Focus Requirements for Graduation Waived
Focus Requirements (Hawaiian, Asian & Pacific Issues [HAP], Oral Communication [OC], and Contemporary Ethical Issues [ETH]) for UH West O‘ahu students who entered in academic years 2007-2008 and 2008-present are waived as graduation requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in courses that meet Focus designations. For questions about how this may affect your current and future academic planning, contact a Student Services academic advisor at 454-4700.

All about Laulima – What Every UH West O‘ahu student needs to know!
Laulima is the course management and collaborative resources tool supported for enhanced/total online teaching and collaborative projects at the University of Hawai‘i. Will it affect you as a UH West O‘ahu student? Yes!

Laulima is used to deliver online courses at UH West O‘ahu. Hybrid courses and those delivered over Interactive TV (ITV) may also include Laulima as an online component of the course. In addition, more instructors are choosing to use Laulima tools to enhance in-person courses.

About a week before the spring semester begins, you will be able to log in to Laulima using your UH username and password at https://laulima.hawaii.edu.
Online tutorials and information are available at http://uhwo.hawaii.edu/dltutorials and http://www.hawaii.edu/talent/laulima_students.htm. The computer requirements for online or hybrid courses at UH West O‘ahu can be viewed at http://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/pdfs/dl/compreqs.tutorial.pdf.  

For Laulima technical support, contact Linda Maeno at linda@hawaii.edu or (808) 454-4785. You may also request help while in Laulima by clicking the “Request Assistance” link at the very bottom of every Laulima page.

Call for Proposals Addressing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed (LGBTI ) Topics
The Presidential Commission on LGBTI Equity is now accepting abstracts of completed or proposed research on LGBTI topics or related areas for Say the Word: The Annual System-wide Conference, April 3-5, 2009. The conference will feature LGBTI topics in an academic setting for students, faculty, and the community. The abstract for proposed research on LGBTI topics should include the research objectives, proposed methodology, and a discussion of expected outcomes.

Accepting academic research, student papers, case studies, work-in-progress reports or proposals for future research, reports on issues related to teaching, poster sessions, panel sessions, creative and performing arts presentations. This may include visual, dance, drama, theatre, fashion, poetry, creative fiction, personal essay, and performance art relating to LGBTI topics.

Please email Word, RDF, or PRF documents to the Chairs of the Research Committee Dr. Jeanne Marie Iorio at iorio@hawaii.edu or Dr. Andy Reilly at areilly@hawaii.edu with the following information by Jan. 30:
• Name
• Affiliation
• Contact information
• Outline or abstract
• Needs (e.g., multimedia, performance space)

Calling all writers!
The Writing and Learning Center will publish a “Tales of Academic Survival” booklet featuring essays about the road to college success. Tell us your story about:
• an experience that made you a better student
• a person who helped you master a skill
• a strategy that helped you survive (or any advice for newcomers)

Send manuscripts (1,000-word maximum, typed, double-spaced) to the Writing and Learning Center, B-108, uhwowc@hawaii.edu, or call 454-4794 for more information. Illustration submissions (black/white drawings or other graphics) will also be accepted. Submission deadline is Friday, Jan. 30.

Funded by a Diversity and Equity Initiative Grant, Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity.

West Press Deadline, Jan. 12
All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to send in submissions for the Feb. issue of the West Press. The submission deadline for story ideas including club events, recent publications, class projects and any UH West O‘ahu items of interest is Monday, Jan. 12. Please send all submissions and questions to westpress@uhwo.hawaii.edu.

Academic Record Updates
Students who were enrolled at another UH Campus this past fall 2008 semester should submit the Academic Record Update form www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/forms to the UH West O‘ahu Office of Admissions to have their credits evaluated. No official transcript is required.

Students who were enrolled at a non-UH college/university this past fall 2008 semester should have their final official transcript sent directly to the UH West O‘ahu Office of Admissions to have their credits evaluated. Unofficial transcripts (e.g., issued to student, hand-carried transcripts, faxed materials, and student copies of transcripts or grade reports) will not be accepted as official.

Fall 2008 Grades
Grades for the fall 2008 semester are now available on the MyUH Portal. If there is a discrepancy with your final grade, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 454-4700 within 10 calendar days.

Students who have a Record Delayed (“RD”) grade should contact their instructor to have their final grade updated with the Registrar’s Office.

