UVI and RTech Park Defend Fiscal Year 2024 Budgets

The University of the Virgin Islands and the V.I. Research and Technology Park, based on the UVI campus, discussed their budgets and operations with the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee Thursday.

First, UVI President David C. Hall, serving his last year as president, presented a synopsis of the operations, including new courses added during his tenure. Since he began in 2009, 15 new minor degrees, seven associate degrees, 16 new bachelor degrees and eight new master’s degrees were created, as well as the first doctorate program.

Even with a seven percent increase in tuition in 2023-24 and a million dollars cut from the 2023 fiscal year budget, the school is challenged by a budget deficit and the need to provide pay increases to staff, the president said.

Hall said pay raises for all UVI employees are his first priority. Since the V.I. government recently raised salaries, it is more difficult to compete with the government for and retain teachers.