U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced yesterday a new commission to develop a national strategy for post-secondary education, addressing "the economic and workforce needs of the country's future" and intending to attack issues such as access to and affordability of higher education.
"We have a responsibility to make sure our higher education system continues to meet our nation's needs for an educated and competitive workforce in the 21st century," Spellings said.
According to the release, Spellings said the commission will engage students and families, policy makers, business leaders and the academic community in a national dialogue about all key aspects of higher education.
Samara Yudof, spokesperson for the Department of Education, said funding for the new initiative will come from the Department.
Yusof said she could not provide any additional information regarding the specifics of the initiative because the program is in its pilot stage.
The commission's charter provides a budget of $700,000, which is the same as the Title IV commission implemented a few years ago, she said.
Vice President to the Provost J. Milton Adams said in recent years the University has made major steps forward in terms of affordability and access that complement the efforts of the new initiative.
"For affordability, the AccessUVa program is a huge step forward," Adams said.
A student whose family income is less than twice the poverty level qualifies for full financial aid and grants.
According to Adams, the University has a policy that will meet 100 percent of need for any student. Students who come from families with moderate incomes pay no more than one year's cost of tuition. He also emphasized the University's outreach to these students.
"We have 14 of our most recent alums who are at high schools throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia working specifically with students who aren't planning to go to college, about which classes to take, how financial aid works and how to apply for it," Adams said.
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