UVI President Dr. LaVerne Ragster has confirmed that the University will be open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
“We are proud to celebrate with the rest of the country the historic inauguration of the first African American President of the United States,” Dr. Ragster said. “However, our commitments to our students, to the academic calendar and to the Virgin Islands community require that we maintain the services of our institution and its administrative offices.”
She noted that, while university offices must be covered between noon and 2 p.m., “It is important for the university community to have an opportunity during this period to witness this historic event.” Accordingly, television-viewing stations will be available on both campuses.
On St. Thomas, these include the Dining Pavilion, the Student Activities Center, the Health Services building, the East Residence Hall Lobby and the first floor conference room in the Administration and Conference Center.
On St. Croix, viewing will be available at the Cafetorium.
Dr. Ragster also reiterated the request that students and employees refrain from downloading video streams of the inaugural. The Information and Technology Services Office has advised that doing so will have a negative impact on bandwidth capacity (especially on the St. Thomas campus) and will adversely impact the ability of students and staff to use the Internet/Blackboard/Banner. Such transmission will also likely be slow and choppy, at best.
“I want to encourage everyone to celebrate this auspicious occasion and thank you for your cooperation,” Ragster said.