Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3105 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-3105
Powers of the board
Status: in_force

In order to carry out the purposes of the Extension Partnership, the board may:

1. Apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources to enable the Extension Partnership to carry out its purposes;

2. Fix, alter, charge, and collect rates, fees, and other charges for the sale of the products of and services rendered by the Extension Partnership at rates determined by the board to pay the expenses of the Extension Partnership;

3. Make and enter into all contracts or agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of powers granted by this article, including agreements with any federal agency, person, private firm, or other organization that can provide technical or other business assistance to the Extension Partnership's industrial clients;

4. Employ consultants, researchers, architects, engineers, accountants, financial experts, investment bankers, superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents as may be necessary and fix their compensation to be payable from funds made available to the Extension Partnership;

5. Render advice and assistance and provide services to state and federal agencies, local and regional economic development entities, private firms, and other persons or organizations providing services or facilities for small and medium-sized manufacturers and industrial firms in the Commonwealth;

6. Develop and provide programs or projects alone or in cooperation with any person, state or federal agency, state, local, or regional economic development entity, private firm, or other organization for economic development through improvements in industrial competitiveness in the Commonwealth; and

7. Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted to it by this article or any other act.

1992, cc. 217, 668, § 23-231.11; 1997, c. 324 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2503 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 25 / Section 23.1-2503
Power to receive gifts, grants, devises, and bequests
Status: in_force

The Institute, or the board on its behalf, may receive, take, hold, and enjoy any gift, grant, devise, or bequest made to the Institute or its board for charitable or educational purposes and use and administer any such gift, grant, devise, or bequest for the uses and purposes designated by the donor or for the general purposes of the Institute if no such designation is made.

1956, c. 254, § 23-100.1; 2016, c. 588 ; 2020, c. 1047 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1703 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 17 / Section 23.1-1703
Program of instruction to educate and train teachers
Status: in_force

The University shall maintain a program of instruction to educate and train teachers for the public elementary and secondary schools of the Commonwealth without excluding other programs of instruction.

1964, c. 159, § 23-191; 2002, cc. 158 , 257 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-401.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 4 / Section 23.1-401.1
Constitutionally protected speech; policies, materials, and reports; report
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise permitted by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, no public institution of higher education shall abridge the constitutional freedom of any individual, including enrolled students, faculty and other employees, and invited guests, to speak on campus.

B. Each public institution of higher education shall establish and include in its student handbook, on its website, and in its student orientation programs policies regarding speech that is constitutionally protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the process to report incidents of disruption of such constitutionally protected speech.

C. Each public institution of higher education shall develop materials on the policies established pursuant to subsection B and notify any employee who is responsible for the discipline or education of enrolled students of such materials.

D. Each public institution of higher education shall develop, post on its website in a searchable, publicly accessible, and conspicuous manner, and submit to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health no later than December 1 of each year a report on the institution's compliance with the provisions of this section that includes:

1. A copy of the institution's policies as described in subsection B and materials on such policies as described in subsection C;

2. Certification that the institution has complied with subsection C; and

3. A copy of any complaint filed in a court of law since December 1 of the preceding year to initiate a lawsuit against the institution or an employee of the institution in his official capacity for an alleged violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

E. Each public institution of higher education shall submit to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health a copy of any complaint filed in a court of law to initiate a lawsuit against the institution or an employee of the institution in his official capacity for an alleged violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution no later than 30 days after such complaint is served.

2018, c. 751 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-309 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 3 / Section 23.1-309
Higher Education Advisory Committee established; duties
Status: in_force

A. The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, the Secretary of Finance, and each public institution of higher education, shall convene a Higher Education Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to provide advice and make recommendations on the matters set forth in subsections B, C, and D. The Advisory Committee shall consist of at least 11 members as follows: one representative of the Office of the Secretary of Education appointed by the Secretary of Education who shall serve as chair of the Advisory Committee; one representative of the Office of the Secretary of Finance appointed by the Secretary of Finance; one representative of the Council appointed by the Chairman of the Council; the staff directors of the House Appropriations Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, or their designees; and the presidents or their designees of five public institutions of higher education, which shall include two doctoral institutions, two comprehensive institutions, and one comprehensive community college, appointed by the presidents of the public institutions of higher education, and a representative from a nonprofit private institution of higher education appointed by the Governor who shall not provide advice or make recommendations concerning policies that solely impact public institutions of higher education. Both the Governor and the Advisory Committee may designate other individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee, including representatives of academic and instructional faculty or fiscal officers of public institutions of higher education.

B. Consistent with the objective and purposes of this chapter identified in § 23.1-301 , the Advisory Committee shall develop and subsequently review at least once every five years, in consultation with the staff of the Council and the respective Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and on Education and the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health, or their designees, representatives of public institutions of higher education, and such other state officials as may be designated by the Governor, and with assistance from the staff of the Council and such other assistance as it may require:

1. The methodology established pursuant to subsection A of § 23.1-304 for determining how a significant increment of state funding shall follow the student to the associate-degree-granting or baccalaureate public institution of higher education in which the student enrolls, how the amount of such per student funding for baccalaureate public institutions of higher education will be made to correspond as nearly as practical to the per student allocation envisioned under the then-existing appropriation for the Tuition Assistance Grant Act (§ 23.1-628 et seq.) for students attending nonprofit private institutions of higher education, how and as of what date the student enrollment at each public institution of higher education shall be calculated, and how an increase or decrease in Virginia undergraduate student enrollment above or below the enrollment level used to calculate the institution's funding pursuant to § 23.1-303 shall be reflected in the institution's appropriation pursuant to subsection A of § 23.1-304 , and the standards and process for determining whether an increase or decrease in Virginia undergraduate student enrollment qualifies for funding pursuant to § 23.1-304 ;

2. Criteria for determining which families qualify as "low-income" and "middle-income" for purposes of § 23.1-306 and how they relate to federal, state, and institutional policies governing the provision of financial assistance to students of such families;

3. Objective performance criteria for measuring the financial incentives set forth in § 23.1-305 and the benefits of meeting or consequences of not meeting the incentives included in an institution's six-year plan pursuant to § 23.1-306 ;

4. Economic opportunity metrics such as marketplace demand, earning potential, and employer satisfaction and other indicators of the historical and projected economic value of degrees that can be used to assess degree programs in order to provide useful information on the economic impact of degrees to students as they make career choices and state policy makers and university decision makers as they decide how to allocate scarce resources;

5. The additional authority that should be granted to all public institutions of higher education under the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act (§ 23.1-1000 et seq.), state goals and objectives each public institution of higher education should be expected to achieve, objective criteria for measuring educational-related performance with regard to those goals and objectives, and the benefits of meeting or consequences of not meeting those goals and objectives, including those set forth in subsection C of § 23.1-1002 ; and

6. The role of private institutions of higher education in addressing the goals set forth in this chapter and recommendations regarding such matters.

The Advisory Committee shall submit its recommendations to the Council, which shall review the recommendations and report its recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and on Education and the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health.

C. Consistent with the objective and purposes of this chapter identified in § 23.1-301 , the Advisory Committee shall review at least every five years, in consultation with the staff of the Council, the respective Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and on Education and the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health, or their designees, representatives of public institutions of higher education, and such other state officials as may be designated by the Governor, and with assistance from the staff of the Council and such other assistance as it may require:

1. Federal and state financial aid programs and institutional practices to ensure that the appropriate level of financial assistance is being provided to both low-income and middle-income families, as required by § 23.1-306 , including loan forgiveness programs targeted by purpose in furtherance of the objective of this chapter; and

2. The Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act (§ 23.1-1000 et seq.) to identify additional ways to reduce costs and enhance efficiency by increasing managerial autonomy with accountability at the institutional level.

The Advisory Committee shall submit its recommendations to the Council, which shall review the recommendations and report its recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and Education and the Senate Committees on Finance and on Education and Health.

D. The Advisory Committee shall periodically assess, based upon the institutions' six-year plans and other relevant factors, the degree to which the Commonwealth's system of higher education is meeting the statewide objectives of economic impact, reform, affordability, and access reflected in this chapter and the strategic impact of new general fund investments on achieving those objectives. The Advisory Committee shall submit its assessment and recommendations to the Council, which shall review the assessment and recommendations and report its recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and on Education and the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Education and Health.

E. In addition to providing advice and making recommendations on the matters set forth in subsections B, C, and D, the Advisory Committee shall perform such other duties and undertake such other responsibilities as requested by the Governor or the General Assembly.

2011, cc. 828 , 869 , §§ 23-38.87:15, 23-38.87:20; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2803 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 28 / Section 23.1-2803
Investment of endowment funds, endowment income, etc
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"Derivative" means a contract or financial instrument or a combination of contracts and financial instruments, including any contract commonly known as a "swap," that gives the university the right or obligation to deliver, receive delivery of, or make or receive payments based on changes in the price, value, yield, or other characteristic of a tangible or intangible asset or group of assets or changes in a rate, index of prices or rates, or other market indicator for an asset or group of assets.

