The week of January 24 began with a presentation by Chancellor Glenn DuBois before the Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee on the VCCS’ role in noncredit occupational funding. 

The Governor’s introduced budget includes $3 million to expand the public-private partnership with Virginia companies and individuals. This partnership has been in existence since the General Assembly requested that the VCCS increase its workforce development efforts ten years ago. Explaining the importance of workforce development and its prominent part in our six-year plan, Achieve 2015, Dr. DuBois outlined how demand from employers currently outpaces our resources to provide the training that employers and businesses are seeking. He presented the subcommittee members with supporting letters from over two dozen Virginia businesses and statewide organizations. Two business leaders joined him and addressed the committee in support of the additional $3 million.

Two bills which begin to implement the recommendations of the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education were heard in committee this week and are advancing.  HB 2510 was amended in the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee on January 26 and was then passed unanimously in the House Appropriations Committee the same afternoon. 

The same day, fifteen organizations including chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and educational organizations endorsed the legislation.  The companion bill in the Senate, SB 1459, was heard in Senate Education and Health on January 21 and re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee.  A matrix which outlines the major differences between the current law and the changes proposed under SB 1459 and HB 2510 (prior to amendment)  is found here. 

The amendments to the bill primarily focus on the creation of a higher education advisory committee, which will provide advice and make recommendations on changes including a new state funding model in which funding will be allocated per student and will “follow the student,” determining financial aid criteria, tuition models, and  metrics for meeting assessment measures outlined in institutional six-year plans.  The amendments also clarify that there will be seven representatives from institutions of higher education, which will include the Chancellor of the VCCS.

The pace will be accelerating next week as the time gets closer for all bill to pass their house of origin, or “crossover,” which is February 8.  Moreover, the House and Senate money committees will be reporting out their versions of the budget on Sunday, February 6.

Posted by Ellen Davenport