Four college presidents from across the Commonwealth presented their concerns to members of the Senate Finance Committee last Thursday in an effort to increase support for higher education.
The presidents of Emory & Henry College and Randolph-Macon College, both private institutions, offered arguments for an increase in tuition assistance grants while the heads of Virginia Tech and the Virginia Community College System made a case for greater state funding.
"We were talking to a very supportive group of influential legislators," said Glenn DuBois, Virginia Community College System chancellor.
With the proposed transformation of Virginia's three flagship colleges and universities into charter schools likely to be placed on hold for another year, alternate methods for correcting budget shortfalls now are being considered.
The committee has begun debating its own tax plan, sponsored by committee chair and President pro tempore of the Senate John Chichester, R-Stafford, which could help close the gap in state funding for higher education.
In addition to the tax plan Gov. Mark R. Warner introduced last year, Chichester has proposed an even more ambitious package aimed at raising approximately $1 billion in revenue for the Commonwealth. Over the next two years, close to $200 million in additional funding would become available for higher education, as opposed to about $150 million under Warner's plan.
Though there is support for such a proposal in the House of Delegates, neither tax plan is guaranteed passage in the traditionally conservative body.
"We've got two out of three," DuBois said. "The issue is going to come down to a showdown in the House."
He added that the presidents "upped the ante" in regard to core issues of higher education: enrollment and "base budget adequacy," referring to the amount of money necessary for an institution to maintain comparable student-faculty ratios to a selected peer group.
With no additional funding in the upcoming state budget, the University would be forced to raise tuition by 5 percent a year in order to achieve these funding levels, according to statistics from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, an advisory group reporting to Warner.
Even with increased support from the state, Leonard W. Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, said tuition increases likely will be necessary.
"Without reasonable increases in the budget for salaries, our ability to attract and retain the best faculty and staff is threatened," he said.
In addition to addressing funding issues, DuBois emphasized the importance of other educational priorities, including being able to provide a seamless transition for students who wish to enter a four-year institution after graduating from community college.
The University, he added, has a good relationship with Piedmont Virginia Community College, though it could do more to coordinate efforts with the 22 other similar institutions across the Commonwealth.
By 2010, enrollment in state community colleges is expected to increase by 20,000 students, after rising by 12,000 over the past three years, Dubois said.
Read More
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | 2 hours ago"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
Faculty Senate Executives hear from Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson
By Xander Tilock and Grace Traxler | YesterdayRectors were in attendance for part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting and were asked about the interim president selection process.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
By Brendon Bordwine | 2 days agoThe University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes.
