The West End News

Highlights Of The V.I. College
Released By Gov. Paiewonsky

Governor Paiewonsky last Wednesday released the highlights of the third reports of the committee on the College of the Virgin Islands. The report was prepared by Dr. Howard Jones, President of the North Field School, following a 5 day meeting of the Virgin Islands College Committee.

Other committee members were Mrs. Eldra Schulterbrandt, Dr. Pedro C. Sanchez, Mr. Herman Wouk, Judge Herman Moore, Dr. Alonzo G. Moron, and three consultants, Dr. John Wallace, former Governor of Puerto Rico Rexford Tugwell and Henry Klumb.

The Committee urged that every reasonable effort be made to open the doors to students during 1963. It said "to delay longer than is absolutely necessary is to deprive your youth of the educational opportunities to which they are entitled and for which a goodly number are more than ready."

The committee recommended that the college of the Virgin Islands (1) Provide full time two year terminal Education program to help young men and women prepare better for effective adult participation in the lives of the community. (2) Offer two year Liberal Arts program for which qualified students can transfer to other colleges and universities. (3) Provide opportunities for the continuing Education of adults who wish to attain additional learning. (4) Assist the unification of the spirit and substance of the Islands by providing campus residence in which young men and women from St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas and elsewhere will share common Educational goals and experiences.

In addition the committee recommended that the college serve as the focal point for a cultural center which will enrich the lives of all residents, and "serve as the base upon which at a later date such future developments as a 4 year college, an International Bi-Cultural training center, a Research Center, a Learning Resources Center, as well as community services in the areas of Health, Industrial Development, Cultural Enrichment may be forthcoming."

The committee recommended the appointment of Dr. John A. Wallace, Vice President of the Experiment in International Living, as an Interim Administrator for a six month term, and also recommended the appointment of Henry Klumb of San Juan Puerto Rico, as college Architect. In addition the committee recommended that the Governor nominate and appoint a Board of Trustees at the earliest possible date.

The committee recommended that the selection of a site be accomplished as rapidly as possible. As soon as the site is recommended that the Architect proceed immediately with the preparation of a master plan for the College "so that no time will be lost in providing the opportunities we all desire youth of the Virgin Islands." Eventually the college must provide facilities which includes an 8 to 10 class rooms, 4 to 5 Laboratories, Academic Building, a 100,000 volume Library with ample study and work areas, Dormitories sufficient to accommodate at least 60 per cent of the students body, Cultural Center for the study of Art, Music, and Dramatics, and auditorium sufficient to seat those citizens of the community who will attend concerts, plays, exhibitions and other events as mass media and learning resources center, Infirmary, Administrative Offices, student activities center and Faculty and Staff housing.

The committee estimated that between $440,000.00 and $510,000.00 are needed for the construction of new buildings and $175,000.00 for furniture equipment and library.