UVI Asks Middle States to Replace Show Cause Status With Probation or Warning

The University of the Virgin Islands has asked the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to remove its Show Cause designation and place the institution on Probation or Warning, President Dr. Safiya George reported to trustees. The request comes as UVI prepares to appear before the accreditor on Nov. 19, with overdue financial audits still underway.

UVI submitted the request Oct. 12 in its response to the commission’s follow-up review team report, according to an Oct. 19 university release describing the Board of Trustees’ quarterly meeting two days earlier. Middle States’ published accreditation record continues to list UVI as accredited with a Non-Compliance Show Cause status; the request has not been reflected as an approved change in that record.

Middle States imposed the action June 25, requiring UVI to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn because of insufficient evidence of compliance with standards covering planning, resources and institutional improvement, as well as governance, leadership and administration. Among the commission’s requirements were completed financial audits for fiscal years 2022 through 2025, evidence of responsible financial management and stronger governing-board oversight of the university’s finances.

UVI submitted its initial show-cause response Sept. 1, as previously reported by the Consortium. The university’s latest submission seeks “removal from Show Cause and placement on Probation or Warning status,” according to its October release.