In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Oct. 21, the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees received an update on damages caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria to the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, the St. Thomas Campus and the St. John Academic Center on St. John.
“The University of the Virgin Islands suffered severe damage as a result of these unprecedented winds and rain,” said UVI President David Hall in his report to the board. “The estimated total loss to buildings and infrastructure is approximately $51 Million.”
The following buildings will need to be rebuilt or significantly renovated:
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies
- School of Business Building
- Quarters B Administrative Building
- West Hall Residence
- Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts
- Institute for Geocomputational Analysis and Statistics (GeoCAS) and Caribbean Green Technology Center Building
- Faculty West Building
- President’s Guest House
- Research and Technology Park Building
- Residence Halls (top levels)
- Agriculture Experiment Station and the Aquaponics Facilities
Pehna House, the area where WUVI and the Security Office are housed on the St. Thomas Campus, was the only building that remained with power throughout Hurricane Irma. WUVI 1090 AM and 97.3 FM was among the few radio stations that transmitted throughout the storm. Employees can now access their email, blackboard, webpages, and banner. Numerous computers, servers and other technology infrastructure were destroyed. Hurricane Maria had a negative impact on the University’s internet and other communication systems on both campuses.
More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI website –http://www.uvi.edu/ - and from this direct link.