Administration’s Recommendation to Delay Implementation 
of Fall On-Campus Plan 
 
On June 20, 2020, the University Board of Trustees, based on a recommendation from 
the Administration, approved a plan to recommence in-person instruction utilizing a mixed 
modality approach and the resumption of on-campus residence living and work.  
Given the increasing spike in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands and the continuing public health crisis and surge on the U.S. mainland associated with 
the risks of the pandemic, the Administration is proposing to delay the implementation of the 
Fall 2020 semester (Fall) reopening plan that was approved on June 20, 2020.  As we consider, 
like many other institutions, how best to safely reopen in these rapidly evolving and uncertain 
times while still delivering on our mission, one of our fundamental guiding principles has been 
the flexibility to modify our Fall plan if circumstances in the Territory regarding COVID-19 
dramatically dictate a change. The decision to propose this delay is not being made lightly and is 
being done in conjunction with a review of the evolving circumstances and current climate of the 
public health crisis by our Task Force, Cabinet and other leaders.  At the heart of our decision is 
preserving the health and safety of our students, employees, and the public.   
With a sense of great disappointment, I now share with you that our proposed 
recommendation is that all instruction for Fall be conducted virtually until such time that the 
local conditions improve. Our academic leaders will review those courses that require 
internships, clinicals and labs and make a determination on how best to facilitate student needs in 
light of this proposed change.  Another important consideration of the proposed decision to 
remain virtual will be that no on-campus residential housing will be available to in-territory or 
out-of-territory students, except in compelling and extenuating circumstances.    
Due to escalating COVID-19 cases nationwide, a growing number of universities are also 
reversing their previously advised Fall in-person and hybrid plans. This growing national trend, 
coupled with the below underlying factors, dictated the shift in our recommendations for the 
delay in the Fall reopening plan: 
1) At the time the Fall plan was approved, the circumstances in the U.S. Virgin Islands were 
substantially different. The V.I. Department of Health reported total confirmed cases in 
the USVI of 76 with only 6 active cases (as of June 20, 2020).  A month later, the total 
confirmed cases in the Territory stands at 308 with 144 active cases (as of July 21, 2020).   
 
2) The recent outbreak on the island of St. Croix at the Limetree Bay refinery resident 
facility is a stark and sobering reminder of the uncertainty and potential for increased risk 
and community spread that can escalate while living in residential and communal 
environments similar to residence hall settings on college campuses, and particularly in 
our small and connected local community. With residence halls on both St. Croix and St. 
Thomas campuses, this potential risk is further enhanced and complicated with students 
traveling from the mainland and international areas coupled with the requirements for 
prior testing and safely providing on-campus quarantine housing and related services on 
both campuses.  
 
3) The new travel restrictions and quarantine protocols for traveling and to the Territory will 
negatively impact the ability of students outside of the Territory to easily and safely 
commence the Fall semester as planned.  
 
4) The University is cognizant of the extension of the Territory’s State of Emergency 
Declaration through September 9, 2020, which was set to expire on July 11.   
 
5) The Tenth Supplemental Executive Order and Proclamation issued by the Governor on 
July 9, 2020 recommends that all businesses that have employees who are not critical to 
in-person/on-site operations or that are classified as essential to work from home or 
remotely and can do so should be encouraged to do so.  In light of the local public health 
concerns, Safer-at-Home is recommended but with the caveat of ensuring that work is 
still completed in collaboration with supervisors and department heads and that front-
facing and customer service areas have a plan in place to ensure no interruption in service 
and availability.  
 
6) In consideration of the VI Department of Health’s issued phased-reopening guidelines in 
partnership with the VI Department of Education to safely support the reopening of all 
schools in the Territory as well as the announcement to delay the start of public schools 
until September 8, 2020, the University’s employees who have children in schools will be 
challenged in fulfilling their responsibilities at the traditional work site as the plan 
requires.  
 
We understand that this proposed delay comes as a significant disappointment, 
particularly to our students who were looking forward to resuming instruction in-person and all 
aspects of campus life, albeit within the conditions and confines of this new COVID-19 normal.   
These are by far not easy decisions to make, but please be reassured that we will be guided by 
local and national public health officials as well as the science and best practices in higher 
education. 
 
We are continuing to strive to keep the University functioning and doing so in a safe 
manner. The campus environment will still require meticulous adherence to public health 
practices including hand hygiene, physical distancing, proper cough/sneeze etiquette, frequent 
disinfecting of common and high traffic areas, symptom assessment, testing and/or temperature 
checks, and use of face masks and approved facial coverings.  To enhance safety in the work 
environment, the University is installing protective barriers in high traffic areas and many 
offices.  We recognize that a shift to virtual instruction will allow flexibility for many of our 
employees to continue teleworking.  Each area however must develop a plan that ensures that 
quality customer service to our students and others is not adversely impacted by this telework 
option and that service is being delivered in a consistent and thoughtful manner.   This may 
include offering and posting in-office hours, staggering employees work hours/days, ensuring 
that calls are forwarded when working remotely, and timely responding to messages, emails and 
communications.  
While we operate in a virtual environment, we will monitor the COVID-19 
epidemiological data to make determinations, following the guidance of the local public health 
officials, as to the appropriate time to consider the full reopening of the campuses.  I seek the 
Board of Trustees’ serious and prompt consideration of this regrettable and challenging 
recommendation. 
 
Sincerely, 
David Hall 
President 
 
 
July 22, 2020