The application fee for University admission soon may drop from $60 to $40 if the Virginia General Assembly passes a budget amendment proposed yesterday by Gov. James S. Gilmore III (R).
Last year, the University raised its application fee by $20 to fund the renovation of Peabody Hall, which now houses the Office of the Dean of Students.
But Gilmore spokeswomanLila Young said Gilmore does not believe the financial responsibility for Peabody Hall's overhaul should be placed on prospective students.
"The governor views it as an unnecessary and inappropriate fee on taxpayers and doesn't think that's the right thing to do," Young said.
With the amendment to House Bill 29, a budget bill for the 1998-2000 fiscal years, Gilmore allocated $2 million for Peabody Hall's renovation, stipulating that the funds for renovation only will be given if the University rescinds the increased application fee.
After renovations, which are expected to take about a year to complete, Peabody Hall will house the Office of Admissions as well as the Office of the Dean of Students. Peabody Hall previously accommodated several student organizations such as the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Inter-Sorority Council and some student publications. These student groups were relocated because of construction.
The Office of Admissions now is located in nearby Miller Hall, which is slated for demolition in order to build a new underground special collections library.
If the General Assembly approves the governor's changes this month, the bill would go into effect immediately.
According to University Director of Budget Melody Bianchetto, Gilmore included the funds for renovation in his December version of the bill, but the General Assembly removed the provision.
University spokeswoman Louise Dudley agreed it is logical for the finances for the Peabody project to come from a related resource.
Gilmore had a meeting last week with University Rector John P. Ackerly III and Leonard W. Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer.
"They basically just discussed that particular project and the fact that the governor feels strongly about the fee increase," said Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget. "He didn't indicate at the meeting what the decision would be."
Sandridge could not be reached for comment and Ackerly declined to comment.
Sheehy said if the General Assembly approves the amendment, there will be about a year of construction and the Office of Admissions will move to Peabody Hall next summer.
Gilmore also made amendments to House Bill 30, a budget bill for fiscal years 2000-2002, but none of the changes affect the University. The bill also provides the University with $9 million in funding for a new studio arts building.
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