"Financial security" means (i) any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate of subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, or fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights; (ii) any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities, including any interest therein or based on the value thereof; (iii) any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency; (iv) in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security"; or (v) any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim security for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any financial security.

"Option" means an agreement or contract whereby the university may grant or receive the right to purchase, sell, or pay or receive the value of any personal property asset, including any agreement or contract that relates to any security, contract, or agreement.

B. The board shall invest and manage the endowment funds, endowment income, gifts, all other nongeneral fund reserves and balances, and local funds of or held by the university in accordance with this section and the provisions of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (§ 64.2-1100 et seq.).

C. No member of the board is personally liable for losses suffered by any endowment fund, endowment income, gift, other nongeneral fund reserve and balance, or local funds of or held by the university arising from investments made pursuant to the provisions of subsection B.

D. The investment and management of endowment funds, endowment income, gifts, all other nongeneral fund reserves and balances, or local funds of or held by the university are not subject to the provisions of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.).

E. In addition to the investment practices authorized by the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (§ 64.2-1100 et seq.), the board may invest or reinvest the endowment funds, endowment income, gifts, all other nongeneral fund reserves and balances, and local funds of or held by the university in derivatives, options, and financial securities.

F. The authority provided in this section to invest and reinvest nongeneral fund reserves and balances of or held by the university is predicated upon an approved management agreement between the university and the Commonwealth.

2009, cc. 737 , 767 , § 23-44.1; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2500 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 25 / Section 23.1-2500
Corporate name; name of the Institute
Status: in_force

A. The board of visitors of Virginia Military Institute (the board) is a corporation under the name and style of "Virginia Military Institute" and has, in addition to its other powers, all the corporate powers given to corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1 except those powers that are confined to corporations created pursuant to Title 13.1. The board shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly.

B. The institution shall be known as Virginia Military Institute (the Institute).

C. The Institute shall be grounded in a strict code of honor and high academics, shall uphold a strict military structure, and shall remain solely an undergraduate degree-granting institution of higher education. All cadets shall participate in one of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs at all times while attending the Institute.

D. The Institute shall continue to demonstrate its commitment to contributing to the elimination of sexual violence in the military and shall develop reasonable policies and procedures to demonstrate such continued commitment.

E. There shall be paid out of the public treasury such sums as shall be appropriated by the General Assembly for the support of the school.

Code 1919, § 834, § 23-92; 1968, c. 719; 2016, c. 588 ; 2020, c. 1047 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1104 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 11 / Section 23.1-1104
Institutions; powers; projects and bonds
Status: in_force

With the prior consent of the Governor, any institution may acquire any project by purchase, gift, or otherwise, erect any project, or refinance the cost of acquiring or erecting any project, and in connection with any such acquisition, erection, or refinancing, any institution may borrow money; make, issue, and sell its bonds as provided in this chapter; and enter into and perform all lawful contracts and agreements, do all lawful acts necessary or proper, and make such lawful contracts and agreements and perform all such lawful acts as may be necessary, proper, or advisable for the purpose of obtaining or securing grants, loans, or financial assistance of any kind under any act of Congress or the Commonwealth.

1933, p. 85, § 23-18; 1946, p. 184; 1966, c. 572; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1401 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 14 / Section 23.1-1401
Membership
Status: in_force

The board shall consist of 14 members appointed by the Governor, of whom at least six shall be alumni of the University.

1976, c. 21, § 23-49.25; 1978, c. 376; 1992, c. 103; 1995, c. 40 ; 2014, cc. 190 , 597 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-100 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-100
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Associate-degree-granting" means that an associate degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.

"Associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education" includes Richard Bland College and each comprehensive community college.

"Baccalaureate" means that bachelor's degrees or more advanced degrees, or both, are granted.

"Baccalaureate public institution of higher education" includes Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, the University of Mary Washington, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, the University of Virginia's College at Wise as a division of the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

"Chief executive officer" includes the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, the Chancellor of the University of Virginia's College at Wise, the Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, and the president of each other public institution of higher education.

"Comprehensive community college" means an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education governed by the State Board that offers instruction in one or more of the following fields:

1. Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences acceptable for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs;

2. Diversified technical curricula, including programs leading to an associate degree;

3. Career and technical education leading directly to employment;

4. Courses in general and continuing education for adults in the fields set out in subdivisions 1, 2, and 3; or

5. Noncredit training and retraining courses and programs of varying lengths to meet the needs of business and industry in the Commonwealth.

"Council" means the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

"Dual enrollment" means the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree at a public institution of higher education. "Dual enrollment" does not include the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is not creditable toward high school completion.

"Governing board" includes the State Board and the board of visitors of each baccalaureate public institution of higher education. "Governing board" does not include local community college boards.

"Local community college board" means the board established to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board and perform such duties with respect to the operation of a single comprehensive community college as may be delegated to it by the State Board.

"Nonprofit private institution of higher education" means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213 , in the Commonwealth that is exempt from paying federal income taxes under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2.

"Non-Virginia student" means any student who has not established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502 .

"Private institution of higher education" includes each nonprofit private institution of higher education and proprietary private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.

"Proprietary private institution of higher education" means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213 , in the Commonwealth that is privately owned, privately managed, and obligated to pay federal income taxes in the Commonwealth and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2.

"Public institution of higher education" includes the System as a whole and each associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.

"State Board" means the State Board for Community Colleges.

"System" means the Virginia Community College System.

"Virginia student" means any student who has established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502 .

2016, c. 588 ; 2024, cc. 647 , 684 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-609 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-609
Surviving spouses and children of certain individuals; tuition and fee waivers
Status: in_force

A. The surviving spouse and any child between the ages of 16 and 25 of an individual who was killed in the line of duty while employed or serving as a (i) law-enforcement officer, including as a campus police officer appointed under Article 3 (§ 23.1-809 et seq.) of Chapter 8, sworn law-enforcement officer, firefighter, special forest warden pursuant to § 10.1-1135 , member of a rescue squad, special agent of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, state correctional, regional or local jail officer, regional jail or jail farm superintendent, sheriff, or deputy sheriff; (ii) member of the Virginia National Guard while serving on official state duty or federal duty under Title 32 of the United States Code; or (iii) member of the Virginia Defense Force while serving on official state duty, and any individual whose spouse was killed in the line of duty while employed or serving in any of such occupations, is entitled to a waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at any public institution of higher education under the following conditions:

1. The chief executive officer of the deceased individual's employer certifies that such individual was so employed and was killed in the line of duty while serving or living in the Commonwealth; and

2. The surviving spouse or child is admitted to, enrolls at, and is in attendance at such institution and applies to such institution for the waiver. Waiver recipients who make satisfactory academic progress are eligible for renewal of such waiver.

B. Institutions that grant such waivers shall waive the amounts payable for tuition, institutional charges and mandatory educational and auxiliary fees, and books and supplies but shall not waive user fees such as room and board charges.

C. Each public institution of higher education shall include in its catalog or equivalent publication a statement describing the benefits available pursuant to this section.

1996, cc. 931 , 981 , § 23-7.4:1; 1998, c. 377 ; 2001, c. 330 ; 2003, cc. 657 , 670 ; 2005, cc. 773 , 783 ; 2006, c. 793 ; 2007, cc. 116 , 161 , 717 ; 2011, cc. 572 , 586 ; 2012, c. 776 ; 2013, c. 719 ; 2014, cc. 184 , 657 ; 2015, cc. 38 , 730 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3200 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 32 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-3200
Governing boards of educational institutions; removal of members
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Governor may remove from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty any member of the board of any educational institution established pursuant to this chapter and fill the vacancy resulting from the removal. Each appointment to fill a vacancy is subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.

B. The Governor shall set forth in a written public statement his reasons for removing any member pursuant to subsection A at the time the removal occurs. The Governor is the sole judge of the sufficiency of the cause for removal as set forth in subsection A.

2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2614 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-2614
The Division; appropriations by local governing bodies
Status: in_force

Any local governing body of the Commonwealth may appropriate funds, to be supplemented by funds appropriated by the General Assembly to the University for the Division and such other funds as the University may allocate, to support the activities of the Division in such manner as may be agreed upon by the University and the local governing body.

1994, c. 433 , § 23-132.8; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-801 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-801
Educational program on human immunodeficiency virus infection
Status: in_force

Each public institution of higher education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall develop and implement educational programs for college students on the etiology, effects, and prevention of infection with human immunodeficiency virus.

