Authority: Title 23, Chapter 6.1, Code of Virginia.

A. This Item includes general and nongeneral fund appropriations to support institutional initiatives that help meet statewide goals described in the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act of 2005 (Chapters 933 and 945, 2005 Acts of Assembly).

B.1. Out of this appropriation, $5,978,735 the first year and $6,060,406 $6,084,895 the second year from the general fund is provided for the operation of the Family Practice Residency Program and Family Practice medical student programs. This appropriation for Family Practice programs, whether ultimately implemented by contract, agreement or other means, is considered to be a grant.

2. The University shall report by July 1 annually to the Department of Planning and Budget an operating plan for the Family Practice Residency Program.

3. The University, in cooperation with the University of Virginia, shall establish elective Family Practice Medicine experiences in Southwest Virginia for both students and residents.

4. In the event the Governor imposes across-the-board general fund reductions, pursuant to his executive authority in § 4-1.02 of this act, the general fund appropriation for the Family Practice programs shall be exempt from any reductions, provided the general fund appropriation for the family practice program is excluded from the total general fund appropriation for Virginia Commonwealth University for purposes of determining the University's portion of the statewide general fund reduction requirement.

C. Out of this appropriation an amount estimated at $388,468 from the general fund and $168,533 from nongeneral funds the first year and $388,468 from the general fund and $168,533 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.

D.1. Out of this appropriation, not less than $387,500 the first year and $387,500 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Virginia Center on Aging. This includes $205,000 in each year for the Alzheimer's and Related Diseases Research Award Fund.

2. Out of this appropriation $375,000 from the general fund and $375,000 from nongeneral funds the first year and $375,000 from the general fund and $375,000 from nongeneral funds the second year is designated for the operation of the Virginia Geriatric Education Center and the Geriatric Academic Career Awards Program, both to be administered by the Virginia Center on Aging.

E.1. It is the intent of the General Assembly that Virginia Commonwealth University, in conjunction with the University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School, maintain its efforts to educate and train sufficient generalist physicians to meet the needs of the Commonwealth, recognizing the Commonwealth's need for generalist physicians in medically underserved regions of the state.  Further, it is the intent that the University support medical education and training in the principles of generalist medicine for all undergraduate medical students, regardless of their chosen specialty or field of study. 

2. Virginia Commonwealth University, in conjunction with the University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School, shall jointly collect and report on their production of generalist residents. The report shall be submitted biennially to the Secretary of Education and the State Council of Higher Education no later than October 1.

3. Reporting requirements shall be set forth by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in consultation with the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Eastern Virginia Medical School. 

4. The State Council shall, in consultation with Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, and Eastern Virginia Medical School, provide a summary of the biennial report to the chairman of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by November 1, and shall include policy and funding recommendations, as appropriate, to address the need for medical education and training in the Commonwealth.

F. All costs for maintenance and operation of the physical plant of the School of Engineering, Phase I and future renovations, repairs, and improvements as they become necessary shall be financed from nongeneral funds.

G. Out of this appropriation, $740,000 the first year and $740,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the continued operation and expansion of the Autism Program of Virginia. The Commonwealth Institute for Child and Family Studies shall have oversight responsibility for the program and shall retain five percent each year for administration. The balance each year shall be provided to the Autism Program of Virginia for operation and expansion of the program.

H. It is the intent of the General Assembly to assist the three Virginia medical schools as they respond to changes in the need for delivery and financing of medical education, both undergraduate and graduate.

I. Out of this appropriation, $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for support of the Council on Economic Education.

J. Out of this appropriation, $48,500 the first year and $48,500 the second year from the general fund is designated for support of the Education Policy Institute.

K.1. Out of this appropriation, $25,000,000 the first year and $29,000,000 the second year from nongeneral funds is designated to support the University's branch campus in Qatar.

2. Notwithstanding § 2.2-1802 of the Code of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to maintain a local bank account in Qatar and non-U.S. countries to facilitate business operations the VCU Qatar Campus. These accounts are exempt from the Securities for Public Deposits Act, Title 2.2, Chapter 44 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Procurements and expenditures from the local bank account(s) are not subject to the Virginia Public Procurement Act and the Commonwealth Accounting Policies and Procedures (CAPP) Manual.  Virginia Commonwealth University will institute procurement policies based on competitive procurement principles, except as otherwise stated within these policies.  Expenditures from the local bank account will be recorded in the Commonwealth Accounting and Reporting System by Agency Transaction Vouchers, as appropriated herewith with revenue recognized as equal to the expenditures.

4. Notwithstanding Section 2.2-1149 of the Code of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to approve operating, income and capital leases in Qatar under policies and procedures developed by the University. 

5. Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to establish and hire staff (non-faculty) positions in Qatar under policies and procedures developed by the University.  These employees, who are employed solely to support the Qatar Campus are not considered employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia and are not subject to the Virginia Personnel Act.

6. The Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to establish policies for the Qatar Campus.

L.1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to remit tuition and fees for merit scholarships for students of high academic achievement subject to the following limitations and restrictions:

2. The number of such scholarships annually awarded to undergraduate Virginia students shall not exceed twenty percent of the fall headcount enrollment of Virginia students in undergraduate studies in the institution from the preceding academic year. The total value of such merit scholarships annually awarded shall not exceed in any year the amount arrived at by multiplying the applicable figure for undergraduate tuition and required fees by twenty percent of the headcount enrollment of Virginia students in undergraduate studies in the institution for the fall semester from the preceding academic year.

3. The number of such scholarships annually awarded to undergraduate non-Virginia students shall not exceed twenty percent of the fall headcount enrollment of non-Virginia students in undergraduate studies in the institution from the preceding academic year. The total value of such merit scholarships annually awarded shall not exceed in any year the amount arrived at by multiplying the applicable figure for undergraduate tuition and required fees by twenty percent of the fall headcount enrollment of non-Virginia students in undergraduate studies in the institution during the preceding academic year.

4. A scholarship awarded under this program shall entitle the holder to receive an annual remission of an amount not to exceed the cost of tuition and required fees to be paid by the student.

M. Out of this appropriation, $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Medical College of Virginia Palliative Care Partnership.

N. As Virginia's public colleges and universities approach full funding of the base adequacy guidelines and as the General Assembly strives to fully fund the general fund share of the base adequacy guidelines, these funds are provided with the intent that, in exercising their authority to set tuition and fees, the Board of Visitors shall take into consideration the impact of escalating college costs for Virginia students and families.  In accordance with the cost-sharing goals set forth in § 4-2.01 b. of this act, the Board of Visitors is encouraged to limit increases on tuition and mandatory educational and general fees for in-state, undergraduate students to the extent possible.

O. Out of this appropriation, $100,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for Public Policy to provide training for the development of aspiring leaders.

P. Out of this appropriation, $98,313 the second year from the general fund is provided to increase the average salary of nursing faculty by 10 percent, effective November 25, 2007.  This additional funding will help to attract and retain nursing faculty that are needed to address a shortage of nurses in the Commonwealth.