The University of Virginia has agreed to discuss sponsoring the first classes held at the New College Institute in Martinsville, Va.
The University is still unaware of what its exact role will be in the development of classes, said J. Milton Adams, University vice provost for academic programs. Because the state budget was only recently approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Kaine, Adams estimated it could take months for the details to be worked out.
Still, Adams remains optimistic about the University's role in the future of the New College Institute.
"We're looking forward to cooperating with them and developing these courses," Adams said.
Along with the University, the Institute will offer classes through Longwood College, Radford University, Averett University and Ferrum University. Students at the Institute will have the opportunity to obtain bachelors and master's degrees in various areas, such as criminal justice and business administration.
Initially the effort focused on engineering, and evolved into a proposal that would allow University faculty members to teach in Martinsville. Many professors might be hired there for that purpose, Adams said. The effort came about in part because of the work of Colette Sheehy, University vice president of management and budget, who was working with several of the state colleges and universities to make colleges available in Martinsville, Adams added.
The announcement of the University's plans to work at the New College Institute comes only months after some faculty members voiced concern about the administration's acquisition of the Semester at Sea program. A debate erupted after questions arose about which courses would recieve departmental credit during the inaugural semester.
Adams believes that the Semester at Sea issue will not affect the University's role in developing programs in Martinsville.
"The programs for SAS courses were already developed and were just changed by the faculty," Adams said. "Our faculty has gotten very engaged in this process. If they see something that doesn't make sense for a potential U.Va course, they suggest changes and [the changes] are then implemented."
As of right now, the University College at Wise has not been asked to assist in the development of courses at the New College Institute. Sim Ewing, vice-chancellor of finance and government affairs at the College at Wise, also does not believe that Wise's programs will coincide with the courses offered at the Institute.
"With every institute in the Commonwealth, there is an overlap with programs," Ewing said. "[The Institute] is really in a different region of the state. I don't see it as an overlap to us."
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