Authority: §§ 23-9.3, 23-9.6:1, 23-20, 23-38.13, and 23-38.45, Code of Virginia, SJR 22 (1949).
A. It is the intent of the General Assembly that direct general fund support of special purpose research centers and projects in higher education not be continued indefinitely, and that institutions of higher education move as quickly as possible to secure sponsored support of such activities. The State Council of Higher Education shall identify all instances where general fund support is provided for such centers and projects, shall evaluate the effectiveness and productivity of such centers in furthering state interests and objectives, and shall recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly such modifications in appropriations and funding policies as it deems appropriate.
B.1. It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide general fund support to contract with Mary Baldwin College for Virginia women resident students to participate in the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin College. Such funding is provided to comply with the holding in United States vs. Commonwealth, 976 F.2d 890 (1992) and United States v. Commonwealth, No. 94-1667, slip op. (4th Cir. Jan. 26, 1995) .
2. The per capita rate provided for each student shall equal the general fund per capita amount provided through the Educational and General Program and Student Financial Assistance Program for Virginia Military Institute cadets.
3. The amounts for Higher Education Coordination and Review include $709,080 the first year and $1,082,280 the second year based on an estimated participation of 95 in-state students the first year and 145 in-state students the second year in the program. Funds paid to Mary Baldwin College under the contract will be based on the actual number of Virginia resident students participating in the program.
4. General fund appropriations provided under this contract include financial aid for the participating students at Mary Baldwin College in the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership program, therefore, these students are not eligible for Tuition Assistance Grants.
5. By October 1, each year, each institution of higher education, Richard Bland College, and the Community College system shall submit a report on progress toward meeting its approved restructuring plan to the Secretary of Education and the State Council of Higher Education. The progress reports shall be prepared according to a format approved by the Secretary of Education and the State Council of Higher Education. A presentation on the progress of institutions in implementing their plans shall be made by the Secretary and the State Council of Higher Education to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees at their regularly scheduled meetings in November of each year.
C. The State Council of Higher Education, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, shall develop criteria for approval of faculty evaluation plans by August 1, 1996. Based on these criteria, by October 1, 1996, institutions shall submit their faculty evaluation plans for 1997-98 to the Secretary of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for approval.
D. In discharging the responsibilities specified in §23-272.D., Code of Virginia, the State Council of Higher Education shall provide exemptions to individual proprietorships, associations, co-partnerships or corporations which are now or in the future will be using the words "college" or "university" in their training programs solely for their employees or customers, which do not offer degree-granting programs, and whose name includes the word "college" or "university" in a context from which it clearly appears that such entity is not an educational institution.
E. Out of the appropriation for Higher Education Coordination and Review, $1,925,000 the first year and $2,015,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for continuation and expansion of the Commonwealth Virtual Library at public colleges and universities.
F. This appropriation includes annual membership dues to the Southern Regional Education Board, $144,600 the first year and $144,600 the second year from the general fund.