President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS REPORTING PERIOD: FEBRUARY 15, 2016 TO MAY 20, 2016 The President’s Report for this reporting period is organized into two sections. Part I provides highlights of new and ongoing presidential initiatives and institutional accomplishments since the last report. Part II highlights major accomplishments within the framework of Pathways to Greatness, the University’s current strategic plan. This framework has been adopted to ensure that all Components and Departments across the University are focused on areas that the University has determined are critical to our future success. I continue to be extremely impressed with the productivity and commitment of our University’s students, faculty, staff and administrators. PART I: PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS I am honored to share with the Board of Trustees highlights of the University’s activities and achievements for the reporting period. This section contains some of the major achievements of the University. These accomplishments speak to the commitment and resilience of our students, faculty, staff and administrators. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS  Three University of the Virgin Islands student entrepreneurs won $60,000 at the 4th Annual 13D Entrepreneurship Competition on April 27, on the St. Thomas Campus. The 13D Competition, sponsored by 13D Research and Innovative, is designed to eliminate 1 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President the obstacle of seed financing for UVI student entrepreneurs who have great ideas for potentially profitable businesses but no access to start-up capital. o Lloyd Maynard, a graduate student in business administration, was awarded the $30,000 first place prize for Veggie Shack, a food truck featuring tasty vegan dishes. This truck will be open for extended hours, and will provide patrons with healthy food alternatives into the evening hours. o Cody Richardson, an undergraduate student who is majoring in Business Administration, was awarded the $20,000 second prize for MIST (Made in St. Thomas) Prints. His concept is to recreate the screen-printing business in the territory by providing high-quality prints with no minimum orders. A low-energy production process will allow MIST to offer high quality products and services with competitive pricing. o Nashona Ruan, recent graduate from UVI this month with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, was awarded the $10,000 third place prize for TendRHands, an in-home senior care service. This business will assist and support families who are looking after aging relatives by providing care that ranges from feeding and grooming to house maintenance and food preparation.  Under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Faley, Sokoloff Professor of Entrepreneurship, UVI students are using the 3D printer in the Innovation Centers to create low cost functional prosthesis for those who are missing limbs. Students in the UVI Innovative Design and Entrepreneurship Association (UVIDEA) have teamed up with the national non-profit organization, E-Nable, on its “Enabling the Future” project, who are working to use open-source prosthetic designs to create functional replacement limbs. Ish-Shawn Halbert, biology major, is taking the lead with the prosthetic project, with support from the UVIDEA student club.  UVI’s Environmental Science 365 (ENV 365) class encouraged the public to commemorate Earth Day on April 22, with a symposium entitled, “Earth Day Symposium: Solid Waste in the Territory.” The symposium focused on solid waste disposal in the Territory and featured guest speakers, poster presentations, demonstrations, music and creative contests. Governor Kenneth Mapp proclaimed April 22 as Earth Day in the Territory. In his proclamation, he called upon all inhabitants of the United States Virgin Islands to re-educate themselves about the need to protect our environment and join the students of the Spring 2016 Environmental Science 365 class at UVI to bring about an event focused on solid waste disposal and recycling.  Che-Raina Warner was crowned Miss University of the Virgin Islands 2016-2017 at the 36th Annual Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition. The theme of the Miss UVI competition was, “We are Historically American, Uniquely Caribbean, and Globally 2 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President Interactive as Miss UVI 2016 presents Broadway in Paradise.” Warner succeeds Katherine Callwood, Miss UVI 2015-2016. The six other contestants included: o Steffi Nicholas – criminal justice major o Crystal Rawlins-Greaux – biology and psychology major o Khadijah Lee – communication major o Lisa Marie-Hodge – business administration major with a concentration on management o Cassandra Watson – psychology major o Patricia Francis – communication major  UVI students Shanece Esdaille and Dewein Pelle completed the University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program this spring. Shanece Esdaille and Daricia Wilkinson, president of UVI Innovative Design and Entrepreneurship Association (UVIDEA) student organization, attended the annual UIF student event at Stanford University in March. They were joined by UVI faculty member Dr. Wayne Archibald. As one of the invited past Fellows, Daricia Wilkinson presented on the progress UVI has made in innovation and entrepreneurship to the over 300 Fellows attending the event.  The VI Turtle Project, headed by Master of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) student Scott Eanes, was featured in Destinations Magazine – Spring 2016 in an article entitled “VI Turtle Project: Discovering the Secrets of the Hawksbill.”  Two sophomore students majoring in Biology, Nirisha Commodore and Shanee Richards, have been accepted into the Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program. They will attend programs at Boston University starting this summer and then spend their senior year there before starting at the Boston University Medical School in the Fall after they graduate from UVI.  Berlina Wallace-Berube, recent UVI graduate, presented her thesis research and engaged in professional development in a number of venues in the Academic Year 2015- 2016: o January 22-24 and 29-31 and February 20 – Partnered with the St. Croix Women’s Coalition to co-create a curriculum and train Teen Dating Violence Advocate Trainers (high school and UVI students) – outcome of thesis. o February 26 – President and moderator of the panel discussion for the American Counseling Association of the Virgin Islands Professional Development Conference (ACAVI)). o March 9-12 – Poster presentation at the 9th Annual Conference on Health Disparities and 2016 National Environmental Justice Conference & Training Program in Washington, DC. (Received a full travel award.) 3 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President o March 16-18 – Addition Technology Transfer Center YMSM+LGBT (Young Men who have Sex with Men and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender) Center for Excellence Trainer of Trainers for “A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals” (2nd Edition). o March 30-April 3 – attended American Counseling Association 2016 Conference & Expo in Montreal, Canada. o April 2 –Chair-Elect of the North Atlantic Region of the American Counseling Association.  Bachelor of Science Psychology junior, Michael Rosario, was selected to attend Boston University's School of Medicine in its "University Research Opportunities Program" to conduct research on exercise, cognition and brain structure and function. Summer 2016.  St. Thomas Chapter President of the UVIDEA, Daricia Wilkinson, was accepted into the Computer Science PhD program at Clemson University. PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS  Brandtneris, Viktor W., Brandt, M.E., Glynn, P.W., Gyory, J., Smith, T.B. 2016 “Seasonal Variability in Energy Content is Greater in Mesophotic Corals.” PLoS ONE 11(4):e0151953.  Smith, T.B., Gyory, J., Brandt, M.E., Miller, W.J., Jossart, J., Nemeth, R.S. (2016) “Caribbean Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems are Unlikely Climate Change Refugia.” Global Change Biology DOI:10.1111/gcb.13175.  Calwyn Morton, Primack, A. “Halophila Stipulacea: Survival under Adverse Conditions.” Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography; Ocean Sciences Meeting February 21-26, 2016, New Orleans, LA. USA. Poster Presentation.  Dylan Jobsis, Wyllie-Echeverria, S., Primack, A. “A Low-cost and Reliable Technique to Monitor the Spread of an Invasive Seagrass in the Caribbean Sea.” Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography; Ocean Sciences Meeting February 21-26, 2016, New Orleans, LA. Poster Presentation.  Wilson-Grimes, K.R. and A. Durdall, 2016 “Let’s Get Muddy! How and Why We Sample Mud in Coastal Habitats?” Demonstration for UVI Research Day.  Baron, Jason, Racusin, J., Morris, D. “A Search for Structure in Gamma Ray Burst X- ray Flares Confirming Whether They Are Similar To The Three Pulse Structure Found In Prompt Emission Pulses.” American Astronomical Society Winter meeting 2016. Poster presentation. 4 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Tuitt, Omani, Hill, J., Jahoda, K., Morris, D. “Developing a New Test Stand for Lifetime Measurements Using a Narrow Gap Detector.” American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting 2016. Poster presentation.  Goodson, Haley. “Characterization of Available Hawksbill Eretmochelys Imbricata Nesting Sites on St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.” 36th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, Lima Peru, Feb 29–Mar 4, 2016. Poster presentation.  Rosario, Michael. “Exploring the Determinants of Men’s Health in the United States Virgin Islands.” Ninth Annual National Conference on Health Disparities. Medical University of South Carolina. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. March 9, 2016. Poster presentation.  Joseph, Lorne. “Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of [Co (dmgBF2)2(OH2)2] by Bromine and Sodium Hypochlorite in Aqueous Media.” 251st ACS National Meeting & Exposition. American Chemical Society. San Diego Convention Center. March 14, 2016. Poster presentation.  Arnold, Lauren, Ratchford, S., Cruz-Rivera, E. “Comparison of Benthic Assemblages in Native vs. Invading Seagrass Beds.” The 45th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting. Bowdoin College in Portland, Maine. March 17, 2016. Poster Presentation.  Jerris, Kyle and Turner, T. “The West Indian Sea Egg (Tripneustes Ventricosus) is Negatively Impacted by the Invasive Seagrass Halophila Stipulacea.” The 45th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting. 45th Benthic Ecology Meeting. Bowdoin College in Portland, Maine. March 19, 2016. Oral Presentation.  Ruggiero, Juliet. “Plant Identification and Use on St. Thomas, USVI: An Undergraduate Class Investigates Local Knowledge.” The 39th Annual Conference of the Society of Ethnobiology. Society of Ethnobiology. University of Arizona campus in Tucson. March 18, 2016. Poster presentation.  Williams, Logan and Brand, M.E. “The Impact of Coral Species Diversity on White Plague Disease Transmission,” VI-EPSCoR Conference. April 7-8, 2016. Oral presentation.  