Authority: Title 23, Chapter 9.1, Code of Virginia.

A. Out of this appropriation, an amount estimated at $289,614 from the general fund and $124,120 from nongeneral funds the first year and $289,614 from the general fund and $124,120 from nongeneral funds the second year is designated for the educational telecommunications project to provide graduate engineering education, subject to a plan approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

B. This appropriation includes $30,000 the first year and $30,000 the second year from the general fund to support the Virginia Writing Project, subject to paragraph I of this Item.

C. Included in Item 296, paragraph C 3 of this act is $4,257,693 from the general fund and $117,484 in nongeneral funds the first year and $3,061,451 from the general fund and $117,484 in nongeneral funds the second year to support the debt service on bonds issued by the Virginia College Building Authority to finance equipment.

D. Out of this appropriation, $412,500 the first year and $412,500 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Center for Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, subject to paragraph I of this Item.

E. Out of this appropriation, $11,806,250 from the general fund and $2,031,250 from nongeneral funds the first year and $11,806,250 from the general fund and $2,031,250 from nongeneral funds the second year is designated to support technology infrastructure and workforce training. This appropriation includes funding to develop a minor concentration in information technology, training for "fast-track" certificates in technical fields, and additional merit-based scholarships for students in information technology. The nongeneral fund component shall be supported from partnerships with private-sector organizations throughout the region.

F. This appropriation authorizes George Mason University to charge students a technology service fee in conformity with § 4-2.01 c of this act. This appropriation includes $774,870 the first year and $774,870 the second year from nongeneral funds. The fee charged resident undergraduate students each year shall not exceed one percent of the total of resident undergraduate tuition and required fees charged in FY 1998. The fee charged nonresident undergraduate students shall not exceed three percent of the total of nonresident undergraduate tuition and required fees charged in FY 1998. The fee charged graduate and professional students shall not exceed three percent of the total of graduate and professional tuition and required fees charged in FY 1998.

G. Out of this appropriation, $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the George Mason University School of Law, subject to paragraph I of this Item. This appropriation includes funding for the National Center for Technology and the Law within the School of Law, instructional programs within the proposed Juris Master program, and expansion of School of Law activities.

H. Out of this appropriation, $7,150,000 the first year and $7,150,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to support additional full time faculty, academic support staff, and merit-based scholarships in order to reduce class sizes, dependence on part-time teachers, and attract and retain high quality students.

I. It is the intent of the Governor and the General Assembly that direct general fund support of special purpose research and public service centers and projects in higher education not be continued indefinitely and that institutions of higher education secure nongeneral fund support of such activities. General fund reductions of $171,250 the first year and $171,250 the second year from research and public service activities shown below reflect the expectation that additional private and other nongeneral funds be solicited to augment nongeneral fund support: