News for December, 2008

I want to wish all our students, patrons and faculty Happy Holidays and extend a sincere thank you for your participation and support of our educational programs in 2008. VIFSM was designed to provide attendees with world class forensic science and medicine faculty and challenging, hands-on course content. Your evaluations consistently reflect you believe VIFSM has met that goal. I recognize that the current economy may affect your ability to attend programs in the future, and I am committed to maintaining our training initiatives and making them accessible to you.

For 2009, VIFSM will make every effort to contain training and travel costs. This approach to facilitating your continued participation includes:

• No increase in course costs in 2009
• Discount of 20% for alumni
• Group discounts of two or more attendees from the same agency
• Select scholarships for agencies who have sent participants in 2008
• VIFSM discounted rates in hotels
• Accelerated course schedules which minimize time away from the office and requires pre-class preparation
• Select Online learning opportunities
• Continue to offer continental breakfast and lunch daily as part of the registration cost
• No increase for the cost of optional academic graduate credit
• Alumni log-in capability in January 2009 for updates in the forensic arena, keeping you informed of technology advances in a variety of forensic disciplines

The Institute has an exciting 2009 agenda – and I want you to be a participant. VIFSM will work with you and your agency to help you enroll in the 2009 programs.