 | Board of Visitors minutes March 29, 1974 |  |
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Virginia's Continuing Commitment
On December 2, 1969, Mr. Leon Panetta, Director of the Office of Civil Rights of the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, wrote to Governor Mills E. Godwin calling for a desegregation plan for Virginia's institutions of higher education. During the Spring and Summer of 1970, members of the Governor's office, college officials and the State Council of Higher Education worked to develop a plan to insure that Virginia was in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A plan was submitted to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in December 1970. Throughout 1971, 1972 and the early months of 1973, no correspondence was received from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare regarding the 1970 plan. On March 27, 1973, Mr. Peter Holmes, Director of the Office of Civil Rights, inc letter to Governor Holton, indicated that the 1970 plan was not satisfactory and requested additional information relating primarily to 1971 and 1972. On April 20, 1973, Governor Holton responded to the Office of Civil Rights stating his firm belief that Virginia is in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and providing extensive details on developments during 1971-72.
On May 21, 1973, the Office of Civil Rights formally notified Governor Holton that in its opinion "Virginia's dual system (of higher education) has not yet been fully disestablished." This correspondence also requested additional data and additional actions planned by the State. On June 11, 1973, Governor Holton in a letter to the Office of Civil Rights supplied extensive additional information and actions taken and proposed by the Commonwealth which supported his "strong conviction that Virginia is in full compliance." On November 10, 1973, the Office of Civil Rights notified Governor Holton that Virginia's proposed actions
fall short of compliance with Title VI and that a revised plan be submitted for Virginia by February 9, 1974. In addition, on November 5, 1973, Governor Horton supplied data pertaining to institutional faculty affirmative action plans.
Thus, the plan presented here is not a new plan for Virginia's institutions of higher education, nor is it the first such plan submitted to the Office of Civil Rights. Rather, it represents a continuing commitment on the part of the Commonwealth to guarantee to its citizens equal opportunity in all acclivities relating to institutions of higher education. Although many of the specific plans mentioned herein indicate continuing commitments on the part of the Commonwealth, It should be clearly under- stood that they are intended to augment plans proposed in earlier submissions to the Office of Civil Rights and should not be considered as a new and/or different plan for guaranteeing equal opportunity.
B. Background for the Plan
Virginia currently maintains 39 state-supported institutions of higher education. Fifteen are senior colleges and universities, 23 are community colleges which have a total of 31 campuses, and one is a two-year liberal arts branch college. These institutions are listed in Appendix A; "Institutions of Higher Education in Virginia, 1973-74", which also includes a listing of the privately supported institutions of higher education in Virginia and a map showing the location of each institution.
These 39 state-supported institutions are governed by separate and independent boards of visitors. AU four-year colleges and universities have their own separate governing board except Christopher Newport College (which is governed by the Board of Visitors of The College of William and Mary) and Clinch Valley College (which is governed by the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia). All two-year community colleges are governed by a single board, the State Board for Community Colleges. Richard Bland College, a two-year liberal arts branch college, is governed by the Board of Visitors of The College of William and Mary. The responsibilities of each governing board are specified in the Code of Virginia.
Copies of the Code sections which specify board responsibilities are attached as Appendix B. Appendix B also includes a description by race of the individual boards of visitors and a state organizational chart listing the state agencies involved in higher education. This information is in direct response to the request in the November 10 letter.
In order to provide a "sound, vigorous, pro9ressive and coordinated system of higher education", the General Assembly in 1956 erected the State Council of Higher Education. The Council of Higher Education serves to coordinate the activities of the Individual institutions, but should not be construed as a controlling board with authority over individual institutions. The Code of Virginia is very specific as to this point and, in Section 23-9.14, clearly states that the Council's actions may not infringe on the duties of the boards of visitors except as specified in the Code. A copy of those portions of the Code specifying the Council's authorities and respon- sibilities is attached as Appendix C.
The individual governing boards of the institutions have full authority and responsibility for
a) setting the mission of the institution within the parameters defined by the Code of Virginia;
b) recruitment, admission, and grading of students;
c) recruitment, retention, and promotion of faculty.
The State Council of Higher Education has final authority and responsibility for
a) approving the initiation of any new academic program at any state-supported institution;
b) collecting any data deemed necessary to provide semi-annually to the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
In addition, the Council has responsibility for making recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on the financial requests of the institutions.
In summary, the system of higher education in Virginia operates on the principle of separate institutional governance.
The Council of Higher Education, in ifs coordinating role, maintains a series of advisory committees. These committees are organized around functional areas of higher education and include
a) General Professional Advisory Committee
b) Instructional Programs Advisory Committee
c) Library Advisory Committee
d) Health Professions and Occupations Advisory Committee
e) Admissions and Articulation Advisory Committee
f) Continuing Education Advisory Committee
g) Research and Development Advisory Committee
h) Finance Advisory Committee.
These committees provide formal opportunities for institutions to share ideas and discuss problems of common interest. In addition, they provide valuable information to the Council, enabling it to serve more effectively as an advisory body to the Governor and the General Assembly.
With this as background, the Plan for Equal Opportunity in Virginia's Institutions of Higher Education represents the combined efforts of the individual institutions and the Council of Higher Education, each taking those affirmative actions designed to guarantee equal opportunity which ore consistent with their respective authorities.
C. Responsibility for the Plan's Development, Implementation, and Monitoring
Development of the Plan
By letter dated December 21, 1973, Governor Holton assigned the Council of Higher Education responsibility for developing further the state plan for equal opportunity and assisting the institutions with its implementation." The plan which was submitted on June 11, 1973, and the additional material presented here have been developed jointly by the individual institutions and by the Council of Higher
Education. The plan as presented herein will be submitted lo the individual governing boards and the Council of Higher Education for their ratification.
Implementation of the Plan
The principal implementers of the plan will be the individual Institutions of higher education and the Council of Higher Education.
Monitoring the Plan
Individual institutions wilt collect and analyze data for self-evaluation, and will report to the Council of Higher Education as required. The Council will collect and analyze data on a statewide level, and will prepare semi-annual reports, as required, for the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
| Board of Visitors minutes March 29, 1974 | |