1989, c. 613, § 23-9.2:3.2; 1991, c. 590; 2014, c. 484 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2616 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-2616
Station; agricultural survey
Status: in_force

The Station may direct and supervise a thorough and comprehensive agricultural survey of the Commonwealth according to the most approved methods in practice to gather facts and information on existing agricultural conditions in the Commonwealth and data upon which to base a study of agricultural economics and a constructive program for the development of agriculture and agricultural resources. The survey shall examine (i) soils and soil fertility and management; (ii) soil erosion and drainage problems affecting soil fertility and productivity; (iii) the adaptation of various soil types, elevations, and seasonable conditions to crops produced or that may suitably be produced; (iv) farm layout and selection; (v) arrangement of fields for the use of labor-saving machinery; (vi) economy and convenience in cultivation and farm operations; (vii) methods of cultivation, production, and handling of crops; (viii) general farm management; (ix) the various crops produced on farms and their yield and gross value compared with the cost of production and courses of low yield; (x) farm labor and its distribution and efficiency; (xi) labor incomes of the various classes of farm labor; (xii) the relation of various farm products to public needs and local and general supply and demand; (xiii) farm incomes and income sources; (xiv) capital investment and return; (xv) distribution of capital investment; (xvi) the character and extent of idle lands and their suitability for cultivation or other agricultural purposes in the various localities and what, if any, profitable use may be made of them through the introduction of livestock or crops adapted to such soils, by individuals or on a community plan, with notations of elevation, topography, temperatures, and seasonal conditions affecting production of fruit, cotton, and other crops; and (xvii) any other information or studies that may seem advisable in determining methods for the betterment of agricultural conditions and the development of the agricultural resources of the Commonwealth.

The Station may and it is contemplated that the Station will work in conjunction with and cooperate with similar agencies of the federal government to make such agricultural survey whenever a suitable and satisfactory arrangement can be made for such cooperation.

1994, c. 433 , § 23-132.10; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3207 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 32 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-3207
Duties
Status: in_force

The board shall:

1. Do all things necessary and proper to (i) foster through its living-history museums, Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, an awareness and understanding of the early history, settlement, and development of the United States through the convergence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the enduring legacies bequeathed to the nation; (ii) commemorate Jamestown as the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the United States and its contributions to the building of the Commonwealth and the nation; (iii) commemorate the winning of American independence on the battlefield at Yorktown; and (iv) enhance our understanding of the making of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, including the Commonwealth's role in shaping the fundamental principles of the American constitutional system;

2. Administer, develop, and maintain at Jamestown and Yorktown permanent commemorative shrines and historical museums;

3. Adopt names, flags, seals, and other emblems for use in connection with such shrines and copyright the same in the name of the Commonwealth;

4. Enter into contracts to further the purposes of the Foundation, including contracts for the use and rental of agency facilities, structures, spaces, and personal property under the control of the Foundation;

5. Establish nonprofit corporations as instrumentalities to assist in administering the affairs of the Foundation;

6. With the consent of the Governor, acquire by purchase, lease, gift, devise, or condemnation proceedings lands, property, and structures deemed necessary for the purposes of the Foundation. The title to such acquired land and property shall be in the name of the Commonwealth. In the exercise of the power of eminent domain granted under this section, the Foundation may proceed in the manner provided by Chapter 3 (§ 25.1-300 et seq.) of Title 25.1;

7. With the consent of the Governor, convey by lease land to any person, association, firm, or corporation for such terms and on such conditions as the Foundation may determine;

8. Receive and expend gifts, grants, and donations from whatever source derived for the purposes of the Foundation;

9. Employ an executive director and such deputies and assistants as may be required;

10. Elect any past chairman of the board to the honorary position of chairman emeritus. Chairmen emeriti shall serve as honorary members for life. Chairmen emeriti shall be elected in addition to the at-large positions defined in § 23.1-3206 ;

11. With the consent of the Governor, enter into agreements or contracts with private entities for the promotion of tourism through marketing without participating in competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation, provided that a demonstrable cost savings, as reviewed by the Secretary of Education, can be realized by the Foundation and such agreements or contracts are based on competitive principles;

12. Determine which paintings, statuary, works of art, manuscripts, and artifacts shall be acquired by purchase, gift, or loan and exchange or sell such items if not inconsistent with the terms of such purchase, gift, loan, or other acquisition; and

13. Change the form of investment of any funds, securities, or other property, real or personal, provided the form is not inconsistent with the terms of the instrument under which the property was acquired, and sell, grant, or convey any such property, except that any transfers of real property shall be made only with the consent of the Governor.

1998, cc. 222 , 589 , 786 , 791 , § 23-288; 2000, c. 109 ; 2003, cc. 879 , 940 ; 2011, cc. 345 , 356 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2017, cc. 230 , 310 ; 2018, c. 137 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1310 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 13 / Section 23.1-1310
Boards of visitors; baccalaureate public institutions of higher education; property of predecessor institutions
Status: in_force

All real estate and personal property standing in the name of any predecessor institution of a baccalaureate public institution of higher education shall be transferred to, known and taken as standing in the name of, and controlled by the board of visitors of such public institution of higher education. All such real estate and personal property is the property of the Commonwealth.

Code 1919, § 936; 1960, c. 180, § 23-40; 1962, cc. 69, 610, § 23-49.13; 1964, cc. 50, 70, 97, 159, §§ 23-155.3, 23-164.2, 23-165.3, 23-184; 1966, c. 18; 1968, c. 532, § 23-174.3; 1972, cc. 550, 861, §§ 23-91.25, 23-91.35; 1974, c. 317; 1976, c. 21, § 23-49.24; 1977, cc. 168, 296, 319; 1992, c. 103; 1979, cc. 136, 145, 146, 147, 294; 2002, cc. 158 , 257 ; 2004, cc. 176 , 195 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1115 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 11 / Section 23.1-1115
Projects; exemption from taxation
Status: in_force

The acquisition, erection, leasing, operation, and maintenance of any project authorized by this chapter are for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth, for the increase of their pleasure, knowledge, and welfare, and for the dissemination of education among them. Each institution performs a governmental function and is an incorporated institution of learning in carrying out its purposes and exercising its powers pursuant to this chapter and, so far as may be consistent with the Constitution of Virginia, is not required to pay taxes or assessments of any kind upon any project that it (i) acquires, erects, or leases and (ii) operates and maintains. Any such project is exempt from taxation and, insofar as may be permitted under the Constitution of Virginia, the bonds of such institution are exempt from taxation except for inheritance taxes.

1933, p. 91, § 23-25; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-608 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-608
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program; tuition and fee waivers
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Domicile" has the same meaning as provided in § 23.1-500 .

"Program" means the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.

"Qualified survivors and dependents" means the spouse or a child between the ages of 16 and 29 (i) of a military service member who, while serving as an active duty member in the Armed Forces of the United States, Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States, or Virginia National Guard, during military operations against terrorism, on a peacekeeping mission, as a result of a terrorist act, or in any armed conflict, was killed, became missing in action, or became a prisoner of war or (ii) of a veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States, or Virginia National Guard and, due to such service, has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled and has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. However, the Commissioner of Veterans Services may certify dependents above the age of 29 in those cases in which extenuating circumstances prevented the dependent child from using his benefits before the age of 30. For purposes of this section, a child who is a stepchild of a deceased military service member described in this section shall receive all benefits described in this section as a child of such military service member if the military service member claimed the stepchild on his tax return or on his Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System while serving on active duty.

B. The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program is established for the purpose of waiving tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education for qualified survivors and dependents who have been admitted to such institution and meet the requirements of subsection C, as certified by the Commissioner of Veterans Services.

C. Admitted qualified survivors and dependents are eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees pursuant to this section if the military service member who was killed, became missing in action, became a prisoner of war, or is disabled (i) established domicile (a) at the time of entering such active military service or called to active duty as a member of the Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States or Virginia National Guard; (b) at least five years immediately prior to, or had a physical presence in the Commonwealth for at least five years immediately prior to, the date on which the admission application was submitted by or on behalf of such qualified survivor or dependent for admission to such institution of higher education; or (c) on the date of his death and for at least five years immediately prior to his death or had a physical presence in the Commonwealth on the date of his death and had a physical presence in the Commonwealth for at least five years immediately prior to his death; (ii) in the case of a qualified child, is deceased and the surviving parent, at some time previous to marrying the deceased parent, established domicile for at least five years, or established domicile or had a physical presence in the Commonwealth for at least five years immediately prior to the date on which the admission application was submitted by or on behalf of such child; or (iii) in the case of a qualified spouse, is deceased and the surviving spouse, at some time previous to marrying the deceased spouse, established domicile for at least five years or had a physical presence in the Commonwealth for at least five years prior to the date on which the admission application was submitted by such qualified spouse. In any case under this subsection, the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall have the authority to consider the domicile or physical presence requirements under clause (i) (c) through the surviving spouse or under clause (iii) through the surviving student if the military service member or surviving spouse dies after having established physical presence within the Commonwealth but before such requirements can be met.

D. The Department of Veterans Services shall disseminate information about the Program to those spouses and dependents who may qualify. The Department of Veterans Services shall coordinate with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to identify veterans and qualified survivors and dependents. The Commissioner of Veterans Services shall include in the annual report submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly pursuant to § 2.2-2004 an overview of the agency's policies and strategies relating to dissemination of information about the Program and Fund.

E. Each public institution of higher education shall include in its catalog or equivalent publication a statement describing the benefits available pursuant to this section.

