Freshly inaugurated in Williamsburg last Saturday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will begin work with his new cabinet this session regarding issues in higher education.
The Higher Education Restructuring Act Management Plan, previously known as the charter initiative that would give the University, William & Mary and Virginia Tech more financial autonomy, will be discussed in this session of the General Assembly. The plan will go into effect July 2006 if approved.
Kaine spokesperson Kevin Hall said Kaine is "philosophically supportive of giving the institutions more flexibility." Kaine pledged to support the restructuring initiative after hearing the "compelling argument" of Virginia state colleges, Hall added.
In the face of possible tuition increases and cuts to employee benefits that could result from the plan, Kaine, like his predecessor former governor Mark R. Warner, has taken precautions -- such as financial aid promises -- to ensure that the affected colleges "would be mindful of financial aid issues and access issues and public responsibilities," Hall said.
Kaine will be assisted in his higher education goals by newly chosen Secretary of Education, Thomas R. Morris, who earned his masters and doctoral degrees at the University. Morris has spent the last 14 years as President of Emory & Henry College, a private school in southwestern Virginia, where he oversaw a 44 percent increase in enrollment -- a background which will prove "very useful" to his role as education secretary, Morris said.
"I'm a product of the public institutions," Morris said. "Many of the issues in higher education cut across in both the public and private sectors."
Morris also said he supports the restructuring initiative.
"I think that to the extent that you're de-centralizing, it simply makes it possible for the dollars to be spent more efficiently and more wisely -- without having to comply with state regulations," Morris said.
While critics warn of tuition hikes and cuts to employee benefits, Morris said such issues are not primary concerns at this time.
"To the extent that public institutions can run their colleges and universities more efficiently, in a more business-like manner, I think that works to the advantage of everyone," he said.
Morris said he is confident that the General Assembly will approve the Higher Education Restructuring Act Management Agreement.
Morris said all Virginia schools will benefit from Kaine's plan to use transportation funding exclusively for transportation initiatives, which he outlined in his first State of the Commonwealth address.
"Governor Kaine is trying to segregate transport funds from regular funds," Morris said. "There won't be as much competition for the general funds. Health and education and social services will benefit."
In addition to his transportation plans, Morris said Kaine vowed to create a state-wide pre-kindergarten program and to establish a state college in Martinsville, Virginia -- an area of low funding, low education and high unemployment.
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