USVI Public Records

Document text

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES October 24, 2020 UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 9:00A.M. DRAFT MINUTES Regular Session MEMBERS PRESENT Attorney Henry C. Smock, Chair Ms. Oran C. Roebuck, Vice Chair Dr. David Hall, President and Secretary Mrs. Nisha Clavier, Alumni Trustee Dr. Lois Hassell-Habtes Ms. Hadiyah Lang, Student Trustee Dr. Verleen McSween, Faculty Trustee Dr. John A. Quelch Dr. Yvonne E. L. Thraen Mr. Reginald Vigilant Rev. Dr. Wesley S. Williams, Jr. MEMBERS ABSENT Mrs. Racquel Berry-Benjamin DOE Ms. Arah C. Lockhart BOE OTHERS PRESENT Dr. Camille McKayle, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mitchell Neaves, VP Institutional Advancement Sharleen Harris, VP Institutional Research and Assessment Earlyn Casimir, Special Assistant to VP & CFO Administration and Finance Attorney Marie ThomasGriffith, UVI Legal Counsel CALL TO ORDER The presence of a quorum having been determined, Chairman Henry C. Smock called the Regular Session of the meeting to order at 9:12am. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Trustee Williams, which was seconded by Trustee Quelch, to approve the minutes of the Regular Session of the Board Meeting held on June 20, 2020 and September 11, 2020. The vote on the motion to approve the Regular Session minutes was unanimous by the members present. The minutes were therefore approved. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Trustee Williams, which was seconded by Trustee Quelch, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The vote on the motion to approve the Consent Agenda was unanimous by the members present. The consent agenda was therefore approved. PRESIDENT’S REPORT President Hall reported that the President’s Report for this reporting period was 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 Greatness Through Innovation, the University’s current strategic plan. Student Achievements Four students from the UVI Aviation Club, sponsored by Dr. Joanne Luciano, advanced to obtain their student pilot certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in collaboration with U VLY VI on St. Thomas. The students who received their student pilot certificates are Adina Browne, Kenique Liburd, Kai Vincent-Richardson, and Le’Jon Allamby. • Javier Galiber was awarded an ACE Fellowship to extend original research through the 2020- 2021 academic year; outcomes of his first cybersecurity investigation of public network exposures as an Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) Summer Scholar (2020). The 18th Annual Summer Research Symposium was held this year via Zoom on July 31, 2020. The virtual research symposium featured 53 student presenters with 10 moderators who participated in six concurrent sessions. The research topics covered a variety of scientific disciplines, including marine biology, environmental science, biomedicine and community health, STEM education and social science, COVID-19 and chemistry, and astrophysics and technology. Featured presentations included: • Dazonte Mathurin, an undergraduate student in the UVI Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program, conducted research on “Kale Leaf Growth and Water Content.” He was mentored by Dr. Thomas Zimmerman. • Joshua Parris, sophomore majoring in applied mathematics, conducted research on “Detecting Transient Sources.” According to Parris’ abstract, he focused on four radio sources with a goal to constrain the rate of transient sources if any were found. A light curve was constructed using Python computer programming language to determine whether these sources were transient. • Yudis Castillo Rodriguez, junior majoring in mathematics, research topic was “Exploring How STEM Instructors at a Public University in the Caribbean Transitioned to Online Teaching.” The aim of her research was “to have a clear notion of the strategies and techniques used, and how instructors adjusted to online teaching." • Sonora Meiling (2020). Testing susceptibility, lesion progression rate, and transmissibility among coral species for stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in the USVI. Thesis in fulfillment of the Master of Marine and Environmental Science Program, University of the Virgin Islands. • Amaia Nicole Saret, Christopher Murphy, Kenique Liburd, Rex Cazaubon III, and Shamir Smith completed a remote summer research program at Norfolk State University. • Kayla Budd completed USVI Coral Disease Strike Team Volunteer training organized by the Virgin Islands Coral Disease Advisory Committee (VI-CDAC). As a strike team member, the highly trained divers follow specific protocols for curtailing the spread of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. MMES graduates also on the strike team include Joe Townsend, Kyle Jerris, Sonora Meiling, Logan Williams, and Leslie Henderson. • Kayla Budd was one of the sixteen participants in the underwater beach clean-up at Coki Point on June 27, 2020 where over 600 pounds of marine debris were removed. The event was coordinated by MMES alum and VIMAS coordinator, Howard Forbes, Allie Durdall, UVI research technician and MMES alum, assisted with debris removal and data collection. • The St. Thomas Chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society received Gold Standing for meeting the Chapter Standards during the 2019-2020 academic year. The chapter’s Governing Board includes: o President-Emily Henriquez o Vice President-Tiketay Ludvig o Secretary-Lana