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President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FEBRUARY 25, 2014 to MAY 26, 2014 The President’s Report for this reporting period is organized into two sections. Part I provides highlights of new and ongoing presidential initiatives and institutional accomplishments since the last report. Part II highlights major accomplishments within the framework of Pathways to Greatness, the University’s new five-year strategic plan. This framework has been adopted to ensure that all Components and Departments across the University are focused on areas that the University has determined are critical to our future success. I continue to be extremely impressed with the productivity and commitment of our University’s students, faculty, staff and administrators. PART I: PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS I am honored to share with the Board of Trustees highlights of the University’s activities and achievements for the reporting period. This section contains some of the major achievements of the University. These accomplishments speak to the commitment and resilience of our students, faculty, staff and administrators. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS: One of the major achievements during this period has been the accomplishments of our students, recent graduates and faculty. Listed below are a few examples of the activities and achievements of our students. • Fourteen UVI College of Science & Mathematics undergraduate students attended the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which took place in Washington DC on February 20-22, 2014. Four students were funded by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) and ten received travel awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). There were nine student poster presentations and one student’s abstract was selected for an oral presentation. In addition, Jamila Martin (senior Applied Math major) won the first place award in the category of Environmental and Earth Sciences for her poster presentation. A few sample presentations include: o "Water Nutrient Content Influence on Bioluminescence in St. Croix, USVI" – poster presentation by Jamila Martin (UVI mentor: Dr. Bernard Castillo), 1 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President o “Recovery of High Quality DNA from Ixodid Ticks Collected off Odocoileus virginianus (White-Tailed Deer) in Virgin Islands National Park” – oral presentation by Tasha Corneille (UVI mentor: Dr. Jennilee Robinson) • Elisa Thomas was crowned Miss University of the Virgin Islands 2014-2015 at the 34th Annual Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition. In addition to winning the Miss UVI crown, Ms. Thomas won Most Intellectual Speaker, Best Performing Talent, Best Business Wear, Best Ambassadorial Presentation and Best Evening Wear. She received a full-year UVI scholarship, which includes tuition, room and board, and other prizes. The other contestants were Kimberly Donovan, Shanice Wilson, Sheresia Gumbs, and Nichole Etienne. • Abigail Rene, UVI sophomore Biology major, has been accepted into the Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program. She will spend her next two summers at Boston University in their summer program, and then will complete her coursework for her major as a senior at Boston University before continuing on to medical school. • Lavida Brooks, UVI senior Biology major, was accepted into the PhD program in biomedical science at Michigan State University. She was awarded a University Enrichment Fellowship that pays full tuition and a stipend to fund research. • Chinaemere Igwebuike, recent UVI Biology graduate, was accepted into the combined MD/PhD program at Boston University which pays his tuition for both medical school and graduate school and a stipend to fund research. • Matt Cring, recent UVI Biology graduate and Marine and Environmental Science Program graduate, was accepted into a PhD program in genetics at the University of Iowa with fully paid tuition and a stipend to fund research. • Nicole Fleming, a recent UVI Biology graduate, was awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship which provides tuition and a stipend to conduct her PhD research at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. • Stephan Bitterwolf, a recent UVI Marine Biology graduate, was accepted into a Master’s degree program at Moss Landing Marine Laboratory in California. • Antonio Forbes, a UVI senior in Marine Biology, was accepted into the Masters in Marine and Environmental Science program at UVI. • Jan-Alexis Barry, a recent UVI graduate in Marine Biology, was accepted into the Masters in Marine and Environmental Science program at UVI. 2 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • Alexandria deJarnett, a recent UVI graduate in Marine Biology, was accepted into the Masters in Marine and Environmental Science program at UVI. • Annesha King, UVI senior in Biology, was accepted into a NIH-funded post- baccalaureate program at Baylor University. • Brandon Rhymer, UVI Mathematics senior, was accepted into a PhD program at The State University of New York at Stony Brook. • Phil Smith, a senior in the UVI dual degree program in Applied Mathematics and Engineering, was accepted into a PhD program at Carnegie Mellon University. • David Paulius, a UVI senior in Computer Science, was accepted into a PhD program at the University of South Florida. • Necola Charles, (2014), “Strapped For Cash? No Worries…Learn A Few Tricks on Saving Money in College” appeared in Black College Today, Vol. XX No. 2 pp. 12- 41. • Eight students were accepted into the Washington Center program for Summer 2014. This program is supported by funding from the VI Legislature and provides an eleven week internship opportunity that consists of a substantive work experience tailored to the student’s interests, combined with academic coursework and leadership programs. • On April 26, 2014, undergraduate graduating senior, Andrene Johnson, will be featured in the play “Man Does Lie” in New York City. Presented by “One Caribbean Culture,” in Association with G and D Enterprises’ and starring a cast of Caribbean youth, Andrene plays the role of a high school drop-out, Mewo. The author and director of the play is Alex Bruno, a Dominican who now resides on the US mainland. Andrene auditioned with a number of other VI youth and was the successful candidate. • Four students have been accepted to participate in the UVI Study Abroad Program. Maliek Cepeda and Jonathan Emanueli will study in Denmark during the Fall 2014 semester; Jennifer Werkheiser will study in England for the entire 2014-2015 academic year; Lorne Joseph has been accepted to participate in Spring 2015. • The 12th Annual Spring Student Research Symposium, organized by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) program and the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) showcased 30+ undergraduate student research poster presentations, conducted with faculty locally and at other institutions, and took place at the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix on March 22, 2014. Three students (Shelsa Marcel, Serena Joseph, and Nichole Etienne) won awards for their outstanding poster presentations. A few sample presentations include: 3 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President o “My Trail: Trail Tracking and Map Creation without GPS Usage” by Shelsa Marcel (Project Mentors: Dr. Jay Ligatti and Dr. Larry Hall, University of South Florida, UVI Mentor: Dr. Marilyn Brandt), o “Evaluating Physiology and Behavior of Hair Sheep Ewes at Weaning” by Serena Joseph (UVI Mentor: Dr. Robert Godfrey), o “Mathematical modeling and control of co-transmitting soil-transmitted helminthes” by Nichole Etienne (Project Mentors: E. Michael and B. K. Singh, The University of Notre