Trustees ratify limited procurement exception and outline next steps following governance assessment
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees, during a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, unanimously ratified a limited procurement policy exception to support the University’s response to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Show Cause action. The Board also outlined next steps to strengthen governance, audit oversight, risk management and institutional accountability following a governance development session and Board assessment.
The authorization, issued by UVI President Dr. Safiya George and Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Guadalupe Valencia, applies only to procurements directly related to the Show Cause response and expires Sept. 30, 2026, unless rescinded or extended in writing. It permits expedited methods when necessary to meet accreditation deadlines, including waiving standard quotation or bid requirements, using emergency or documented sole-source procurement, negotiating directly with qualified firms and accelerating contract review.
Covered expenses may include accreditation consultants, legal counsel, temporary professional services, specialized technology, emergency-related travel and other purchases specifically approved for the Show Cause effort. Each procurement must have a complete file documenting its connection to the response, the reason for the exception, price reasonableness, funding availability, required approvals and executed agreements. Applicable laws, grant requirements, conflict-of-interest standards, contract-signature authority and Board approval requirements remain in effect.
UVI President Dr. Safiya George reported that the University has completed a near-final draft of its Show Cause Report, which is undergoing review by members of the leadership team and external consultants. The report is due to MSCHE on Sept. 1. UVI is also planning a mock site visit in preparation for MSCHE’s evaluation visit on Sept. 24, followed by the visiting team’s report-out on Sept. 25.
Dr. George said UVI continues to assemble evidence demonstrating compliance with Standard VI, related to planning, resources and institutional improvement, and Standard VII, related to governance, leadership and administration. The University is also advancing work on its fiscal year 2022 audit and preparing the contingency teach-out plan required as part of the Show Cause process.
UVI remains accredited while the Show Cause process is underway. University representatives are scheduled to appear before the Commission on Nov. 19, and may provide additional evidence of progress following the September evaluation visit.
The Board’s special meeting followed a governance development session facilitated by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and TM² Executive Search, the executive search firm of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Trustees reviewed findings from a recent Board assessment and discussed potential improvements involving Board and presidential evaluations, Board leadership, committee structure, trustee expectations, audit oversight, risk management and institutional accountability.
The Board’s Executive and Governance committees will meet jointly to review the recommendations, assign responsibilities, establish timelines and determine how progress will be monitored. Their recommendations will then be presented to the full Board at a future special meeting for consideration.
Chairman Smock emphasized that advancing the Board’s governance priorities is of the utmost importance. “UVI takes precedence over everything,” he said.
Upon returning to regular session, Chairman Smock reported that the Board approved the June 27, executive session minutes and received presentations from Dr. George regarding organizational realignment and the University’s academic program portfolio review.
