Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 23, Code of Virginia.

A.1. Out of this appropriation, $45,058,639 the first year and $45,058,639 the second year from nongeneral funds is designated to support the university's branch campus in Qatar.

2. Notwithstanding § 2.2-1802 of the Code of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to maintain a local bank account in Qatar and non-U.S. countries to facilitate business operations the VCU Qatar Campus. These accounts are exempt from the Securities for Public Deposits Act, Title 2.2, Chapter 44 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Procurements and expenditures from the local bank account(s) are not subject to the Virginia Public Procurement Act and the Commonwealth Accounting Policies and Procedures (CAPP) Manual. Virginia Commonwealth University will institute procurement policies based on competitive procurement principles, except as otherwise stated within these policies. Expenditures from the local bank account will be recorded in the Commonwealth Accounting and Reporting System by Agency Transaction Vouchers, as appropriated herewith with revenue recognized as equal to the expenditures.

4. Notwithstanding § 2.2-1149 of the Code of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to approve operating, income and capital leases in Qatar under policies and procedures developed by the University.

5. Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to establish and hire staff (non-faculty) positions in Qatar under policies and procedures developed by the University. These employees, who are employed solely to support the Qatar Campus are not considered employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia and are not subject to the Virginia Personnel Act. Employees hired as University and Academic Professionals are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia and are subject to the university's policies, Management Agreement, and applicable law.

6. The Board of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University is authorized to establish policies for the Qatar Campus.