Authority: Title 23, Chapter 13, Code of Virginia.

A.1. Out of this appropriation, $2,790,402 the first year and $2,880,862 the second year from the general fund is designated for continued enhancement of the existing Bachelor of Science academic programs in Computer Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mass Communications and Criminal Justice, and the new Doctoral program in Education.

2. Out of the amounts for programs listed in paragraph A 1 of this Item shall be provided $909,777 the first year and $909,777 the second year from the general fund for lease payments through the Master Equipment Leasing Program for educational and general equipment.

3. Out of the amounts for Educational and General Programs, $37,500 is provided to serve in lieu of endowment income for the Eminent Scholars Program.

4. In conjunction with the Secretary of Education, Virginia State University shall develop the following:

a. a timetable for implementing the new academic programs funded in A.1. above, including a plan for recruiting faculty, staff, and students;

b. a means by which to assess the effectiveness toward meeting the goals of the new programs; and

c. periodic reports on the expenditures of the funds provided.

5. Any unexpended balances in paragraphs A 1, A 2 and A 3 in this Item at the close of business on June 30, 2004, June 30, 2005, and June 30, 2006, 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.

B. This appropriation includes $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund to increase the number of faculty with terminal degrees to at least 85 percent of the total teaching faculty.

C. Out of this appropriation, Virginia State University is authorized to use up to $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year to address extremely critical deferred maintenance deficiencies in its facilities, including residence halls and dining facilities.

D. Virginia State University shall report to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia no later than May 1 of each year its tuition, fee, and all other nongeneral fund revenues, in a manner as prescribed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The report shall include revenues from the current fiscal year and a projection of anticipated revenues for the next fiscal year.

E. Out of this appropriation, $358,078 the first year and $659,396 the second year from the general fund is provided to address base funding needs identified by the Joint Subcommittee Studying Higher Education Funding Policies and to mitigate the pressure on student tuition and fees. These amounts reflect a portion of the additional general fund support needed to provide adequate base support of the institution's core academic function. These additional funds will allow the institution to serve more students; retain existing students more effectively; increase the number of students receiving a degree or certificate, particularly in fields where the Commonwealth faces critical workforce shortages; and enhance the quality and rigor of its academic programs. The Secretary of Education shall monitor the institution's efforts to meet these objectives and other statewide needs.

F. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget, may transfer general fund appropriations from Items C-125.07 and C-125.09 to Item 247 as deemed appropriate to finance the upgrading of the university's campus network infrastructure and related administrative software to current information technology standards.  Furthermore, the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, may increase the nongeneral fund appropriation in Item C-125.07 as necessary to offset the reduced general fund appropriation.