Authority: Title 2323.1, Chapter 528, 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, $245,000 the first year and $245,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to support the Lewis B. Puller Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic.

D. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year from the general fund is designated to provide a one-time grant to the Presidential Precinct, a collaborative effort among the College of William and Mary, University of Virginia, Monticello, Montpelier, and Ash Lawn-Highland, with the mission of empowering the next generation of young leaders from the world's emerging democracies, through education, collaboration, and digital networking. The College of William and Mary may expend funds as deemed appropriate - including hiring additional staff and strengthening fundraising capabilities - to enable the Presidential Precinct to become a globally significant, self-sustaining organization.

E. The appropriation for the fund source Higher Education Operating in this Item shall be considered a sum sufficient appropriation, which is an estimate of the amount of revenues to be collected for the educational and general program under the terms of the management agreement between the College of William and Mary and the Commonwealth, as set forth in Chapters 933 and 943 of the 2006 Acts of Assembly.

F. Out of this appropriation, $1,194,758 the first year and $1,742,708 the second year from the general fund is designated to support the goals of access, affordability, quality and increased degrees. Given the increased investment from the general fund during this biennium, it is the expression of the General Assembly that the institution seek to minimize tuition and fee increases for in-state undergraduate students. This language shall be in effect for the 2016-2018 biennium only. The Board of Visitors shall set the tuition rates for the institution, and forward their action to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia within three business days of such action. The Council shall analyze the Board's actions and report such analysis to the Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees within three business days of receipt, at which point, the Board's action shall be final. The Director of the Council shall report the final Board actions to the Chairmen by August 1, 2016 and August 1, 2017.

G. Pursuant to § 4-1.02 d. 6.a) of this act and notwithstanding any other provision of law, appropriation reductions in the amount of $2,183,886 in the second year from the general fund for the College of William and Mary specified in this Item may be distributed to programs within Educational and General Programs, grantees, or among programs other than Educational and General Programs, except Higher Education Student Financial Assistance.