Brown, E., Cassell, J., Donihe, M., Duke,M., Duffing-Romero, M., Durdall, A., Green, D., Heidmann, S., Hillbrand, P., Howe, C., Lasseigne, D., Olinger, L., Ramseyer, T., Brandt,M.E., Habtes, S., Platenberg,R., Smith, T.B., Wilson, K. “New to 5 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President the Caribbean: Halophila Stipulacea; An Examination of Seagrass Effects on Juvenile Fish Abundance in St. Thomas, USVI” VI-EPSCoR Conference. April 7-8, 2016. Poster presentation.  Greendice, J., Atemazem, J., Geiger, T., Ferrarezi, R.S. 2016. “Evaluating Microirrigation Performance on Okra Cultivation in the U.S. Virgin Islands.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Mustafa, A., Bailey, D., Ferrarezi, R.S. 2016. “Aquaponics Waste as Nutrient Source for Duckweed Production Used for Fish Feed.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Nero, A.L., Lakos, S.A., Godfrey, R.W. 2016. “Evaluation of the Gastrointestinal Parasite Burdens around the Time of Parturition in Hair Sheep in the Tropics.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Pascal, T., Zimmerman, T.W. 2016. “Papaya Growth: Comparison over Four Non- Consecutive Generations.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Dennery, S., Zimmerman T.W., 2016. “Evaluation of Sweet Potato Skin Pigments from Cooked and Uncooked Tuberous Roots.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Lewis-Dawkins, S. “Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in the East End Area of St. Thomas.” (Poster presentation). March, 2016. National Health Disparities Conference, Washington, DC.  Simon, K. “Exploring Themes in Recruitment for a Study with Women.” (Poster presentation). March, 2016. National Health Disparities Conference, Washington, DC Presentations at the Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM 2016  del Rosario, Eliakin. "Cyber Analysis, Simulation, and Experimentation Environment (CASE_V) Test Bed.” Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Esdaille, Shanece. "The Quantification and Separation of Five Target Organic Acids via High Performance Liquid Chromatography." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  LaPlace, Richard. "Coral Recruits on Palmyra Atoll Exhibiting 'Stranger Danger." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation. 6 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Pelle, DeWein. "Probability Distributions of Yellowfin Groupers within the Grammanik Bank.” Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Devera, Jean. "Vibrational Scaling Factors for Transition Metal Carbonyls." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Doliotis, Antonios. "Utilizing Micromodems for Underwater Communication." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Emmanuel, Shanan. "Development of a Protocol for Enrichment of Hemogregarine‐Infected Fish Erythrocytes and Transmissible Cysts." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Gonsalves, Kyle. "Sexual Selection and its Relation to Isolative Reproduction in Three‐spine Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus)." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Peets, Jakobi. "Large‐eddy Simulations of Tidally‐driven Turbulent Flows in Shallow Continental Shelf." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Tuitt, Omani. "Developing a Test Stand for Lifetime Measurements using a Narrow Gap Detector." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Nicholas, Genique. "Antioxidant Activity in Fresh Herbs." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 26 Feb. 2016. Oral Presentation.  Baron, Jason B. "A Search for Structure in Gamma Ray Burst X‐Ray Flares Confirming Whether They are Similar to the Three Pulse Structure Found in Prompt Emission Pulses." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 27 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation. 7 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Gregoire, Villisha. "Differential Success of Primers on Tissue Samples Extracted from Populations of Molossus on St. Thomas." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 27 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Yabba, Elangeni. "Time‐Resolved Pump Probe Reflectivity." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 27 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Hanley, Jared. "Electrical Conductivity and Raman Spectroscopy Measurements of Electrodes for LiFePO4 Battery." Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 27 Feb. 2016. Poster Presentation.  Nicholas, Genique, Ryan Shaw, Brianna Scotland and Bernard Castillo II, “Antioxidant Activity in Fresh Herbs.” Student oral presentation at the 2016 Emerging Researchers Network in STEM, Washington, DC. February 25-27, 2016.  Scotland, Brianna, Genique Nicholas, Ryan Shaw and Castillo II, B. “Antioxidant Activity in Local Algae.” Student oral presentation at the 2016 Emerging Researchers Network inn STEM, Washington, DC. February 25-27, 2016. ALUMNI UPDATES  Osman, Roda has been accepted to Columbia University School of Journalism.  Dunn, Najuma has been accepted to the Master’s in Journalism Program at Brooklyn College.  Knight, April is currently attending Harvard School of Journalism.  Alexander, Kurt who earned his degree in Biology at UVI in 2010, successfully defended his Master’s thesis on April 22, 2016, “Detecting Coral Disease Pathogens in Black Band and White Plague Coral Diseases in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”  Nicholas, Cari, who graduated from UVI in 2011 with a BS in Biology, earned her PhD this spring at Albert Einstein College of Medicine where she studied reproductive biology and endocrinology. 8 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Hibbert, Lia Master of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) alumni presented “Marine Outreach and Education USVI Style Initiative: 2011-2016 Outcomes and Achievements” at the 2016 VI-EPSCoR Conference. April 7-8, 2016.  Master of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) alumni, Brandtneris, Victor has published part of his thesis work in PLoS One. He is now working at UVI as the Technical Dive Supervisor.  Brandtneris, Victor Brandt, M.E., Glynn, P.W., Gyory, J., Smith, T.B. “Seasonal Variability in Calorimetric Energy Content of Two Caribbean Mesophotic Corals.” PLoS One. (2016 in press). Online.  John-Finn, Jessica ‘96 graduated with a Master’s in Anesthesia. She is following in the steps of Nictern Coyne, Daniela ‘96 who is also a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). UVI is proud to have two Nurse Anesthetists hailing from the SON Class of 1996. 9 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS  Edgecombe, D. (playwright) presented the 25th Anniversary production of the play, Heaven April 7-9, 2016, at UVI’s Little Theatre on St. Thomas. On St. Croix, Heaven was presented April 23-24, 2016, at the James C. Savage Theatre at the Good Hope School.  Brown, K. Associate Director for the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disability, has been selected to serve as an Act Early Ambassador for the 2016-2018 term. The Act Early Ambassador project is designed to develop a network of state-level experts to improve early identification practices. It is a collaborative effort on behalf of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP). Act Early Ambassadors serve as state liaisons to the "Learn the Signs. Act Early." initiative and work as community champions with programs that serve young children and their parents. PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES  Moore, S., Executive Director of the Center for Student Success (CSS), had a presentation proposal accepted at the Caribbean Tertiary Level Conference: o Moore, S. “Activating Data-Driven Partnerships and Technologies for Student Success.” Caribbean Tertiary Level Personnel Association Conference: Jamaica. 2016.  Bailey, D., Balkaran, S., Bernier, J., Ferrarezi, R.S. 2016. “Assessment of Basil Varieties for Production in the UVI Aquaponics System.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Ferrarezi, R.S., Balkaran, S., Bernier, J., Bailey, D. 2016. “Partial Root and Canopy Cut to Increase Cantaloupe Fruit Sweetness in the UVI Aquaponics System.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Ferrarezi, R.S., Cuffy, K., Geiger, T. 2016. “Sensor-based Irrigation in Different Sweet Pepper Varieties in the U.S. Virgin Islands.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Geiger, T., Ferrarezi, K., R.S. 2016. “Greenhouse Production of Slicing Cucumbers in the U.S. Virgin Islands.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Godfrey, R.W., Nero, A.L., Roberts, G., Lakos, S.A. 2016. “Evaluation of the Relationship between Body Temperature and Grazing Behavior in Hair Sheep in the Tropics.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016. 10 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Godfrey, R.W., Ruggiero, J.A., Lakos, S.A., Lockwood, S.A., Kattesh, H.G. “Comparison of Plasma and Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Hair Sheep Ewes and Lambs in Response to Weaning with or without Fence Line Contact.” 2016. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 94:35. doi: 10.2527/ssasas2015-071. Presented at the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science meetings Feb 7-10, 2016.  Lakos, S.A., Ruggiero, J., Lockwood, S.A., and Kattesh, H.G., Godfrey, R.W. 2016. “Comparison of Plasma and Hair Cortisol Concentrations in St. Croix White Hair Sheep Ewes and Lambs in Response to Weaning with or without Fence Line Contact.”\ UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Weiss, S.A., Beamer, K.P., Ashworth, A.J., Allen, F.L., Keyser, P.D. 2016. “Harvest Timing and Inorganic-nitrogen Alternatives Impact on Lignocellulosic Characteristics and Yield under an Intensified Climate.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Weiss, S.A., Treadwell, D.D., Ferrarezi, R.S., Beamer, K.P. 2016. “Utilizing the Cover Crop Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea l.) to Improve Vegetable Cropping Systems.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Montilla, C., Harris, H., Gordon, J., Smart, R., Zimmerman, T.W. 2016. “Six Pitaya Varieties for the Virgin Islands.” UVI Research Day, April 15, 2016.  Jobsis, P., Habtes, S. “Oceanographic Research Capacity in the US Virgin Islands.” Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography; Ocean Sciences Meeting February 21-26, 2016, New Orleans, LA. USA. Poster Presentation.  Morton, C., Primack, A. “Halophila Stipulacea: Survival under Adverse Conditions.” Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography; Ocean Sciences Meeting February 21-26, 2016, New Orleans, LA. USA. Poster Presentation.  Jobsis, D., Wyllie-Echeverria, S., Primack. A. “A Low-cost and Reliable Technique to Monitor the Spread of an Invasive Seagrass in the Caribbean Sea.” Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography; Ocean Sciences Meeting February 21-26, 2016, New Orleans, LA. Poster Presentation.  Wilson-Grimes, K., Durdall, A. 2016 “Let’s Get Muddy! How and Why we Sample Mud in Coastal Habitats?” Demonstration for UVI Research Day.  Coaplen, C. “250% Postcard Perfect,” The Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture since 1900,” Louisville, Kentucky. 20 February 2016.  Combie, V. “A Socio-Religious Construct of Music in the Caribbean: The Good Old Hymns of the Faith versus the New Movement in Church Music – Impact of Praise 11 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President Teams in Worship on People’s Lives,” Second Biennial Conference on Music, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus, March 22, 2016.  