A governor-appointed council in Richmond recommended Wednesday that more state resources be devoted to higher education -- but lawmakers and Virginia school administrators disagree on whether the funds are available.
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said the state's higher education system needs greater funding to weather the Commonwealth's ballooning student bodies, declining national research standing and faltering job market.
"The question isn't how can we do this, but how can we not find ways to address these concerns," SCHEV Acting Communication Director Fran Bradford said.
But state officials say there simply is not enough money in state coffers for increased higher education funding.
"Under the present environment in Richmond, there's no chance for passage" of the recommendations, said State Del. Mitch Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, who also serves on the Virginia House Education Committee.
Van Yahres said he would introduce five tax measures, including a tobacco tax and an elimination of the car tax refund that would help fund higher education projects if passed.
"Unless the projects were in the [higher education] bond referendum, it will be very difficult to raise funding," said Del. James H. Dillard, chair of the Virginia House Education Committee.
SCHEV unanimously approved the far-reaching "Advancing Virginia Toward Higher Education" plan after a morning meeting, which included a speech by Virginia Tech President Charles Steeger -- endorsing the plan on behalf of state schools.
"Most [of the recommendations] are pretty daunting," said University Provost Gene Block, who served on one of the committees that drew up some of the recommendations. "But, most recommendations we believe very strongly in
and we will, of course, do what we can do with the resources that we have."
Stressing the importance and responsibility of higher education to citizens and the commonwealth, the report said the Commonwealth "must take strategic steps to preserve and improve its educational resources" to combat weakening faculties and deteriorating facilities.
SCHEV identified three pressing goals for state colleges, which include expanding student accommodations in anticipation of increased enrollment numbers, improving Virginia's national research stature through expanding graduate programs and attracting high quality faculty members, and enhancing the quality of instruction.
In the report, SCHEV warned that public institutions should expect and brace for an influx of 38,000 students past current levels by 2010, an increase that exceeds current capacity levels.
Over half of Virginia's campus buildings are in need of repair if they are to withstand this inundation of students, according to the report. New facilities and increased salaries also are critical in attracting and retaining faculty members, and securing highly qualified researchers and research grants, the report said.
"We'll have to be creative to fund these improvements," Bradford said. "This may include schools being more collaborative in seeking research grants. In order to save money, schools could also share payroll and accounting services."
After consecutive years of higher education budget shortfalls of $240 million and $342 million, the General Assembly again cut the state's funding of higher education by 22 percent for fiscal 2003.
As untimely as a request for increased funding may seem, the authors of the SCHEV report said a strong education system is essential for a healthy economy.
Budget cuts have led colleges and universities to increase tuition by and average of 11 percent in the past year, a trend SCHEV fears will hinder access to higher education by disadvantaged students.
"As tuition increases, schools have to increase aid for students," Bradford said.
SCHEV has an important role to point Richmond in the right direction concerning higher education, but the group's recommendations will be difficult to implement, University Vice President for Finance Yoke San Reynolds said.
"SCHEV is helpful in setting targets and benchmarks, but has no link to budgeting," Reynolds said.
Reynolds added that the University has not begun planning to support the expected increase in student enrollment because the administration does not yet have enrollment projections. A report on the projected increase is due from Richmond in the near future, she said.
But Block said the University administration has begun to "think very hard at the infrastructure requirement" of a rise in the student population and said University projects, some with substantial bond funding, will help accommodate a surge in the student body.
SCHEV is comprised of 11 members appointed by the governor and, while not a policymaking body, is responsible for making recommendations to the General Assembly and governor concerning higher education. The group is legally obligated to draw up a plan every four years outlining guiding aims for higher education in the state.
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