Dame) FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS: Our faculty continues to be very productive in regards to teaching, scholarship and service. Below are some selected examples of publications, presentations, other faculty activities. Publications: • Stanford, Alice M., Gary J. Ray, Vanessa Forbes, and Loi’y Mustafa, 2013. Population genetics and reintroduction performance of Solanum conocarpum, an endemic shrub of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Caribbean Journal of Sciences 47: 173-180. • Watlington, RA, E. Lewis, and Donald Drost. (in press). Participation and Responsibility in Coastal Hazard Preparedness and Awareness in the USVI. ADGEO • Weinstein DK, Smith T B., Klaus J S. Mesophotic bioerosion: structural impact and changes with depth on US Virgin Island deep reefs. Geomorphology doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.03.005 • Robertson A, Garcia A, Quintana H, Smith T B., II B, Reale-Munroe K, Gulli J, Olsen D, Hooe-Rollman J, Jester E, Klimek B, Plakas S (2013) Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans): A Potential Human Health Threat for Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Tropical Waters. Marine Drugs 12:88-97 • Smith TB, Glynn PW, Mate JL, Toth LT, Gyory J. A depth refuge from catastrophic coral bleaching prevents regional extinction. Ecology http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/13-0468.1 • Vaudo, J J., B M. Wetherbee, G M. Harvey, N Burnie, C Aming, R S. Nemeth, P W. Howey, M S. Shivji (2014) Intraspecific variation in vertical habitat use of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) tagged with pop-up archival satellite tags in the western North Atlantic. Ecology and Evolution (in press) • Pittman, S J., M E. Monaco, A M. Friedlander, B Legare, R S. Nemeth, M S. Kendall, M Poti, R D. Clark, L M. Wedding, C Caldow. (2014) Fish with chips: 4 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President Tracking reef fish movements to evaluate size and connectivity of Caribbean marine protected areas PLoS ONE (accepted) • Nemeth, R S. and E Kadison (2013) Behavioral characteristics of spawning in the Bermuda Chub (Kyphosus sectatrix) Proc. 66th Gulf and Carib. Fish. Inst. (in press) • Ruffo A M;, and R S. Nemeth (2014) A preliminary summary of yellowtail parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) acoustic tracking at spawning aggregations in Reef Bay, St. John USVI. Proc. 66th Gulf and Carib. Fish. Inst. (in press) • Schärer-Umpierre M, R S. Nemeth, E. Tuohy, K. Clouse, M. Nemeth, R S. Appeldoorn (2014) Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus Fish Spawning Aggregations in the US Caribbean Proc. 66th Gulf and Carib. Fish. Inst. (in press) • Gillian Royes, Sea Grape Tree. A Novel (also listed on Amazon.com) • Valerie Combie, Turning the Other Cheek Encourages Tolerance and Acceptance. Caribbean Writer. Vol. 27. • Alexis Walker, Mask, A Novel. Finalist in Carolyn Reader’s Choice Awards. • Jane Coombes, The Musical Journey of Smokey Pratt. Caribbean Writer, Volume 27. • Vincent Cooper, The Joker of Seville and Marie Laveau. Caribbean Writer, Volume 27. • Rosalyn Rossignol, Paradise Just for Us. Caribbean Writer, Volume 27. • Patricia Harkins-Pierre, Waking Dreams and Night Visions: Claire of the Sea Light. Caribbean Writer, Volume 27. (Book Review) • Patricia Harkins Pierre, Prophets of Morning Light. Negative Capability Press, 2014. (Collection of Poems) • Gabriel Ogunmokun, Hariman Kasuma (2014) "A discriminant analysis of the strategic marketing planning practices affecting the performance of retail pharmacy business organizations in the Australian health industry” American International Journal of Contemporary Research, Vol. 4 No. 1 pp. 27-33. • Gabriel Ogunmokun and Ling-yee Li (2014) "The effect of practicing the marketing concept philosophy on export performance in international markets: A study of exporting companies in China" International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 5 No. 2. pp. 218-223. 5 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President Presentations: • Habtes Yegin, Solomon Hosanna: Eritrea, Taking Care of its Wounded Veterans, A Lesson to be Learned at the National Social Studies Association which took place in Las Vegas, NV from April 14 -16, 2014. • Lori Buckley: had a poster and an oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Western Society of Naturalists in November. • Lori Buckley: McCormick, T.B., Buckley, L.M., Mendoza, J, Contreras, F. 2013. Effects of removal of invasive plants on the wetland community at Ormond Beach, California. (poster). • Lori Buckley: McCormick, T.B., Buckley, L.M., Mendoza, J, Contreras, F. 2013. Native oyster (Ostrea lurida) population assessment and restoration in Mugu Lagoon, California. (oral presentation). • Franklin, Cheryl: Moderator : Podium Presentations-Session B-“Human Services, Policy and Social Determinants of Health” Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy Seventh Health Disparities Conference, Sheraton Downtown, New Orleans, LA. • Franklin, Cheryl: Panelist for The Center for the Study of Spirituality and Professionalism (CSAP) Symposium on "Transcendent Education: Transforming Higher Education through Spiritual Practice"-topic “Spirituality in Teaching and Learning”, Great Hall, Albert A. Sheen Campus. • Nunez, Maxine: Principal Investigator report to Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network, San Juan, PR. • Howard, Marion: A Pressure Sore: Nurse’s Eyesore, 2nd Educational Conference of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation at the Commonwealth Nurses Federation meeting, London, UK. • Combie, Valerie: A Cultural Antecedent to Music Proliferation in the Caribbean. UVI’s First Biennial Music Conference. St. Thomas. • Jones-Hendrickson, Simon B.: Literacy for Life Big Bang. St. Croix Literary Festival. • Tim Faley: (2014) "The Entrepreneurial Arch: A Strategic Framework for Discovering, Developing and Renewing Firms" accepted for presentation at the International Conference on Leadership, Management and Strategic Development, May 17-29. 6 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • Paul Flemming: (2014), "A comparative review of the value of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods for measuring market orientation", submitted to be reviewed for presentation at the International Conference on Leadership, Management and Strategic Development, May 17-29. • Paul Flemming: (2014), "A review of strategic planning models developed over the past 50 years, and their effectiveness in public sector organizations", submitted to be reviewed for presentation at the International Conference on Leadership, Management and Strategic Development, May 17-29. • Ben Kisuule: (2014) "An exploratory study of risk sharing in joint ventures" accepted to be presented at the. International Conference on Leadership, Management and Strategic Development, May 17-29. Papers Submitted: • Soffer N, Brandt M E., Correa AMS, Smith TB, Vega Thurber R. (submitted) Viruses as putative pathogens of white plague coral disease. The ISME Journal • Rhodes KL, R S. Nemeth, E. Kadison, and E. Joseph (submitted) Spatial, temporal and environmental dynamics of a multi-species epinephelid spawning aggregation in Pohnpei, Micronesia. Coral Reefs. • Rowell, TJ, R S. Nemeth, R S Appeldoorn, and MT Schärer (submitted). Sound production and acoustic telemetry reveal unique Nassau and yellow fin grouper behaviors, spawning seasonality, and use of marine protected areas. Marine Ecology Progress Series. • Sabine A*, Smith TB, Williams D, and M Brandt. Impact of environmental factors on recovery of coral lesions. Submitted to Coral Reefs *Master of Marine & Environmental Science (MMES) graduate • Habtes Y, Beady C. Public Attitudes of Virgin Islanders Towards People with Disabilities. Submitted to the International Journal of Disability, Community & Rehabilitation. Under