Cooper, V. “From Military Bands to Dance Bands: Edward Margetson, Alton Adams, Elli Matt, and Nick Friday,” Second Biennial Music Conference, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus March, 2016.  Brandt, M. “A 10-year Summary of the MMES Program and Look Forward,” 2016 VI- EPSCoR Conference. April 7-8, 2016. Oral presentation.  Brandt, M.E., Smith, T.B., Keller, J., Beasley, V., Bitterwolf, S., Farrell, L. “Long-term change and stability in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas.” 2016 VI-EPSCoR Conference. April 7-8, 2016. Oral presentation.  Cruz-Rivera, E. “Harry Potter, Chemical Ecology and Marine Drugs” guest lecture for Arcadia University study abroad course on marine resources, VIERS, March 11, 2016.  Gendre, B., Dereli, H., Boer, M., Amati, L., Dichiara, S., “A Sample Gamma-ray Burst with Low Luminosity Afterglow to Statistically Derive their Properties.” American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting. January 2016. Poster presentation.  Morris, D., Gendre, B., Neff, J., Giblin, T. “Status and Performance of the Virgin Islands Robotic Telescope at Etelman Observatory.” American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting. January 2016. Poster presentation.  Ratchford, S., Rivera, J., Cruz-Rivera, E. “The Milk Conch is A Mobile Oasis of Diversity.” 45th Benthic Ecology Meeting, Portland, Maine. 17 March 2016. Poster presentation. Collaborative action research presentations with in-service teachers affiliated with the VI-ISERP at the 2016 VI-EPSCoR Annual Research Conference and 2016 UVI Research Day:  Ekici, C., Alagoz, C., Gibbs, M., Henry, M., Theophilus, D. “Roundtable Discussion on Collaborative Action Research on Mathematical Modeling of Water Quality with STEM Teachers.” UVI Research Day, April 15th, 2016. St. Croix, USVI: Albert A. Sheen Campus.  Ekici, C., Gibbs, A.M., Henry, M., Theophilus, D., Alagoz, C. “Integrated STEM Learning through Mapping and Modeling Water Runoff, Water Storage and Supply around St. Croix.” 2016 VI-EPSCoR Annual Research Conference Understanding Our Sea, Our World, April 8, 2016. V.I.: St. Thomas, UVI Campus.  Gordon, R., Santana, N., Acosta, A., Ekici, C. “Critical Study and Constructive 12 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President Approaches to Lionfish Invasion for a Culturally Responsive STEM Education in the Caribbean.” 2016 VI-EPSCoR Annual Research Conference Understanding Our Sea, Our World, April 8th. V.I.: St. Thomas, UVI Campus.  Tyson, K., Williams, J., Nelson, K., Ekici, C. “An Interdisciplinary Teacher Collaboration to Engage Students in STEM Learning with Robotics in the Virgin Islands.” 2016 VI- EPSCoR Annual Research Conference Understanding Our Sea, Our World, April 8th. V.I.: St. Thomas, UVI Campus.  Wilkins, A.L., Bernard, J., Ekici, C. “Green Homes for Integrated STEM Research.” 2016 VI-EPSCoR Annual Research Conference Understanding Our Sea, Our World, April 8th. V.I.: St. Thomas, UVI Campus.  Faley, T., “Managing Business Growth: “Money is NOT the Only Issue.” Presented at Congressional Delegate Stacy Plaskett’s Symposium for Small Business held on March 9, 2016 in St. Thomas, VI.  Flemming, P.L., Flemming, B.E. (2016). “Small Business: The Engine to Economic Development: How to Get Started”: Delegate to Congress Stacy Plaskett Small Business Conference: March 2016.  Flemming, P.L. (2016). Professional Integrity and Ethics: “Foundation for Success in Small Business”: UVISBDC Seminar: March 2016.  Flemming, P.L., Flemming, B.E. (2016). “Black Men: Endangered Species”: University of the Virgin Islands Black History Month: February 2016.  Flemming. P.L., Flemming, B.E. (2016). Strategic Planning for Profit and Non-profit Organizations: “A Working Model.” Toastmasters International District 81 Conference: January 2016.  Ogunmokun, G. (2016) “Why Do Research?” UVI Research Day, Albert Sheen Campus, April 15, 2016.  Ekici, C., Algoz, C. “Evidence Based Placement into Developmental Math Sequence and a Model for Individualized Learning Progression.” At the 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education, July 23-31, 2016, in Hamburg, Germany.  Ekici, C., Algoz, C. (Co-Presenter). “Collaborative Action Research with STEM Teachers on Mathematical Modeling of Water Quality”. At the 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education, July 23-31, 2016, in Hamburg, Germany.  Tobias, M. “Lesson Planning and Adult Learning Principles.” Instructor certification workshop presented to the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections for the Institute of Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness (ILOE), UVI. On January 25 -26, 2016. 13 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Randall, A. edited and published a book of legal documents and poems authored by prisoner, Robert Rubino, entitled “With Liberty and Justice for None” (Amazon Creative Space Press, 2016).  Gillian, R. completed her first film script, “Preciosa”, and it will be shot by director Peter Sagnia in St. Croix in mid-May 2016.  Caruso, T. participated in the recent Black History month poster presentation on February 26, 2016 as a poster judge.  Combie, V. was invited by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, sponsored by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, to participate in judging the 2016 Scholastic Awards during March 1-21 for the Novel Writing category. This activity will help to “recognize the most talented young writers from across the nation.”  Cooper, V. was invited to participate in a discussion panel on TV-WTJX for the week February 10- 14, 2016. Other panelists included high school students, and community activists. The Topic: Black Lives Matter.  Rossignol, R. was interviewed and quoted in the Newsweek article, “When did Valentine’s Day First Become a Celebration of Romance?” by Dipo Faloyin, February 9, 2016, as an authority on the poet Geoffrey Chaucer.  Nicholls, R. presented at the “Second Biennial Conference on Music and the Arts” on Wednesday March 23 on the UVI St. Thomas Campus. His paper was entitled “The influence of speech reproducing instruments on melody lines in the music of the Igede of Nigeria.”  Wilder, M. Jo. “Book Review” Rev. of “Santimanitay” by Nathalie Taghaboni. Commess UP, 2013. The Caribbean Writer.  Berg-Weger, M. “Social Work and Social Welfare — an Invitation”. 2016. New York: Routledge. Fourth Edition. Reviewer comment by Francis, E.A. on back page. PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS ACCEPTED  Godfrey, R.W., Weis, A.J. 2016. “Effect of Weaning Age on Hair Sheep Lamb and Ewe Production Traits in an Accelerated Lambing System in the Tropics.” J. Anim. Sci. 94:1250-1254. doi:10.2527/jas2015-9987.  Holstein, D.M., Smith, T.B., Vaz A.C., Paris C.B. “Modeling Vertical Coral Connectivity and Mesophotic Refugia.” Coral Reefs (2015) 1-15. 14 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Weinstein, D., Smith, T.B., Klaus J. “Habitat Heterogeneity Reflected in Mesophotic Reef Sediments.” Sedimentary Geology. 329 (2015). 177-187.  Montes, E., Muller-Karger, F., Cianca, A., Lomas, M. W., Lorenzoni, L., Habtes, S. “Decadal Variability in the Oxygen Inventory of North Atlantic Subtropical Underwater Captured by Sustained, Long-term Oceanographic Time-series Observations.” Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Accepted 2/15/2016  Brandtneris, V.W., Brandt, M.E., Glynn, P.W., Gyory, J., Smith, T.B. (2016) “Seasonal Variability in Energy Content is Greater in Mesophotic Corals.” PLoS ONE 11(4):e0151953  Smith, T.B., Holstein, D.M. Chapter 3.4 Mesophotic ecosystems examined – The United States Virgin Islands, USA. In Baker EK, Puglise KA, Harris PT (Eds.). “Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems – A Lifeboat for Coral Reefs?” The United Nations Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal, Nairobi and Arendal. www.unep.org, www.grida.no  Holstein, D.M., Smith, T.B., Appeldoorn R Chapter 5. Ecosystem Services Provided by Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems. Baker EK, Puglise KA, Harris PT (Eds.). Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems – A Lifeboat for Coral Reefs? The United Nations Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal, Nairobi and Arendal. www.unep.org, www.grida.no  Holstein, D.M., Smith, T.B., Paris, C.B. (2016) “Depth-independent Reproduction in the Reef Coral Porites Astreoides from Shallow to Mesophotic Zones.” PLoS ONE 11:e0146068  Serrano, X.M., Baums, I.B., Smith, T.B., Jones, R.J., Shearer, T.L., Baker, A.C. (2016) “Long-distance Dispersal and Vertical Gene Flow in the Caribbean Brooding Coral Porites astreoides.” Scientific Reports 6:21619  Smith, T.B., Gyory, J., Brandt, M.E., Miller, W.J., Jossart, J., Nemeth, R.S. (2016) “Caribbean Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems are unlikely Climate Change Refugia.” Global Change Biology DOI:10.1111/gcb.13175  Xu, Y., Richlen, M, Liefer, J., Robertson, A., Kulis, D., Smith, T.B., Parsons, M., Anderson, D. 2016 “Influence of Environmental Variables on Gambierdiscus spp. (Dinophyceae) Growth and Distribution.” PLoS ONE 11(4): e0153197  Adams,  J. "Family Reunion." Vending Machine Press 14 (Mar. 2016). Web.  Coaplen, C. “To the Dainty,” VOLT. Spring 2016. Poem. 15 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Combie, V. Preface to Griffith, Denis.  “The Changing Face of School Administration in the 21st  Century with Special Reference to the U. S. Virgin Islands.”  USA:  Morris Publishing, 2015.  Print.  Combie, V.  ”Memories/Recuerdos”.  Trans. Christopher C. Combie.  Ringgold, GA: Aspect Books.  2016. Print.  Hernandez, A. "La Pluralisation du Verbe Impersonel Haber dans l'Espagnol des Caraïbes et de l'Amérique Latine Continentale" was accepted for publication in the institutional journal Western Papers in Linguistics/Cahiers Linguistiques de Western.   Guthrie, M. “For Your Consideration: A Review of Works by Robert A. Heinlein, and Their Eligibility for 2016’s Retro Hugo Awards.” The Heinlein Society Newsletter. 17 February 2016.Web. http://www.heinleinsociety.org/2016/02/rah-retro-hugo-2016/.  Guthrie, M. “Robert A. Heinlein: The Campbell Collaboration.” Popular and American Culture Association’s Annual Conference. Seattle, WA March 22-25, 2016. Paper Presentation.  Nicholls, R. "Old World Influences on Afro-Creole Masquerades in the Eastern Caribbean." Nicholas Faraclas, et al. Envisioning the Greater Caribbean: Transgressing Geographical and Disciplinary Boundaries, Vol. 2. FP & University of Curacao Press, 2015.  Nicholls, R. “What Would They Know about Green Onions? Musical Lifestyles of 1960’s London Mods.” Popular Music History 9, 2. n.d. Print.  Gabriel, N.C., Sloand, E., Gary, F., Hassan, M., Bertrand, D.R., Campbell, J. "The Women, They Maltreat Them… Therefore, We Cannot Assure that the Future Society will be Good": Male Perspectives on Gender-based Violence: A Focus Group Study with Young Men in Haiti.” Health Care Women Int. 2015 Sep 11; PubMed PMID: 26361648. [This is a publication from researchers at the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center].  Aasi, J., Abbott, B. P., Abbott, R. Gendre, B. et al. “Search of the Orion Spur for Continuous Gravitational Waves Using a Loosely Coherent Algorithm on Data from LIGO Interferometers.” Physical Review D 93.4 (2016): 2006A. Print. 2016PhRvD..93d2006A  Abbott, B.P., Abbott, R., Abbott, T.D., Gendre, B. et al. “Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger.” Physical Review Letters, 116.6 (2016): 1102. Print. 