UVI Report Details On-Campus Crime, Fluctuation In Faculty Staff Retention And More

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees in the regular session of its quarterly meeting held March 7 on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, examined the university’s key performance indicators (KPIs), which included data in the areas of modern and safe environment, organizational and human development, financial indicators, research indicators, and development.

The KPIs are reported using a format linking them to the institution’s Strategic Plan.

In the area of campus safety, the report showed that during the period of 2012 through 2014, there was a single murder/non-negligent manslaughter on the St. Croix campus in 2013; a single forcible sex offense on the St. Thomas campus in 2014; three robberies on the St. Thomas campus in 2012; the St. Thomas campus reported six aggravated assaults in 2012, eight in 2013, and four in 2014. There were 10 burglaries reported in 2012 on the St. Thomas campus, two reported in 2013 and one in 2014; the St. Croix campus reported two burglaries in 2012. There was a single motor vehicle theft reported on the St. Croix campus in 2012.

One arrest was reported each year in 2012 and 2014 for illegal weapons possession on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. On the same campus, there were disciplinary referrals issued for illegal weapons possession in 2012; three for drug law violations in 2014; and four disciplinary referrals were issued for liquor law violations in 2012, six in 2013, and four in 2014.

Neither campus reported offenses for negligent manslaughter, sex offences (non-forcible, i.e, incest and statutory rape); arson; or arrests for liquor law violations.

In the university’s efforts to go green, the report shows that as of Jan. 2015, UVI is reporting a 7.7 percent reduction in its dependence on fossil fuel from 2003 through 2014. In 2002, the university reported 100 percent dependence on fossil fuel. The report says the university has installed solar-powered water heaters, motion sensors, solar lights, and energy-efficient air conditioning units.

In staff diversity in FY 2013, the university reports 72 percent black or African-American, 19 percent white, and 5 percent Hispanic/Latino. Other races or persons who did not wish to self-identify are reported at three percent or less.

However, the university’s retention of full-time staff and faculty has fluctuated during the period of FY 2012 to FY 2014.

In  FY 2012, UVI reported a 96 percent staff retention rate with only 20 full-time staff leaving the university; and an 89 percent faculty retention rate, with 12 full-time faculty leaving the university. In fiscal year 2013, 35 full-time staff left the university, amounting to a 93 percent staff retention rate that year, down 3 percent from the previous year; and five full-time faculty left the university, showing a 96 percent faculty retention rate, up 7 percent from the previous year. In fiscal year 2014, 31 full-time staff and 15 full-time faculty left the university; amounting to a 94 percent full-time staff retention rate, up 1 percent from the previous year; and an 86 percent full-time faculty retention rate in 2014, down 10 percent from the previous fiscal year.

The report says that by Dec. 2015, UVI expects to increase the retention rate of employees by 5 percent over the current levels.

The full UVI report can be seen here.

In his report to the Board, UVI President David Hall highlighted several institutional accomplishments, including UVI being named a “candidate school” for its School of Medicine’s accreditation, a Carnegie Classification, a $1.3 million cybersecurity grant, and a memorandum of understanding with the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica. Increases in student enrollment was also highlighted. There was a two percent increase in overall enrollment and a 42 percent increase among new transfer students for Spring 2015.

Hall also recognized Dr. Valerie Combie, who was elected as the university’s first master professor. Dr. Combie is a professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and director of the Writing Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Dr. Gillian Marcelle, recently hired to head UVI’s Research and Technology Park, gave her first report to the Board. She presented an overview of future plans for the RTPark.

“We’ll be serving as a hub of an innovation ecosystem for the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Dr. Marcelle said, adding, “We will be providing a series of services to the business sector, government and to the academic community as to how you grow technology-enabled businesses in the Virgin Islands.”

It was the first regular session meeting for two new ex-officio trustees, who serve by virtue of their positions – V.I. Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Sharon McCollum and V.I. Board of Education Chair Nandi Sekou.

President Hall recognized a UVI employee or unit that has performed exceptionally with the President’s Appreciation Award. The UVI School of Education and Dean Dr. Linda Thomas were honored for achieving accreditation status from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. They were also recognized because the School’s Elementary Education Program was certified by the Association for Childhood Education International – the national accrediting body that certifies elementary education programs.

In executive session, trustees received updates on the School of Medicine, risk assessment, personnel matters, legal matters, and KPIs related to revenue. During executive session the Board was authorized to continue the discussion with Five Stone Capital on the proposed Eco Park. There were no action items for either session. The UVI Board of Trustees last met during a special session on Feb. 13. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held June 6 on the St. Thomas campus.