In the regular session of its quarterly meeting on Oct. 17, 2026, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Fiscal Year 2027 comprehensive budget totaling $92,516,989, a resolution charging the administration with developing an Academic Affairs Transformation Plan, and four governance policies and procedures.
The resolution, presented by the Academic, Research and Student Affairs Committee, directs UVI’s administration and Academic Affairs leadership to develop an evidence-based plan that reviews academic programs, enrollment trends, course demand, faculty deployment, program costs and student outcomes. The plan will identify opportunities for operational efficiencies, strategic investment, enrollment growth and revenue diversification.
Any proposed change must be weighed against its effect on student access, course availability, retention, timely degree completion, academic quality, and accreditation and licensure requirements. Faculty and shared-governance bodies, student support services, and enrollment, research and finance leaders will help develop the plan, which must include measurable outcomes, implementation timelines and clear responsibilities.
“We want to strengthen performance. We want to align with purpose,” said Dr. Kyza Callwood, chair of the Academic, Research and Student Affairs Committee.
Callwood emphasized that changing enrollment patterns, financial pressures, workforce demands and higher education expectations require a coordinated institutional response.
“So, I just want to thank the full board for really approving that resolution ... I look forward to the fruit that will be developed as a result of that transformation plan being tackled,” Callwood said following the unanimous vote.
FY2027 Budget Prioritizes Stability and Campus Safety
The FY2027 budget includes approximately $47.54 million in operating revenues, $43.63 million in restricted revenues and a $1.35 million capital budget. The revised operating plan incorporates approximately $2.31 million in operating expense reductions.
The capital budget prioritizes water infrastructure, building assessments, safety and essential repairs across both campuses. Projects include:
Vice President for Administration and Finance Guadalupe Valencia reported progress in containing costs and improving the University’s operating position. She cautioned that the approximately $2 million positive operating position reported as of August is preliminary and precedes remaining payroll and year-end expenses, and said the University is working toward an approximately balanced year-end position. The President’s report noted that FY2026 operating expenses were $3.3 million below FY2025.
Audit Completion on a Defined Timeline
Valencia reported receipt of draft FY2022 financial statements from external auditor EY, following completion of the FY2021 audit in May. The team is targeting completion of the FY2022 financial and single audits by the end of October or, at the latest, early November, with FY2023 audit work expected to begin in November. She credited University staff and EY for intensive work and frequent coordination, and noted continued cooperation from the Government of the Virgin Islands in providing required financial data.
President George expressed the University’s sincere gratitude to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands (LEGVI), Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and other Government of the Virgin Islands leaders for their steadfast support, which has been instrumental in helping UVI receive its allotments and advance the completion of its audits.
Governance Reforms and Board Leadership
The Board unanimously approved the following policies and procedures supporting ethical conduct, accountability and effective oversight:
The measures form part of UVI’s ongoing governance improvements in response to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Show Cause action. UVI remains accredited. President Dr. Safiya George reported that the University submitted its response to the Commission’s follow-up review team report on Oct. 12, requesting removal from Show Cause and placement on Probation or Warning status, and will appear before the Commission at its Nov. 19, meeting.
Trustees also voted to increase regular Board meetings from three to four per year, with dates to be determined. The Board re-elected Trustee John P. de Jongh Jr. to a five-year term and elected Trustee Raul Carillo as Board secretary, a role previously held by President George. President George welcomed two new trustees: Angelina Espirit, representing students, and Paul Fleming, representing faculty.
Fundraising Goals Backed by 100 Percent Board and Cabinet Giving
The Board approved an annual fundraising goal of $5 million and an alumni participation goal of five percent. The Development Committee reported 100 percent giving participation among members of both the Board of Trustees and the President’s Cabinet.
Ivo Philbert, vice president for Institutional Advancement, announced that UVI’s Giving Tuesday campaign will seek to raise $100,000 on Dec. 1. Trustees, alumni and other supporters are asked to serve as ambassadors through a “Give, Share and Ask” approach: make a contribution, share the campaign and ask five others to donate. The campaign will feature stories from students, faculty and staff illustrating the impact of a UVI education. Alumni outreach will include major events across the Territory and mainland communities in New York, the greater Washington, D.C., area, Atlanta and Florida.
National Recognition and Institutional Momentum
UVI is celebrating national recognition, including a Forbes ranking as the fifth-best public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and a record six economic development awards for the UVI Research and Technology Park. In her report to the Board, President George highlighted the following:
“This period also brought national recognition that belongs to our entire University community,” said Dr. George.
The report also noted a record $43.8 million in research proposals submitted in FY2026, $27.8 million in sponsored awards, and a 100 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate among May 2026 nursing graduates who tested.
President’s Award Recognizes Employee Contributions
President George presented the President’s Award to employees and teams for their contributions to campus operations, student services and enrollment, selecting honorees from her quarterly review of employees’ work. This quarter’s honorees are:
Strategic Planning and Assessment
The Planning Committee reviewed institutional performance indicators aligned with UVI’s “Greatness Through Innovation” strategic plan, also known as GRAND Momentum, with a focus on admissions, enrollment, retention, fundraising and alumni participation. The committee also received an update on revised UVINext assessment activities, which will use separate academic and administrative workbooks, orientation and centrally supplied data to support more consistent assessment and earlier identification of areas requiring attention.
Executive Session Actions
Board Chairman Henry Smock reported that while in Executive Session, the Board received reports from the Academic, Research and Student Affairs and Finance and Budget committees, addressed personnel and legal matters, and approved the following:
The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held in March 2027.
For more information contact the University’s Public Relations Office at pr@uvi.edu.