F. The Department of Veterans Services and the Council shall coordinate to report no later than December 15 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations (i) the number of qualified survivors and dependents who have been determined to be eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at a public institution of higher education pursuant to the Program but have not yet enrolled at such an institution and (ii) the best available estimate of the number of qualified survivors and dependents who are enrolled at each public institution of higher education with a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees pursuant to the Program as of December 1 of the current fall semester.

1996, cc. 931 , 981 , § 23-7.4:1; 1998, c. 377 ; 2001, c. 330 ; 2003, cc. 657 , 670 ; 2005, cc. 773 , 783 ; 2006, c. 793 ; 2007, cc. 116 , 161 , 717 ; 2011, cc. 572 , 586 ; 2012, c. 776 ; 2013, c. 719 ; 2014, cc. 184 , 657 ; 2015, cc. 38 , 730 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2019, cc. 317 , 491 ; 2022, c. 442 ; 2023, cc. 756 , 778 ; 2025, c. 384 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1400 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 14 / Section 23.1-1400
Corporate name; name of the University
Status: in_force

A. The board of visitors of Christopher Newport University (the board) is a corporation under the name and style of "The Rector and Visitors of Christopher Newport University" and has, in addition to its other powers, all the corporate powers given to corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1 except those powers that are confined to corporations created pursuant to Title 13.1. The board shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly.

B. The institution shall be known as Christopher Newport University (the University).

1976, c. 21, § 23-49.23; 1992, c. 103; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2204 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 22 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-2204
Salary of president and professors; fees
Status: in_force

The president and each of the professors shall receive a stated salary. The board may supplement such stated salary out of the fees for tuition and other revenues of the University.

Code 1919, § 816, § 23-64; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-711 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 7 / Section 23.1-711
Admission to institutions not guaranteed; coverage limitations
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter or in any prepaid tuition contract or savings trust agreement entered into pursuant to this chapter shall be construed as a promise or guarantee:

1. By the board or the Commonwealth of any admission to, continued enrollment at, or graduation from any public institution of higher education;

2. That the beneficiary's cost of tuition at an institution of higher education will be covered in full by the proceeds of the beneficiary's prepaid tuition contract, provided, however, that a prepaid tuition contract will cover that portion of tuition that is required under the terms of any such contract based on the tuition prepayments made; or

3. That any qualified higher education expense will be covered in full by contributions to or earnings on any savings trust account.

1994, c. 661 , § 23-38.86; 1999, cc. 485 , 518 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2019, cc. 803 , 804 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2508 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 25 / Section 23.1-2508
Cadets a military corps; arsenal
Status: in_force

A. The cadets shall be a military corps under the command of the superintendent and constitute the guard of the Institute.

B. The arsenal and all its grounds and buildings shall belong to the Institute, and the board shall guard and preserve the arsenal, all its grounds and buildings, and all arms and other property in its grounds and buildings.

Code 1919, §§ 838, 847, § 23-109; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-639 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 7 / Section 23.1-639
Definition; construction of section
Status: in_force

A. As used in this article, "senior citizen" means any individual who, before the beginning of any academic term, semester, or quarter in which he claims entitlement to the benefits of this article, has reached the age of 60 and has been legally domiciled in the Commonwealth for at least one year.

B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to exclude any other rules and requirements made by any public institution of higher education for all other students besides senior citizens with respect to domicile in the Commonwealth.

1974, c. 463, § 23-38.55; 1976, c. 19; 1977, c. 281; 2002, c. 521 ; 2003, c. 700 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2902 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 29 / Section 23.1-2902
State Board; membership
Status: in_force

A. The State Board shall consist of 15 nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.

B. Each member shall be a resident of the Commonwealth. No officer, employee, or member of the governing board of any public institution of higher education or of any school subject to the control of the State Board and no member of the Board of Education is eligible for appointment to the State Board. All members of the State Board are members at large charged with the responsibility of serving the best interests of the whole Commonwealth, and no member shall act as the representative of any particular region or institution of higher education.

1966, c. 679, § 23-216; 1972, c. 136; 1983, c. 148; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-215 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-215
Authority of the Council; regulations; standards for postsecondary schools; delegation of authority to Executive Director
Status: in_force

A. The Council shall adopt, pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this article, including (i) procedures by which a postsecondary school may apply for Council approval to confer degrees in the Commonwealth; (ii) measures designed to ensure that all postsecondary schools that are subject to the provisions of this article meet the minimal standards established pursuant to subsection B; (iii) protections for students pursuing postsecondary education opportunities in postsecondary schools subject to the provisions of this article; and (iv) information to assist persons who rely on postsecondary degrees or certificates to judge the competence of individuals in receipt of such degrees or certificates.

B. The Council shall establish minimal standards for postsecondary schools that include standards for faculty preparation and experience, educational programs, physical plants, additional locations, finances, guaranty instruments, advertising and publications, maintenance of student records, personnel qualifications, student services, the method for collecting and refunding tuition and fees, library resources and services, organization and administration, changes of ownership or control, procedures for student admission and graduation, agent or solicitor requirements, consistency of a postsecondary school's stated purpose with the proposed offerings, reporting requirements, and any other relevant standards or requirements adopted by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

C. The Council shall prescribe the manner, conditions, and language to be used by a postsecondary school or agent of such school to disclose or advertise that the postsecondary school has received certification from the Council to offer postsecondary programs in the Commonwealth.

D. The Council may establish separate certification criteria for various postsecondary school classifications.

E. The Council may grant to its Executive Director the authority to take specific actions on its behalf in furtherance of the provisions of this article.

Code 1950, § 23-268; 1980, c. 658; 1996, cc. 691 , 832 ; 2002, c. 178 , § 23-276.3; 2004, c. 991 ; 2005, c. 447 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2025, c. 144 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1014 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 10 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-1014
Covered institutions; operational authority; financial operations; financing and indebtedness
Status: in_force

A. Each covered institution may:

1. Borrow money and issue bonds, notes, or other obligations as provided in this article and purchase such bonds, notes, or other obligations;

2. Seek financing from, incur, or assume indebtedness to, and enter into contractual commitments with, the Virginia Public Building Authority and the Virginia College Building Authority, which authorities may borrow money and make and issue negotiable notes, bonds, notes, or other obligations to provide such financing relating to facilities or any project; and

3. Seek financing from, incur or assume indebtedness to, and enter into contractual commitments with, the Commonwealth as otherwise provided by law relating to the institution's facilities or any project.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, no covered institution is exempt from any requirement or covenant contained in any outstanding bonds, notes, or other obligations.

2005, cc. 933 , 945 , § 23-38.107; 2016, c. 588 ; 2017, c. 314 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2630 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-2630
Functions, powers, and duties
Status: in_force

A. The Water Center shall (i) consult with the General Assembly; federal, state, and local agencies; water user groups; private industry; and other potential users of research; (ii) establish and administer agreements with other public institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education to conduct research projects; (iii) disseminate new information and facilitate the transfer and application of new technology; (iv) be a liaison between the Commonwealth and the federal research funding agencies and advocate for the Commonwealth's water research needs; and (v) encourage the development of academic programs in water resources management in conjunction with the Council.

B. The Water Center shall facilitate and stimulate research that (i) deals with policy issues facing the General Assembly, (ii) supports the state water resource agencies, and (iii) provides water planning and management organizations with tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness of water planning and management.

1982, c. 379, § 23-135.7:9; 1984, c. 734; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-407.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 4 / Section 23.1-407.1
Admissions applications; criminal history
Status: in_force

A. No public institution of higher education shall (i) utilize an institution-specific admissions application that contains questions about the criminal history of the applicant or (ii) deny admission to any applicant solely on the basis of any criminal history information provided by the applicant on any third-party admissions application accepted by the institution.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any public institution of higher education that requires each student to enroll in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) as a condition of enrollment may inquire into the criminal history of any applicant prior to the applicant's receiving a conditional offer of acceptance to determine his eligibility to accept a commission in the Armed Forces of the United States.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a public institution of higher education from inquiring into the criminal history of any individual who has been admitted to but has yet to enroll at the institution. Any public institution of higher education may withdraw an offer of admission to any individual whom the institution subsequently determines to have a criminal history that poses a threat to the institution's community.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a law school of a public institution of higher education that is accredited by the American Bar Association may inquire into the criminal history of any applicant to determine whether the applicant appears capable of being admitted to the bar. Any such law school shall inform applicants that the existence of a criminal history will not, by itself, disqualify an applicant for admission.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 440 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-632 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 5 / Section 23.1-632
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2026, c. 135 , cl. 2, effective July 1, 2026.
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-820 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-820
Hazing prevention training; current members, new members, potential new members, and advisors
Status: in_force

Each institution shall provide to each current member, new member, and potential new member of each student organization with new members hazing prevention training that includes extensive, current, and in-person education about hazing, the dangers of hazing, including alcohol intoxication, and hazing laws and institution policies and information explaining that the institution's disciplinary process is not to be considered a substitute for the criminal legal process. If a student organization with new members has an advisor, such advisor shall receive such hazing prevention training.

