Several University students will be roaming the halls of the state capitol tomorrow in order to make their voices heard regarding higher education issues that now are before the General Assembly.
The Student Council Legislative Affairs Committee is making its annual trip to Richmond to support the bond bills that would give more funding to Virginia's universities. The students also oppose a bill that would regulate the ratio of in-state to out-of-state students at public universities.
Council passed a resolution on Tuesday night outlining its positions on the legislation for Committee members to take to Richmond.
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Legislative Affairs Committee Chairman Nick Jabbour said Council supports of all the bond bills because they would provide much-needed funds to the University. The money would go toward renovating Cocke Hall, constructing a medical building and an engineering research facility and several other projects.
Four bond bills have been proposed. Each bill differs in the amount of money it offers, ranging from $249 million to $900 million.
Nancy Rivers, University director for state governmental relations, said the University officially supports Governor James S. Gilmore III's bond bill for $249 million dollars but added that the bills "all are supportive of our objectives."
The Legislative Affairs Committee also will ask state delegates not to support a bill that calls for a set ratio of in-state to out-of-state students at public universities.
The ratio would have an adverse effect on diversity at the University because it would limit the amount of out-of-state students the University could admit, Jabbour said.
Currently, 68 percent of students are in state and 32 percent come from outside Virginia. The bill before the General Assembly would force the University to enroll at least 75 percent in-state students.
If passed, the bill would affect the University financially as well as change the makeup of its student body, Jabbour said.
Out-of-state students already pay 133 percent of the actual cost of their education because of an in-state tuition freeze. If the percentage of in-state students rises, then out-of-state students would have to pay even more to make up for the lost revenue.
Jabbour said it is important for students to convey their opinions to the state legislature. "We are trying to speak to legislators in order to give them a student perspective on issues of higher education," he said.
The Committee plans to meet with delegates on the education and finance committees of the General Assembly to express their opinions on the various bills. "The delegates are very responsive," said Matt Fesak, vice chairman of legislative affairs. "They appreciate student input"
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