Review. Other Faculty Activities: • The proposal entitled “S-STEM Training for Environmental Stewardship of the U.S. Virgin Islands” submitted to the National Science Foundation by Dr. Paul Jobsis, Director of the Master of Marine & Environmental Science (MMES) Program, was funded for $472,903. Over the next five years the proposal will provide financial support for four new MMES students each year. 7 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • A proposal submitted by Computer Science Professor Dr. Alan Lewit and Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC) researcher Stevie Henry to the Virgin Islands Department of Justice has been approved and funded. This proposal will produce a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model for the Territory showing one-mile buffer zones around all schools and child daycare facilities and will show the official locations of registered sexual offenders that are both within and outside these buffer zones. • Notice has been received that UVI was awarded $92,335 from the U.S. Geological Survey through the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) to support research and other activities of the WRRI for the period March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015. Researchers at UVI serving as Principal Investigators on the funded research projects are Drs. David Morris, Donald Drost, Avram Primack, Michael Morgan, Thomas Zimmerman, Jennilee Robinson and Henry Smith. The proposed WRRI research program provides for collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, College of Charleston, South Carolina and the University of South Carolina. Funds have been budgeted and approved for support of two graduate students and up to eight undergraduate students at UVI and one graduate student at University of Puerto Rico. • The Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (VI-DHS), began work for the Virgin Islands Partners for Early Success Program. VI-DHS and ECC were awarded a $934,406 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families Office of Planning Research and Evaluation to conduct this research over a 4-year period. This research study will examine the validity of the Virgin Islands’ Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for all child care centers in the Territory by: (1) assessing the measurement strategies and psychometric properties of measures used to assess early care and education (ECE) quality; (2) examining the effects of introducing QRIS and new licensing regulations on the supply and quality of ECE; and (3) examining the developmental trajectories of children to identify predictors of early school success in the VI context. • UVI received a Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service sub-award from University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Sea Grant (2014 – 2018). This grant includes climate education, marine debris education and community engagement, supports sustainable commercial fishing, and a marine conservation news column. $262,000 over four years. Principal Investigators: Paul Jobsis & Marcia Taylor. • USVI Department of Coastal Zone Management awarded Principal Investigator (PI): Paul Jobsis and Co-PI: Kristin Wilson $10,000 to support Mangrove Research Projects. • Coral Reef Monitoring Database maintenance award from Department of Environmental Protection. $10,000 Avram Primack and Tyler Smith. 8 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration "National Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Program. St. Thomas and St. John". Principal Investigator: Marilyn Brandt. $41,879. • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “Coral Zombies: Epidemiological Assessment of an ESA Priority Coral”. Principal Investigator: Marilyn Brandt. $14,177. • The Center for Marine & Environmental Studies’ (CMES) Environmental Analysis Lab has an agreement to conduct an ambient monitoring project to monitor the water quality at beaches and bays of St. Thomas and St. John in agreement with Great Lakes Environmental Center Inc. in the amount of $172,000 from 2014-2018 by Principal Investigator Kevin Brown. • The Office of the Dean of Students on the St. Thomas campus received a grant in the amount of $300,000 from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, to prevent substance abuse and HIV on campus and in the community. UVI was awarded $300, 000 per year for three years ($900,000) to prevent drug use and HIV among 18-24 year old Hispanics and African Americans/Blacks on campus and in the community. The UVI project has awarded a contract to three community based organizations: VI Association for Independent Living, (Helping Others in a Positive Environment) HOPE, Inc. and Access to Racial and Cultural Heritage (ARCH) on St. Croix • In February, Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) Director Wayne Archibald submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation entitled “A Blended Learning Approach to Teaching Engineering Fundamentals at UVI”. The proposal would provide more than $375,000 over three years to strengthen the engineering preparation curriculum. • On April 1, Dean Sandra Romano, in collaboration with faculty and researchers in UVI’s other schools and colleges, submitted a proposal to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) entitled “Transformative Pathways to Leadership in Biomedical Research” requesting $20 million in funding over five years to increase the number of students working towards careers in biomedical research and develop a national model for transforming biomedical research training. As part of this effort, a four day workshop was held at Etelman Observatory to develop a model that formed the basis of the proposal. Participants included 25 UVI faculty, students, administrators as well as representatives with expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education from across the US, including Howard University, Morehouse University, Brown University, Boston University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, and Johns Hopkins University. 9 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • Gillian Royes appeared on C-SPAN (April 2014) as a participant in the National Black Writers Conference, a panel discussion entitled, Shifting Identities in Africa and the African Diaspora. • Griffith, Denis. Anse la Raye School Anthem, The Legend of Sir Garfield Sobers’, ‘Who am I’. VI Writer’s Association Workshop. • Morgan, Nancy. The Black Cat. VI Writer’s Association Workshop. • Robert Godfrey, Director and Professor of Animal Science, was a guest lecturer at Kansas State University in the Department of Animal Science and Industry on March 25 and 26, 2014. The lecture was part of the ADVANCE Distinguish Lecture Series (ADLS), sponsored by the Kansas State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering (KAWSE). Dr Godfrey presented on some of the research he and his staff and students have conducted on the impact of the tropical environment on the physiology of livestock in the USVI. • Nemeth, R S. (Center for Marine & Environmental Studies (CMES) faculty) , D. Holstein (CMES post-doc), L. Henderson (CMES research staff), V. Wright (Oceanographic Tech), R. Ennis (Master of Marine & Environmental Science (MMES) student), J. Kissabeth (MMES student) attended the Ocean Sciences meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii in February 2014. UVI participants presented one oral paper and 4 poster presentations in the mesophotic reefs session. 