2022, cc. 693 , 694 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-227 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-227
Laws of the Commonwealth to apply to contracts
Status: in_force

The laws of the Commonwealth shall govern any agreement, contract, or instrument of indebtedness executed between a postsecondary school and any person who enrolls in any course or program offered or to be offered by such school in the Commonwealth or any person who is employed or offered employment by such school in the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 23-276; 1980, c. 658; 2002, c. 178 , § 23-276.11; 2004, c. 991 ; 2005, c. 447 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2017, c. 314 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3135 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 9 / Section 23.1-3135
Online Virginia Network Authority established
Status: in_force

The Online Virginia Network Authority (the Authority) is established as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth for the purpose of providing a means for individuals to earn degrees and postsecondary education credentials by improving the quality of and expanding access to online degree and credential programs that are beneficial to citizens, public institutions of higher education, and employers in the Commonwealth.

2017, c. 686 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3205.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 32 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-3205.1
Meetings of the Board of Regents
Status: in_force

The Board of Regents shall meet in person at least once annually. Any additional meeting of the Board of Regents held within the same calendar year may be in person or held as an all-virtual public meeting, notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-3708.3 . Meetings of the Board of Regents shall be held in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

2026, c. 206 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2703 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 27 / Section 23.1-2703
Courses of study
Status: in_force

The curriculum of the University shall include agriculture, business, education, engineering, the liberal arts and sciences, and military science.

1964, c. 70, § 23-165.9; 1979, c. 147; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-231 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-231
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Qualified education loan" means any qualified education loan obtained specifically to finance education or other school-related expenses. "Qualified education loan" does not include credit card debt, home equity loan, or revolving debt.

"Qualified education loan borrower" means (i) any current resident of the Commonwealth who has received or agreed to pay a qualified education loan or (ii) any person who shares responsibility with such resident for repaying the qualified education loan.

"Qualified education loan servicer" or "loan servicer" means any person, wherever located, responsible for the servicing of any qualified education loan to any qualified education loan borrower.

"Servicing" means (i) receiving any scheduled periodic payments from a qualified education loan borrower pursuant to the terms of a qualified education loan; (ii) applying the payments of principal and interest and such other payments, with respect to the amounts received from a qualified education loan borrower, as may be required pursuant to the terms of a qualified education loan; and (iii) performing other administrative services with respect to a qualified education loan.

2018, cc. 489 , 755 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3129.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 7 / Section 23.1-3129.1
Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Fund and Program
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"Apprenticeship program" means an 18-month apprenticeship program for information technology workers hosted by a small, rural information technology business that combines mentorship and on-the-job training and that is established for the purpose of enhancing the experience and skills of such information technology workers.

"Information technology" means communications, telecommunications, automated data processing, applications, databases, data networks, the Internet, management information systems, and related information, equipment, goods, and services.

"Information technology worker" means any employee of a small, rural information technology business who is employed full-time on a salaried or wage basis and whose position is neither temporary nor provisional in nature.

"Qualified locality" means the Counties of Alleghany, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the Cities of Bristol, Danville, Galax, Martinsville, and Norton.

"Small, rural information technology business" means any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, or enterprise that (i) provides information technology services to its clients, (ii) is headquartered and operated in a qualified locality, and (iii) employs fewer than 100 employees.

B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of (i) awarding grants on a competitive basis through the Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Program established pursuant to subsection C or (ii) implementing and administering the Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Program. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the executive director of the Center.

C. The Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Program (the Program) is hereby established for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis from such funds as may be available from the Fund to small, rural information technology businesses to establish apprenticeship programs. The Program shall be administered by the Center. In administering the Program, the Center shall establish and publish guidelines and criteria for grant awards, including guidelines and criteria governing agreements between the Center and grant recipients relating to the employment of information technology workers who participate in apprenticeship programs. Such guidelines and criteria are subject to the approval of Chief Workforce Development Officer. The Center, in collaboration with the Chief Workforce Development Officer, shall oversee each grant awarded through the Program and ensure thorough annual reporting on each such grant.

D. Each small, rural information technology business that receives a grant pursuant to the Program is eligible to receive grant funding for no more than five years or until the business employs 100 individuals, whichever occurs first. The amount of each grant shall not exceed the entry-level salary to employ information technology workers pursuant to the apprenticeship program established by the business for a period of 18 months, in accordance with salary guidelines established and annually adjusted, as necessary, by the Center.

2019, cc. 646 , 647 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1302 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 13 / Section 23.1-1302
Governing boards; additional powers; voluntary early retirement
Status: in_force

A. The governing board of each public institution of higher education may establish a compensation plan designed to provide incentives for voluntary early retirement of teaching and research staff employed in nonclassified, faculty positions. Participation in such compensation plan is voluntary for eligible employees and no employee shall be penalized in any way for not participating.

B. In order to qualify for participation in such compensation plan, an eligible faculty employee shall (i) be at least 60 years old; (ii) have completed at least 10 years of full-time service at the institution offering the plan; (iii) have been awarded tenure or have a contractual right to continued employment; (iv) agree to withdraw from active membership in the Virginia Retirement System; and (v) comply with any additional criteria established by the governing board of the institution.

C. Any compensation plan established pursuant to this section shall include the institutional needs and objectives to be served, the kind of incentives to be offered, the sources of available funding for implementation, and any additional qualifications required of eligible faculty employees established by the governing board. Any such compensation plan shall explicitly reserve to the governing board the authority to modify, amend, or repeal the plan. However, no such amendment, modification, or repeal is effective as to any individual who retires under the plan prior to the effective date of the amendment, modification, or repeal.

D. The cash payments offered under any such compensation plan shall not exceed 150 percent of the employee's base annual salary reflected in the Department of Human Resource Management's Capital Management (HCM) System at the time of election to participate. Any such payment shall be allocated over at least two years. Such compensation may include payment of insurance benefits by the institution until the participant reaches the age of 65. The total cost in any fiscal year for any compensation plan established under this section shall not exceed one percent of the institution's corresponding fiscal year state general fund appropriation for faculty salaries and associated benefits.

E. The Governor may establish, with the assistance of the Council, uniform criteria for such compensation plans. Prior to the adoption, modification, amendment, or repeal of any such compensation plan, the governing board shall obtain the Governor's approval. The Governor shall provide a copy of each approved plan to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. All compensation plans shall be reviewed for legal sufficiency by the Office of the Attorney General prior to adoption, modification, amendment, or repeal.

F. The Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) does not apply to the establishment of such compensation plans or any implementing regulations or criteria.

1988, c. 246, § 23-9.2:3.1; 2005, c. 633 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2001 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 20 / Section 23.1-2001
Membership
Status: in_force

A. The board shall consist of 17 members appointed by the Governor, of whom at least (i) 14 shall be residents of the Commonwealth, (ii) four shall be physicians or other medical or health professionals with administrative or clinical experience in an academic medical center, and (iii) three shall be alumni of the University.

B. The alumni association of the University may submit to the Governor a list of at least three nominees for each vacancy on the board, whether the vacancy occurs by expiration of a term or otherwise. The Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation or any successor foundation may submit to the Governor a list of at least three nominees for each vacancy on the board that is required to be filled by a physician or other medical or health professional with administrative or clinical experience in an academic medical center pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection A. The Governor may appoint a member from the relevant list of nominees.

1962, c. 69, §§ 23-49.14, 23-49.15; 1966, c. 18; 1970, c. 624; 1974, c. 317; 1980, c. 100; 2016, c. 588 ; 2023, cc. 756 , 778 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2410 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 24 / Section 23.1-2410
Audit
Status: in_force

A. The Authority shall select through a process of competitive negotiation either (i) the Auditor of Public Accounts or his legally authorized representatives or (ii) a certified public accounting firm to annually audit the Authority's accounts.

B. The Authority shall distribute copies of the annual audit to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.

C. The Auditor of Public Accounts and his legally authorized representatives may examine the accounts and books of the Authority; however, the Authority is not a state or governmental agency, advisory agency, public body or agency, or instrumentality for purposes of Chapter 14 (§ 30-130 et seq.) of Title 30.

D. The Authority is subject to periodic external review under the provisions of the Legislative Program Review and Evaluation Act (§ 30-65 et seq.).

1996, cc. 905 , 1046 , § 23-50.16:8; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2705 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 27 / Section 23.1-2705
Gifts, grants, devises, and bequests; governmental aid
Status: in_force

A. The board may take, hold, receive, and enjoy any gift, grant, devise, or bequest to the board or to or for the benefit of the University. Any such gift, grant, devise, or bequest shall be used for the purposes designated by the donor, or if no purposes are so designated, for the general purposes of the board.

