The University of the Virgin Islands Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC) is conducting Phase II of its annual Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS). During Phase II of the survey process, which runs from Dec. 8, 2012 to Jan. 12, 2013, ECC staff will interview the community.
“The goal of the VICS is to provide a clearer understanding of the changing population and housing statistics in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Dr. Asha DeGannes, Eastern Caribbean Center’s acting director. “Demographic surveys provide important information to educators, the legislature, businesses and anyone needing information about the community.” Dr. DeGannes said the survey will generate official statistics relating to economics, population, housing, health and employment.
“The V.I. Community Survey is the only source of information for the Virgin Islands where we have comprehensive housing and population information,” said DeGannes. “We are especially urging residents to cooperate with interviewers when they visit your houses. If someone wearing UVI identification and an ECC messenger bag approaches you to ask that you participate, please cooperate,” said Dr. DeGannes. All interviewers will have official UVI identification cards and UVI Eastern Caribbean Center messenger bags.
Many government and non-profit agencies rely on the ECC for the data collected in this survey. The survey results are also useful for grant applications and for program reporting to federal agencies.
The survey is confidential and all information is accessible only to select authorized employees of the ECC. ECC employees – full-time, part-time and temporary –are required to take an oath of confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement.
Phase one of the VICS began in August. During Phase I, UVI employees traveled throughout St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John using GPS devices to map residential areas.
For more information about the survey, call the Eastern Caribbean Center at 693-1020.
