Updated: See Editor’s note at end. The University of the Virgin Islands trustees approved two new master’s degree programs, the 2017 appropriations budget, policies and procedures for the UVI School of Medicine and reelected officers Saturday at the quarterly meeting on St. Croix.
The University of the Virgin Islands trustees approved two new master’s degree programs, the 2017 appropriations budget, policies and procedures for the UVI School of Medicine and reelected officers Saturday at the quarterly meeting on St. Croix.
Five additional courses will be required for a master’s in educational leadership and four courses for an M.A. in counseling and guidance. The classes are already part of the UVI curriculum and won’t cost the university anything, according to Provost Camille McKayle.
The added courses will be teleconferenced between islands, if necessary, and the programs will comply with the Virgin Islands Education Department and Board of Education, she said.
During an executive committee meeting on Mar. 16, the 2017 budget was discussed, and on Saturday the full board approved an appropriations request of $34, 371,750 without deliberation.
UVI President David Hall told the board that policies, procedures, a strategic plan and bylaws for the medical school were given a “thorough vetting” and were necessary for accreditation from the Liaison Committee for Medical Educators.
After being denied accreditation last October, LCME prohibited submitting an application for another year. Hall said the school will reapply and hopefully will successfully address curriculum development issues and the cost of the school itself.
Funding for the medical school was established in 2014 with a $30 million grant from Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, chairman of Chicago-based New Generation Power. According to UVI, Kathuria agreed to repay a loan for another $30 million with proceeds from his gift.
The board approved the motion to implement the medical school policies and procedures, with Mary Moorhead and Sinclair Wilkinson abstaining from the vote.
Trustees also approved a revision to the UVI human resources policy to require background checks on prospective employees and an undisclosed revision to the sexual misconduct policy.
McKayle and Oran Bowry, planning committee chair, reported on key performance indicators outlined in UVI’s strategic plan.
Using statistics from all three campuses, McKayle said that student retention has reached 73 percent and the graduation rate is 26 percent. The goals for both categories are 82 percent and 46 percent respectively.
Contributions to the university are down 25 percent, according to McKayle. Alumni have donated almost $25,000 and trustees just under $9,000. She said trustees usually donate at the end of the year.
The trustees also learned that the Research and Technical Park received $712,000 in revenue during the first six months of the year and spent $594,000. Executive Director Gillian Marcelle reported that, with the latest approval, there are 35 clients housed in the St. Croix facility.
Henry Smock was reelected board chairman and Alex Moorhead will continue to serve as vice-chairman.
Retiring board member Wilkinson was thanked for sitting on the board for more than six years.
Trustees attending the meeting included Jennifer Nugent-Hill, Yvonne Thraen and Mary Moorhead.
Editor’s note: This story has been changed to correct who abstained from the vote on medical school policies. Alexander Moorhead voted in favor of the policies. Mary Moorhead abstained from the vote.
