Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 29, 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. It is the objective of the Commonwealth that a standard of 70 percent full-time faculty be established for the Virginia Community College System. Consistent with higher education funding guidelines, it is expected that the Virginia Community College System will utilize the funds provided for base operating support to achieve this objective. In addition, the first priority for new funding provided to the community college system shall be for operating support at individual community colleges. Thirty days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the Virginia Community College System shall report to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on the allocation of all new general funds and nongeneral funds in this item and any cost recovery plans between the individual community colleges and the system office.

C. It is the intent of the General Assembly that funds available to the Virginia Community College System be reallocated to accommodate changes in enrollment and other cost factors at each of the community colleges.

D. Tuition and fee revenues from out-of-state students taking distance education courses through the Virginia Community College System must exceed all direct and indirect costs of providing instruction to those students. Tuition and fee rates to meet this requirement shall be established by the State Board for Community Colleges.

E. Out of this appropriation, amounts for the following special programs are designated: at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, the Program for the Deaf, $64,547 and four positions the first year and $64,547 and four positions the second year from the general fund and the Program for the Intellectually Disabled, $91,004 and four positions the first year and $91,004 and four positions the second year from the general fund; and, at New River Community College, the Program for the Deaf, $78,328 and four positions the first year and $78,328 and four positions the second year from the general fund, and the Program for the Intellectually Disabled, $69,682 and 4.5 positions the first year and $69,682 and 4.5 positions the second year from the general fund; and, at Danville Community College, the Program for the Deaf, $26,001 and one position the first year and $26,001 and one position the second year from the general fund.

F. Out of this appropriation, $39,001 the first year and $39,001 the second year from the general fund is designated to support the Southwest Virginia Telecommunications Network.

G. Out of this appropriation, $261,370 and four positions the first year and $261,370 and four positions the second year from the general fund is provided to support Virginia Western Community College's participation in the Roanoke Higher Education Center and the Botetourt County Education and Training Center at Greenfield.

H. Out of this appropriation, $130,005 the first year and $130,005 the second year from the general fund is designated to support the Southwestern Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center at Wytheville Community College.

I.1. Out of this appropriation, $345,000 the first year and $345,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the annual lease or rental costs of space in the Botetourt County Education and Training Center at Greenfield.

2. The general fund amounts provided for in this paragraph for workforce training, retraining, programming, and community education facilities at the Botetourt County Education and Training Center shall be matched by local or private sources in a ratio of two-thirds state funds to at least one-third local or private funds, as approved by the State Board for Community Colleges.

J. 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.

K. Out of this appropriation, $191,884 the first year and $191,884 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to Northern Virginia Community College to support public-private sector partnerships in order to maximize the number of newly licensed nurses and increase the supply of nursing faculty.

L. Out of this appropriation, $489,000 the first year and $489,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for Northern Virginia Community College to implement the SySTEMic Solutions initiative which will enable expansion of dual enrollment courses with a STEM focus in all Northern Virginia school districts; opportunities to earn industry-aligned certifications; professional development opportunities for STEM teachers; part-time employment and internship opportunities for students in STEM programs; hands-on SOL-based science lessons at the elementary level with industry input and support; and collaborative robotics programs between the community college and K-12 schools. It is expected that an equal amount of private funds will be generated as a match for the state support.

M. Out of this appropriation, $19,560 the first year and $19,560 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to Southside Virginia Community College. Out of this amount, $9,780 each year from the general fund shall be provided to the Estes Community Center in Chase City, $9,780 each year from the general fund shall be provided to the Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center in South Hill.

N. Out of this appropriation, $115,130 the first year and $115,130 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Mecklenburg County Job Retraining Center.

O. Out of this appropriation, $255,000 the first year and $255,000 the second year from the general fund and $163,000 the first year and $163,000 the second year from nongeneral funds is designated for the operation of the Amherst Center of Central Virginia Community College. Central Virginia Community College shall report annually to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on the number of students enrolled, the programs provided with number of students served and the number of degrees and certificates awarded by program.

P. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for Laurel Ridge Community College. Of this amount $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year is designated to support the career and technical education programs at the Middletown Campus and $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year is designated for workforce training programs at the Fauquier Campus. The programs will be designed in collaboration with regional employers and high schools.

Q. Out of this appropriation, $1,100,000 and seven positions the first year and $1,100,000 and seven positions the second year from the general fund is designated for veterans resource centers at Northern Virginia Community College, Tidewater Community College, Virginia Peninsula Community College, Germanna Community College, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Brightpoint Community College, and Virginia Western Community College.

R. Out of this appropriation, $250,000 and nine positions the first year and $250,000 and nine positions the second year from the general fund is designated to support the Rural Horseshoe Initiative.

S. Out of this appropriation, $480,000 and two positions the first year and $480,000 and two positions the second year from the general fund are designated for the Virginia Community College System, in partnership with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, to develop and maintain a mandated online repository for all transfer agreements, course equivalency tools, Passport Credit Program Guidelines and other informational resources related to transferring from a public two-year institution to a public four-year institution. The repository shall also include a Dual Enrollment Guide, Exam Equivalency Guide, Degree Searcher, and other transfer tools and components that support student transfer.

T. Out of this appropriation, $1,413,689 the first year and $1,413,689 the second year from the general fund is designated for costs of three associate degree programs in Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Surgical Technology that have transferred to Virginia Western Community College as a result of the merger of Radford University and the Jefferson College of Health Sciences authorized in Chapter 60 of the 2019 Acts of Assembly.

U. Out of this appropriation, $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for advising, marketing, outreach and public awareness efforts for the G3 program in Item 204.

V. Out of this appropriation, $1,050,000 the first year and $1,050,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for health science and technology education at Virginia Western, New River, Central Virginia and Mountain Gateway Community Colleges.

W. Out of this appropriation, $296,314 the first year and $296,314 the second year from the general fund is designated for Southside Virginia Community College to implement the Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE) workforce program.

X. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to support a state-funded grant program to support the Great Expectations Program in the following areas: the hiring of college coaches or mentors, housing stipends, childcare, and transportation needs. VCCS shall report to the Commission on Youth the outcomes of the grant program by November 30 of each year. The Great Expectations Program serves young adults who have experienced foster care.

Y. Out of this appropriation, $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for enhancements to the cyber-security infrastructure.

Z. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for Virginia Peninsula Community College to support its collaboration with the Coastal Virginia Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Hub.

AA. Out of this appropriation, $1,500,000 and two positions the first year and $1,500,000 and two positions the second year from the general fund is designated for Danville Community College to support an aviation maintenance technology program. Danville Community College shall develop a comprehensive work plan which includes an implementation plan, projected expenditures, performance benchmarks and partnership responsibilities. Danville Community College shall initiate the program and accreditation approval through federal and state entities and complete partnership agreements with Danville Regional Airport, Averett University, other higher education partners, participating K-12 school divisions, businesses and any public bodies necessary for program.

BB. Out of this appropriation $7,750,000 the first year and $7,750,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for support of workforce programs in regions with high labor demand and low supply. Funds may be used for startup costs related to new program development and shall include an employer match to ensure alignment to workforce needs. Funds also may be used to support new program development for career and technical dual enrollment courses.

CC. Out of this appropriation, $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for Northern Virginia Community College to provide technical assistance for automotive and building maintenance training programs coordinated by the Prince William County Department of Facilities and Fleet Management, to address workforce shortages.

DD. Out of this appropriation, $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to the Virginia Community College System to support mixed-delivery programs and classroom equipment and materials at Virginia Peninsula Community College. Of this amount, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year is provided to support early childhood instructional delivery, equipment, and program operating costs. Virginia Peninsula Community College is authorized to enter into a partnership agreement with a third-party provider to facilitate in-practice early childhood educational training.

EE. From any educational and general program balances reappropriated in the first year, the Virginia Community College System shall transfer an amount up to $13,600,000 to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for deposit to the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Fund, less any amounts transferred in fiscal year 2026 for this purpose. Any amounts transferred shall be deposited to the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Fund to support the appropriation in the first year pursuant to Item 131 G.