Spring 2009 Registration Continues Through Jan. 23
Students who have not yet registered for the spring 2009 semester may still register for courses on the MyUH Portal at http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu during the late registration period, Jan. 12-23. All first-time registration that occurs during the first two weeks of instruction will be subject to a $30 late registration fee.
 
The final payment deadline for all spring 2009 registration and the last day for 100 percent refunds on semester-long courses is Friday, Jan. 23. For accelerated terms, view the schedule of courses at www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/schedule and click on the CRN for the refund deadline dates.
 
Students are held responsible for all applicable tuition and fees incurred (whether or not classes were attended). Registration is not automatically cancelled for nonpayment during this period. Students are advised to officially withdraw from classes they do not plan to attend. Failure to withdraw will result in a financial obligation to the University of Hawai‘i and a possible failing grade for the class(es) in question. Financial aid recipients considering withdrawal from classes should consult the Financial Aid Office at 454-4700 or finaid@uhwo.hawaii.edu prior to initiating the withdrawal process. Withdrawals may have a significant impact on institutional charges, a current financial aid award, as well as future financial aid eligibility.

For more information regarding refunds, withdrawal dates, tuition payment deadlines, schedule of classes, advising and more, see the Spring 2009 Registration Bulletin.

U-Pass Reduced Rate Bus Pass Available to UH West O‘ahu Students
Do you ride the bus? As a UH West O‘ahu student, you are eligible to purchase a U-Pass reduced-rate bus pass tailored to the needs of Hawai‘i’s university students. The pass is valid now through May 31 at a cost of $100. Bring your valid student ID to the Dean of Student Services office, room A-108. Passes are available for purchase (cash only) until Feb. 28.

2009 UH Business Plan Competition Offers Learning Opportunity and Chance to Win Thousands in Prize Money

Open to all UH students, the UH Business Plan Competition, hosted by The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship & E-Business (PACE), offers the chance to develop a business idea, get professional feedback, practice a business pitch, receive mentorship, access resources and win thousands of dollars in prizes. For more information, visit www.UHBusinessPlanCompetition.com. Online registration is open now through Jan. 30. Teams that submit an executive summary in the UH Business Plan Competition are eligible for a $500 Discover Grant to help further develop their business plans. Details about this grant can be found at www.shidler.hawaii.edu/IDR

Focus Requirements for Graduation Changed
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.

You are now 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.

Upcoming Writing and Learning Center Workshops

Call 454-4794 or email Emily Nye at emilynye@hawaii.edu to reserve a space in any of the following workshops sponsored by the UH West O‘ahu Writing and Learning Center.

“Balancing Family, Work and School: Time Management and Other Secrets”
Learn time management and other organization tips for balancing busy schedules.

E-104
Jan. 21, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

B-106
Jan. 27, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

“Improve Your Reading and Note-taking Skills”
This workshop emphasizes the importance of taking good notes and provides an introduction to several note-taking formats and styles. Covering strategies including pre-reading, skimming, and review.

E-104
Feb. 4, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

“APA Style”
Learn the basics of APA citation, including in-text cites and how to prepare a reference page.

B-106
Feb. 10, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

“Avoiding Plagiarism”
This workshop helps define plagiarism and teaches paraphrasing and proper citation techniques.

E-104
Feb. 25, 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.

First-ever Investment Club Meeting, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m., E-107D
Don’t miss a great chance to learn about methods and strategies used in the stock market. Find out where the economy may be heading and how you can plan for yourself. Meet new people and make new friends. All students are encouraged to join us for our first-ever meeting! For more information, contact Dr. Eun Ahn at euna@hawaii.edu or Investing Club President Carlo Soogrim at soogrim@hawaii.edu

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.

E Komo Mai Students!
Welcome to the start of the spring semester! UH West O‘ahu kicked off 2009 with a historic ground blessing ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 14 in anticipation of the start of construction for a permanent and sustainable new campus in Kapolei. For more information, view our updates on Twitter at twitter.com/uhwestoahu and visit the new campus website at www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/newcampus.

Spring Into Academic Excellence with the Writing and Learning Center
Did you know that UH West O‘ahu provides free tutoring for all students in writing, math, and statistics? These services and more are available at the Writing and Learning Center in B-108.

The following spring semester hours of operation begin Jan. 26:
Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday by appointment.

Call for an appointment or submit a paper online if you need assistance prior to Jan. 26. Learn more about the Writing and Learning Center at www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/tutoring or contact the staff at 454-4794 or uhwowc@hawaii.edu.

UH West O‘ahu Library Second and Third Floors to Reopen Jan. 21
The second and third floors of the library building will reopen at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, following the completion of a major air conditioning upgrade.

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.