10 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President SIGNIFICANT INSTITUTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS Medical School Gift The University announced on April 25, 2014 that New Generation Power and its Chairman, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, had signed a $30 million gift, the largest in the history of the University, for the development of a medical school. At the announcement held at Government House in St. Thomas, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. committed to securing debt service for the construction of the classroom building and Simulation Center for the medical school. The goal of the project is to develop a high-quality medical education program that relies heavily on the use of innovative teaching techniques, educational technology, and community care training that produces knowledgeable and caring physicians committed to helping the Virgin Islands’ communities. This transformative endeavor for the VI and the University will present an opportunity for the Territory to establish the only English-speaking medical school in the Caribbean accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the group that accredits medical schools in the United States and Canada. Subsequent to the announcement, Dr. Benjamin Sachs has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the School of Medicine and is responsible for coordinating the development and accreditation process. The University has also formally declared its intention to seek accreditation with LCME. $3 Million USDA Grant to Support Solar Development at UVI Veriown Energy, a subsidiary of New Generation Power who also entered into a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with UVI last year for a 3.1 megawatts system, and the Illinois Institute of Technology, were awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop Phase II of the solar energy project. Once the solar energy project is fully implemented, it will allow the University to utilize up to a 5 megawatts system which is permitted under existing legislation. This additional investment will bring the University extremely close to energy independence and able to effectively regulate its energy consumption through micro grid systems. School of Nursing Program Accreditation Our School of Nursing has received formal notification in a letter dated April 4, 2014, of action taken by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Board of Commissioners accepted the Follow-Up Report of the baccalaureate nursing program and affirmed that the School of Nursing has continuing accreditation through Spring 2019. Certified Public Manager (CPM) Accreditation Visit The Virgin Islands Certified Public Manager Program is currently undergoing an Initial Accreditation Review. The accreditation process started in March 2014 with the submission 11 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President of the required documentation outlining the organization, operation, curriculum, evaluation, and numerous other requirements of the program. The CPM program which provides training in leadership and management for mid-level public managers was reviewed for accreditation by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium (NCPMC) on May 6-7, 2014. The review team will submit its report to the NCPMC in June 2014 prior to a vote in July 2014. CPM graduation ceremonies are set for early August 2014. Obtaining accreditation will allow the program to provide national certification to all participants in the present and future programs. UVI Pride Day On March 28, 2014 the University implemented its first Territory-wide UVI Pride Day that was focused primarily at the public and private high schools. The full page ad detailing Why We Are Proud? was displayed in all local newspapers. UVI Pride rallies were held at the four public high schools. President Hall, various members of the admission staff and other administrators visited all of the public schools to promote the University and highlight teachers and administrators at the schools who attended UVI. The goal is for this to be an annual event held during each Charter month. MOUs Signed with Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed with two additional Caribbean education institutions during this reporting period. H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and Anguilla Community College agreed to encourage their students to attend UVI and permit the University to offer courses on site at their institutions. In addition, both institutions agreed to work collaboratively with the University in regards to faculty exchanges and joint research projects. These agreements, unlike others signed with the governments of other Caribbean nations, do not provide for reduced tuition. The governments of these islands were not willing at this time to commit to providing the necessary financial support to students attending UVI. UVI Student Entrepreneurs Win $60,000 in 13D Competition Allison De Gazon took home the top prize of $30,000 for her business plan named Cruzan Organix Farm which seeks to provide fresh, locally grown produce at competitive prices. Second place, and a $20,000 prize, went to Patsy Breunlin for her project called Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden. Breunlin is a non-traditional student enrolled in UVI’s entrepreneurship program. Christopher Williams rounded out the prize winners taking $10,000 for his business model called Project A, a company that writes and produces children’s books with a Caribbean theme. 12 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President WUVI Studio on St. Croix Under the leadership of Professor Alex Randall, WUVI radio station was able to open a studio on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This fully equipped studio located in the administrative suites will allow students, staff and faculty to broadcast programs directly from the studio without having to connect through St. Thomas. Hospitality & Tourism Management, 5-Week Collaboration Program on St. Croix The Albert A. Sheen Campus Operations office collaborated with Tamara Lang, Interim Director of Hospitality and Tourism Management, in offering a 5-week practicum that focused on providing practical student experiences with opportunities for improvement in operational effectiveness in the food services auxiliary unit. The project integrated various university strategic objectives, namely providing opportunities for students to succeed, for personnel to enhance skills and experience, and an opportunity for operational effectiveness through academic excellence. The project facilitated the use of the cafeteria’s kitchen for the practicum training section of Hospitality 120 Food Production and Safety course. Students were given the opportunity to apply the culinary skills and techniques taught under the management of an executive certified chef. The project concluded with a brief closing ceremony recognizing the value added through the collaboration. Voices of Inspiration on St. Thomas The Albert A. Sheen Campus’ Voices of Inspiration Community Choir had the rare opportunity to perform as part of the Reichhold Center for the Arts season shows on Easter weekend. Under the direction of Josephine Thomas-Lewis, approximately 30 singers and 6 musicians graced the stage, taking the audience from African music, through Negro Spirituals, Jazz, Classical and Gospel. The performance was well-attended and drew numerous students, employees and community members. The energy from their performance was extremely high, and the show was well-received. This is the first time that a St. Croix student choir has performed at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. Employee Service Awards The University held its 40th Annual Employee Service Awards on both campuses in April. Employees who have obtained 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service were presented with awards of appreciation. Individuals who were retiring from the University were also recognized. Numerous individuals expressed their congratulations to the Human Resources Department for very well-organized and engaging events. UVI St. Thomas Carnival Participation UVI placed first runner up in the Troupes Over 50 category in the St. Thomas Adult Parade. This year’s theme was, “The Biggest Fete Ever Seen, UVI Tropical Bucchanal Carnival 2014.” Carnival troupe members entertained spectators with vibrant and beautiful costumes, 13 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President showing their UVI Buccaneer Pride. Our WUVI radio station and Albert A. Sheen Campus Steel Ensemble also participated in the Adult Carnival Parade. Audit Report Completed Ernst & Young, LLP completed the single audit report for Fiscal Year 2013 by the agreed upon date of March 31, 2014. This was the earliest that the audit was completed in quite a number of years. The Accounting Department, under the leadership of Ms. Peggy Smith and various other individuals in the University, contributed many hours and hard work in order to ensure compliance with requests from the external auditors. Internal Auditor, Mr. Alan Bray, and VP for Administration & Finance/CFO Shirley Lake-King, played key roles in ensuring that the audit was completed in a timely manner. 