The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees unanimously approved a proposal to establish a Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree cohort at UVI. Humanities and Social Sciences Division Chair Dr. Malik Sekou presented the proposal to the UVI Board of Trustees at its meeting Saturday on UVI's St. Croix campus.

Sekou said law enforcement officials and students themselves had requested the Criminal Justice cohort program."Because of the high crime situation they look to the University for some type of leadership and support," Sekou said. The 27th Legislature and the Gov. John deJongh Administration provided funding in the amount of $250,000 in support of the program.

In his remarks, Board Chair Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr. said, "As of this week we've formally launched the search process for the next president of the University." Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster's term expires in 2009. Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm based in Boston, has conducted preliminary meetings with faculty, staff and students on both campuses. Dr. Rimpel said feedback from Isaacson, Miller will clarify the qualifications the University will require from its next president. "This is the beginning of a very inclusive process that I would like to see carried out in a very open process leading to the selection of a new President," Dr. Rimpel said.

In her remarks Dr. Ragster noted that activities commemorating the University's 46tth Charter Day anniversary had begun. She commended the UVI students who won awards at a recent HBCU student newspaper award presentation and said that the University has been selected as a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund's (TMCF) Technology Initiative. As a TMCF Technology Intiaiative recipient, UVI will receive a suite of Microsoft software valued at $264,849.

UVI Provost Dr. A.I. Musah presented a proposal for consideration and action to change the title of the academic division chairs from Administrative Chairs of Division to Dean of Division. Dr. Musah said the change was neither a realignment nor restructuring and that it would not affect the duties or responsibilities of the office. The change was being proposed as a way of conforming to titles that are generally accepted in academia. After much discussion, the Board approved the proposal by a vote of 10 to 5.

In other business the Board unanimously approved a motion proposing Fiscal Year 2009 operating revenues and expenditures of $51,776,783, which includes a request for government appropriations in the amount of $39,218,859.

Additionally, the Board unanimously approved a resolution mandating that UVI administration not exceed 110% of any line item without the prior approval of the Finance and Budget Committee of the Board of Trustees.

The Board also unanimously approved sections of the Faculty Policy Manual that had been ratified by the faculty and approved by the UVI administration.

In her mid-year report of Key 'sPerformance Indicators, Dr. Mary Ann LaFleur, UVI Director of Institutional Research said UVI has seen a 13 percent increase in government appropriations over Fiscal Year 2007. Dr. LaFleur also noted that while the national average cost of tuition and fees at public four-year institutions rose 6.6 percent, UVI's tuition and fees (which average approximately $3,726 per year) have remained low. "UVI is ranked fourth in the college affordability index," she said. UVI's grant awards and contracts have increased by 39 percent.

At the conclusion of the Board of Trustees' meeting, which included a presentation on UVI's community outreach activities, Trustee Jennifer Nugent-Hill said the University is fulfilling its mission. "At the end of the day, as far as I'm concerned, the University of the Virgin Islands is relevant to this community and its relevancy evolves continuously."