Students who receive an incomplete (“I”) grade should contact the instructor to discuss what work must be completed to make up the incomplete. The deadline for instructors to submit a grade change is March 30. If a grade change is not submitted by this deadline, the “I” grade will convert to the letter grade assigned with the incomplete.

Diplomas and Official UHWO Transcripts
Students who need their official UH West O‘ahu transcript with fall 2008 grades and/or degree conferred should complete the Transcript Request Form (www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/forms) and submit it to the Student Services Office. Transcript requests for fall 2008 grades will be processed beginning Jan. 2. Transcript requests for conferral of a degree and/or certificate will be completed within 8-10 weeks.

Spring 2009 Pre-Registration Continues Through Jan. 2 at 4 p.m.
All eligible currently enrolled classified students who have not yet pre-registered for the spring 2009 semester may still do so until Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. Regular registration begins Jan. 6- 8. Registration is done online through the MyUH Portal at http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu.

Students who pre-register for the spring 2009 semester from Nov. 19 – Jan. 2 must submit payment of tuition and fees by Friday, Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. HST. All students who have not made payment in full or signed up for the UH installment payment plan by this date will have their spring 2009 registration cancelled. Registration will not be cancelled for financial aid awardees. Students who have not yet received notice of a financial aid award should check with the Financial Aid Office.

For more information regarding tuition payment deadline, schedule of classes, advising, etc., please view the Spring 2009 Registration Bulletin.

MyUH Portal Online Registration System
Online registration via the MyUH Portal will not be available from Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. through Jan. 5. Registration services will re-open on Jan. 6 at 12:01 a.m.

Upcoming Writing and Learning Center Workshops

“Balancing Family, Work and School: Time Management and Other Secrets”
Learn time management and other organization tips for balancing busy schedules. Call 454-4794 or email Emily Nye at emilynye@hawaii.edu to reserve a space. Sponsored by the UH West O‘ahu Writing and Learning Center.

E-104
Jan. 21, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

B-106
Jan. 27, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Education Club First Spring Semester Meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Looking for an opportunity to gain greater knowledge in the field of Education? Already working with children and looking for support? Come to our first meeting of the spring semester!

UH West O‘ahu Conference Room
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

All majors welcome. We will be discussing exciting activities, community services, workshops, club benefits and other important information. If you cannot make the meeting or would like more information, email educationclub@ymail.com to get on our mailing list and we will send you the meeting’s minutes.

Join the Bulls and Bears in the new Investing Club!
Did you ever wonder exactly what is the DOW or NASDAQ? Curious about stocks, bonds and credit markets? Do you want to learn a little more about the stock market? Well, here is a great chance for you learn about methods and strategies used in the stock market. Beginning spring 2009, UH West O‘ahu will have its very own Investing Club. All students are encouraged to come out and see what the hype is about. Please contact Dr. Eun Ahn at euna@hawaii.edu or Investing Club President Carlo Soogrim at soogrim@hawaii.edu for more information.

Join the JAH Club!
UH West O‘ahu students can enroll to become a member of the Justice, Public and Health Administration Club (JAH Club). All majors are welcome! Students are invited to attend JAH Club meetings and sign up for membership. We will discuss upcoming events, career opportunities and talk story. Refreshments will be served. Fees are $8 for membership, $15 for a JAH Club T-shirt and $20 for membership and T-shirt. Contact JAH Club President Kehau Deboma at deboma@hawaii.edu for more information.

Happy New Year! Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2009!

Library Building Closed During Winter Break
Due to ongoing renovations, the library building is closed during winter break, now through Jan. 11.
 
Call 455-0497 or email uhwolib@hawaii.edu for

• Research assistance
• Math/Statistics pre-test appointments
• Book returns or payment of fines

Regular hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 12.

Career Services Update
UH West O‘ahu Career Services will no longer be staffed but students can access handouts on majors, practicums, job or graduate school search, resumes and interviews, and more at the Career Resources website at http://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/career2.

Need financial aid?
You may still apply for the spring 2009 semester by completing the 2008-2009 FAFSA form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Don’t forget that you need to reapply for financial aid each year. The priority deadline for the fall 2009 semester is April 1. Submit your application as soon as possible to increase your chance of receiving the maximum amount of aid. For assistance, call 454-4700 or send an email to finaid@uhwo.hawaii.edu.

Looking for scholarships? View all scholarship opportunities and check out our online Scholarship Bulletin Board at www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/scholarship.