2014 Alfred O. Heath Lecture Series Internationally renowned actor and social activist, Charles Dutton, served as this year’s Alfred Heath Lecturer on both campuses. The theme of his presentation was "From Jail to Yale." He provided a riveting speech on his life journey from crime and violence to becoming one of the leading actors in the nation. He also provided a one-man show of segments from various August Wilson plays. Mr. Dutton also committed to continuing his association with UVI by providing a benefit performance in the future and becoming an artist in residence for our Theatre Department. The Office of Institutional Advancement hosted receptions on St. Thomas and St. Croix as part of the Alfred O. Heath Lecture Series. Over 50 donors participated in these events. The money raised will go towards the UVI Male Initiative endowed fund providing ongoing programmatic support for the men at the University. UVI’s Fiftieth Commencement Exercises Over 320 students graduated from the University in various disciplines during the Commencement ceremonies on both campuses on May 17-18. Harvard University Professor Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. served as Commencement speaker. Honorary degrees were awarded to Ron de Lugo, the Virgin Islands first elected representative to Congress, on the St. Thomas Campus and St. Croix baseball legend Horace Clarke on the Albert A. Sheen Campus. During the other commencement related activities, Dr. Gates agreed to provide a lecture in the Fall at UVI and will work on a grant in support of the Virgin Islands Caribbean and Cultural Center (VICCC) and the Ford Foundation. 14 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President Washington, DC Benefit Reception Trustee Wesley Williams and Congresswoman Donna Christensen hosted a reception in Washington, DC at the University Club on May 22, 2014. Approximately 35 individuals were in attendance, including alumni, Virgin Islanders who reside in the DC area, and numerous leaders in various professions in Washington. President Hall provided an overview of the University under the theme, "UVI is a Beacon for Higher Educational Institutions." President’s Appreciation Award One of the major accomplishments during this reporting period was that the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which is the primary agency that accredits business programs at universities and colleges, granted initial accreditation status to our School of Business. Representatives from ACBSP conducted a site visit two years ago and deferred their decision until further evidence of compliance with the standards was provided. The ACBSP Board of Commissioners of the Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Commission met on May 1-2, 2014. Under the leadership of Interim Dean Aubrey Washington and the coordination of Professor Lonnie Hudspeth, the School of Business made the necessary improvements and submitted evidence of such improvements which has now resulted in initial accreditation for undergraduate and graduate programs. This accreditation will be revisited in 2018. I also want to acknowledge every member of the School of Business for their outstanding work and tireless efforts that went into the entire accreditation process. Therefore, the President’s Appreciation Award is being presented to Dean Washington, Professor Hudspeth and the entire School of Business for this significant accomplishment. The School of Business’ accreditation is one of the academic quality and excellence performance goals from our 5-year strategic plan, Pathways to Greatness. This is an important milestone for the School of Business, the University and the Territory. 15 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President PART II: PATHWAYS TO GREATNESS INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES AREA OF FOCUS #1: ACADEMIC QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE • The Information & Technology Service (ITS) Department was charged with improving access to digital collections including theses by 9/30/14. To date, additional UVI staff was trained to assist with the enrichment of the digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC) records. Digital content was relocated from the old to a new server and the catalog links are in process. • At the March meeting of the Faculty, a framework for offering certificates through academic programs was adopted. These programs could allow for persons already possessing a degree, but wanting particular knowledge, to gain that knowledge through a certificate. It could also serve as a gateway into higher education for others. These programs would be academic credit-awarding certificate programs, and would require a range of nine to fifteen credits, and clearly stated goals. The degree credits, taken together, should comprise a body of knowledge. The following new certificate programs have been added: Psychology with Concentration in Human Development (College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences); and Entrepreneurship (School of Business). • The Provost Fellows program seeks to provide leadership development at the University for Faculty who are interested in exploration of higher education administration. Provost Fellows work on topics that are of importance for the University are referenced below: o Dr. Rosalyn Rossignol is currently completing the following two tasks: Development of a Master Teacher (renamed Master Professor) program for implementation in the 2014-2015 academic year; and serving as the Director of General Education in order to assess the current general education goals, and determine changes that might be implemented. Thus far, there has been a draft of the Master Professor criteria, which will be vetted by Faculty. General Education is being reviewed, and at least one change has been made after review by this newly constituted committee. o Dr. Kimarie Engerman will investigate various advising models based on her evaluation of UVI’s academic advising completed as part of a project for the Opportunities for Underrepresented Scholars Program sponsored by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Advising has often received low ratings from students in various surveys, and is a focus as we seek to increase retention and persistence. Dr. Engerman’s second initiative centers on Junior Faculty mentoring. She will use data from current faculty to guide her work in increasing 16 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President faculty productivity and effectiveness by expanding research and faculty scholarship expectations and opportunities. • The University held its first biennial Conference on Music on the St. Thomas Campus March 17-19. The three-day conference, entitled “The Proliferation of Music and the Arts through the Creative Imagination of Individuals and Groups