B. The University shall receive the governmental aid designated in §§ 23.1-2638 and 23.1-2639 .

Code 1919, § 957, § 23-170; 1930, p. 769; 1964, c. 70; 1979, c. 147; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2626 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-2626
Powers and duties of the Center
Status: in_force

The Center, under the direction of the executive director, shall:

1. Develop a degree program in energy production and conservation research at the master's level in conjunction with the Council;

2. Develop and provide programs of continuing education and in-service training for persons who work in the fields of coal or other energy research, development, or production;

3. Collaborate with other departments of the University, including the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering;

4. Conduct research in the fields of coal, coal utilization, migrating natural gases such as methane and propane, and other energy-related work;

5. Collect and maintain data on energy production, development, and utilization;

6. Foster the utilization of research information, discoveries, and data;

7. Coordinate the functions of the Center with each of the Center's energy research facilities to prevent duplication of effort;

8. Apply for and accept grants from the federal government, state government, and any other source to carry out the purposes of this article. The Center may comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary to accept such grants;

9. Accept gifts, bequests, and any other thing of value to carry out the purposes of this article;

10. Receive, administer, and expend all funds and other assistance made available to the Center to carry out the purposes of this article;

11. Consult with the Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Department of Energy in the preparation of the Virginia Energy Plan pursuant to § 45.2-1710 ; and

12. Do all things necessary or convenient for the proper administration of this article.

1977, c. 543, § 23-135.7:6; 2006, c. 939 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1230 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-1230
Powers; issuance of refunding revenue bonds
Status: in_force

A. The Authority may provide for the issuance of revenue bonds to (i) refund any of its outstanding revenue bonds, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue on the earliest or any subsequent date of redemption, purchase, or maturity of such revenue bonds or (ii) pay all or any part of the cost of constructing and acquiring additions, improvements, extensions, or enlargements of a project or any portion of a project.

B. The Authority may (i) apply the proceeds of any revenue bonds issued to refund outstanding revenue bonds to purchase, retire at maturity, or redeem such outstanding revenue bonds either on their earliest or any subsequent redemption date, upon their purchase, or at their maturity and (ii) place the proceeds of revenue bonds issued to refund outstanding revenue bonds in escrow pending such application to be applied to such purchase, retirement, or redemption on the date that it determines.

C. The Authority may invest and reinvest proceeds placed in escrow pursuant to subsection B in direct obligations of the United States, certificates of deposit, or time deposits secured by direct obligations of the United States that mature at such time as is appropriate to ensure the prompt payment of principal, interest, and any redemption premium of the outstanding revenue bonds to be so refunded, pending the purchase, retirement at maturity, or redemption of such outstanding revenue bonds. The Authority may apply interest, income, and any profits earned or realized on any such investment to pay the outstanding revenue bonds to be so refunded. After the terms of the escrow have been fully satisfied and carried out, any balance of such proceeds and any interest, income, and profits earned or realized on the investments on such proceeds may be returned to the Authority for its lawful use.

D. The Authority may invest or reinvest the portion of the proceeds of any revenue bonds issued to pay all or any part of the cost of constructing and acquiring additions, improvements, extensions, or enlargements of a project in direct obligations of the United States or certificates of deposit or time deposits secured by direct obligations of the United States that mature not later than the time when such proceeds are needed to pay all or any part of such cost. The Authority may apply any interest, income, and profits earned or realized on such investment to the payment of all or any part of such cost or use such interest, income, and profits in any lawful manner.

E. All refunding revenue bonds issued pursuant to this section are subject to the provisions of this article in the same manner and to the same extent as other revenue bonds issued pursuant to this article.

1972, c. 686, § 23-30.54; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-815.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-815.1
(Effective until July 1, 2026) Facial recognition technology; approval; penalty
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this section: "Authorized use" means the use of facial recognition technology to (i) help identify an individual when there is a reasonable suspicion the individual has committed a crime; (ii) help identify a crime victim, including a victim of online sexual abuse material; (iii) help identify a person who may be a missing person or witness to criminal activity; (iv) help identify a victim of human trafficking or an individual involved in the trafficking of humans, weapons, drugs, or wildlife; (v) help identify an online recruiter of criminal activity, including but not limited to human, weapon, drug, and wildlife trafficking; (vi) help a person who is suffering from a mental or physical disability impairing his ability to communicate and be understood; (vii) help identify a deceased person; (viii) help identify a person who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to identify himself; (ix) help identify a person who is reasonably believed to be a danger to himself or others; (x) help identify an individual lawfully detained; (xi) help mitigate an imminent threat to public safety, a significant threat to life, or a threat to national security, including acts of terrorism; (xii) ensure officer safety as part of the vetting of undercover law enforcement; (xiii) determine whether an individual may have unlawfully obtained one or more state driver's licenses, financial instruments, or other official forms of identification using information that is fictitious or associated with a victim of identity theft; or (xiv) help identify a person who an officer reasonably believes is concealing his true identity and about whom the officer has a reasonable suspicion has committed a crime other than concealing his identity. "Facial recognition technology" means an electronic system or service for conducting an algorithmic comparison of images of a person's facial features for the purpose of identification. "Facial recognition technology" does not include the use of an automated or semi-automated process to redact a recording in order to protect the privacy of a subject depicted in the recording prior to release or disclosure of the recording outside of the law-enforcement agency if the process does not generate or result in the retention of any biometric data or surveillance information. "Publicly post" means to post on a website that is maintained by the entity or on any other website on which the entity generally posts information and that is available to the public or that clearly describes how the public may access such data. "State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy" means the model policy developed and published by the Department of State Police pursuant to § 52-4.5 . B. Pursuant to § 2.2-1112 , the Division of Purchases and Supply (the Division) shall determine the appropriate facial recognition technology for use in accordance with this section. The Division shall not approve any facial recognition technology unless it has been evaluated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the Face Recognition Vendor Test. Any facial recognition technology utilized shall utilize algorithms that have demonstrated (i) an accuracy score of at least 98 percent true positives within one or more datasets relevant to the application in a NIST Face Recognition Vendor Test report and (ii) minimal performance variations across demographics associated with race, skin tone, ethnicity, or gender. The Division shall require all approved vendors to annually provide independent assessments and benchmarks offered by NIST to confirm continued compliance with this section. C. A campus police department may use facial recognition technology for authorized uses. A match made through facial recognition technology shall not be included in an affidavit to establish probable cause for purposes of issuance of a search warrant or an arrest warrant but shall be admissible as exculpatory evidence. A campus police department shall not (i) use facial recognition technology for tracking the movements of an identified individual in a public space in real time; (ii) create a database of images using a live video feed for the purpose of using facial recognition technology; or (iii) enroll a comparison image in a commercial image repository of a facial recognition technology service provider except pursuant to an authorized use. Following such use as provided in clause (iii), no comparison image may be retained or used further by the service provider except as required for auditing that use or as may be otherwise required by law. D. A campus police department shall publicly post and annually update its policy on use of facial recognition technology before employing such facial recognition technology to investigate a specific criminal incident or citizen welfare situation. A campus police department that uses facial recognition technology may adopt the State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy. If a campus police department uses facial recognition technology but does not adopt the State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy, such department shall develop its own policy within 90 days of publication of the State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy that meets or exceeds the standards set forth in such model policy. Any policy adopted or developed pursuant to this subsection shall be updated annually. A campus police department shall not utilize any facial recognition technology until after the publication of the State Police Model Facial Recognition Technology Policy and after publication of the department's policy regarding use of facial recognition technology. E. Any campus police department that uses facial recognition technology shall maintain records sufficient to facilitate discovery in criminal proceedings, post-conviction proceedings, public reporting, and auditing of compliance with such department's facial recognition technology policies. Such department that uses facial recognition technology shall collect data pertaining to (i) a complete history of each user's queries; (ii) the total number of queries conducted; (iii) the number of queries that resulted in a list of possible candidates; (iv) how many times an examiner offered campus police an investigative lead based on his findings; (v) how many cases were closed due to an investigative lead from facial recognition technology; (vi) what types of criminal offenses are being investigated; (vii) the nature of the image repository being compared or queried; (viii) demographic information for the individuals whose images are queried; and (ix) if applicable, any other entities with which the department shared facial recognition data. F. Any chief of a campus police department whose department uses facial recognition technology shall publicly post and annually update a report by April 1 each year to provide information to the public regarding the department's use of facial recognition technology. The report shall include all data required by clauses (ii) through (viii) of subsection E in addition to (i) all instances of unauthorized access of the facial recognition technology, including any unauthorized access by employees of the campus police department; (ii) vendor information, including the specific algorithms employed; and (iii) if applicable, data or links related to third-party testing of such algorithms, including any reference to variations in demographic performance. If any information or data (a) contains an articulable concern for any person's safety; (b) is otherwise prohibited from public disclosure by federal or state statute; or (c) if disclosed, may compromise sensitive criminal justice information, such information or data may be excluded from public disclosure. Nothing herein shall limit disclosure of data collected pursuant to subsection E when such disclosure is related to a writ of habeas corpus. For purposes of this subsection, "sensitive criminal justice information" means information related to (1) a particular ongoing criminal investigation or proceeding, (2) the identity of a confidential source, or (3) law-enforcement investigative techniques and procedures. G. At least 30 days prior to procuring facial recognition technology, a campus police department shall notify in writing the institution of higher education that such department serves of such intended procurement, but such notice shall not be required if such procurement is directed by the institution of higher education. H. Any facial recognition technology operator employed by a campus police department who (i) violates the department's policy for the use of facial recognition technology or (ii) conducts a search for any reason other than an authorized use is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall be required to complete training on the department's policy on and authorized uses of facial recognition technology before being reinstated to operate such facial recognition technology. The campus police department shall terminate from employment any facial recognition technology operator who violates clause (i) or (ii) for a second time. A facial recognition technology operator who commits a second or subsequent violation of this subsection is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 537 ; 2022, c. 737 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3102 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-3102
Board of trustees
Status: in_force

A. The Extension Partnership shall be governed by a 24-member board of trustees (the board) appointed by the Governor, consisting of three presidents of comprehensive community colleges, or their designees; two presidents of baccalaureate public institutions of higher education, or their designees; one president of a baccalaureate private institution of higher education, or his designee; and 15 nonlegislative citizen members representing manufacturing industries. The director of the Center for Innovative Technology, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Labor shall also sit on the board of trustees, to serve ex officio with voting privileges.