2016PhRvL.116f1102A 16 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Abbott, B.P., Abbott, R., Abbott, T.D., Gendre, B. et al. “All-sky Search for Long- duration Gravitational Wave Transients with Initial LIGO.” Physical Review D 93.4 (2016). Print. 2016PhRvD..93d2005A  Abbott, B.P., Abbott, R., Abbott, T.D., Gendre, B. et al. “Prospects for Observing and Localizing Gravitational-Wave Transients with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo.” Living Reviews in Relativity 19.1 (2016): 1A. Print. 2016LRR....19....1A  Abbott, B.P., Abbott, R., Abbott, T.D., Gendre, B. et al. “Astrophysical Implications of the Binary Black Hole Merger GW150914.” The Astrophysical Journal Letters 818.2 (2016). Print. 2016ApJ...818L..22A  Bardho, O., Gendre, B., Rossi, A. et al. GRB 141221A: “Gone is the Wind. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society” (2016 in press).  Bos, Arthur, R., Cruz-Rivera, E., Sanad, A. "Herbivorous Fishes Siganus rivulatus (Siganidae) and Zebrasoma desjardinii (Acanthuridae) Feed on Ctenophora and Scyphozoa in the Red Sea." Marine Biodiversity (2016). DOI: 10.1007/s12526-016- 0454-9 Online.  Gurnani, N., Gupta, M., Shrivastava, R., Mehta, D., Mehta, B.K. “Effect of Extraction Methods on Yield, Phytochemical Constituents, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Capsicum Frutescens L.” Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 7.1 (2016): 32-39. Print.  Groner, M., Maynard, J., Breyta, R., Carnegie, R., Dobson, A., Friedman, C., Froelich, B., Garren, M., Gulland, F., Heron, S., Noble, R., Revie, C., Shields, J., Vanderstichel, R., Weil, E., Wyllie-Echeverria, S., Harvell, C. “Managing marine disease emergencies in an era of rapid change.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 371.20150364 (2016). Online.  Martin, D., Chiari, Y., Boone, E., Sherman, T., Ross, C., Wyllie-Echeverria, S., Gaydos, J., Boettcher, A. “Functional, Phylogenetic and Host-Geographic Signatures of Labyrinthula spp. Provide for Putative Species Delimitation and a Global-Scale View of Seagrass Wasting Disease.” Estuaries and Coasts (2016) DOI 10.1007/s12237-016-0087- z. Online.  Platenberg, R. “Night Flyers: Bats: the Amazing and Misunderstood Mammal.” Destinations Magazine Spring 2016.  Talbot, S., Sage, G., Rearick, J., Fowler, M., Muñiz-Salazar, R., Baibak, B., Wyllie- Echeverria, S., Cabello-Pasini, A., Ward, D. “The Structure of Genetic Diversity in Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Along the North Pacific and Bering Sea Coasts of Alaska.” PLoS ONE (2016) DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0152701. Online. 17 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President OTHER ACTIVITIES  A “pop-up” class was created and taught to UVI students by Dr. Timothy Faley, Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship. The non-credit workshop on 3D Printing and 3D Design was offered twice on the St. Thomas campus (April 1 and 2) and twice on the Albert A. Sheen Campus (April 8 and 9). The courses were taught in and utilized the equipment in the new Innovation Centers. Nearly 60 students have now been trained on both campuses. GRANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS FUNDED  Runyon, C.J., Brandt, M.E., Smith, T.B., Ali, A., Ortiz, J. “Using NASA's Ocean Color Sensors to Identify Effects of Watershed Development and Climate Change on Coastal Marine Ecosystems of the US Virgin Islands.” Grant Number: NNX15AM74A $748,026 total 380,000 UVI portion.  Smith, T.B., Holstein, D.M. “Synthesizing MPA Connectivity Networks in the U.S. Caribbean as a Tool to Strengthen Management.” US Office of the Interior. $72,513.  Nemeth, R. NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy (2015-2017) “Management of Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus) Spawning Aggregations in the US Caribbean Islands: What is the Most Effective Option for Stock Enhancement?” $400,000. Co-PI’s: R.S. Appeldoorn, M. Schärer from Univ. Puerto Rico.  Nemeth, R. NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy (2015-2017) “Sustainability and Recovery of Groupers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.” PI’s: R.S. Appeldoorn, M. Schärer from Univ. Puerto Rico. Total award $359,500, ($72,000 to UVI).  Nemeth, R. NOAA MARFIN (2015-2018) “Age, Growth, and Reproduction of Queen Triggerfish and Four Species of Parrotfish.” PI Virginia Shervette, University of South Carolina. Total award $476,000 ($171,000 to UVI).  Nemeth, R. NOAA Cooperative Fisheries Program (2015-2017) “Determination of Spawning Season and Size at Sexual Maturity for 13 Targeted Reef Fishes in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.” PI’s: Jeff Shields and John Hoenig, Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Total award $192,800, ($26,000 to UVI).  Jobsis, P. NOAA CariCOOS subaward from the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez one year subaward from UPR CariCOOS, $217,000.  Sikkel, P., Dolan, M., Grutter, A., Brandt, M.E. (contractor), Smith TB (contractor). RUI: “Beyond Cleaning Symbiosis: Ecology of "Ticks of the Sea" on Coral Reefs.” National Science Foundation. Starting 8/1/15. $929,369 total/$56,816 UVI. 18 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Sekou, M. (2016). March 1, 2016 – April 2017. “Capacity Building in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Increase Self Government and Constitutional Development.” Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, $250,000.  Morris, D. "Towards Real-Time Microclimate Monitoring in the US Virgin Islands: Optimizing Data Management to Maximize Scientific Production." Funded by the Water Resources Research Institute $20,000 for 2016.  The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) has reviewed and accepted Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) application as a 2016-2018 Developmental Monitoring within State Systems. Through this opportunity, AMCHP aims to support innovative states to increase parent-engaged developmental monitoring by promoting the adoption and integration of Learn the Signs Act Early (LTSAE) materials and training resources into programs and statewide systems that serve young children and their families Grantee. Dr. Karen Brown (Associate Director) will serve as the Project Lead and Ms. Shamika Thomas, (Program Coordinator) will serve as the Project Co-Lead. VIUCEDD will receive $10,000 per year for a term of two years. GLOBAL AFFAIRS  Dr. James Maddirala, Associate Provost for Global and Graduate Programs, and Dr. Stephen Reames, Dean of Business, represented UVI in India at the launching of UVI Professional Certificate Program in US Accountancy at the Adikavi Nannaya University (AKNU), Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India. The focus of the program is to prepare AKNU students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examinations by bridging the gap between International Financial Reporting Standards regulations and laws as taught at AKNU and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, US Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, US Tax Law, US Business Ethics, US Business Law and the US Business Environment and Concepts as practiced in the United States and taught at US institutions. Students who desire to be licensed or sit for the CPA exams must satisfy a 150-semester hour educational requirement. This program is specifically designed to satisfy this requirement for students from AKNU. While in India, meetings were held with the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh as part of the inauguration of UVI initiatives in India.  Dr. Maddirala and Ms. Tonge represented UVI as affiliate members at the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA) Board of Directors meeting in Bowling Green, KY. At the meeting CCSA Board of Directors unanimously approved UVI campuses – St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Maarten as possible sites for winter and summer study abroad programs. This gives an opportunity for UVI faculty to design two-week to four-week courses to attract students from CCSA member institutions, and UVI students to pursue study abroad opportunities at CCSA sites in Europe, South Africa, and Australia. 19 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President SIGNIFICANT INSTITUTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS UVI JOINS WHITE HOUSE STEM INITIATIVE As part of President Obama’s sixth and final White House Science Fair of his Administration, the University of the Virgin Islands was announced as part of the University Innovation Fellows program, a national initiative aimed at expanding the participation and retention of incoming first-year science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students. The program is run by the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a partnership between Stanford University and VentureWell. Since its inception, the program has trained more than 600 students from 200 universities nationally (six are UVI students). These student leaders create new opportunities that help their peers develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build creative confidence, define problems and address global challenges. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION GRADUATE PROGRAMS RECEIVE ACCREDITATION The Selected Improvement Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) met in early May and approved the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher’s Education (NCATE) accreditation application of our School of Education graduate degree offerings. NCATE accreditation is a nationally recognized standard of excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. When a school of education is NCATE accredited, it provides an assurance that the school's educator preparation program has met national standards set by the education field at large and has undergone rigorous external and impartial review by professionals, policymakers, and representatives of the public. NCATE accreditation affirms the quality of UVI’s education programs, graduates, faculty, and staff and our commitment to improving educator effectiveness. The next accreditation visit is scheduled for Fall 2020. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC) RECEIVES ACCREDITATION The Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (SBDC) received notice of accreditation by the American SBDC Accreditation Committee on April 5, 2016. The program will need to address several conditions over the next year, but is now fully accredited and eligible to participate in federal funding. The next scheduled review will be in the year 2020. Accreditation is important for the VI-SBDC and is essential for the national SBDC program to be recognized as a provider of high quality business education and advising that results in credible economic impact. 20 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President SCHOOL OF NURSING PROGRESS ON BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING CURRICULUM The School of Nursing achieved one of its major goals for 2014-15 when the faculty of the school approved the revised generic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program curriculum, which was subsequently approved by the UVI Curriculum Committee. The revised curriculum was forwarded to the Virgin Islands Board for Nurse Licensure for their approval in December 2015. The new curriculum was developed with input from stakeholders in the Territory, including faculty members, students, alumni and community partners. The new curriculum will be implemented in Fall 2016. Meanwhile, transition paradigms have been developed for all student cohorts currently enrolled in the BSN program for use in Spring 2016. 2016 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES The University of the Virgin Islands awarded nearly 300 degrees at the 52nd annual Commencement Ceremonies on May 12 and 13, on the St. Thomas Campus and the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, respectively. Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles – distinguished scholar, international historian, sports, culture and arts advocate, and Caribbean leader – was this year’s commencement keynote speaker and received an honorary doctorate. Renowned educator, author and cultural icon – Ruth Moolenaar, of St. Thomas – and outstanding author and poet, culture advocate and historian – Richard A. Schrader, Sr. of St. Croix, also received honorary doctorates. At the St. Croix ceremony, several key announcements were made by Governor Kenneth Mapp: o The University has consistently advocated for a multipurpose facility on our St. Croix campus to house indoor sporting activities and other events including the University’s commencement exercise and the Man Up male empowerment conference. Governor Kenneth Mapp announced that he will be sending to the Legislature for approval a capital projects budget to include the construction of a $25 million multipurpose sports complex on the grounds of the Albert A. Sheen Campus that will be accessible to UVI and the public. o As employees in the central government are being afforded salary increases, the University also sought funding to support salary adjustments for its employees. Governor Kenneth Mapp approved the University’s funding request for fiscal year 2016- 2017 in the sum of $1,200,000, which approximates to a 3% increase in salaries. The University is grateful to the Governor for both announcements and his continued support. 21 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President THE 2ND ANNUAL VIRGIN ISLANDS LITERARY FESTIVAL AND BOOK FAIR (VI LitFest) The 2nd Annual Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair (VI LitFest) was held April 20- 23 on our Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix with events highlighting and celebrating literature’s role in culture and society. The event was impressive and well-attended. New York Times bestselling author and Virgin Islander Tobias Buckell was a featured participant. Other highlighted guests included authors Elizabeth Nunez and Sir Earl Lovelace. Talks, workshops and panel discussions, as well as book sales and signings, took place on the Albert A. Sheen Campus. Other topics discussed at events held across campus included the challenges of writing translations, song lyrics and poetry as a vehicle for social change, and contemporary Caribbean playwriting. There were several other events held throughout the island including the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts second annual “Book Bacchanal,” an open mic night, musical performances, and a visual art exhibit, “Invisible Heritage: Identity, Memory and Our Town,” with a panel discussion featuring preservationists working in both the historical record and the creative arts. The LitFest also celebrated 30 years of UVI’s The Caribbean Writer. The purpose of the LitFest is to engage the Virgin Islands community with reading, writing, imaginative ideas and issues by conducting an annual literary festival and book fair with the aim of attracting accomplished and emerging writers and other related artists from the local, regional, national and international sphere. The fair also seeks to explore the digital divide in ways that can promote writing, love of literature and other creative expressions. Last year, the University hosted the inaugural LitFest through our College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (CLASS). This year the LitFest was spearheaded by the Office of the Governor by former CLASS Dean Dr. Simon Jones-Hendrickson with key leadership support from UVI’s CLASS faculty and the University serving as a co-sponsor. UVI JOINS NEW INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS LEAGUE UVI was recently selected to be a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), effective July 1, 2016. The announcement was made in April at the conclusion of the 75th Annual Convention of NAIA Council of Presidents. UVI applied for NAIA membership because of the challenges we have faced as a member of the LAI (Liga Atletica Interuniversitaria) Intercollegiate Athletic League of Puerto Rico. We are excited about this new opportunity with NAIA and the prospects of enhancing our athletics program and gaining more national exposure. The NAIA began in 1937 with a men's basketball tournament in Kansas City, MO that has become the longest running event in college basketball. Out of the tournament grew the NAIA, an association that has been an innovative leader. The NAIA is also the first collegiate athletics association to invite Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) into membership and the first to sponsor both men’s and women’s national championships. Today, the league includes 65,000 student-athletes, 25 national championships, more than 250 colleges and universities, 21 conferences and $500 million in athletic scholarships. 22 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT TO INCREASE SELF- GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDED TO UVI The U.S. Department of Interior awarded a technical assistance grant in the amount of $250,000 to establish an Office of Self-Determination and Constitutional Development at the University of the Virgin Islands. The Project is a capacity building initiative that seeks to provide broad base education to the entire Virgin Islands society as it commemorates its evolution as a US Territory. This proposal lasts for a year and began in March 2016 and ends in April 2017 to coincide with the Centennial Commemoration of the Transfer of the Virgin Islands from Danish Colonial Rule to US Territorial Status. The project will be established at UVI and will continue the University’s tradition of providing meaningful input and public and civic education to the Virgin Islands people. The project will also work with the Centennial Commemoration Commission and other stakeholders that are addressing the evolution of self-determination during the US Territorial era. By virtue of the commemorations, this opportunity emerges at an appropriate time in Virgin Islands history to provide greater public information and awareness to our political growth, constitutional development, and political status. Professor Malik Sekou is the principal investigator for this grant. 42ND EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS CEREMONY UVI celebrated this past April its 42nd Service Awards Ceremony recognizing employee milestones and retirees. The Service Awards Program is our way of thanking our employees who are the true heroes and heroines of UVI. The event featured keynote speaker Senator Tregenza Roach. Senator Roach stressed the importance of UVI creating a “beloved community” where even when we have challenging tasks and disagreements, we can still operate with kindness and love. The ceremonies have become a hallmark which both employees and visitors enjoy. 5TH ANNUAL UVI RESEARCH DAY The Office of Research and Public Service and the Eastern Caribbean Center hosted the 5th Annual UVI Research Day in April on both campuses. Research Day provides UVI students, faculty and staff with the opportunity to showcase their research, all of which highlights diverse topics that impact the community. The event included an impressive display of projects, posters and experiments. Roundtable topics included Racial Profiling, Marine Disease Management, Effective Social Media Use in the VI, Sexual Selection and its Relation to Isolative Reproduction in Three-spine Stickleback, Racism: “Where Do We Go from Here?”, Mathematical Modeling of Water Quality, Safe-sexting, and An Analysis on High School Music Students coming to UVI. 23 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President Research Day has become one of the cornerstones of our University's community outreach. It is a special opportunity to showcase the important and cutting edge research of our students and faculty being conducted at UVI and the significance of this research to the educational, environmental, and economic health of the Territory. Research Day also included students from the local high schools. The event featured over 100 presentations, demonstrations and roundtable discussions. VI-EPSCoR ANNUAL CONFERENCE The Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR) hosted its annual conference in April with a theme of “Understanding Our Sea, Our World.” UVI is pleased to be the home of the VI-EPSCoR program. VI-EPSCoR promotes the development of the Territory’s science and technology resources through multi-disciplinary research and educational programs. It achieves these goals by supporting research in areas of scientific inquiry linked to the Territory’s economic development. The annual VI-EPSCoR conference showcased cutting-edge research on coral reefs, oceanography and watersheds and brought together an impressive list of leaders in science and education research. Through funding from the National Science Foundation, VI-EPSCoR has transformed UVI into a world class marine and terrestrial research center. This enables UVI to conduct state-of-the-art research that places the institution in the national and international research arena among the brightest and the best. As we start to experience the impacts of global climate change within our shores, VI-EPSCoR will play a critical role in providing the knowledge base required for sustainable use and protection of our fragile ecosystem. The VI-EPSCoR conference also attracted new research partners to the Territory, who bring with them not only their research dollars, but also contribute to our knowledge and technological expertise. UVI OPENS AUTISM RESEARCH CENTER The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) hosted its 9th Annual Autism Conference as well as the grand opening of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (ADDRC) in St. Croix on April 15. The ADDRC is a research, training and technical assistance center that focuses on early screening and detection of developmental disabilities. It provides the best practices for early intervention, treatment, language development and the development of adaptive behaviors in infants and toddlers, aged zero-five. The ADDRC will provide a variety of services and the opportunity for the center to work with children in the Virgin Islands to generate research and publish its findings. The center will also provide training space for parents and professionals to learn how to work with their children who may have developmental delays. The ADDRC will also serve as a credentialing resource that provides Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training. The RBT credential will enhance practitioners work with children and will be useful not only in the Virgin Islands and U.S. 24 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President mainland, but around the world. The RBT credential signifies a higher standard of service. RBTs are better trained and more qualified and reputable than therapists without the credential. The ADDRC has partnered with