Authority: Title 23, Chapter 12.1, 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. The University is authorized to continue offering its existing doctoral degree in psychology and a limited number of other doctoral programs in specialized areas with approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. These doctoral programs are niche programs, consistent with the comprehensive mission of the University, and are targeted to meet critical needs in the Commonwealth.

C. 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.

D. Out of this appropriation, $93,397 the second year from the general fund is provided to increase the average salary of nursing faculty by 10 percent, effective November 25, 2007.  This additional funding will help to attract and retain nursing faculty that are needed to address a shortage of nurses in the Commonwealth.