Cuffy o Treasurer-Quiannah Potter o Public Relations- George Francis o General Member Representative – Ashley Powell • Five Master of Marine and Environmental Studies (MMES) students were accepted into the National Science Foundation-funded Strong Coasts Program in partnership with the University of South Florida (USF), which offers tuition assistance, a stipend, and program related travel and materials and supplies. Requirements of the fellowship include enrolling in 9 credits Food, Energy, or Water Systems (FEWS) prescribed elective courses and research involving technical innovations in FEWS with local community-based partnerships. The Strong Coasts fellows are Natasha Bestrom, Sophie Costa, Lindsay Dade, Allison Holevoet, and Naomi Scott. Present Hall also reported on Alumni updates, Faculty and Staff Achievements and Scholarship as well as Faculty Publications, Grants and Special Projects. President Hall reported on Significant Institutional Activities: • U.S. News & World Report Ranks UVI Among Top Southern Regional Colleges • Decision to Postpone On-Campus FALL 2020 Reopening Plan • Virtual Student Orientation and Convocation • UVI Awarded $20 Million National Science Foundation Grant for VI-EPSCOR'S “Ridge To Reef” Project • UVI Leverages Science-Based Technology in COVID-19 Response • NASA Grant Received To Create Engineering Concentration In Physics Program • UVI Receives Federal Grant To Enhance Energy Conservation and Savings • College of Science and Mathematics Ready to Occupy Reconstructed RTPark Building • Racial Justice Blog and Various University-Wide Conversations on Race • Successful Virtual Summer Camps and Programs • Website Activity and Promotion President’s and Chairman’s Appreciation Award The Virgin Islands Academic and Cultural Award Endowment Scholarship (VIACAE) is managed by the University. The Chairman of the UVI Board of Trustees, the Governor, Senate President, Commissioner of Education and the Chief Justice are the key Board members to this program that support Virgin Islanders who are pursuing professional and advanced degrees or developing cultural projects that preserve and advance Virgin Islands culture. The UVI Board Chair also chairs this prestigious Board of Directors. The endowment provides funding to applicants and must track their progress and compliance with the award agreements. The administration of the program for the last five years was conducted by Mavis Gilchrist, who after serving the University for numerous years as the Director of Financial Aid, returned from retirement to ensure that the mission of the program was being fulfilled. Her leadership, managerial skills and financial aid expertise advanced the operation of the VIACAE to levels never reached prior to her arrival. The applications, progress of recipients and overall records of the program were professionally managed and numerous Virgin Islanders benefited from Ms. Gilchrist’s knowledge and superb management skills. For the aforementioned reasons, the Chairman of the Board and the President of the University bestow the award to Ms. Mavis Gilchrist as a token of our sincere appreciation for her service and dedication. Chairman’s Comments The Chairman congratulated Ms. Mavis Gilchrist again for her hard work and dedication to the Virgin Islands Academic and Cultural Awards Endowment. He indicated to the members he wanted them to have an opportunity to meet the new athletic director, Dr. Jerel Drew. Provost McKayle provided a brief background on Dr, Drew and his credential. Dr. Drew provided members with some strategies he will implement to keep the university current and compliant. Chairman Smock thank Dr. Drew for his attendance at the board meeting. Dr. Drew replaces former athletic director Wilberto Ramos. RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PARK UPDATE REPORT The Board received an update report from Mr. Peter Chapman, Executive Director of the RTPark. He spoke about the vision and strategic priorities. He added that this past year, the RTPark assumed much more of a holistic and aggressive approach to facilitating growth and expansion of the tech cluster in the Virgin Islands. After his report, the Chairman ask if there were any questions to the report. There were no questions to the written report. Trustee Thraen thanked Mr. Chapman for his comprehensive report. She requested that the report of the RTPark should be submitted in written form to the trustees so that questions could be formulated from the written report as opposed to the verbal presentation. BOARD COMMITTEE ITEMS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE………………………………………….Rev Dr. Wesley s. Williams, Jr. Status Report on Fundraising At the invitation of the Chair of the Committee, VP Mitchell Neaves reported that theTotal contributions to date for fiscal year 2020 (Oct 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020) $2,488,468 He also reported that the Committee discussed the process for securing external funding from corporations, foundations and alumni constituents during a year filled with economic uncertainty resulting from the Corvid-19 Pandemic. The University received substantial private sector support which helped to increase capacity for the endowment, student support and various academic areas of the University. Goal for Fiscal Year 2020 VP Neaves reported that the Development Committee discussed the fundraising goal for FY2021 and recommended to set the fiscal year goal for cash donations at $3M and alumni participation goal at 20 percent. A motion was made by Trustee Williams which was seconded by Vice Chair Roebuck to set the fundraising goal at $3M and alumni participation goal at 20%. The vote on motion was unanimous. The resolution was approved. