NEWS RELEASE

SCHEV Takes Action on 2006-2008 Systemwide Budget Priorities
—Council approves over $510 million in operating recommendations and $891 million in capital recommendations —

RICHMOND — The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) today approved over $510 million in operating priorities for higher education, including recommendations for achieving base adequacy by 2008, as well as fully funding the Commonwealth’s goals for faculty salaries by 2008 and undergraduate student financial aid by 2010. The Council also approved over $891 million in capital recommendations over the next biennium, including funding for new academic and research space, and the renovation of current institutional space.

“The Council’s commitment to Virginia’s world-class system of higher education continues to be illustrated through the priorities approved today,” said Council Chairman Alan Wurtzel. “And while Governor Warner and the General Assembly have demonstrated their dedication to higher education in the Commonwealth over the past biennium, the system is currently under-funded by over $370 million, and remains in critical need of support in a number of areas as expressed by SCHEV through our budget recommendations.”

A full copy of the Council’s approved budget recommendations can be found at http://www.schev.edu/SCHEVs/OperatingandCapitalRecommendations.pdf.

SCHEV is the Commonwealth’s coordinating body for Virginia’s system of higher education. The agency provides policy guidance and budget recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly, and is a resource for information on Virginia colleges and universities on higher education issues. Agenda materials for the SCHEV meeting are available at www.schev.edu.

For more information, contact Kirsten Nelson, Director of Government Relations and Communications, at KirstenNelson@schev.edu or (804)225-2627.