The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, March 10, on UVI's St. Thomas campus.
The full Board ratified an action taken by the Board's Executive Committee to authorize an appropriation request of $28,104,581 for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. The Executive Committee had acted on behalf of the full Board in order to meet a March 2 deadline set by the V.I. Government's Office of Management and Budget.
The UVI Board of Trustees also unanimously approved a revision to the University's Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Operating Budget, which reflects a $495,957 projected decline in revenues from tuition and fees. The University anticipates revenues of $48,013,019 by the end of Fiscal Year 2012.
UVI President Dr. David Hall told those assembled that UVI is challenged by a drop in the 2012 Spring semester enrollment. "I still remain optimistic about this University and where we're headed," he said. "I am confident that in spite of it, we will continue to go forward."
As part of his report to the Board, Dr. Hall presented a Presidential Appreciation Award to the School of Nursing for its associate's degree students having achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the Nurse Licensure Examination and a 90 percent pass rate for students in the baccalaureate degree program. Additionally, the associate's and baccalaureate degree programs within the School of Nursing have each received notices of their continuing accreditation.
Dr. Hall noted that the University's 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee kick-off receptions were held on St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix, and said the Golden Jubilee Alumni Reunion Choir performance on March 3 "exceeded everyone's expectations." He encouraged trustees to attend the Sunday, March 11, Afternoon on the Green festivities, which he said will offer "a fantastic array of music and food and other types of activities."
Previewing the March 16th Charter Day festivities, Dr. Hall said Ambassador Ruth Davis will be the keynote speaker for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, with former Gov. Charles Turnbull and Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. giving remarks. A rededication of the Ralph Paiewonsky Library will take place that same day at 2 p.m., with UVI Professor Emeritus Dr. Marilyn Krigger officiating.
Research and Technology Park Director David Zumwalt gave an update on building construction and the RTPark's efforts to acquire tenants. There are 12 active tenants at the Park and 19 more are in various stages of application, Zumwalt said. The RTPark building construction project is 30 percent complete, is on budget and scheduled to be concluded by February 2013.
UVI Provost Dr. Karl Wright introduced the University's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which indicate that although Spring 2012 enrollment is down four percent (4 percent) compared with last year, the number of enrolled male students has increased one percent (1 percent).
The KPIs also indicated that for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, UVI saw a 7 percent increase in money received from federal and private grant and contract awards (more than $17 million). UVI ranks second among its peer institutions for grants and contracts.
UVI Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne Jackson reported that while the University's alumni giving rate has remained stable, a drop in total contributions to the University reflects the loss of HOVENSA's annual support of the process technology program. Trustees praised UVI's Office of Alumni Affairs for its fundraising strategies. UVI's "50 for 50" fundraising campaign is underway, with a goal of achieving a 50 percent alumni giving rate during the University's 50th anniversary year.
The next meeting of the UVI Board of Trustees will take place in June on the Albert A. Sheen campus on St. Croix.