ONCE AGAIN, the University of Virginia is leading the way towards academic freedom, though this time it is more for the freedom of academics. On Nov. 15, the Board of Visitors submitted a management agreement proposal to the Virginia General Assembly that would grant the University the highest level of autonomy from the state government. This plan, approved by Gov. Mark R. Warner, is a step forward for the University if it wishes to remain one of the nation's leading schools.
The management agreement, made possible under the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act, generally allows the University greater freedom to decide where its money will go and how it will operate. Instead of sending proposals back and forth from the Board of Visitors to the General Assembly, the University will be able to skip much of the bureaucratic process and make its own decisions. Importantly, as the University's Web site points out, UVa will at all times remain a public, state school and will be subject to the many requirements set by the State Council on Higher Education.
One of the most important areas where the University will gain greater autonomy is in capital outlay, and purchase and use of real estate. Under the agreement, according to the Web site, the University will receive the right to establish "a non-general fund project without prior state approval." This fund would most likely be the result of a capital or fundraising campaign independent of money set aside by the state, and would allow for "acquisition of real property without state approval" as well as "improvements on land acquired with or facilities constructed with non-general funds." In addition, the University would have greater freedom to negotiate with contractors when improving University property.
Greater autonomy in capital development will allow the University not only to raise more money directly for expansion and improvement, but more importantly to have a far greater say in the direction that development is taking. The University and the Board of Visitors will have direct control over such projects and will be able to enact them when and where it needs without having to go through the state government.
Another key section of the agreement allows the University greater freedom over human resources through the development of a self- rather than state-administered program. In creating this program, the University will be able to allow its employees "compensation plans, including merit based pay," "more flexibility in the use of leave," as well as better "severance benefit policies for salaried employees who are involuntarily separated for reasons unrelated to performance or conduct."
It is important to note that according to the Web site at all times University employees will remain state employees and will continue to receive benefits as such, and that current employees are not required to enter the new system. The new program benefits both the University and its employees as well as makes the system far more manageable. In addition, the state government retains a fair amount of oversight in that the University must submit yearly human resource reports to various state agencies.
Finally, what is perhaps one of the most controversial parts of the agreement is that the University will be allowed to set its own rates for tuition, room and board, etc. Critics of earlier charter initiative proposals have argued that University control of tuition rates would inevitable result in an increase which would disadvantage current and potential students. This is not the case, however. The University's 6-year Plan shows its commitment to widespread access. More to the point, the same section allowing the University to set its own rates also requires "appropriate commitment (be) provided to need-based grant aid for middle- and lower-income undergraduate Virginians." History Prof. Jeffrey Rossman, who criticized earlier proposals, said in an interview that the agreement goes a long way towards addressing these concerns and that he "feels comfortable with it."
Certainly it is possible, and indeed likely, that tuition rates will increase. This does not mean, however, that anyone will be disadvantaged or that this money will be wasted. The University and the Board of Visitors have proven their commitment to providing financial aid and to attracting the best possible students regardless of their socioeconomic background. The added income will allow the University to continue this trend as well as to invest in research and other areas that maintain its high academic level.
The University has met the General Assembly's requirements and has shown that it is capable of managing itself, so let us hope this agreement passes quickly. The agreement allows the University the freedom it needs to develop and expand when, where and how it needs and is essential for the University to remain a premier school. Without a doubt the autonomy granted by this agreement will ensure a better future for UVa.
Allan Cruickshanks' column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at acruickshanks@cavalierdaily.com.
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