HB1459: Higher educational institutions; tuition lock certificate program.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1459
Offered January 19, 2006
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23-9.2:3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to tuition lock certificate (TLC) program.
Patron-- Kilgore

Referred to Committee on Education

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 23-9.2:3 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 23-9.2:3. Power of governing body of educational institution to establish rules and regulations; offenses occurring on property of institution; state direct student financial assistance.

A. In addition to the powers now enjoyed by it, the board of visitors or other governing body of every educational institution shall have the power:

1. To establish rules and regulations for the acceptance and assistance of students except that (i) individuals who have failed to meet the federal requirement to register for the selective service shall not be eligible to receive any state direct student assistance; (ii) the accreditation status of a Virginia public high school shall not be considered in making admissions determinations for students who have earned a diploma pursuant to the requirements established by the Board of Education; and (iii) the governing boards of the four-year institutions shall establish policies providing for the admission of certain graduates of Virginia community colleges as set forth in § 23-9.2:3.02.

2. To establish rules and regulations for the conduct of students while attending such institution.

3. To establish programs, in cooperation with the State Council of Higher Education and the Office of the Attorney General, to promote compliance among students with the Commonwealth's laws relating to the use of alcoholic beverages.

4. To establish rules and regulations for the rescission or restriction of financial aid, within the discretionary authority provided to the institution by federal or state law and regulations, and the suspension and dismissal of students who fail or refuse to abide by such rules and regulations for the conduct of students.

5. To establish rules and regulations for the employment of professors, teachers, instructors and all other employees and provide for their dismissal for failure to abide by such rules and regulations.

6. To provide parking and traffic rules and regulations on property owned by such institution.

7. To establish guidelines for the initiation or induction into any social fraternity or sorority in accordance with § 18.2-56.

B. Upon receipt of an appropriate resolution of the board of visitors or other governing body of an educational institution, the governing body of a political subdivision which is contiguous to the institution shall enforce state statutes and local ordinances with respect to offenses occurring on the property of the institution.

C. The governing bodies of the public institutions of higher education shall assist the State Council of Higher Education in enforcing the provisions related to eligibility for financial aid.

CD. In order to improve the quality of the Commonwealth's work force and educational programs, the governing bodies of the public institutions of higher education shall establish programs to seek to ensure that all graduates have the technology skills necessary to compete in the 21st Century and, particularly, that all students matriculating in teacher-training programs receive instruction in the effective use of educational technology.

E. To provide students and their families with fiscal stability in predicting and budgeting for a college education and to encourage the public institutions of higher education to be fiscally responsible and responsive to the economic needs of students and their families, the governing bodies of the public institutions of higher education may, beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year, establish a tuition lock certificate (TLC) program that prospectively fixes the cost of tuition and fees for incoming undergraduate freshmen students for four consecutive years under the following conditions: (i) the student shall be enrolled full-time and remain continuously enrolled as a full-time student for the period of eligibility for the TLC; (ii) a class rate is annually established in accordance with any requirements set forth in the appropriation act; (iii) rules are clearly established for the TLC to address eligibility of undergraduate freshmen and transfer students and any unforeseen circumstances that may require eligible students to take a leave of absence from the institution; and (iv) literature is disseminated to all students applying to the relevant institution that clearly and concisely explains the program eligibility, costs, and terms vis-a-vis the costs associated with part-time enrollment. Any TLC program shall provide a class rate for in-state students and may also establish a higher class rate for out-of-state students.