Weekly Newsletter for Faculty and Staff, Sept. 15, 2020

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This week’s issue of Ha‘ilono o UH Hilo (News of UH Hilo): COVID-19 updates, new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, announcement that spring 2021 semester is going online, Mookini Library launches chat service, more!

During the fall and spring semesters, Ha‘ilono o UH Hilo is a weekly e-blast of news and information for faculty and staff, produced by University Relations, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.  

What does #VulcanPride mean to you?

COVID-19 Updates

Lenard Allen
Lenard Allen

Welcome to UH Hilo’s three part-time COVID-19 Coordinators: Lenard Allen (lead coordinator), Charlotte Grimm, and Cami Kanahele. They will serve as liaisons with the Department of Health, and assist on behalf of the DOH and Medical Reserve Corps with case investigations, tracing, contact support and self-quarantine/isolation for UH Hilo students, faculty and staff.

COVID-19 testing on campus, originally scheduled for Friday, September 18, is cancelled. Information on future on-campus testing will be shared once details are available.

Continue to stay informed through the UH Hilo COVID-19 webpage for up-to-date information and advisories. Information can also be found on the UH System COVID-19 page.

Administration

Karen Kopera-Frye
Karen Kopera-Frye

Karen Kopera-Frye is recommended as the new dean of College of Arts and Sciences.

The 2020 Official Notice Regarding Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policies is available. Learn about counseling services and UH policies for preserving a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace and student environment.

Academics

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Kris Roney announces spring 2021 semester will be mostly online with a few exceptions.

UH Hilo educator shares how online instruction has transformed teaching the art of dance. Despite dance instructor Kea Kapahua’s years of training and teaching, moving her dance classes online was not something that came naturally. But she’s up for the challenge this fall, fearlessly teaching her students completely through virtual platforms.

People

E’Lisa Lee at computer desk.
UH Hilo alumna E’Lisa Lee, member of team that has discovered signs of life on Venus, studied astronomy at the Hawaiʻi Island campus. She helped carry out the observations for the study while working as a telescope operator.

UH Hilo alumna is member of team that discovers signs of life on Venus.

The Division of Student Affairs held its annual retreat virtually in late summer, which included recognizing staff members for their outstanding and exemplary work: 2020 STAR (Staff That Are Remarkable) Awards.

Mookini Library

Screen shot of webpage Chat-a-Librarian
Click on image to go directly to Chat-a-Librarian, a new service offered by Mookini Library.

Library Chat: Mookini Library is trying out the chat service LibraryH3lp. Select Help from the top of any Library webpage or go directly to Chat-a-Librarian (limited hours of availability).

Vulcan Athletics

Group of students and coaches stand for photo in a field of corn. All wear masks.
A group of Vulcan student-athletes and coaches harvested 15,000 ears of corn, part of a partnership between UH Hilo and California & Hawaii Foliage Growers, Inc. The corn was delivered to a local food bank. Courtesy photo from Vulcan Athletics.

Vulcans harvest corn for local food bank.

More academic records for Vulcans.

 Operations and Services

Deja Brew’s revised hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Closed on Fridays. Deja Brew is located on the Library Lanai.

The UH Hilo Bookstore hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for the fall semester. Textbooks, apparel, and general merchandise are available online. UPS shipping, pick up at store, and curbside delivery are also available.

Calendar of Events

Last Day to Drop a Class Online without “W” is Tuesday, September 15.

Last Day to Receive a 50% Tuition Refund for Complete Withdrawals is Tuesday, September 15.

Discussion: “Finding Funding: Grant Writing Strategies for Graduate Students, Researchers, & NGOs,” with Megan Blazek, The Kohala Center; Ulu Ching, Conservation International; and Springer Kaye, Big Island Invasive Species Committee. Friday, September 18, 3:00 p.m., via Zoom. Passcode: Grants

For more news and events, see UH Hilo Calendar of Events.

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