Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 19, 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.1. Out of this appropriation, $5,350,128 the first year and $5,350,128 the second year from the general fund is designated for the recently initiated Bachelor of Science academic programs in Electronics Engineering and Optical Engineering and Master of Science academic programs in Electronics Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice.

2. Out of the amounts for programs listed in paragraph B.1. above, shall be provided $273,486 the first year and $273,486 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 the first year and $37,500 the second year from the general fund is provided to serve in lieu of endowment income from the Eminent Scholars Program.

C.1. Out of the amounts for Educational and General Programs, a maximum of $70,000 the first year and $70,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Dozoretz National Institute for Minorities in Applied Sciences.

2. Any unexpended balances in paragraphs B.1., B.2., B.3., and C.1. in this Item at the close of business on June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019 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. Norfolk State University may expend any prior year end balances to support its educational and general activities.

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, $220,000 the first year and $220,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to increase retention and graduation of juniors and seniors in good academic standing and who have additional demonstrated need.

F. 1. Out of this appropriation, $826,570 the second year from the general fund is designated to address increased degree production in Data Science and Technology, Science and Engineering, Healthcare, and Education.

2. Degree production shall be measured for Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates and First Professional awards as follows:

a. Data Science and Technology awards shall be based on completion data contained in the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, C-16 completion report;

b. Science and Engineering awards shall be based on completion data contained in the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), C-1 A1 completion report for the following programs Biological and Biomedical Science (26), Engineering (14) less those already counted in paragraph 2 a., Engineering Technologies (15), and Physical Sciences (42);

c. Healthcare awards shall be based on completion data contained in the SCHEV C-1 A1 completion report for the Health Professions and Related Programs (51); and

d. Education awards shall be based on completion data contained in the SCHEV C-1 A1 completion report for the Education Programs (13).

3. Norfolk State University is expected to increase:

a. Data Science and Technology awards by 5 in the second year.

b. Science and Engineering awards by 5 in the second year.

c. Healthcare awards by 5 in the second year.

d. Education awards by 5 in the second year.

e. The 2016-17 year will serve as the base year for these purposes.

4. SCHEV shall report on the progress toward these goals to the Chairman of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees report on the progress toward these goals annually beginning August 2020.