Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 28, 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. 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.

C. In order to advance the goals of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Plan for Higher Education and Richard Bland College, Richard Bland College may develop and deliver new, collaborative educational pathways and innovative educational models, including distance learning, technology-based instruction, prior learning assessments, work-based learning, and competency-based programs that lead to high-demand fields and industries critical to the economic development of the Petersburg region and Virginia. In addition, Richard Bland College may:

1. Continue to explore new and expanded partnership opportunities with the College of William and Mary as well as identify potential new higher education partners to pursue shared services and other options for cost reduction and increased efficiencies for any non-core business functions of the college. Unitization of shared services functions in the areas of Collections, Enterprise Resource Program (ERP), Procurement, and Accounts Payable will reduce overhead expenses and enable re-investment in the College's core business;

2. Identify higher education partners to strategically merge and align academic programming to advance the credential and completion goals outlined in the Virginia Plan for Higher Education;

3. Broker agreements between and among educational, industry, and non-profit partners and establish collaborative, innovative partnership agreements with school districts, public and private colleges and universities, economic development agencies, employers, philanthropic organizations, veterans organizations, public agencies and other partners as necessary to strengthen and streamline educational pathways from high school, to work-based learning, to baccalaureate and advanced degrees that prepare individuals, including nontraditional students and veterans, for entry into STEM-H and other high-demand careers in the Commonwealth;

4. Pilot and implement innovative educational approaches and technologies, and promote the development, delivery, and ongoing assessment of innovative, cost-effective degree programs and stackable credentials, including industry-recognized, competency-based credentials that are aligned with and responsive to the educational and workforce development needs of traditional and non-traditional students, including veterans and military personnel, and advance the economic development needs of employers and industries statewide;

5. Identify and implement new strategies to support economic and community development in Virginia and to expand opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students, including veterans, to prepare for high-demand fields.

6. The President of Richard Bland College shall submit a report on the institution's progress in exploring and expanding partnership opportunities for shared services and academic programming with other higher education partners to the Chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than July 1 of each year.

D. Out of this appropriation, $1,557,350 and 13 positions the first year and $1,557,350 and 13 positions the second year from the general fund is designated to address the staffing recommendations of the Auditor of Public Accounts related to financial management, information technology, human resources, financial aid, and operations.

E. Out of this appropriation, $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to support student success initiatives at Richard Bland College. Supported activities may include: (i) the implementation of Guided Pathways; (ii) the increase of course offerings related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; (iii) expansion of the College's health care service offerings for students; and (iv) expansion of student employment opportunities on campus.

F. Richard Bland College shall provide a plan to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by November 1, 2022 on the steps necessary to transition to an innovative model for higher education that prepares citizens for jobs in high-demand fields and in industries critical to the economic development of the Petersburg area, Virginia Gateway Region and Commonwealth of Virginia, to begin implementation in the 2024-25 academic year. Richard Bland College shall work in consultation with the Virginia Secretary of Education, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the College William and Mary, and regional post-secondary and secondary education institutions in the development of this plan.

G. Out of this appropriation, $1,000,000 each year from the general fund is designated to support affordable access for in-state undergraduate students.

H. 1. The Secretary of Education in collaboration with the Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Secretary of Finance, the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, the Staff Directors of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, the President of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority and Richard Bland College shall evaluate the creation of a regional partnership and other strategies to improve education attainment, alternative delivery methods, enhanced efficiencies, and economic and community development for the region and the state. Additional input may be provided by regional partners and other entities, including Virginia State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Brightpoint Community College.

2. The review shall include an evaluation of a new governance model building upon the November 2022 report issued by Richard Bland College.

3. The Secretary of Education shall report to the Governor and Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees the recommendations no later than December 1, 2023.