within the Context of Historical Realities", was coordinated by Dr. Lorna Young-Wright, who was named UVI’s first Ann Elizabeth Richardson Distinguished Professor of Music last September. Twelve formal conference presentations by leading scholars from the U.S., United Kingdom, Nigeria, and UVI were featured. An enticing mix of musical performances and recitals was also offered. The conference focused on introducing the music of African and African American composers’ recitals and a lecture component allowing for an introduction to the works by conductors who may not be widely known. AREA OF FOCUS #2: STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESS • In support of the implementation of an e-thesis pilot, SobekCM software was installed and the server was configured. Project guidelines were completed and approved by the Graduate Council on 3/2014. Electronic Theses Pilot Guide is available at http://libguides.uvi.edu/electronicthesespilotguide. • Resources are being provided to support the development of online programs for AY14 through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Distance Education Advisory (DEA) Committee. An online orientation draft has been developed. In addition, two faculty members were recruited to record YouTube videos for inclusion. The Committee has met with the Webmaster and consultant to develop a web page. Also, a draft student support policy was submitted to DEA Committee. • The Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory was distributed to students in March. There was a 24% response rate. Data from the survey is being analyzed and will be distributed in August. • Intramurals on both campuses included basketball, tennis, dodge ball, and kickball, which impacted more than 250 students. The main focus was on retention, particularly of male students. The Athletics Department also sponsored two club sports, women’s volleyball and co-ed softball. The club softball team is in 2nd place with a play-off spot in the community league hosted by Sports, Parks, and Recreation. • The UVI Lady Bucs basketball team participated in the LAI inter-league competition and two additional home games. The track/field semi-finalist in the women’s shot put represented UVI at the JUSTAS in Ponce, Puerto Rico in early April. At the 17 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President event, the UVI Dance Team performed in front of a crowd of 8,000, while the Cheerleaders led UVI in the parade. • Male and female beach volleyball plans were added to the list of LAI Sports and plans are to add tennis, table tennis and possibly fencing to the list in 2014-2015. Strategic efforts are under way to promote the University through athletics competition in the U.S. mainland and the Caribbean. • Students in the National Society of Black Engineers organized the event “A Walk for Education” on March 1st attended by UVI and public school students. In preparation for this event, the students made presentations at the public high schools on St. Thomas. • Three students, Erick Willie, Roslyn David and Khefren Sackey, attended the National Association for Music Educators Conference in St. Louis, MO. • Members of the UVI Chemistry Club attended that National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Dallas, TX in March. The Club sent eight students accompanied by Assistant Professor Justin M. Shorb of the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences. In addition to meeting experts in their fields, students were able to make connections to graduate school admissions, attend training workshops on professional networking, and discover which areas they are passionate to pursue. Attending were students majoring in Chemistry, Biology, and Nursing. • Biology professor Dr. Jennilee Robinson and three College of Science & Mathematics (CSM) majors attended the Emory University Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Student Research Symposium in March as part of recruitment efforts for the graduate programs at the school. The students presented posters on their summer research and visited the Centers for Disease Control. • Caribbean Exploratory Research Center’s (CERC) abstract for presentation to the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Conference August 6-10, 2014, Philadelphia, PA has been accepted. Outcomes of four Center supported research projects will be highlighted. AREA OF FOCUS #3: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GLOBALIZATION • The Public Relations Office (PRO) distributed a request for proposal for the UVI 2014 Brand and Market Research. The RFP sought an experienced market research company to conduct a quantitative and qualitative brand and market study for the institution. Outcomes of the research are to be used to create a strategy to increase the market reach of UVI locally and regionally – with a specific focus on increasing student enrollment. 18 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • The Public Relations Office continues to grow the social media presence of UVI. The PRO created UVI’s first official Instagram page, making it the fourth of UVI’s official social media, which includes Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The PRO has utilized social media considerably and consistently to promote UVI’s successes and events, as well as to grow our networks and relationships. Our social posts have been re-shared by Tom Joyner and the Tom Joyner Foundation, and other local and national influencers. All of our social media has rich content. We are now poised to grow our followers. • The UVI website continues to grow in popularity and usage, evident in data from Google Analytics. In addition, more external websites are opting to join the UVI website through the launch of microsites. As a result of the “Employee Database Improvement/Web Redesign Project” the Employee Directory includes more photos. The Webmaster continues to train and assist content contributors in creating and improving their respective webpages. • Reichhold Center for the Arts secured advertisements in two highly circulated travel publications, Destinations Magazine, and Places to Go promoting the Reichhold 2013-14 season which will put the Reichhold brand in front of 500,000 tourists. • Access and Enrollment Services has implemented a recruitment plan that includes, among other initiatives, proactive use of scholarships; extensive outreach to schools; use of Ruffalo Cody; a coordinated communication plan; and the Dedicated Alumni Recruitment Team (DART), where alumni are trained and certified. These initiatives are aimed at increasing the pool of applicants to the University of the Virgin Islands. In addition, the website was revamped and debuted at the end of February, and features photos and bios of the recruitment staff. Other enhancements are forthcoming. • This year, in an effort to have scholarships aid in the recruitment efforts, especially with an eye toward high achieving students, an Administrative Scholarship Committee was formed, and has met consistently to award students with offers. Early incentive scholarships were sent during February 2014, and as a result, seven students accepted scholarship awards, and three declined those awards. • The School of Education, through its Teacher Quality Grant, has hosted several workshops which included its faculty, students and invited public school teachers. The workshops, coordinated by Dr. Magdeline Tobias, included: “Common Core Language Arts Assessments”; “Next Generation Science Standards and Project-Based Learning”; “Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in the Use of the Promethean Board for Instructional Purposes”; and “Building Students’ Capacity for Research and Technology Interoperability Using Microsoft One Note and Other Digital Tools and Media.” 