PHILIPSBURG–Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Education programme at University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) via University of St. Martin (USM) will be able to “walk” in USM graduation ceremony next month, but they will not receive their degrees until they settle outstanding tuition fees at the overseas institution.
Education Minister Wycliffe Smith shed light on the situation of the students during Thursday’s draft 2019 budget debate, in response to a question received from National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Silveria Jacobs on the matter.
In relaying information, he received from USM, Smith explained that there are two components of the Bachelor’s Degree in Education programme. The first is courses taken at USM and the second is courses at UVI ultimately to get the accredited BA degree. Enrolment and payment of tuition fees for each is handled separately under the rules of each institution. Payment of tuition and fees as with any higher educational institution rests with the student.
In line with government’s request for USM to offer an accredited Bachelor of Arts degree in Education programme, USM made the decision to collaborate with UVI to offer this degree. In discussions with UVI and USM staff involved in the process and through documentation, students were “fully informed” through meetings held with them in the presence of USM and UVI personnel, as well as one-on-one meetings with USM staff.
MPs were told that when the Bachelor’s Degree in Education programme was changed in the academic year of 2015-2016, an agreement was made with students stating that USM would cover the difference in tuition fees up to 30 UVI credits. One UVI credit is US $368 and one credit at USM is US $157 leaving a difference of US $211 per credit of up to 30 credits that USM would cover. “In other words, the students would continue to pay the USM rate of $157 for UVI courses, up to 30 credits. Students were sent a commitment letter in June 2016. Letters were also sent to stakeholders, including study financing, informing them of said switch and the new tuition rate for UVI at USM students,” MPs were told.
Students will be allowed to walk in USM graduation in July and will receive, upon request, a letter of completion from UVI. However, students will not receive their diploma until their balance with UVI is cleared. Since last year, students were informed multiple times of their portion to pay to UVI, MPs were told.
“Again, we (USM) reiterate that payment for tuition/fees is the responsibility of the student. USM agreement was to cover a portion of the per credit cost… Study financing made payments directly to UVI for Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 for UVI courses. USM made payments to UVI for its portion of the student bills as per the agreement mentioned above. Students – it was made clear to the students that no funding covers 100% of the cost, there is always a portion that the students are to pay. Please note that the accumulation of debt is due to no payments made towards the students’ portion for Spring 2017; Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 for UVI courses.”
There is no new agreement between USM and UVI, however, the two institutions are in continuous dialogue to ensure the “highest quality of education to the students.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/88708-ba-education-students-can-graduate-but-won-t-get-degrees-until-uvi-paid
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