The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition by 5 percent at its quarterly meeting Saturday. The board also set the alumni giving goal to 54.49 percent and set the annual fund goal to $2.5 million cash.
UVI President David Hall said the tuition increase equates to an additional $110 per semester for each full-time resident student. The increase will become effective in the 2015 fall semester.
“This is always an important and yet sensitive issue to the university,” Hall said. “We have attempted to keep our tuition low,” he said, but admitted the increase was necessary to keep up with expenses and to improve student services.
But even with the increase, UVI still remains price competitive with other institutions that Virgin Islands students attend on the U.S. mainland, Hall said.
The new tuition rates:
– Part-time Undergraduate Residents – $147 per credit
– Full-time Undergraduate Residents – $4,410 per year
– Graduate Residents – $368 per credit
– Part-time Undergraduate Non-Residents – $441 per credit
– Full-time Undergraduate Non-Residents – $13,230 per year
– Graduate Non-Residents – $735 per credit
The board also set the alumni giving goal for Fiscal Year 2015 at 54.49 percent, 2 percent more than last fiscal year.
The board voted to set the FY15 annual fund goal at $2.5 million cash, maintaining the total cash level raised in the previous fiscal year.
In other business, the board voted to dispose of two time-share properties that were gifted to UVI and were not being used but required payment of fees.
In his report to the board, Hall said that the institution had an overall 14 percent increase in freshman enrollment for the fall 2014 semester and an increase on St. Croix of 38 percent.
UVI Vice Provost of Access and Enrollment Services Nicole Gibbs and her component were presented with the President’s Appreciation Award for their role in increasing freshman enrollment. “This achievement is attributable to numerous individuals and activities,” said Hall.
“However, the unit that is primarily responsible for recruiting and admitting students deserves our recognition.”
Gibbs and Xuri Allen, director of admissions and recruitment, accepted the award.
Hall reported to the board that UVI was selected by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, UVI’s accrediting body, to be a model institution for its new standards. Hall also said UVI is moving forward with the steps for construction of the School of Medicine.
The Beck Group/Springline Architectural firms have been secured to design the facilities (classroom building and simulation center) and oversee the construction process, he said.
Hall announced the reorganization of his office, including the elimination of the positions for his chief of staff and executive assistant, and the creation of a new position – director of presidential operations – which is filled by Una Dyer. Two new vice president positions were created, the vice president for business development and innovation and the vice president for Information Services and Institutional Assessment. Haldane Davies and Tina Koopmans were promoted to these positions, respectively.
The positions of director of Campus Operations on the Albert A. Sheen Campus and dean of students on both campuses are now officially part of the president’s cabinet.
Trustee Edward Thomas, who also serves as chairman of the Research and Technology Park Board, spoke on behalf of Executive Director David Zumwalt, who was absent. Thomas said the RTP has overcome several challenges experienced over the past year. “The park is up and running and the park is doing very well,” Thomas said.
Actions taken by the board in executive session included:
– approval of the list of nominees for honorary doctorate degrees;
– approval of a list of commencement speakers;
– approval of the next steps for the Eco-Research and Industrial Development Park;
– change in commencement 2015 dates to May 13 and May 14;
– approval of the launch of the public phase of the Capital Campaign;
– ratification of the Executive Committee’s action regarding the president’s performance;
– and the approval of the presidential goals for 2015.
In executive session the board also received updates on the School of Medicine, UVINext, and personnel and legal matter, according to a release from UVI.
