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UVI officials defend larger operating request as senators press limits of $3 million free-tuition cap
Summary
University of the Virgin Islands leaders told the legislative budget panel they re-built UVI's budget from the ground up and are asking for higher general-fund support amid rising utilities, mandate-driven costs and a $3 million cap on the free-tuition program that officials said covers about 700 students before the cap is reached.
University of the Virgin Islands President George told the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on the record that the university built its FY request "from scratch," and that the institution is seeking a higher general appropriation to cover operating costs driven by mandated programs, utilities and deferred maintenance.
The university asked for a $39 million general appropriation within a larger $49,851,535 budget figure cited during the hearing. Senators pressed the administration on how that amount translates to a per-student cost: Senator Viola calculated a $26,488 local share per student using the total figure and asked for justification of that high ratio.
Why it matters: senators said the territory is balancing competing funding demands — the…
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