Authority: Title 23, Chapter 5, 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. 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.

C. Out of this appropriation, $136,864 the first year and $136,864 the second year from the general fund is to support the institution's approved six-year plan, consistent with the objectives of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2011.

D. Out of this appropriation, $183,911 the first year and $183,911 the second year from the general fund is designated to hire advisors who will be responsible for providing academic advising services to students and statistically validating the effectiveness of these services; thereby resulting in improved retention and graduation rates.

E. Richard Bland College shall reallocate the equivalent of three percent the first year and the equivalent of five percent the second year of its FY 2012 educational and general fund appropriation, to programs and strategies that serve to advance the objectives of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2011.  The amounts to be reallocated for this purpose, estimated at $86,754 the first year and $144,622 the second year, shall remain unallotted until Richard Bland College submits a plan for the use of the funding and receives approval from the Secretary of Education.  Specific programs and strategies for this reallocation shall be identified and progress toward achievement of these objectives shall be documented within the institution's six-year plan submission prior to the release of these funds.