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE…………………………………………………………..…..Henry C. Smock Ratification of Action taken by the Executive Committee in Regular Session Article VI, Section 1 (a) of the Bylaws of the University of the Virgin Islands states in part, “The Executive Committee may act for the Board between Board meetings, in the event of emergencies requiring Board action.” That section of the Bylaws further states, “The Executive Committee shall report to the Board at its next meeting on all actions taken by it, and the Board shall ratify or revoke such actions. President Hall provided an update regarding the sexual harassment Policy and it’s mandated updates. A resolution was presented to ratify the action of the Executive Committee regarding the approval of the following: • Amended Sexual Harassment Policy A motion was made by Trustee Williams which was seconded by Vice Chair Roebuck to ratify the action taken by the Executive Committee regarding updates to the Sexual Harassment Policy. The vote on motion was unanimous by all the members present. FINANCE AND BUDGET…………………………………………………………Oran C. Roebuck TIAA Observations of Investment Funds Vice Chair Roebuck reported that the Finance and Budget Committee voted to recommend to the Board of Trustees to accept the observations made by TIAA-CREF as recommendations to make the below changes to the investment funds available to employees participating in the TIAA-CREF retirement program. The recommendations were presented to the TIAA-CREF participants so they could have input and with the understanding that the final recommendations were presented to the Board of Trustees for approval. Close and Map 1. Close Templeton Global Bond Fund Advisor (TGBAX) and map assets to PIMCO Total Return Fund (PTRAX) 2. Close TIAA-CREF Equity Index Funds Retirement (TIQRX) and map assets to TIAA- CREF S&P Index Fund Retirement (TRSPX) 3. Close TIAA-CREF Growth & Income Fund Retirement (TRGIX) and map assets to CREF Growth Account R2 (QCGRPX) 4. Close PGIM Jennison Small Company Fund A (PGOAX) and map assets to BNY Mellon Small Cap Stock Index (DISSX) 5. Close Columbia Acorn International Fund Institutional (ACINX) and map assets Thornburg International Value Fund R5 (TIVRX) 6. Close DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (DFEPX) and map assets to Wells Fargo Emerging Markets Equity Fund Admin (EMGYX) 7. Close PGIM Jennison Natural Resources Fund Z (PNRZX) and map assets to TIAA- CREF S&P 500 Index Fund Retirement (TRSPX) or Lifecycle Fund A motion was made by Vice Chair Roebuck which was seconded by Trustee Williams to approve The recommendations . The vote on the motion was unanimous. FY2021 Operating Budget The Finance and Budget Committee voted to extend the presentation of the University’s Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Operating Budget to the first week of November 2020, to be followed by its consideration and approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees one week later. The University’s spending in the interim will be capped at the approved Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget level. A motion was made by Vice Chair Roebuck which was seconded by Trustee Quelch to extend the presentation of the University’s FY2021 Operating Budget. The vote on the motion was unanimous. PLANNING COMMITTEE…………………………………………….............Dr. John A. Quelch Key Performance Indicators/Greatness Through Innovation Trustee Quelch reported that the Planning Committee received a report on the KPIs as linked to UVI’s Strategic Plan: Greatness Through Innovation. The report focused primarily on the V.I. Incoming Freshmen (II.6A), Enrollment (III.8C, III.8D, III.8E), NSSE HIP (III.7A, III.7D), and Development Indicators. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 11:10 a.m., a motion was made by Trustee Williams, which was seconded by Trustee Thraen, to go into Executive Session to address the following matters, which could be reasonably expected to result in the disclosure of information of personal nature wherein public disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or premature disclosure that would seriously frustrate implementation of the proposed action(s), and for the Board to obtain legal advice on these matters: 1. Approve Minutes of the Executive Session of the last meeting of the BOT 2. Receive a report from the ARSA Committee 3. Receive an update on Personnel Matters 4. Receive an Update on Legal Matters After a five minute break, the Executive Session convened at 11:18am. RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION Upon return to the Regular Session of the Meeting at 12:37pm, the Chairman reported that while in Executive Session, the Board approved the following: • Executive Session Minutes of the June 20, 2020 and September 11, 2020 meetings of the Board • Approved candidates for honorary degrees and approved a list of potential commencement speakers. • Approved a candidate for tenure. • Had a discussion with President regarding personnel matters • Received an update on legal matters from Legal Counsel The Chairman thanked Board Members for their participation. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to be considered in the Regular Session, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 12:42p.m.