HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 91 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee on Rules on February 5, 2008) (Patrons Prior to Substitute—Delegates Hamilton and Poisson [HJR 99]) Establishing a joint subcommittee to study ways in which the Commonwealth may work more closely with Virginia’s private, nonprofit colleges to meet state higher education needs. Report.

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth’s system of higher education is one of the best in the country and Virginia’s private colleges have contributed to this success; and

WHEREAS, private colleges and universities have educated the Commonwealth’s citizens since the 1700s and offer a variety of educational options, including four single-sex institutions, three historically Black colleges and universities, nationally ranked liberal arts colleges, and 17 institutions with graduate and professional programs; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s 31 private, nonprofit colleges are a valuable and often underutilized resource of the Commonwealth, with 70,000 students and 15,000 employees; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s private colleges are serving a public mission and have an enrollment that includes 21 percent African-American students and 28 percent Pell Grant recipients; and

WHEREAS, private institutions offer Virginia students personal attention, small classes, leadership opportunities, and a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and sciences; and

WHEREAS, Article VIII, Section 11 of the Constitution of Virginia permits the Commonwealth to contract with private, nonprofit colleges for educational services; and

WHEREAS, the shortage of nurses is a pressing concern in the Commonwealth, and seven private colleges offer nursing programs, and private colleges confer 31 percent of all four-year degrees in the health professions; and

WHEREAS, there is also a shortage of teachers in the Commonwealth, and 24 private institutions offer teacher preparation programs, and 15,200 licensed Virginia K-12 instructional personnel have earned a degree from a Virginia private college; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth realizes substantial savings in general fund and capital expenditures when Virginia students enroll in a private college; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, 20,000 Virginia residents will receive the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG), a tuition equalization program that began in 1973 and currently represents less than five percent of the state’s annual higher education budget; and

WHEREAS, trends show an increasing demand for enrollment in the Commonwealth’s institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s private colleges have existing capacity to enroll more Virginia students and have no financial incentive to enroll out-of-state students; and

WHEREAS, enrollment projections for the years 2007-2014 for four-year public institutions of higher education indicate limited enrollment capacity for new, in-state undergraduate students, and the projected availability of only 1,537 additional new spaces in 2014 over the current enrollment; and

WHEREAS, increasingly, colleges and universities are being asked to respond to the growing demand to structure higher education programs and services to meet the needs of today’s students, provide support for business and industry, serve as a pillar in the economic development infrastructure, conduct research, and contribute to the communities in which they are located; and

WHEREAS, although colleges have traditionally established fall-to-spring academic calendars, it is believed that a year-round college design would enable institutions of higher education to meet increasing enrollment demands without the costs of building new facilities; promote more efficient use of academic buildings, dormitories, and other campus facilities, thereby reducing the tax burden and cost of tuition; help low-income students continue their studies without interruption until graduation, motivate students to complete their undergraduate degrees in three years, and allow academically-challenged students to take a lighter course load; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study ways in which the Commonwealth may work more closely with Virginia’s private, nonprofit colleges to meet state higher education needs. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of 15 members that shall consist of eight legislative members, four nonlegislative citizen members, and three ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows:  five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be the president of a private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, and one nonlegislative citizen member at-large to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be the president of a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, and one nonlegislative citizen member at-large to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and the Chairman of the State Council of Higher Education or their designees shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the joint subcommittee shall be citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk, nonlegislative citizen members shall only be reimbursed for travel originating and ending within the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of attending meetings. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall (i) review the success of the Tuition Assistance Grant Program and develop recommendations to increase the effectiveness and awareness of the program among Virginia families; (ii) evaluate current and future higher education enrollment needs and identify ways in which the Commonwealth can partner or enter into contracts with Virginia private colleges to meet these needs; (iii) examine the ability of private colleges to provide the technology, equipment, and facilities necessary to serve Virginia students; (iv) review publicly supported programs for private higher education in other states and consider the applicability of such programs to Virginia; and (v) examine the success of private colleges in educating disadvantaged students and recommend ways in which the Commonwealth can help private colleges continue this important public mission.