B. Appointments shall be for terms of four years. Ex officio members of the board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed. No member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms; however, a member appointed to serve an unexpired term is eligible to serve two consecutive four-year terms immediately succeeding such unexpired term.

C. The board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its membership. The board shall elect a secretary and a treasurer who need not be members of the board. The board may elect other subordinate officers who need not be members of the board.

D. Eight members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

E. The board may adopt, alter, or repeal its own bylaws that govern the manner in which its business may be transacted and may form committees and advisory councils, which may include representatives who are not board members.

1992, cc. 217, 668, § 23-231.9; 1994, cc. 31 , 383 ; 1997, c. 324 ; 2004, c. 989 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2020, c. 738 ; 2022, cc. 576 , 577 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-405 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 4 / Section 23.1-405
Student records and personal information; social media
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"Social media account" means a personal account with an electronic medium or service through which users may create, share, or view user-generated content, including, without limitation, videos, photographs, blogs, podcasts, messages, emails, or website profiles or locations. "Social media account" does not include an account (i) opened by a student at the request of a public or private institution of higher education or (ii) provided to a student by a public or private institution of higher education such as the student's email account or other software program owned or operated exclusively by a public or private institution of higher education.

B. Each public institution of higher education and private institution of higher education may require any student who attends, or any applicant who has been accepted to and has committed to attend, such institution to provide, to the extent available, from the originating secondary school and, if applicable, any institution of higher education he has attended a complete student record, including any mental health records held by the previous school or institution. Such records shall be kept confidential as required by state and federal law, including the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g)(FERPA).

C. Student directory information, as defined by FERPA, and which may include a student's name, sex, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height as a member of an athletic team, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and other similar information, may be disclosed, provided that the institution has given notice to the student of (i) the types of information that the institution has designated as directory information, (ii) the right of the student to refuse the designation of any or all of the types of information about the student as directory information, and (iii) the period of time within which the student must notify the institution in writing that he does not want any or all of the types of information about the student designated as directory information. However, no institution shall disclose the address, telephone number, or email address of a student pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) unless the student has affirmatively consented in writing to such disclosure. Additionally, except as required by state or federal law, no institution shall disclose the address, telephone number, or email address of a student pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(11) unless (a) the disclosure is to students enrolled in the institution for educational purposes or institution business and the student has not opted out of such disclosure in accordance with this subsection and institution policy or (b) the student has affirmatively consented in writing to such disclosure except as required by state or federal law. This subsection shall not apply to disclosures, other than disclosures pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 99.31(a)(11), permitted under FERPA.

D. No public institution of higher education shall sell students' personal information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, to any person. This subsection shall not apply to transactions involving credit, debit, employment, finance, identity verification, risk assessment, fraud prevention, or other transactions initiated by the student.

E. No public or private institution of higher education shall require a student to disclose the username or password to any of such student's personal social media accounts. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent a campus police officer appointed under Article 3 (§ 23.1-809 et seq.) of Chapter 8 from performing his official duties.

2008, c. 571 , § 23-2.1:3; 2012, cc. 347 , 382 ; 2014, c. 748 ; 2016, cc. 588 , 597 ; 2018, c. 806 ; 2019, c. 229 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-604 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-604
Investment of funds donated for scholarships
Status: in_force

A. When any person deposits moneys in, bequeaths moneys to be deposited in, or devises or bequeaths property to be sold and the proceeds to be deposited in the state treasury for the benefit of any institution of higher education in such an amount that the interest on such moneys is sufficient to cover the costs of tuition, mandatory fees, and other necessary expenses for a cadet or student enrolled in such institution, the moneys shall be invested in securities that are legal investments under the laws of the Commonwealth for public funds in the name and for the benefit of such institution.

B. Such donation is irrevocable, but the donor, his heirs, or the guardian of any heir who is under 21 years old may nominate and place in such institution any cadet or student.

C. If such donor, heirs, or guardian fails to nominate a cadet or student within one year of such donation, the governing board of the institution may appropriate such moneys to cover tuition, mandatory fees, and other necessary expenses for indigent Virginia students or cadets.

Code 1919, §§ 994, 995, 996; 1936, p. 536, §§ 23-32, 23-33, 23-34; 1956, c. 184; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3114 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-3114
Executive director
Status: in_force

The board shall appoint an executive director of the Center who shall supervise and manage the Center. The executive director may, with the oversight of the board, employ such staff and faculty as are necessary to enable the Center to perform its duties as set forth in this article and the bylaws established by the board.

2006, cc. 808 , 842 , § 23-231.35; 2016, c. 588 ; 2026, cc. 609 , 610 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1021 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 10 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-1021
Covered institutions; operational authority; human resources; establishment of a human resources program
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section, "active military duty" means federally funded military duty as (i) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (ii) a member of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code.

B. The governing board of each covered institution may elect to adopt for its nonfaculty participating covered employees either (i) one or more human resources programs that is or are generally consistent with the provisions of Chapters 28 (§ 2.2-2800 et seq.) and 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) of Title 2.2, pertaining generally to state employees, or (ii) such other human resources program or programs as it determines to be appropriate. The covered institution may administer such human resources program or programs itself or contract with another covered institution or the Department of Human Resources Management to administer some or all of its human resources programs, subject to the execution of any participation or operating agreement as the parties to that agreement may deem necessary and appropriate.

C. Each covered institution may (i) establish a human resources program or programs for participating covered employees who are not subject to a human resources program established pursuant to subsection B, including a program or programs relating to such employees that its enabling statutes authorizes it to employ and (ii) contract for such consultants, attorneys, accountants, financial experts, and independent providers of expert advice and consultation as such institution deems necessary or desirable to assist in the establishment of such program.

D. Any human resources program adopted by the governing board of a covered institution for participating covered employees shall be based on merit principles and objective methods of appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, removal, severance, and discipline and shall include other appropriate topics based on such principles and methods.

E. The human resources program adopted by the governing board of a covered institution shall, consistent with applicable federal law, address (i) the employment of participating covered employees who leave the service of a covered institution for service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States, (ii) the employment of veterans who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States following the termination of their military service, and (iii) leave and other policies affecting the employment of participating covered employees who have been ordered to active military duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or the organized reserve forces of any of the Armed Forces of the United States or the Virginia National Guard.

2005, cc. 933 , 945 , § 23-38.116; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-228 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-228
Violations; penalties; remedies
Status: in_force

A. Violations of this article or the Council's implementing regulations are punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each degree, certificate, program, academic transcript, or course of study offered, conferred, or used in violation of this article or the Council's regulations shall constitute a separate offense.

B. If no criminal prosecution is instituted against such postsecondary school pursuant to subsection A, the Council may recover a civil penalty of at least $200 but not more than $1,000 per separate offense set forth in subsection A. In no event shall the civil penalties against any one person, corporation, or other entity exceed $25,000 per year.

C. The Council may institute a proceeding in equity to enjoin any violation of this article or its implementing regulations and upon substantially prevailing on the merits of the case and unless special circumstances would render such an award unjust, the Council is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees and costs in any such action.

Code 1950, § 23-273; 1980, c. 658; 2002, c. 178 , § 23-276.12; 2006, c. 48 ; 2008, c. 856 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-612 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-612
Unfunded scholarships
Status: in_force

A. The governing board of each public institution of higher education may establish unfunded scholarships that are subject to such regulations and conditions as the governing board establishes and the following limitations and restrictions:

1. All such scholarships shall be applied exclusively to the remission, in whole or in part, of tuition and mandatory fees.

2. The governing board shall determine the number of such scholarships annually awarded to undergraduate Virginia students and non-Virginia students.

3. The total value of all such scholarships annually awarded to undergraduate Virginia students shall not exceed the amount of the applicable sum of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees multiplied by 20 percent of the enrollment of undergraduate Virginia students during the preceding academic year.

