Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 15, Code of Virginia.

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

B. Out of this appropriation, an amount estimated at $289,614 the first year and $289,614 the second year from the general fund and $124,120 the first year and $124,120 the second year from nongeneral funds are designated for the educational telecommunications project to provide graduate engineering education. For supplemental budget requests, the participating institutions and centers jointly shall submit a report in support of such requests to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for review and recommendation to the Governor and General Assembly.

C. Out of this appropriation, $459,125 the first year and $459,125 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Institute for Conflict Analysis.

D. 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.

E. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to support the Potomac Bay Science Center.

F. Out of this appropriation, $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to develop a pathway program to attract and train veterans for cyber security careers.

G. The 4-VA, a public-private partnership among George Mason University, James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, the College of William and Mary, and CISCO Systems, Inc., utilizes emerging technologies to promote collaboration and resource sharing to increase access, reduce time to graduation and reduce unit cost while maintaining and enhancing quality. Instructional talent across the eight institutions is leveraged in the delivery of programs in foreign languages, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The 4-VA Management Board can expand this partnership to additional institutions as appropriate to meet the goals of the 4-VA initiative. It is expected that funding will be pooled by the management board as required to support continuing efforts of the 4-VA priorities and projects.

H. 1. Out of this appropriation, $4,685,320 the first year and $4,685,320 the second year from the general fund is designated to address increased degree production in Data Science and Technology, Science and Engineering, Healthcare, and Education.

2. Degree production shall be measured for Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates and First Professional awards as follows:

a. Data Science and Technology awards shall be based on completion data contained in the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, C-16 completion report;

b. Science and Engineering awards shall be based on completion data contained in the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), C-1 A1 completion report for the following programs Biological and Biomedical Science (26), Engineering (14) less those already counted in paragraph 2 a., Engineering Technologies (15), and Physical Sciences (40);

c. Healthcare awards shall be based on completion data contained in the SCHEV C-1 A1 completion report for the Health Professions and Related Programs (51); and

d. Education awards shall be based on completion data contained in the SCHEV C-1 A1 completion report for the Education Programs (13).

3. George Mason University is expected to maintain increases in:

a. Data Science and Technology awards of 50 annually over the base year.

b. Science and Engineering awards of 35 annually over the base year.

c. Healthcare awards of 35 annually over the base year.

d. Education awards of 40 annually over the base year.

e. The 2016-17 year will serve as the base year for these purposes.

4. SCHEV shall report on the progress toward these goals to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees annually.

I. Out of this appropriation $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for campus lighting, generators and other infrastructure at the School of Conflict Resolution at the Point of View facility.

J. The Board of Visitors of George Mason University may participate in a joint venture or innovation agreement with an individual, corporation, governmental body or agency, partnership, association, or other entity to develop and deliver new, collaborative distance learning and technology-based instruction programs for traditional and non-traditional students, including veterans and military personnel. The Board may create or operate such entity accordingly. In the course of any venture or agreement, the Board may authorize a pilot and implementation of distance learning and technology-based instruction programs that are aligned with and responsive to the educational and workforce needs of traditional and non-traditional students. If the Board determines it is necessary to the development and delivery of distance learning and technology-based instruction programs, the Board may create or assist in the creation of; own in whole or in part or otherwise control; participate in or with any entities, public or private; and purchase, receive, subscribe for, own, use, employ, sell, pledge or otherwise acquire or dispose of (i) shares or obligations of, or interests in, any entity organized for any purpose within or outside the Commonwealth and (ii) obligations of any person or corporation. Prior to the execution of any joint venture or innovation agreement, George Mason University shall formally seek and receive approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and report on whether there will be any impact on current or future operations of the Online Virginia Network Authority.