Last week, August 21st, started the SJSU academic school year 2013-14. Thus started another great year to be had in VCARA. We are in the process of planning out some activities and events for the Fall semester, with at least one event or activity scheduled each month. Event locations will be announced on this blog when the event has been set up. This blog will be your on-stop-shop for events/activities and anything that will take place in VCARA this school year.

THEME
This school year, we have decided to base all the events/activities around a central theme. This year’s theme will revolve around ACCESS. This concept is an important part in the records and archival fields for the same conceptual reason: to keep access to their holdings over time. Technology presents a major challenge to access since it is evolving at an alarming rate. Being able to maintain access to records/archival holdings is important.

EVENTS
Right now, we are working on an event for October. Any more information on the October Event will be posted to let everyone know as soon as the information becomes available to us.

SECOND LIFE ORIENTATIONS
VCARA is located in a virtual world in Second Life. VCARA is open to all SLIS students. Not “versed” in Second Life?There are 4 dates and times that we will be holding orientations in Second Life. They will be held in VCARA. Marie Vans will be holding the orientations. (NOTE: All times are in Second Life Time (SLT). SLT is the same as PDT).

*September 11, 2013 – 7pm SLT (Wednesday)
*September 13, 2013 – 6pm SLT ( Friday)
*September 19, 2013 – 7pm SLT (Thursday)
*September 20, 2013 – 7pm SLT (Friday)
Even though these dates are set and orientations will take place in Second Life, we ask that you RSVP for one of the sessions by e-mailing Kevin Dompier at kevin.dompier@gmail.com. If you are unable to join us at the set orientation sessions, we will arrange orientations by appointment. To do that, email Kevin Dompier.

GOALS
One of the goals that we have for VCARA this year is to attract new people to come and enjoy VCARA. With that said, feel free to comment about what you would like to see in VCARA this year. The last thing that I want to do is to set up a program this year that does not pique the interest of SLIS students in Second Life. Any feedback is appreciated.

We hope that this year will be fun for all.

See you all in Second Life!

Kevin Dompier
VCARA Student Assistant