the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Island Therapy Solutions, which is a local clinic that will be a key partner to help with screening, assessment and treatment. MAN UP 2016 FEATURES DYNAMIC LOCAL SPEAKERS UVI hosted its sixth annual Man Up Male Empowerment Conference on April 5 and 6, on St. Thomas and on April 7, on St. Croix with the theme “Man Up: All IN – INcluded, INvolved, INspired.” This year’s Man Up Conference showcased a new format as a result of a deeper collaboration with the V.I. Department of Education. On St. Thomas, young males in junior high and middle school met at the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School on the first day. On the second day, high school level male students met at Charlotte Amalie High School. Young men attending the conference were also able to meet in smaller group sessions with community leaders and male role models serving as facilitators. These group sessions provided students with an opportunity for their voices to be heard. The venue on St. Croix for the Man Up conference remained on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on the campus grounds. This year’s conference featured local speakers for the first time who were dynamic and engaging. Sherman A. Browne, founder and chief empowerment officer of AIMHigh International, LLC, served as the keynote speaker on St. Thomas. Former Labor Commissioner and entrepreneur Albert Bryan, Jr., served as the keynote speaker on St. Croix. Man Up is an initiative of UVI’s Brothers with a Cause student organization, which is aimed at motivating young male students to pursue a college education and make better life decisions for their future. TMCF CEO KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR UVI’S 54TH CHARTER DAY PROGRAM For the past 54 years, UVI has been a staple of excellence as the only nationally accredited and comprehensive degree-granting institution in the Virgin Islands. UVI is also the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) outside of the continental U.S. UVI commemorated the 54th anniversary of its charter on March 18 with an official Charter Day program featuring keynote speaker Johnny C. Taylor, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). TMCF is the only national organization representing nearly 300,000 students attending publicly-supported HBCUs. TMCF is named for the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African American Justice, Thurgood Marshall. The organization helps students acquire a high-quality college education at an affordable cost; develops leaders of tomorrow; and, connects high-performing students with top tier employment opportunities. UVI has maintained a fruitful partnership with TMCF for many years, which continues to benefit UVI students. 25 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President The Charter Day ceremony was touted as the best ceremony thus far. Johnny Taylor was a dynamic and powerful speaker who is the voice and most eloquent advocate for the purpose and triumph of public HBCUs. Unlike past ceremonies, the ceremony featured significant student involvement and TMCF student ambassadors Patrice Harris and Zoe Walker who both delivered riveting remarks. A special highlight of the ceremony was a performance by the Steve Turre Quintet, which included percussionist Dion Parson who is currently an artist in residence at UVI. The dynamic performance, which featured solos on trombone, trumpet, keyboards, drums and stand-up bass, climaxed with Turre’s signature conch shell performance in which he juggled shells of varying sizes, playing them with the same dexterity that he would apply to any traditional horn. The ceremony was a treat for everyone in attendance and showcased UVI pride and excellence. Charter Day activities also included the 15th Annual Queen Mary 5K Walk/Run – “Celebrating Each Step, At a Steady Pace” – from the Sunshine Mall to the Albert A. Sheen Campus. UVI PRIDE WEEK UVI celebrated University Pride in the month of its charter, from March 18-30. Staff, alumni and students showcased their Buccaneer spirit with various sporting and other events and competitions on campus and online. Individuals were encouraged to wear the school colors, blue and white. The University also invited members of its community to share memories and stories about UVI on social media, using the hashtag #UVIPRIDE. UVI Pride is also a way to expose high school students in the Territory to academic and extracurricular programs at the University. On St. Thomas, UVI Pride Rallies were held at Charlotte Amalie High School and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. On St. Croix, UVI Pride Rallies were held at St. Croix Central High and at the St. Croix Educational. The Pride celebrations included the schools’ marching bands, announcements of early scholarship recipients, alumni engagement, UVI admissions and various schools and colleges making presentations, UVI Dance Team and much more. The events were exciting and well-attended by the high school students and administrators. 2016 AFTERNOON ON THE GREEN UVI celebrated its 27th Annual Afternoon on the Green (AOG) with a focus on international cuisine and global peace on March 20 on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course of the St. Thomas Campus. The theme for this year was “International Peace is the Scene, Afternoon on the Green 2016.” This year’s theme of peace was chosen to highlight UVI’s status as a global institution of higher learning. The AOG event is a “friendraiser” and a major UVI fundraiser that raises scholarships to help needy students. AOG is becoming increasingly popular in the community and featured a significantly larger crowd compared to previous years. Each year thousands of residents spend their Sunday afternoon at UVI, milling around the golf course to enjoy a large food tent filled with dozens of mouthwatering dishes, a vibrant children’s play area, lively 26 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President entertainment stage, an informative academic tent and much more. Along with the food, entertainment from local performers is one of the highlights of the event. MEDICAL SCHOOL FACILITIES GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES The University held groundbreaking ceremonies to commemorate the start of the construction of its UVI School of Medicine (UVISOM) medical facilities. The groundbreaking ceremonies for the Medical School Classroom Building on the St. Thomas Campus and the Medical School Simulation Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix were held on March 2-3, 2016, respectively. Medical, academic and Virgin Islands community leaders donned hardhats and held shovels to commemorate the start of construction for the UVISOM, but also took turns pounding a stake in the ground, to symbolize the faith and commitment that UVI has placed in the fertile soil and soul of the University. FirstBank announced at the groundbreaking the development of the FirstBank Cares Scholarship Fund for local students. The fund will award a $32,000 scholarship for one year of full-time study with the option of renewal for $128,000 over a four year period. The University plans to resubmit its accreditation application to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in July 2016. If successful, the UVISOM will be the first accredited medical school in the English speaking Caribbean and the first new Historically Black College and University (HBCU) medical school in over three decades. The vision of the UVISOM is to improve the health care of the people of the Territory and wider Caribbean community and to address pressing national and international health issues in support of the global community. The groundbreaking ceremonies served as an important stage in the development of this transformative project. The ceremonies were well-attended by Virgin Islands leaders, UVI administrators, faculty, staff and the medical community and received significant media coverage. 27 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President PART II: PATHWAYS TO GREATNESS INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES AREA OF FOCUS #1: ACADEMIC QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE  The Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, in the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), has approved a new program, the Bachelor of Science in Physics with Astrophysics Authentic Research Experience (PAARE), which is under review by the Curriculum Committee. This is a 4-year degree program for students who wish to specialize in physics and/or astronomy and who may intend to pursue graduate studies. The degree is sufficiently general that students choosing to continue their graduate studies may do so in any field of physics. The B.S. PAARE program capitalizes on the unique opportunity provided by UVI’s Virgin Islands Robotic Telescope (VIRT) at Etelman Observatory and our X-ray detector research partnership with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA- GSFC) to provide UVI students with a quality academic program in physics with authentic research experience in the subfield of astrophysics. The program includes the development of ten new courses. Program development is being supported by funding from the US Department of Energy through NASA.  The Department of Computer and Computational Sciences has developed a new minor in Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics that has been approved by the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), which is now in review by the Curriculum Committee. This program introduces students to essential knowledge, skills and abilities for protecting critical infrastructure and information. Students will learn relevant issues, technologies and principles related to cybersecurity and computer forensics required by high-demand jobs such as computer security incident responder, disaster recovery analyst, forensics expert, information assurance analyst, intrusion detection specialist and network security engineer.  The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences has approved a new Certificate Program in Broadcast Communication. The program has also been approved by the Curriculum Committee and is under review by the faculty. It is an 18 credit program that offers prospective students both in the Virgin Islands and through National Student Exchange the opportunity to develop career skills in the field of broadcasting. Broadcasting is a career field that may not require all the skills of a Bachelor’s degree, yet requires training only available at a university. The certificate gives undergraduates an opportunity to perfect skills in mass media. They acquire skills with verbal delivery of information, management of a real-time on-air operation and pre-planning a time-critical live performance. It is a remarkable skillset to bring to any other career in addition to opening doors to careers in broadcasting. 28 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  Librarians in Information & Technology Services (ITS) collaborated with The Caribbean Writer to digitize historical volumes of the publication, to support the 30th Anniversary Writing Project. The collection launched with invited speakers and scholars and was held during National Library Week, April 13, 2016.  