UVI Board Approves Major Governance Reforms, Research Policies and Budget Actions

The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees used its March 7 meeting to advance a broad set of institutional actions, beginning with measures aimed at strengthening governance, research oversight and long-term planning, while also reviewing strategic progress across enrollment, student success, partnerships and community engagement. According to a release issued Wednesday, the board’s actions touched on internal audit standards, sponsored research policies, foundation leadership, executive-session approvals and the university’s broader push under its G.R.A.N.D. Momentum Strategic Plan.

Meeting in regular session at the Medical Simulation Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, trustees reviewed institutional progress aligned with the university’s strategic plan and approved several governance actions tied to research integrity, institutional oversight and philanthropic engagement.

Among the most significant formal actions taken during the public session was the unanimous approval of three policies developed through the Office of Sponsored Programs. Those included the Administrative Policy for Allegations of Research Misconduct, the Human Research Protection Program Policy, and the Proposal Review and Submission Policy. According to the university, the policies establish institutional procedures for research integrity, the protection of human research participants, and the review and submission of sponsored research proposals.

Trustees also approved a revised Internal Audit Charter recommended by the Audit Committee. The university said the updated charter aligns UVI’s internal audit governance structure with current global auditing standards and clarifies the independence, accountability and oversight responsibilities of the Office of Internal Audit.