The Board of Visitors unanimously approved a resolution for an increase in tuition for out-of-state undergraduates and required fees for all undergraduates at its meeting Saturday.
As reported by Director of Budget Melody Bianchetto at an information session for students last Tuesday, out-of-state tuition will rise by 5 percent, while in-state tuition for undergraduates will not change. Required fees, which fund resources such as Student Health, athletics and the University Transit System, will increase by $30 for in-state undergraduates.
The University's tuition rates are "a reflection of the state's policy that our students pay at least 100 percent of their education," said Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget.
Out-of-state University students now pay 133 percent of the actual cost of their education.
Also at the meeting, University Rector John P. Ackerly III formed a special committee to study a report issued by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education.
Gov. James S. Gilmore III (R) established the Commission in 1998 to study higher education in Virginia.
In its report, the Commission made about 70 recommendations for administrators and Boards of Visitors in Virginia. About 15 of them specifically related to the Board.
Ackerly said University administrators already are following the recommendations, but that the Board is not following some of them.
The committee, composed of five Board members, will report to the Board at its June meeting.
The Board also passed a resolution for the formation of Spinner Technologies, Inc., a for-profit corporation designed to help start-up companies founded on technology developed at the University.
The University will have no financial obligation to the companies, but it will find laboratory space and provide services to aid the companies.
In other Board news, members passed a resolution to increase Medical Center employees' salaries by an average of 4 percent. The salary adjustments will be performance-based.
Critical personnel at the Medical Center also will see a salary increase of up to 2 percent.
The changes are "in line with what our competitors in the medical industry will be doing," said Leonard W. Sandridge Jr., executive vice president and chief operating officer.
The Board also approved a schematic design for the Monroe Lane Student Residence.
The new language house, which will be located off Jefferson Park Avenue, will house 80 students. Various languages will be represented, including Asian languages.
Board members also discussed building a new ramp for the disabled that will connect the Rotunda to the Lawn.
Board member Benjamin P.A. Warthen said he wanted the Board to discuss the logistics of the ramp in depth because of the Rotunda's historical value.
"It would be grossly inappropriate if we as the Board of Visitors did not look at the plans" more closely, Warthen said.
This weekend's meeting was the first for four Board members. Gov. James S. Gilmore III appointed Gordon F. Rainey Jr., Charles L. Glazer and Rep. Thomas J. Bliley Jr. (R-7th) to the Board last month. Student Board member Stephen S. Phelan Jr. was selected for the Board in February.
Glazer said he was impressed with the other Board members and the presenters who reported to the Board.
"Everyone had done their homework," Glazer said. Board members "expressed their opinions freely" and accomplished a lot.
Read More
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | 18 hours agoThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
Pro-Palestinian protesters form encampment near University Chapel
By CD News Staff | 18 hours agoThe encampment overlapped with a separate “May Day” protest on the Lawn, which was hosted by student activist group U.Va. Dissenters and the U.Va. Apartheid Divest Coalition.
Another aggravated assault incident reported to UPD
By Thomas Baxter | 19 hours agoThis is the first community alert of May.