At the US Agriculture Information (USAIN) Network conference, April 24-27, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, librarians in Information & Technology Services (ITS) reported outcomes of the Agricultural Print Resources Preservation Project. The joint project between UVI and University of Florida Libraries resulted in a comprehensive bibliography of 1,480 UVI agriculture and land grant resources now available for research through the Digital Library of the Caribbean. Further outcome of the project is an invitation for UVI to host the 2020 USAIN conference.  The Middle States Commission on Higher Education Re-affirmation of Accreditation process is on schedule as per the Greatness By Design Timeline. Drafts of each standard subcommittee’s report were submitted to the co-chairs for feedback. A town hall meeting was held during the University’s Charter Week, informing the community of the accreditation process thus far. A presentation was also made to the UVI Staff Council. AREA OF FOCUS #2: STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESS  The Information & Technology Services (ITS) worked with Education Advisory Board (EAB) on the setup and configuration of the Student Success Collaborative (SSC) initiative at UVI. Data from our internal Banner system was sent to EAB’s central site for analysis and reporting. SSC is working with the University to compile and leverage historical data to uncover insight into the individual and systemic factors driving student attrition to improve student outcomes.  In support of the University’s recruitment goals, the Office for Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions had 31 new student outreach and recruitment activities between January and March, including college fairs, UVI Pride celebrations, and a Financial Aid Night. Due to focused work in Access and Enrollment Services, new freshman acceptances are up 71% over the same point of time last year (1063 vs. 601). The focus on acceptances continues, and more emphasis is now being given to converting acceptances to enrolled applicants. At the graduate level, acceptances are at the same as last year (28), but this will increase with the new PhD program acceptances. On April 4, 2016, as part of the Graduate Program recruitment efforts, the Office for Global and Graduate Studies organized Panel Discussions of UVI Graduate Programs highlighting the UVI PhD in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change. This event engaged over 130 potential students. There are currently 50+ applicants for the PhD program. The Master in Marine and Environmental Sciences program received 25 applicants (equal to last year’s pool). The average GPA 29 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President and GRE scores were higher (3.4 vs. 3.1 for GPA). Thus, the program is attracting a strong group of applicants. AREA OF FOCUS #3: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GLOBALIZATION  A Racial Profiling forum was held on St. Thomas in March to discuss whether racial profiling is a problem in the Caribbean. The panelists discussed the impact that race, religion, ethnicity, and national origin has on racial profiling. The featured panelists included Dr. Malik Sekou, Jamaal Carroll, Professor William Curtis, and Dr. Chenzira Kahina-Davis. The event was also video conferenced to St. Croix. A total of 70 individuals participated. This event was a collaboration between the Counseling and Career Services Offices, the Psychology Student Association, and the HIV and Substance Abuse Prevention Program.  The VI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Service Centers reached 1,200 clients by participating in several events: (Bordeaux Agricultural and Cultural Food Fair on January 16-17; 2016; VI Agricultural and Food Fair from February 13-15; “Black History Month: The Innovative Future by You” on February 29; Afternoon on the Green 2016 on March 20. The unit also partnered with WUVI’s radio program “What’s Happening” to promote tax training workshops to farmers on March 9 and attended the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce event “Business After Hours” hosted by ProSolar on March 10. )  The VI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) also reached 325 clients by conducting training seminars to the small business community in collaboration with the Small Business Administration (SBA), Faculty in the School of Business (Dr. Timothy Faley and Dr. Paul Fleming), Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue, USDA Farm Service Agency, TIA and Associates, Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement, Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget (Federal Grants Management Unit), Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (Economic Development Bank (Ms. Monique Samuel)), and Virgin Islands National Guard (Major Geraldine P. Vaval). The Center delivered 15 different training seminars between January and March.  St. Thomas VI Marine Advisory Service Coordinator, Howard Forbes Jr., has developed a new summer program for local junior high and high school students interested in marine science. This new four-week summer program, Youth Ocean Explorers, grew out of the successful Coral Reef Discovery Week summer program that the Center for Marine and Environmental Science (CMES) has supported over the past four years. Mr. Forbes has been very successful in obtaining donations to help support this new program and to keep the costs low for student participants. We have several students who attended Coral Reef Discovery Week now enrolled in UVI marine science programs. We foresee the success of Youth Ocean Explorers Camp will further enrich 30 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President the pipeline of VI students into the marine science at UVI.  The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Public Service and the Eastern Caribbean Center collaborated and signed an agreement in February for $58,600 with the Department of Education to conduct a Special Education Parent Satisfaction Survey. The first product has been delivered to the Office of Special Education. The partnership also published the 2013 Virgin Islands Community Survey that updated the 2010 VI Census of Population and Housing.  Etelman Observatory held two public outreach events that were attended by over 400 people to learn about UVI's astronomy and astrophysics projects and collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  Students in the Fundamentals of Income Tax (ACC 315) course volunteered on Saturday mornings at the Internal Revenue Bureau (IRB) to prepare taxes for the disabled and other persons needing income tax preparation assistance. Our students successfully completed this program and received certificates of completion from the IRB.  Department Chair of Communications, Dr. Alexander Randall, hosted the 11th Annual Water Island Music Festival (January 2016) with nine musicians presenting over three evenings. The entire festival aired live on student radio station, WUVI-FM. The Water Island Music Festival continued on March 18 with a live performance by jazz musicians Jacqui Naylor and Art Kuh, which was also carried live on WUVI-FM.  The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) held its 9th Annual conference on Autism on April 14th in St. Croix and April 18th in St. Thomas. Dr. Jennifer Zarcone, Senior Behavior Analyst on the Neurobehavioral Unit in Behavioral Psychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, served as the keynote speaker. Dr. Karen Brown and Dr. Kimberly Mills, VIUCEDD Associate Directors, also served as presenters at these sessions. There were 123 and 95 persons in attendance on St. Croix and St. Thomas, respectively.  HARAMBEE, the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) magazine Spring semester edition, Volume 7, was in circulation during the month of April 2016. About 300 copies were distributed at the Autism Conference and about 1,000 copies were distributed electronically.  Dr. Lorna Young Wright, Professor of Music, organized the Second Biennial Conference on Music and the Arts "The Social Construct of the Space – Time Continuum in the Context of Music and the Arts,” held at UVI March 22-24, 2016. 31 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  The Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Public Service collaborated with the Eastern Caribbean Center to conduct an international health survey for Saint Martin/Sint Maarten that serves as a follow-up to the 1999 National Health Study that was carried out in Dutch St. Maarten. The first preliminary report was delivered in February.  The Office of Alumni Giving continued the institution’s philanthropy efforts through the strengthening of the alumni campaign. A total of eleven (11) campaigns were planned and successfully launched during this period: Donnie McClurkin, AgriFest 2016, ICMC Jazz in the Park (STT), Class of $20.16 Challenge, Afternoon on the Green Alumni Express Line, My UVI Family Tree, Why UVI? Alumni Essay Contest and UVI Pride Week Alumni Recognition at CAHS, CHS, IEKHS, and SCEC. Over 1,000 face-to-face contacts were established and over 7,000 alumni received email blasts.  During the reporting period, the Public Relations Office distributed national stories that resulted in approximately 433 national news mentions. Other highlighted efforts include: o News clippings – 308 o UVI News Releases - 29 o UVI Media Alerts (inviting event coverage) – 10 o UVI Bulletin Board – each includes multiple items –13 o UVI Today... blog entries (photos/stories) – 5  The UVI website continues to grow with the inclusion of several new pages. There continues to be an uptick in website traffic. The UVI website received 668,194 page views by 88,262 unique visitors between January 1, 2016 and March 30, 2016. The registration and class schedules webpage received the most traffic with 18,895 hits; the average person spent 4 minutes and 43 seconds on the webpage viewing our registration guidelines and selecting Summer & Fall 2016 courses.  UVI has received an increase in the number of likes/and or followers on all our social media platforms for the reporting period as highlighted below: Social Media Likes or Followers Percentage Increase Facebook 3,444 7.4 % Twitter 1,079 7.9% Instagram 545 14.2% Linked In 1,200 3.4%  The Reichhold Center for the Arts had an unprecedented 37th Season with three sold-out shows: (R&B sensation Keith Sweat and Sisters With Voices (SWV) in January; gospel sensation Donnie McClurkin in February and reggae star Shaggy in May.) 32 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President AREA OF FOCUS # 4: MODERN AND SAFE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT  The Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI- EPSCoR) supported infrastructure improvements at the Center for Marine and Environmental Science (CMES) that will make a significant difference in the type of research that can be conducted at UVI. o The largest infrastructure improvement at CMES has been the removal of the old dock and the construction of the new dock and boat ramp which began in February 2016. Seven years in the planning, this project has been slowed by funding and permitting delays. An increased effort to get the permits and funding in place allowed the construction contract to be signed. The new dock will be a huge improvement for the University’s marine science program. At nearly twice the length of the old dock, the new dock will allow larger boats to work out of the MacLean Marine Science Center (MMSC), increasing our capacity to do large scale research. Once the boat ramp is completed, it will allow CMES to move boats easily in and out of the water, greatly increasing the flexibility of our research and give us the ability to prepare for major storms. The completion of the dock and boat ramp is scheduled for July 2016 at a projected cost of approximately $850,000. o The second significant infrastructure project is the replacement of the failing septic systems at the CMES subunit, the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS) on St John. These state-of-the-art water reclaiming waste water systems will greatly improve the waste handling system at VIERS, reduce the water requirements at VIERS, increase the number of guests the camp can service and reduce or eliminate the cost of sewage pumping from this remote location. The VIERS wastewater system installations were completed in January of 2016 at a cost of $145,000.  