The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, Nov. 3, in the Administration and Conference Center (ACC) on the St. Thomas campus. It is the first time the Board of Trustees meeting has been held in the new building.

In his opening statement, Board Chair Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr. noted the picturesque setting of the meeting, in the third floor conference room of the new building, overlooking Brewer's Bay. He welcomed the newly designated Faculty Trustee, tenured Social Sciences Professor Dr. Ededet Iniama, and UVI student Dwayne Petersen, who is the new Student Trustee.

In her President's Report to the Board, Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster said that the UVI community had been encouraged to vote for one of 14 submitted flag designs. After displaying the design that garnered the most votes, Dr. Ragster asked the Board to ratify the University community's selection. The design selection was ratified, with only one abstention.

Dr. Ragster noted recent technological challenges faced by UVI students, faculty and staff. Telephones and internet service were at times inaccessible last week, largely due to a lightning strike at the University's technology hub -- Penha House -- on the St. Thomas campus. Repairs have been made and plans have been set in place to help the University counter future lightning strikes, UVI's Chief Information Officer Tina Koopmans said.

In his remarks, Dr. Rimpel said the Board was set to begin the first step in the process of selecting a University president to succeed Dr. Ragster, who has two years remaining on her contract. The search may take as long as one year, Dr. Rimpel said, adding that "this will be a significant challenge for the entire community."

David Zumwalt, Executive Director of the UVI Research and Technology Park, reported that the Park is about to enter into an agreement with its first two potential tenants. Zumwalt asked the Board to approve a resolution authorizing the University to mortgage a 90-acre parcel of land on St. Croix as security for a $4.7 million federal loan. Student Trustee Petersen asked Zumwalt how the Research and Technology Park will benefit students. Zumwalt said the Park will provide career opportunities on St. Croix that UVI students and faculty will be able to access. The resolution passed with one abstention. Attorney and Trustee Debra Watlington, Chair of the Board of Education, was appointed to the Research and Technology Park Board, replacing Dr. Noreen Michael.

In other business, the Board approved a revised Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Operating Budget request that reflected a reduction from the University's original budget appropriation request to the Office of Management and the final budget submitted by the Executive branch and approved by the Legislative branch from $36,3115,052 to $34,300,000. In addition, a resolution authorizing the Executive Committee of the Board to approve a Fiscal Year 2009 appropriation request to the Government of the Virgin Islands and a FY 2009 Operating Budget was passed unanimously.

The Board also voted to review the University’s Performance Incentive Award Program in order to submit revisions at the next Board meeting in March 2008.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) were presented in several areas, including the University's Annual Fund campaign efforts, as well as alumni and trustee giving. Information provided reflected that the University raised approximately $1.58 million of its $1.7 million development goal. Alumni contributions for the fiscal year (October 2006 – September 2007) have increased by 8 percent. The average Trustee gift has increased 57 percent, although total Trustee contributions have declined 1 percent.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place in March on the St. Croix campus.