Office of Institutional Research and Planning

The Office of Institutional Research and Planning (IRP) gathers data on the University and provides information useful for making strategic decisions.  IRP produces an annual Institutional Data Summary which contains the latest statistics on enrollment, student and faculty characteristics, University income and expenditures, and related topics.   For some topics, historical data are provided to establish trends.  Brief reports are sometimes issued on topics of general interest, or in response to special requests of other university units.

IRP keeps abreast of happenings and trends in the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean region and beyond to note factors which might impact the future of the University.  The results are made available to persons planning for the future of the University.  IRP provides annual reports to the National Center for Education Statistics and the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and participates in surveys conducted by other external agencies.  Linkage to other universities is maintained through the Internet and by membership in the Association for Institutional Research and in the Society for College and University Planning.

Specialized Consultation

Members of the University faculty are available for consultation with both private and governmental organizations on questions that fall within their special competence.  Results of research conducted at the University are made available when appropriate.

Special Seminars and Conferences

The University organizes and conducts occasional seminars and conferences of special interest in terms of the needs of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean area.

Research and Public Service Component

The University of the Virgin Islands addresses two of the major elements of its mission, research and public service, through the strategic efforts of the units in the Research and Public Service Component.  Collectively, the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), the Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Research Publications Unit (The Caribbean Writer) and The Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) are principally responsible for defining and solving problems through research and providing quality services that address needs identified by the community.

Agricultural Experiment Station (AES)

The Agricultural Experiment Station is one of the two units that carry out the Land-Grant functions of the University.  AES on St. Croix conducts basic and applied research to meet the needs of local and regional Caribbean agricultural communities in increasing production, improving efficiency, developing new enterprises and protecting the natural resource base.  The station is actively involved in 25 projects in agronomy, animal science, aquaculture, biotechnology, forestry, and horticulture.

Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

The Cooperative Extension Service is the second unit that carries out  Land-Grant functions.  CES provides for the expansion of the University’s educational services into the local communities on all three islands.  Specialists and agents offer workshops and classes, produce publications and provide assistance to consumers and farmers in 28 program areas, including agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth, integrated pest management, small livestock and home economics.

Eastern Caribbean Center (ECC)

The Eastern Caribbean Center is an outreach division that oversees the domestic and international actvities of the University.   It also facilitates collaboration among regional institutions and organizations toward fulfilling the mission of the University and improving the quality of life for people in the region.   The ECC environmental research unit works to identify methods of conserving marine and coastal areas that provide support for sustainable natural resource management in the region.  The social research unit compiles and analyzes social and economic data, and supports the work of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The survey research unit designs and carries out scientific sample surveys, and the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service collaborates with public and private sector institutions to disseminate information.   The Conservation Data Center (CDC) systematically compiles, analyzes and disseminates natural resource data to make it readily accessible to government and non-governmental organizations in making conservation and development decisions.  The CDC also identifies and evaluates threats to natural areas and makes recommendations for addressing these threats.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The UVI Small Business Development Center provides small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs practical assistance  to grow and prosper in a contemporary economy.  As an advocate for small businesses, UVI-SBDC delivers counseling services, training, and technical support to the business community of the Virgin Islands.  Since its establishment in 1985, UVI-SBDC has played a vital role in the development of local businesses and the reduction of failure among existing ones.  It is part of a close network of public and private business organizations committed to the fostering the economic stability and growth of small businesses in the territory.  Members include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the V. I. Small Business Development Agency, and the local Chambers of Commerce.  SBDC has offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Research Publications Center

The Caribbean Writer is an international literary magazine with a Caribbean focus, published by UVI.  The magazine premiered in 1987, and is designed to provide an outlet for writers in the Caribbean, and to encourage new writing.  The publication encourages submissions from students and faculty.  The Research Publication Center will produce other publications in the near future.

Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI)

The Water Resources Research Institute conducts research throughout the Virgin Islands.  Its meteorological observatory and a water quality laboratory on the St. Thomas Campus serve as resources for the Virgin Islands community.  Current WRRI research includes investigating ways to reduce non-point source pollution to the critical nearshore marine environment of the islands.  This includes identifying methods of erosion control and finding innovative ways to treat domestic wastewater as alternatives to traditional septic tank systems.  Other WRRI activities include dissemination of information promoting conservation of the islands’ water resources and providing environmental research training experiences for students and others.