Dec. 13, 2002 – The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools recently reaffirmed the accreditation of the University of the Virgin Islands.
"We have always been accredited," Patrice Johnson, UVI's director of public relations, said. "This was just a renewal of our accreditation."
The then-College of the Virgin Islands was first accredited by Middle States in 1971, and the institution has maintained its accreditation since then.
The renewal of accreditation was based on a self-study conducted by the university and a report submitted to Middle States covering the years 1995 through 2000.
"It's very good news for us," Frank Mills, chair of the self-study committee, said. He added that those in the community who support UVI and send their children to the school will be glad to know that their trust in the institution is not misplaced.
UVI submits a periodic review report to Middle States for approval every five years. It undergoes a more comprehensive self-study, which includes an on-site review by Middle States officials, every 10 years.
UVI's accreditation was last reaffirmed in 1997. Its next comprehensive evaluation will take place during the 2006-2007 academic school year.
Those individuals involved in evaluating the university "are experts in their fields," Mills said. "Most of them are high-level administrators or senior faculty who are all knowledgeable in higher education."
According to Mills, having accreditation means a lot to the university.
"It means that we are performing in comparable levels to other universities and colleges in the Middle States region," which includes New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, he said. "It means that we as faculty and administrators are doing what is required of us to maintain these comparable standards."
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