19 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • Janzie Allmacher, School of Nursing, presented “Creating YOUR Recipe for Stress Management” to female members of the VI National Guard; and also presented on “Fall Prevention in the Elderly” to residents and staff at Flamboyant Gardens. • The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCCED) provided American Sign Language classes, serving employees from the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor, among others. There were 41 participants. VIUCCED also provided a seminar “Rare-Ability Employment 101-A Guide to Employment Accommodations” geared at informing employers, human resources personnel and others of programs, services and resources available to help diversify the workplace. There were 89 participants. Steven M. Rothstein presented to 40 participants on the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. VIUCCED also presented to Head Start parents at the Head Start Annual Transition Workshop, and hosted a special education workshop for parents of children with disabilities. VIUCCED held a workshop with invited presenters from the Office of Technical and Information Services, Washington, DC and Disabled Sports USA, MD, who focused on construction and accessibility requirements, adaptive sports and recreation for persons with disabilities. • UVI Cooperative Extension Services’ (CES) research professor, Stuart Weiss, hosted a workshop and field day on the use and benefits of cover crops in horticultural and forage production systems. Agricultural Experiment Station’s Dr. Robert Godfrey, presented a workshop on sheep production and management in conjunction with CES through their Beginning Farmers and Ranchers workshop series. • The Eastern Caribbean Center began data collection for the Environmental Health Survey in the industrial area of St. Croix. • The Small Business Development Center collaborated with the Small Business Administration and the local AARP to promote entrepreneurship in individuals 50 years and older. • VI Marine Advisory Services (VIMAS) Marcia Taylor teaches climate change to three classes of students at the Educational Complex. In addition, VIMAS conducted trainings for restaurants for the Reef Responsible program to promote sustainable fisheries. • The Etelman Observatory welcomed more than 300 visitors for presentations and evening viewing of the night sky during two public observing events. The Etelman Observatory Amateur Astronomer Research Training program continues training local qualified amateur astronomy researchers to assist in research, education, and outreach operations at the Observatory. 20 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • On the St. Thomas Campus, a forum on marijuana, Marijuana, Uncovering the Truth and Busting the Myths, served to increase students’ awareness and knowledge of the issues related to marijuana use/abuse by young people, their friends, families and the community and to present pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in the Virgin Islands. Panelists were Senator Terrence Nelson, Deseree Lambertis of VI Police Department, Alcohol and Narcotics Counselor Franz Brady, and Herbalist Ras Bobby Olivacee. Also included in this forum was a debate by the Criminal Justice Constitutional Law class on the topic “Should Medicinal Marijuana be Legalized in the Virgin Islands?” • In celebration of International Women's and Virgin Islands History Month 2014, the below events were held on each campus: o On St. Croix, the Virgin Islands and Caribbean Cultural Center (VICCC) and the Office of Student Housing held a two-day event entitled Women…ARISE! "Reclaiming Your Power Through Education, Entrepreneurship and Personal Development" on March 26-27, 2014. There was also an invitational roundtable highlighting: A Celebration of Women. Roundtable presenters included notable women of the VI, Caribbean and abroad with a keynote address by Nancy Turner Banks, MBA, MD and award-winning author of “AIDS, Opium, Diamonds, and Empire”. o On St. Thomas, a forum entitled “Women in Abusive Relationships: Making the Change” was held. The presenters were Dr. Lori Thompson of Insight Psychological Services, Sgt. Celeste Potter of the VI Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, Vivian St. Juste of the Family Resource Center, and Walter Brown, an advocate for victims. Dr. Gloria Callwood of UVI’s Caribbean Exploratory Research Center (CERC) provided findings on domestic violence in the Virgin Islands. • An Annual Health Fair served approximately 285 persons, with 23 student volunteers, was held on the Albert A. Sheen Campus. Health services offered gynecological services (St. Thomas), family planning clinics (St. Croix), peer health educators, and other general health services. • In conjunction with the law enforcement community, an Annual Career Fair was held on the Albert A. Sheen Campus which included 41 companies, with 185 persons attending including 101 students. AREA OF FOCUS # 4: MODERN AND SAFE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT • On the St. Thomas Campus, vehicle registration for the parking program is ongoing. As of April 23, 2014, approximately 912 parking permits were issued since the implementation of the program in October 2013. Parking enforcement commenced 21 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President on April 1, 2014 with the issuance of citations for parking violations. To date, approximately 17 of the 36 citations issued netted assessments of $690.00. Temporary color coded signage was installed in high traffic parking areas. Excavation and improvement of the rear Library parking lot has begun and the parking appeal policy and procedures are being finalized. • The St. Thomas Campus Security Department completed the installation of fifteen (15) wall mounted blue light and talk-a-phones at the end of March 2014. The blue light phones are located in strategic areas throughout the campus. The equipment was installed by Alliance Data Systems with assistance from Physical Plant employees at a cost savings of approximately 40% less than if the work was fully outsourced. The phones have been tested and are fully functional. • The Security Department continued efforts to enhance the campus network video surveillance and monitoring systems. Surveillance capacity has been strengthened through the expansion of remote monitoring capability for vulnerable and strategic departments to include the purchasing receiving area, the Sports & Fitness Center, the Wellness Center, Reichhold Center, and Institutional Advancement. Officers can now monitor activity in remote or vulnerable areas of their operations from their desktops. • In March 2014, Security completed the installation of an access control system in the Access & Enrollment Services suite. Cost estimates for the installation of similar access control systems in other key offices in the Administration and Conference Center (ACC) building were obtained to secure funding for the project. The ACC building is a high traffic building and instituting these measures would significantly enhance the safety and security of staff and other persons conducting business in the building. • The Security Department continued efforts to provide training and development opportunities for security and peace officers. During the month of March 2014, Sgt. Kimba Enrique attended and passed the FBI Active Shooter Training course. Also, both Peace Officers (Theodore Glasford and Kimba Enrique) attended and passed the VIPD Firearms Re-certification training in March 2014. This is a mandatory bi- annual training that each peace officer must complete in accordance with Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) regulations. During the month of April 2014, twelve (12) security officers, including five (5) new officers, received CPR and AED training to maintain their emergency response capabilities. • The Office of Environmental Health and Safety was instrumental in preparing assessment