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. In order to advance the goals outlined in TJ21 and collaboration and innovation in higher education, Richard Bland College may develop and deliver new, collaborative educational pathways and innovative educational models, including distance learning, technology-based instruction, prior learning assessments, experiential learning, stackable credentials, and competency-based programs that lead to STEM-H and other high-demand credentials and careers, with such funds as are appropriated or made available for this purpose. Richard Bland shall strengthen educational pathways for traditional and nontraditional students, including veterans and military personnel, through the continued establishment and strengthening of cross-institutional and cross-sector partnerships including the use of innovative educational approaches in order to promote entry into high-demand fields and industries critical to the economic development of Virginia. Richard Bland College may:

1. Broker agreements between and among educational, industry, and non-profit partners and establish collaborative, innovative partnership agreements with school districts, public and private colleges and universities, economic development agencies, employers, philanthropic organizations, veterans organizations, public agencies and other partners as necessary to strengthen and streamline educational pathways from high school, to work-based learning, to baccalaureate and advanced degrees that prepare individuals, including nontraditional students and veterans, for entry into STEM-H and other high-demand careers in the Commonwealth;

2. Serve as a clearing house of educational pathway and career pathway information and as a resource and referral agency for traditional and non-traditional students, including veterans;

3. Serve as an educational innovation resource center, referral agency and hub for collaboration, innovation, and information sharing among educational and industry partners to facilitate the vetting, piloting, and effective implementation of innovative, evidence-based educational resources, including open educational resources (OERs) and self-paced, competency-based tools designed to maximize limited resources, improve educational outcomes, or accelerate time to credential completion;

4. Pilot and implement innovative educational approaches and technologies, and promote the development, delivery, and ongoing assessment of innovative, cost-effective degree programs and stackable credentials, including industry-recognized, competency-based credentials that are aligned with and responsive to the educational and workforce development needs of traditional and non-traditional students, including veterans and military personnel, and advance the economic development needs of employers and industries statewide;

5. Identify and implement new strategies to support economic and community development in Virginia and to expand opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students, including veterans, to prepare for high-demand fields.

6. Identify opportunities for resource sharing and new operational efficiencies in the delivery of postsecondary education and pursue additional funding by federal, state, corporate, and private philanthropic sources to support collaborative, innovative approaches to education that improve educational access and outcomes, strengthen the alignment between postsecondary education and high-demand career pathways in Virginia, and support improved educational attainment, economic opportunity, and economic development for Virginians.

7. Richard Bland College may explore shared services and other options for increased collaboration with the College of William and Mary.

D. Out of this appropriation, $296,410 the first year and $432,353 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.