The deadline for introducing bills and budget amendments has passed, so we have a count of our specific workload for this 46-day session. This year the General Assembly will consider 2661 bills and resolutions. The House initiated 1500 of the total and those measures are moving through the committee system. The majority of resolutions pass because they are requests or expressions of judgment and do not have the force of law, but the failure rate for bills generally hovers around 50%, so by the end of the session we will probably have 900-1,000 new laws in the Virginia Code.

One of the issues receiving a great deal of attention since it emerged in its draft form last year is the Charter Proposal for state universities. There are currently at least three bills circulating through the legislative system mapping out innovative ways to reconfigure university structure to allow greater financial autonomy. The bills, each a little different in intent, all have lengthy titles—Higher Educational Institutions: Governing Structure, or Collegial Bodies Organizational Requirements, not to be out done by The Restructured Higher Education Financial & Administrative Operations Act. No matter the name, the basic philosophy behind the changes is greater campus control of financial and bureaucratic decisions in the wake of a long history of unpredictable state support and red tape. It is important to note that none of the bills addresses academic or student programs. The emphasis is on operational and administrative responsibilities.

While I appreciate the need for this thorough examination and support the effort for greater university efficiency and cost savings, I have been concerned about several of the initial components of the plan—financial aid for students in need, protection of benefits for current and new employees, and safeguards on tuition raises.

We live in a time when graduation from a two or four-year institution is more and more important for individual security and economic stability. It is essential the state ensure that low income is not a barrier to receiving a college education and student financial aid programs are the vital springboard to access for thousands of potential graduates. I will insist that an adequate financial aid package is a component to any university restructure.

Second, it is incumbent upon the legislature to keep the promises made to existing employees and protect the benefits of future employees. Any new organization must ensure that employees will have health care and retirement policies as good as or better than current levels. It is important to me that a final restructure ensure Virginia Retirement System membership and Anthem or comparable healthcare.

Finally, any plan must address tuition rates. We all recognize that, like most products we purchase, tuition costs will rise, but the legislature would be remiss if we don’t build in some safeguards that determine a predictable and gradual rate of increase. The state still maintains a financial responsibility to provide resources for colleges to carry on their mission without requiring or allowing exorbitant tuition hikes on the part of the schools.

There are some exciting and beneficial points to the restructuring ideas that will, I am confident, solidly improve higher education. There is no question that there currently is prohibitive bureaucracy involved in capital projects, procurement procedures and sale regulations. All the bills currently making their way through the legislative system streamline the process and will clearly cut costs. This will free up critical dollars that can be invested in salaries, especially at the lower level of the pay scale. The restructuring initiatives also strengthen the connection between two-year and four-year institutions and will enhance the transfer capabilities between schools. This will boost our Community Colleges and improve access for Virginia students across the state to move forward to graduation from a four-year school.

Some kind of restructuring bill will successfully emerge from the General Assembly this session, and it will provide opportunity and improvement for all of Virginia’s higher educational institutions. Our flagship universities, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia and William & Mary initiated our thinking toward change and took the leadership in raising critical issues and asking tough questions. The end result will be a new foundation for all schools as they approach the administrative challenges of the future.

The university restructure is simply one of the over 2,000 ideas that are circulating throughout the legislature system. Some will go forth into law while others will be considered and discarded to await support another year.

As usual, I hope if you have questions or concerns about legislation mentioned in this column, or any legislative matter, you will not hesitate to contact me at any of the following addresses. And again, I invite you to visit me in Richmond to discuss local or legislative issues of importance to you.