The age of the lighting stage system at the Little Theatre on the St. Thomas Campus made it inoperable and obsolete. This project replaced the existing system with a Full Compass System which includes three Smart pack Dimmer Thrupk, two Smart link Button, a Smart fade ML, and all the other accessories to install the system. The system was installed by the Physical Plant Utilities Division who took the lead on the project.  The Physical Plant Department purchased the LED conversion kits for repairs and upgrade to the Administration and Conference Center Parking Lot lights system. This will allow for the continued operation of the Solar lighting and will guarantee years of future operation. The scheduled completion date is June 2016.  The integrity of the main roofs on the Residence Halls (South, Middle, and North) has been compromised resulting in water intrusion and potential structural damage of the 33 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President facilities. In addition to the actual roof area, there were major structural voids in the masonry and stone parapets of the buildings also resulting in water intrusion and the compromise of the structural integrity. This project addressed the repairs of the stone facade and the preparation and resealing of the roof areas and parapets.  Ongoing repairs at the Reichhold Center for the Arts will include the following: o Sidewalk and Driveway Repair: This project addresses the repair of a portion of the main driveway and sidewalk which has become a safety hazard for pedestrians and vehicles that traverse the area. The structural integrity of the concrete surface failed resulting in uneven surfaces and voids, rendering the area unsafe. The scope of work includes the removal of existing concrete from the site and the installation of 3500 PSI concrete in approximately 7,300 square foot area including the sidewalk. o Handrail Installation: The existing design and construction of the facility didn’t include safety handrails on the stairs and walkways of the facility. This project addressed the installation of aluminum hand rails on the entrance gate stairs as well as the stairs leading to the concession and the public restrooms. This will address the long-term safety issue for the patrons of the facility.  The access ramp to the Faculty West residential units has lost its structural integrity. The main wooden columns as well as the decking eroded because of the elements and time. This project will address the replacement of the main columns and supporting braces. It also replaces the wooden deck; all replacement lumber will be Pressure Treated to outstand termite infestation.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance training is being coordinated campus-wide through work with the applicable staff and faculty members. A “Lab-Safe” training protocol and Lab Safety exam have been developed for this purpose. Methods for tracking “Lab-Safe” training sessions are being implemented so training sessions can be properly documented and easily obtainable. Future training goals include the integration of a computer based system of Health and Safety training modules that will assure OSHA training requirements are met and will provide easy access by all for compliance assurance.  The redistribution of several properly functioning and expensive pieces of electronic equipment that are no longer needed as the print shop on the St. Thomas Campus is no longer in service. Not only is there substantial value that can be partially recaptured by the sale of this equipment, but also keeping these large items in service and out of the waste stream will save the University the expense incurred by proper disposal and shipping them off for recycling. Identification and assessment of abandoned chemicals in the old print shop was conducted and alternatives for redistribution of unused and unopened containers of print shop related chemicals is being evaluated. 34 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President  The Office of Compliance on the Albert A. Sheen Campus completed an assessment in April 2016. A compliance calendar was created to enhance systematic processes and overall unit efficiencies. The calendar covers deadlines for 1) certification and maintenance; 2) Disposals/Recycling; 3) Permits; 4) Safe Drinking Water Act; 5) OSHA annual requirements, and 6) Annual training requirements for employees. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) were also collected from the Agricultural and Experiment Station and the School of Nursing for all chemicals used and stored in the respective facilities in accordance with the OSHA Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. The compilation of SDS is being conducted to comply with the new regulations, effective June 2016. Seven additional units on the campus are in process of collecting the SDS and six additional units still need to be trained regarding the new regulations.  The St. Thomas Campus Security and Police Department accomplished the following during the reporting period: o Trainings/workshops attended - 12 officers attended a Sexual Assault training. All officers are now CPR certified. o Major events - Man Up Conferences off-campus o Acquired new Reporting and Daily Log Software  The employees and officers in the Security Department on the Albert A. Sheen Campus attended an 8-hour National Safety Council CPR Course on February 5 and 6, 2016. EMT Jacqueline Greenidge, a certified instructor for the Crème Training Center, taught the course to the department on campus. All attendees received a 3-year certificate for successful completion of the CPR course.  A security officer on the Albert A. Sheen Campus was admitted to the 6-month Peace Officer training with the VI Police Academy in February 2016. The security officer successfully completed a background check, a psychological evaluation and agility test. The training is anticipated to be completed in August 2016. Upon successful completion, the officer will become the first peace officer on the Albert A. Sheen Campus.  UVI’s Emergency Management Committee hosted an informational session about the Zika virus on February 12, 2016. Key speakers included Dr. Dan Baden from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA and Dr. Esther Ellis, the territorial epidemiologist, from the US Virgin Islands Department of Health. CDC anticipates further spread of the virus in the Territory. Though only one confirmed case was made at the time of the presentation, approximately 100 suspected cases were being tested. 35 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President AREA OF FOCUS #5: ORGANIZATIONAL AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT  The classification and compensation study as articulated in the FY 2015 President’s Goals is ongoing. Compdata Systems is managing the project on the vendor side. Job descriptions are currently begin updated and benchmarking should begin in the next few weeks with finalization towards the end of spring.  Campus Operations in collaboration with Student Activities held a UVI 100 Black Man March on February 25, 2016 on the Albert A. Sheen Campus in celebration of Black History Month. The march was organized to demonstrate the positive steps taken every day by many black males in the VI community. Participants in the march of approximately 50 individuals included the University President, Senators, Faculty, Students and Staff. The march started from the information kiosk on Palm Drive to the Melvin Evans Center theatre, where testimonials by UVI students were the highlights. The inspirational student speeches were posted on the VI Consortium website and each had over 6,000 views. AREA OF FOCUS #6: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH  New students now have the option of paying enrollment deposits online. This was an Access and Enrollment Services (ACES) initiative and the process is currently working in Banner Production with support from Information & Technology Services (ITS).  During Spring 2016, the Business Services Office on the Albert A. Sheen Campus increased utilization of email to communicate with students about their student accounts, including outstanding balances, purge dates and availability of refund checks. Approximately 575 emails, 300 for refund check distribution, 125 for outstanding balances and 150 for payment plans, were sent to students. The personalized messages enhanced management of student accounts. The email correspondence not only highlight critical semester deadlines but also assisted in adherence to federal regulations for timely distribution of refund checks.  The annual external audit is near completion with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) No. 68 testing remaining. The completion date has been extended to May 31, 2016.  As part of the JP Morgan Procurement Card Program, in April 2016 the University received its annual rebate in the amount of $14,664.29, which was based upon $2,447,381.49 in spend volume.  The University received a memorandum dated March 3, 2016, for the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Call Preparation from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with a deadline of March 22, 2016. Therefore, the University Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriation 36 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus President’s Report to the Board of Trustees Reporting Period: February 15, 2016 to May 20, 2016 Dr. David Hall, President Proposed Budget of $34,371,750 was prepared and submitted via email and hand- delivered to all key individuals to include the Office of the Governor, Office of Management and Budget and to the Legislature at Senator Clifford Graham’s office who serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee. The University’s Fiscal Year 2016 allotment ceiling level remains at $29,954,053. A monthly allotment of approximately $2,512,879.11 is being requested at the beginning of each month from the Department of Finance. As of April 15, 2016, the University received a total of $17,389,657.44 in allotments from the VI. Government for Fiscal Year 2016.  The Offices of Development and Public Relations developed a comprehensive promotional campaign for the UVI Buy-a-Brick program which generated 17 orders securing over $6,790 in funding during the second quarter of the inaugural year. The campus brick locations include the Reichhold Center, pathway between the Nursing building and West Hall on the St. Thomas Campus, and the walkway near the Delta M. Jackson Dorsch Complex on the Albert A. Sheen Campus. Over 11,221 emails were sent to constituents encouraging participation in the campaign. 37 Board of Trustees’ Meeting on June 4, 2016 Albert A. Sheen Campus