In addition, the joint subcommittee shall also include in its study, the objectives detailed in House Joint Resolution 99 (2008), relating to the efficacy, and academic and economic advantages and disadvantages of establishing a year-round college calendar in Virginia.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the State Council of Higher Education, and the staffs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2008 interim and four meetings for the 2009 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $9,600 for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the House members or a majority of the Senate members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2008, and for the second year by November 30, 2009, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2008 and 2009 interims.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 91 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 7, 2008 Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the partnership of Virginia’s public and private institutions of higher education to address the Commonwealth’s education and workforce needs. Report. ---------- Patron-- Hamilton ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, trends show an increasing demand for enrollment in the Commonwealth’s public institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, the State Council of Higher Education projects that “between 2000 and 2010, undergraduate and graduate enrollment demand across Virginia’s system of higher education, including public two- and four-year institutions, and private nonprofit and private for-profit institutions will increase by approximately 38,296 students, and of this number, public institutions will account for 83 percent of the increase or 31,611 students”; and

WHEREAS, the Council reported that “the demand for higher education is being driven by a significant increase in the number of 15 to 24 year olds, the traditional student base, and localities along the I-95/I-64 corridor in the eastern portion of the Commonwealth will be impacted, while the population of 25 to 44 year olds, the age group that drives nontraditional enrollments in Virginia institutions of higher education”; and

WHEREAS, “such institutions whose missions are primarily geared to serving traditional students that draw from the I-95/I-64 corridor in the eastern part of the Commonwealth are likely to experience the greatest increase in enrollment demand”and have no financial incentive to enroll out-of-state students; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth realizes substantial savings in general fund and capital expenditures with the enrollment of Virginia students in private institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, enrollment projections for 2007 through 2014 for public institutions of higher education indicate limited erollment capacity for new, in-state undergraduate students, indicating a projected increase of 1,537 additional new spaces by 2014, while Virginia’s private colleges and universities have an existing capacity to enroll more Virginia students; and

WHEREAS, Article VIII, Section 11 of the Virginia Constitution permits the Commonwealth to contract with private, nonprofit institutions of higher education for educational services; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's system of higher education consists of 39 public colleges and universities, 15 four-year institutions, 23 community colleges, one two-year college, and includes 31 private, nonprofit colleges and universities that serve 70,000 students and employs 15,000 employees; and

WHEREAS, the shortage of nurses and classroom teachers are pressing concerns in the Commonwealth, and of the private institutions of higher education in Virginia, 24 institutions offer teacher preparation programs, and seven institutions offer nursing nursing programs, conferring 31% of all four-year degrees in the health professions; and

WHEREAS, private colleges and universities have educated the Commonwealth’s citizens since the 1700s and offer a variety of educational options, including four single-sex institutions, three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), nationally ranked liberal arts colleges, and 17 institutions with graduate and professional programs; and

WHEREAS, African American students represent 21% and students who receive Pell Grants represent 28% of the students enrolled at private colleges and universities in Virginia, and the commitment to enhance access and affordability to higher education as detailed in the State Council of Higher Education’s current strategic plan is embraced by all of Virginia’s private institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, 20,000 Virginia residents will be eligible to receive the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG), a tuition equalization program that represents less than five percent of the state’s annual higher education budget; and

WHEREAS, it is important that public and private institutions of higher education plan collaboratively with the Commonwealth for this significant increase in college-bound students to provide for Virginia’s educational and workforce needs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the partnership of Virginia’s public and private institutions of higher education to address the Commonwealth’s education and workforce needs.  The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of 15 members that shall consist of eight legislative members, four nonlegislative citizen members, and three ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows:  five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall represent a private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, and one nonlegislative citizen member at-large to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one nonlegislative citizen member who shall represent a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, and one nonlegislative citizen member at-large to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and the Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education or their designees shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the joint subcommittee shall be citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk, nonlegislative citizen members shall only be reimbursed for travel originating and ending within the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of attending meetings. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall investigate opportunities for public and private institutions of higher education to work collaboratively to address the projected enrollment demand. The joint subcommittee shall (i) review and consider the findings and implications of the enrollment projection report(s) by the State Council of Higher Education, (ii) determine current and projected workforce demands and the educational support required by business and industry; (iii) evaluate the need for change in institutional missions, programs and services, and fiscal and capacity requirements of the system of higher education, in order that Virginia may meet current and projected higher educational needs in the Commonwealth; (iv) develop alternatives and options to meet the projected enrollment demand; (v) recommend ways in which public and private institutions of higher education may partner with the Commonwealth to address the educational and workforce needs in Virginia; and (vi) consider such other related matters as may be necessary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the implications of the projected enrollment demand.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services.  Technical assistance shall be provided by the State Council of Higher Education, and the staffs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2008 interim and four meetings for the 2009 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 9,600 for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk.  If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the House members or a majority of the Senate members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2008, and for the second year by November 30, 2009, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee.  The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2008 and 2009 interims.