Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 19, 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, $5,350,128 the first year and $5,350,128 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Bachelor of Science academic programs in Electronics Engineering and Optical Engineering and Master of Science academic programs in Electronics Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice.

2. Out of the amounts for Educational and General Programs, $37,500 the first year and $37,500 the second year from the general fund is provided to serve in lieu of endowment income from the Eminent Scholars Program.

C.1. Out of the amounts for Educational and General Programs, a maximum of $70,000 the first year and $70,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Dozoretz National Institute for Minorities in Applied Sciences.

2. Any unexpended balances in paragraphs B.1., B.2., and C.1. in this Item at the close of business on June 30 each year shall not revert to the surplus of the general fund, but shall be carried forward on the books of the State Comptroller and reappropriated in the succeeding year. Norfolk State University may expend any prior year end balances to support its educational and general activities or its auxiliary enterprise activities.

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, $220,000 the first year and $220,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to increase retention and graduation of juniors and seniors in good academic standing and who have additional demonstrated need.

F. 1. Out of this appropriation, $826,570 the first year and $826,570 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. Norfolk State University is expected to maintain increases in:

a. Data Science and Technology awards of 5 annually over the base year.

b. Science and Engineering awards of 5 annually over the base year.

c. Healthcare awards of 5 annually over the base year.

d. Education awards of 5 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.

G. Out of this appropriation, $548,000 the first year and $548,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Center for African American Policy to provide non-partisan research on public policy issues affecting African Americans and other people of color.

H. Norfolk State University, in partnership with Virginia State University, shall collaborate with Virginia Union University and Hampton University and various localities throughout the Commonwealth to (a) create Minority Small Business Launch and Innovation Centers that support entrepreneurship customized to minority community needs, (b) improve health outcomes of vulnerable and marginalized populations in their surrounding localities through research, education, workforce development and outreach, (c) expand and upgrade broadband and technology in order to close the digital divide and provide students with additional tech job training, (d) actively engage with local public school districts to provide opportunities and awareness of post-secondary programs and curriculum, and (e) support the creation of an HBCU NoVA Campus by establishing an off-campus instruction site at Northern Virginia Community College in order to provide an opportunity to expand the HBCU presence in Northern Virginia, and access and opportunity to an increasing population of students seeking a four-year degree.

I. 1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, Norfolk State 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 20 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 20 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 20 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 20 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.