Dear Source,
The University administration is deeply concerned that we were not given an opportunity to respond directly to information about a loss of $2.2 million in federal grants before it was reported in the local media. The information reported in the news articles the week of April 9th was taken from an Executive Summary of a recent federal audit of UVI’s grant administration. The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior issued both an audit report (with the correct information) and an executive summary (with incorrect information).
It is the position of the University that when the reputation of an institution is on the line, it is important for the media to provide balanced reporting of the facts. To proceed on the basis that a source of information is credible and beyond reproach poses a clear and present danger to the maintenance of standards of fairness in reporting. Any document can contain errors, as was the case in the reporting on this audit. But the right questions by the media can prevent the wrong information from being circulated.
The University of the Virgin Islands works diligently to serve the needs of our
community and our students. We deserve the benefit of responding to such matters, rather than having them taken out of context. Otherwise, it is a disservice to our fine reputation.
One fact that should not be overlooked from the audit report is that the University received a record $10 million in federal grants. This money was awarded because of the excellence of our institution, the importance of the projects we proposed and the hard work of our faculty and staff. These funds help to augment programs not funded by our legislative allotments. One example of this is the $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant helping our Virgin Islands students reach their potential in the sciences. This is an achievement of which we are most proud and should not be clouded by incomplete information.
Davida R. Siwisa
Director of Public Relations
