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Vision 2012: Transforming the Future of UVI The University of the Virgin Islands has traveled an incredible journey since fall 2005, when the University began thinking collectively about UVI’s future. “We are nearing the completion of Vision 2012,” said St. Croix Campus Executive Administrator Deborah C. Fontaine, Ph.D., who is leading UVI’s strategic planning process. “More than 400 people – including students, faculty and staff, and community partners – participated in discussions about where the Univer- sity should be as an institution by 2012, our 50th anniversary.” President LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D., presented the framework for Vision 2012 to the Board of Trustees at their November 2005 Retreat. “The Board came together, reflected on the previous strategic plan’s accomplishments and lessons learned, and endorsed UVI’s plans the future,” she said. The Board expects to finalize details and commit to Vision 2012 at their March 2006 meeting. UVI will then finalize Vision 2012, and will distribute a publication about the strategic plan. Vision 2012, the Universi- ty’s third strategic plan, outlines the goals, objectives and priorities necessary for UVI to become an exceptional U.S. institution of higher education in the Caribbean. The plan focuses on the development and implementation of major initiatives and strate- gies that will improve student success, promote excellence in all we do, and enhance the social and economic transformation of the territory. I invite you to embrace Vision 2012 by partici- pating in the University’s continuous transforma- tion. The strategic goals will require hard work and dedication, and we must work together to ensure that UVI continues to be linked to the community we serve.” From the President LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. Plan Update Board of Trustees approves UVI’s new mission, vision and values in June 2005 and commits to Vision 2012 in November 2005 Strategic Plan Steering Committee to meet in December 2005 and January 2006 Board of Trustees expected to approve Vision 2012 at their March 2006 meeting Vision 2012 roll-out and implementation to begin in Spring 2006 Thank You! Vision 2012 is a collaborative effort. Thank you to everyone – from students, faculty and staff, the strategic plan steering committee, and UVI partners. You helped us create a plan we can all be proud of and are excited about implementing. “Vision 2012 expresses the collective views of many people to ensure that UVI will be stronger, more competitive, and more responsive to the communities we serve.” Continues on back... UVI Strategic Directions University of the Virgin Islands | UVI Strategic Directions | December 2005 University of the Virgin Islands | UVI Strategic Directions | December 2005 “There seems to be a strong consensus from the Board of Trustees, the University community, and the community-at- large in our effort to move UVI forward,” Dr. Ragster said. Vision 2012 expresses the collective views of many people to ensure that UVI will be stronger, more competitive, and more responsive to the communities we serve, Dr. Fontaine said. “We designed and implemented an inclusive, interactive strategic planning process,” Dr. Ragster said. “We focused on the vision of UVI’s future in such a way that all stakeholders have had the opportunity to contribute to where we will be in 2012.” VIUCEDD Assistant Director Miriam V. Osborne-Elliott said the current strategic planning process is probably the “most inclusive and widely communicated one the institution has under- taken in the last decade.” St. Thomas Librarian Sharlene Harris said the process allowed many segments of the UVI community and the territory to have a say in the process. “We all own Vision 2012 because we participated in its creation, from its various stages to the final plan,” she said.  Strategic Plan 2000-2005 Reflections Before closing out a strategic plan, it is important to identify the plan’s accomplishments and reflect on lessons learned. Strategic Plan 2000-2005, with 81 percent of initiatives realized, was a learning experience for UVI. “Strategic Plan 2000-2005 was used as a guideline to achieve a level of consistency that we are very proud of,” Dr. Ragster said. “We have learned to change the way we function at UVI – to focus on students first, work collectively as partners, commit to excellence in education, provide resources for the community, and leverage our resources. “One of the most successful outputs was the creation of UVI’s Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center,” Dr. Ragster said. “The success of UVI-CELL has been extraordinary and has added value to the University.” The activities the University has been involved with have strengthened UVI as a community, President Ragster said. “The lessons learned from the creation, enactment and completion of the plan have prepared us for the initiation of Vision 2012.” Selected accomplishments include: • Raised $2 million for the Annual Fund in 2004 and 2005 • Awarded $17 million in grants and contracts • Sold $19 million in bonds for physical plant improvements • Established UVICELL and trained 1,500 students • Increased collaborative teaching and research • Established research and technology park on St. Croix • Reorganized teacher education • Began academic program rationalization • Developed branding theme: Specializing in Futures At a Glance: Vision 2012 President Ragster unveiled UVI’s new mission, vision and values at the Fall 2005 Convo- cation. For a copy of the poster distributed at convocation, call the Campus Executive Administrator Offices at 692- 4000 on St. Croix and 693-1140 on St. Thomas. Mission: The University of the Virgin Islands is a learner-cen- tered institution dedicated to the success of its students and committed to enhancing the lives of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean through excellent teaching, inno- vative research, and responsive community service. Vision: The University of the Virgin Islands will be an excep- tional U.S. institution of higher education dedicated to student success, committed to excel- lence, and pledged to enhancing the social and economic transfor- mation of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Values • Students first • Learning & scholarship • Excellence • Teamwork • Collegiality & shared governance • Inclusiveness of ideas • Principled leadership • Supporting our community • Effective use of technology • Equitable reward system UVI Strategic Directions is published by the Office of the President, University of the Virgin Islands LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. President Deborah C. Fontaine, Ph.D. St.Croix Campus Executive Administrator Apryl Flynn Gilliss Editor Continued from front page... The Vision 2012 poster features UVI’s mission, vision and values. Let Us Hear From You Please share with us your comments and ideas about Vision 2012: UVI’s strategic plan for 2006-2012. We also welcome your contributions to this newsletter, which will be published on a quarterly basis. Email: splan@uvi.edu St.Thomas Campus Phone: 340-776-9200 St.Croix Campus Phone: 340-778-1620 University of the Virgin Islands | UVI Strategic Directions | December 2005