As Gov. James S. Gilmore III prepares for the last days of his term, he is working to tie up business lingering from the beginning of his four years in office.
Gilmore announced Tuesday that Virginia will increase funding to Norfolk State University and Virginia State University by over $10 million during the next four years. The stated goal is to enhance academic programs and improve facilities at Virginia's two historically black universities.
This commitment is part of an agreement negotiated by Gilmore, Attorneys General Mark L. Earley and Randolph A. Beales, and the U.S. Department of Education.
"The governor has been an ardent supporter of Norfolk State and Virginia State and all the colleges across the state," said Chris Freund, Gilmore's assistant press secretary. "It's been an ongoing negotiation and they've finally been able to make the deal."
The funding is part of efforts to correct issues of inadequate funding - lingering problems from Virginia's days of segregation, Norfolk State University President Marie McDemmond said. McDemmond added that everything turned out to be equal today.
A U.S. Department of Education has stated that a three-year review of Virginia's system of higher education reveals no signs of vestiges of historical discrimination at any of Virginia's originally all-white colleges and universities.
Both Norfolk State University and Virginia State University officials plan to use the money to implement new programs.
"We were surprised and pleased to hear that the money came out at this time," said Thomas Reed, director of university relations for Virginia State. "Funding for universities has been a little tight."
Reed said Virginia State already knows which programs will receive the funding.
"As of this fall we've developed five new programs - we'll use [the state's money] to fund the new programs and our first doctorate of educational administration," he said.
These programs include computer engineering, computer science, manufacturing engineering, mass communications and criminal justice.
"We are delighted because it will help to improve those programs and will prepare students for the 21st century," McDemmond said.
Norfolk State plans to implement bachelor's and master's programs in electrical and optical engineering, a master's in computer science and a master's in criminal justice.
McDemmond added that the school will use slightly under $1 million for capital projects and renovation.
"There's been an increase in funding for these two schools- 72 percent per student alone at NSU and 40 percent at VSU," Freund said. "There's been an increase 53 percent per student across the state."
The U.S. Department of Education also recognized Gilmore for increasing operating funds and facility construction funds at Norfolk State and Virginia State since 1998. Such initiatives will appear in his final budget plan to be presented in December.
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