdrawal with 25% tuition refund begins -Admissions recruits at Muffles Jr. Coll.

10 -UB Admissions Office recruits: Corozal Junior. College; Czl Comm. Coll.; Adventist High; Cornerstone

11-Scholarship Fair UB Toledo, 10am to 6pm -Student Hour forum: 2 to 3pm, FNAHSW at Jaguar Aud: Nutrition Educ. -UB recruits: Escuela S.HS

12 13 -Central Farm and Agric Program’s Open Day

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15 16 -Last day to withdraw with 25% tuition refund -UB recruits: Sadie Vernon; E.P. Yorke HS

17 UB recruits: BZ Rural HS; Kings Coll;Ladyville Tech

18 -Scholarship Fair (Bze)- UB recruits: Canaan; Gwen L.Pallotti; Wesley Jr. Coll - 2 to 3:15pm at Jaguar Aud:. Community Service Worksp

19 -Last Day for students to sign up for Mr+Ms. UB Pageant - UB Admissions recruits: St. John’s; ACC

20 -Admissions recruits: San Pedro HS; San Pedro Jr. Coll.; St. peter’s Academy (tentative)

21 -ATLIB Football Nationals

22 23 -FEA’s new online Study Skills course begins

24-UB Gym: Regionals of Math Olympiad -Adm recruits: Nazarene;Excel-sior; SJC HS

25 -Ash Wed. Service -SGA Hour 2 to 3:15pm at Jaguar Aud.

26 Last day to Apply for Summer degree completion

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7 -ATLIB Football Regionals -COBEC Trip:UB’s station at Calabash Caye (optional)

Calendar of Events February 2009

UB Bulletin: All UB faculty, staff and affiliates can submit information for publication. Send submissions via email to opi@ub.edu.bz or forwarded on an electronic format to Silvana Woods, Public Information Officer, c/o UB Administration Building,-Second Floor, Central Campus, Belmopan. Tel: 822-3680, ext. 204 or 205.

UB Mission:

The University of

Belize is a national,

autonomous and multi-

location institution

committed to excellence in

higher education,

research and service for national

development. As a catalyst of change it

provides relevant,

affordable and

accessible educational and training

programs that address

national needs based on

principles of freedom, equity,

transparency, merit and

accountability

March 2009 Highlights Mar 6-9: UB Black Jaguars paddlers in La Ruta Maya River Challenge Mar. 18: Wellness Fair, Belmopan Mar. 21: UB in ATLIB Softball Regionals Sun. Mar.29 : Annual UB Relathon

Looking for the latest updates on UB ? ALWAYS CHECK

the UB NEWS and UB Calendar of Events on

www.ub.edu.bz

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