Partner with wealthy expats to develop HLSCC
Talk show host Claude Skelton Cline is urging the government to tap into the wealth of affluent expatriates and investors living in the territory to help transform the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) into a world-class institution.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking programme, Skelton Cline praised Education Minister Sharie de Castro, HLSCC President Richard Georges and their teams for what he described as a major achievement in securing accreditation that allows the institution to offer it’s first-ever bachelor’s degree programme.
“That is a hippopotamus move. That’s big stuff and that needs to be celebrated,” Skelton Cline said.
The college previously outlined long-term plans for campus expansion, including new facilities and programmes aimed at eventually elevating the institution beyond its traditional community college status. But while commending the progress being made, Skelton Cline argued that the next stage of development will require significant financial backing.
“We need $100 million,” he declared. “To build out, outfit and complete HLSCC — move it from a community college to a college and ultimately to a university where we will offer master’s programmes.”
According to Skelton Cline, the territory cannot rely solely on annual government budgets to finance such a vision. He noted that more than 60 percent of government spending is consumed by recurrent expenses, leaving limited room for transformational projects. Instead, he called for a partnership involving the government, the private sector and wealthy residents who have made the Virgin Islands their home.
“We need to know how to talk to the wealthy class in this community — blacks and whites,” he said. “Government, private sector, locals, blacks, whites — education should be fully funded.”
The outspoken commentator suggested creating a foundation or consortium that would allow wealthy individuals to invest directly in the college’s future.
“We’re not engaging the wealthy class of this society,” Skelton Cline argued.
“You have to provide them an opportunity and let them take an invested interest and ownership in ensuring that our education system can come on stream — not 10 years from now, not 15 years from now, but now.”
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Why on earth would these people give their money to something like this with a government that has repeatedly proven itself to be the worst caretaker of funds ever? And aside from maybe feeling good about themselves, what is in it for them? It is not for them to run a charity. Prove the worth to the community if executed right, show good governance and established checks and balances where they play a role, and outline the expected financial return. If the strategic works, the math works, and the policing aspect works, then ok – pitch it. If not, move on.
So now he wants expats after telling them the most horrific things? They don’t belong here. They could go in the living room but not in the bedroom. That they can’t vote in a referendum for independence. This slime ball said all these terrible things about members of the expatriate community but now they must partner with HLSCC to give their money to a place that doesn’t appreciate them and constantly reminds them and their children that they are not from here. People like CSC are sick in the head!
Hang on, I thought CSC didn’t want expats here? Now he wants them to fund stuff that the Government should be funding. Make your mind up preacher, you can’t spew hate then get your begging bowl out to the same people you constantly target!
When it comes to valuable non-financial contributions, the HLSCC, together with other government educational and cultural initiatives, can be dismissive if the contributor is out of favour with one of their own.
This guy is beyond sickening now. He has been engaged as a Government Consultant multiple times and did nothing sensible.
Should go back to the back streets of DETROIT..
The VI attract the wrong wealthy expats, yea some have little community projects and employ a few virgin islanders but none that are monumental and help with the quality of life of everyone. need philanthropist like mackenzie scott
Oh his mind is already made up , he full wrll kkow what he’s just like he pathner wiggie they just love drama and will to nor say anything to create controversy (aka) *drama* or ” sh*t tark”/ to be in the spotlight •••
Don’t fefer to this man as preacher he is the devil in disguise always spreading hatred against exparts he is about himself and trying to full his pocket why does people still listen to that idiot of a human being.