University of Virginia Library

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.