forms for various compliance related areas. Additionally, Prism Environmental (Hitachi Consulting) has granted final approval of the Spill Prevention Control Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan including the engineers’ seal and certification of approval of the SPCC plan. 22 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • The expansion of the Chemical Lab Prep Room on the St. Thomas Campus has been completed. This achievement enables proper separation of incompatible chemicals, enhanced air circulation, and provides an alternative escape route in the event of an accidental spill of major proportion or a fire. • The initial phase of installing air-conditioning control systems for ten buildings on the Albert A. Sheen Campus is about 75% completed. This project was funded by a grant received from the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) under the U.S. Department of the Interior – Office of Insular Affairs (DOI-OIA). Each building will have an automatic control system for the air handlers in the respective facility including routes and hubs so that the temperature control system could be accessed from anywhere and eliminate the units from being scheduled manually or at times running 24/7. This will provide electronic on-line access and enable as-needed scheduling of occupied and unoccupied temperatures, thus resulting in an efficient energy management of air-conditioning units on campus. • The Albert A. Sheen Campus obtained earth change and building permits from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in April 2014 for the construction of the 1,500 linear feet of a concrete sidewalk from Queen Mary Highway to the UVI RT Park and the Delta M. Jackson Dorsch Complex (Residence Halls). The construction of a code complaint 4’ wide concrete sidewalk including curb cuts and means to mitigate or protect walkway from damage due to storm water runoff is scheduled to be completed by July 2014. • Component heads and direct reports were trained on Strategic Planning Online (SPOL) software. On-going training sessions were added to the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) calendar. Training for the assessment module will be offered in June. • The Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department is in the process of developing and promoting a disaster plan/drill for the Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library by end of July 2014. Staff concerns were identified and addressed. Hence, those concerns were integrated into the campus disaster plan, campus alarm system, and security operations. Procedures are not yet drafted. • Plans to replace the general arena floor at the Sports & Fitness Center and the portable wooden floor will involve an influx of funding. The facility requires upgrades to maintain its status of being classed as the best indoor arena in the Eastern Caribbean. 23 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President AREA OF FOCUS #5: ORGANIZATIONAL AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT • The Human Resources Office was established on January 7, 2014, on the Albert A. Sheen campus on St. Croix. On April 16, 2014, the Human Resources Office held an official opening which allowed for employees to greet and meet with the Associate Director of Human Resources. The highlight of the open-house featured ribbon cutting and in attendance were President David Hall, Shirley Lake-King, CFO/Vice President of Administration and Finance, and Yvonne Lawrence, Associate Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development. AREA OF FOCUS #6: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH • The University received a memorandum dated February 14, 2014, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the Government of the Virgin Islands, stating that the Fiscal Year 2015 expenditure ceiling would be $28,251,847; this was $1,803,309 less than the amount appropriated for Fiscal Year 2014. In light of this, the President of the University submitted a letter to the Governor of the US Virgin Islands, asking for consideration on the reduction. The consideration was granted and the University appropriation level remained at $30,055,156. On March 10, 2014, the University submitted its Fiscal Year 2015 appropriation budget request in the amount of $30,055,156 to Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. During the month of April, the University received another memorandum from OMB, advising of a reduction of $250,209.18. Therefore, the revised allotment level for Fiscal Year 2014 is $29,804,947.09. • Currently the grants area is preparing for programmatic/financial audits from the following agencies: Small Business Administration (SBA), Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Preliminary documentation was submitted to SBA April 1, 2014. The U.S. Department of Education agency completed its audit of the University’s Title III program for FY 2013. • In 2006 the University signed an agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank to be its procurement card program provider. Part of the agreement stipulated that JP Morgan pay a rebate to the University at certain spend levels. The University received its annual rebate in April 2014 in the amount of $10,179. This is a 35% increase over the same period last year. • In an effort to reduce inventory carrying cost and reduce expenses, all unsold textbooks for the Spring semester, on the St. Thomas Campus, were returned to the vendors. This action resulted in a credit of $127,000 to be applied to future purchases or the issuance of checks to the Bookstore. 24 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 25, 2014 to May 26, 2014 Dr. David Hall, President • The Institutional Advancement Development Office is working with the Compass Group, Office of the Governor, National Park Service, and other stakeholders on preparations for a funding campaign for a new Marine Research and Education Center at Salt River Bay on St. Croix, which will be operated by the University (as part of a consortium). Gifts to this campaign will be counted toward the University’s Capital Campaign. • During the 2nd quarter of FY 2013-2014, a total of $65,000 in grants were received through the Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations Department in Institutional Advancement, from two sources. As of 3/31/14, there are 9 proposals or letters of inquiry pending or under cultivation and 6 more in preparation and likely to be submitted. • The Director of Major Gifts secured a $25,000 donation from an EDC company, in support of the Summer Bridge Program. UVI's Summer Bridge Program focuses on a student's transition from high school to college during a five-week, residential, academic program held on the St. Croix and St. Thomas campuses. The funding received will provide tuition assistance for the eighty students enrolled in the program as well as provide stipends for Resident/Teaching Assistants. • The University raised over $272,726.59 during the reporting period (between February 1 – May 8) from alumni, corporations and foundations. These donors designated their support to a number of key areas including the Unrestricted Fund, the Reichhold Center for the Arts, Scholarships, the Athletic Department and the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands. • The Director of Major Gifts executed four gift agreements totaling $222,000 in scholarship funding for UVI students. The organizations who signed with the University are all locally based in the Virgin Islands. • The UVI Wellness Center continues to attract new membership in all categories. Focus has been on the staff and faculty area where the promotion is heaviest. A new campaign has been launched for the recruitment of 2014 graduates in collaboration with the Alumni Affairs. 25 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 7, 2014 Albert A. Sheen Campus