Authority: Title 23, Chapter 9.1, Code of Virginia.

A. This Item includes general and nongeneral fund appropriations to support institutional initiatives that help meet statewide goals as described in the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act of 2005 (Chapters 933 and 945, 2005 Acts of Assembly). 

B. Out of this appropriation, an amount estimated at $289,614 the first year and $289,614 the second year from the general fund and $124,120 the first year and $124,120 the second year from nongeneral funds are designated for the educational telecommunications project to provide graduate engineering education.    For supplemental budget requests, the participating institutions and centers jointly shall submit a report in support of such requests to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for review and recommendation to the Governor and General Assembly.

C. Out of this appropriation, $459,125 the first year and $459,125 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Institute for Conflict Analysis.

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, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to support the Potomac Bay Science Center.

F. The 4-VA, a public-private partnership among George Mason University, James Madison University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and CISCO Systems, Inc., was established to utilize emerging technologies to promote collaboration and resource sharing to increase access, reduce time to graduation and reduce unit cost while maintaining and enhancing quality.  Instructional talent across the four institutions will be leveraged in the delivery of programs in foreign languages, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The 4-VA Management Board can expand this partnership to additional institutions as appropriate to meet the goals of the 4-VA initiative.  It is expected that funding will be pooled by the management board as required to support continuing efforts of the 4-VA priorities and projects.

G. In consultation with other institutions, George Mason University shall develop a plan for a comprehensive on-line course offering in Virginia.  As part of the plan,  George Mason University shall (1) research similar programs in other states; (2) evaluate the need for adult completion programs; (3) identify the academic programs to be included; (4) develop an appropriate scheduling model; and (5) recommend an appropriate pricing model.  George Mason University shall submit the plan to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by September 1, 2015.

H. Out of this appropriation, $2,871,569 the second year from the general fund is provided to address restoration of budget cuts, in-state undergraduate enrollment growth and costs associated with (i) developing a new bachelor's program in cybersecurity with pathways for veterans; (ii) increasing military veteran enrollment in the nursing bachelors program; and, (iii) support for the George Mason University Enterprise Center's Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program contract with SHINE Systems and Technologies to continue engaging the Commonwealth's 29 Virginia Small Business Development Centers Network.

I. In addition to the amounts provided in this item, and authorized pursuant to Item 467, P.7., the institution may reallocate from  educational and general program funds in the second year to provide an additional 2.50 percent average faculty salary increase for teaching and research faculty.  The institution may provide these increases consistent with its faculty pay plan.

J. The institution may adjust any of the amounts embedded in language under this item not to exceed the percentage reduction received.