4. The total value of all such scholarships annually awarded by an institution to undergraduate non-Virginia students shall not exceed the amount of the applicable per capita out-of-state tuition differential paid by undergraduate non-Virginia students for tuition and mandatory fees multiplied by 20 percent of the enrollment of undergraduate non-Virginia students during the preceding academic year.

5. All such scholarships awarded to undergraduate students shall be awarded only to students in the first four years of undergraduate work and shall be awarded and renewed on a selective basis to students of character and ability who are in need of financial assistance. For purposes of determining need under this section, each governing board shall use a nationally recognized needs-analysis system approved by the Council.

6. The governing board of each public institution of higher education shall determine the number of such scholarships annually awarded to graduate students or teachers serving as clinical faculty pursuant to § 22.1-290.1 . The total value of all such scholarships annually awarded to such graduate students and clinical faculty shall not exceed the amount of the sum of graduate tuition and mandatory fees multiplied by the number of teachers serving as clinical faculty pursuant to § 22.1-290.1 and graduate students who are employed as teaching assistants, graduate assistants, or research assistants with significant academic or academic support responsibilities and who are paid a stipend of at least $2,000 in the particular academic year. All unfunded scholarships awarded to graduate students or teachers serving as clinical faculty shall be awarded and renewed on a selective basis to such graduate students and clinical faculty of character and ability.

7. An unfunded scholarship shall entitle the holder to the following award, as appropriate:

a. An undergraduate Virginia student may receive an annual remission of an amount not to exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees;

b. An undergraduate non-Virginia student may receive an annual remission not to exceed the amount of the out-of-state tuition differential required to be paid by the student for tuition and mandatory fees;

c. A qualified graduate student may receive an annual remission of an amount not to exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees; and

d. A teacher serving as clinical faculty may receive an award as determined by the governing board of the institution.

8. Notwithstanding the limitations on the awards of unfunded scholarships to undergraduate students pursuant to subdivision A 7, an institution may award unfunded scholarships to visiting foreign exchange students as long as the number of such awards in any fiscal year does not exceed one quarter of one percent of the total institutional headcount enrollment.

B. No public institution of higher education shall remit any tuition or mandatory fees to any student at such institution except as authorized in this section. Each such institution shall make a report to the Council, upon request, showing the number and value of scholarships awarded under this section according to each student classification.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent or limit in any way the admission of state cadets at Virginia Military Institute or to affect the remission of tuition, mandatory fees, or other charges to such state cadets as permitted under existing law.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or limit in any way the control of the governing boards of the respective institutions over (i) any other scholarships, (ii) any gifts or donations made to such institutions for scholarships or other special purposes, (iii) any funds provided by the federal government or otherwise for the purpose of career and technical education or vocational rehabilitation in the Commonwealth, or (iv) any funds derived from endowment or appropriations from the federal government for instruction in agriculture and mechanic arts at land-grant universities.

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the governing board of any public institution of higher education from fixing a tuition charge for Virginia students reasonably lower than that for non-Virginia students.

F. Nothing in this section or any other provision of law shall prohibit the awarding of 10 full tuition unfunded scholarships each year by Old Dominion University under the terms and conditions provided for in a deed conveying certain property in Norfolk known as the Old Larchmont School made July 5, 1930, between the City of Norfolk and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

G. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit other financial aid programs provided pursuant to state law.

Code 1919, § 993; 1936, p. 447, § 23-31; 1952, c. 139; 1964, c. 440; 1966, c. 621; 1974, c. 317; 1975, c. 397; 1976, c. 189; 1977, cc. 296, 319; 1979, cc. 136, 145, 730; 1990, c. 447; 1992, c. 103; 1996, c. 103 ; 1999, cc. 424 , 437 ; 2001, c. 483 ; 2002, cc. 158 , 257 ; 2004, cc. 58 , 176 , 195 , 739 ; 2014, c. 594 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-712 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 7 / Section 23.1-712
Payroll deductions
Status: in_force

The Commonwealth, the agencies and localities of the Commonwealth and their subdivisions, and any employer in the Commonwealth may agree, by contract or otherwise, to remit payments or contributions on behalf of an employee toward prepaid tuition contracts or savings trust accounts through payroll deductions.

1994, c. 661 , § 23-38.87; 1999, cc. 485 , 518 ; 2009, cc. 827 , 845 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2017, c. 314 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1240 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12.1 / Section 23.1-1240
Tech Talent Investment Fund created
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Tech Talent Investment Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for the Fund shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely to fund grants approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller.

B. Moneys in the Fund shall be used to support the efforts of qualified institutions to increase by fiscal year 2039 the number of new eligible degrees by at least 25,000 more degrees than the number of such degrees awarded in 2018 and to improve the readiness of graduates to be employed in technology-related fields and fields that align with traded-sector growth opportunities identified by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Funds from the Fund may be used to support admissions and advising programs designed to convey labor market information to students to guide decisions to enroll in eligible degree programs and academic programs and to fund facility construction, renovation, and enhancement and equipment purchases related to the initiative to increase the number of eligible degrees awarded.

2019, cc. 638 , 639 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1902 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 19 / Section 23.1-1902
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The board shall (i) make all provisions for teachers, staff members, and agents, fix their salaries, and prescribe their duties and (ii) generally direct the affairs of the University.

B. The board may take, hold, receive, and enjoy any gift, grant, devise, or bequest to the University for the uses and purposes designated by the donor, or if not so designated, for the general purposes of the board.

C. The board may confer degrees.

1968, c. 532, §§ 23-174.5, 23-174.6, 23-174.7; 1979, c. 146; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-233.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-233.1
Qualified education loans; certain providers; contact information and summary
Status: in_force

Any provider of private education loans, as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 1026.46(b)(5), shall disclose to any student attending an institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, prior to issuing a qualified education loan to such student, the contact information for the Office of the Qualified Education Loan Ombudsman and a summary of the student loan information applicable to private education loans that may be found on the Council's website. Any such disclosure may be made in conjunction with or incorporated into another disclosure to such student prior to issuing the qualified education loan. The summary shall be developed by the Office of the Qualified Education Loan Ombudsman in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

2020, c. 436 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3204 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 32 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-3204
Board of Regents of Gunston Hall and Board of Visitors for Gunston Hall established
Status: in_force

The Board of Regents of Gunston Hall (Board of Regents) is established as an educational institution to manage, maintain, and operate Gunston Hall and accept and administer gifts of real and personal property made for the benefit of Gunston Hall. The Board of Visitors for Gunston Hall is established. Membership of both collegial bodies shall be pursuant to the terms and conditions of the deed of gift of Gunston Hall from Louis Hertle to the Commonwealth. The duties of the two boards are prescribed in Chapter 138 of the Acts of Assembly of 1932 and Chapter 175 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948.

2000, c. 541 , § 23-295; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-819 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-819
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Bullying" means the same as that term is defined in § 22.1-276.01 .

"Hazing" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-56 .

"Institution" or "institution of higher education" means any nonprofit private institution of higher education and any public institution of higher education as defined in § 23.1-100 .

"Local organization" means a group that is not chartered or recognized by an institution or a national organization but is composed of members who are students at such institution and the institution is aware of the local organization's existence or becomes aware of its existence after a hazing incident is reported to the institution.

"New member" means an individual who has been offered an invitation for membership in a student organization with new members but has not yet been initiated and is not recognized as a full member of the organization.

"New member event" means an official event or gathering hosted by a student organization with new members prior to new members of such organization being initiated into the organization to which all new members and members of the student organization hosting the event are invited or are instructed to attend.

"Potential new member" means an individual who has expressed interest in joining a student organization with new members by signing up to go through a recruitment process for such organization or organizations.

"Student organization recognized by an institution of higher education" means any group or organization on campus, including varsity intercollegiate and club athletic teams, recognized by an institution of higher education.

"Student organization with new members" means a student organization officially recognized by an institution of higher education structured in such a way that upon invitation for membership, individuals do not automatically become members of such organization and have a period of time between invitation for membership and being initiated into membership. "Student organization with new members" does not include any varsity intercollegiate or club athletic team.

2022, cc. 693 , 694 ; 2024, c. 405 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2907.2 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 29 / Section 23.1-2907.2
Registered apprenticeships; uniform instruction
Status: in_force

The System, in consultation with the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, shall develop and deliver uniform, related instruction for registered apprenticeships in high-demand occupations according to the list published annually by the Virginia Board of Workforce Development pursuant to § 2.2-2472 , and for which coursework is not otherwise available. Such instruction shall be available statewide and shall be delivered in a face-to-face, online, or blended format.

2019, c. 580 ; 2026, c. 662 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-623 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-623
Two-Year College Transfer Grant Program; Council regulations
Status: in_force

A. The Two-Year College Transfer Grant Program is created to provide financial assistance to eligible students, beginning with the first-time entering freshman class of the fall 2007 academic year, for the costs of attending an eligible institution. Funds may be paid to any eligible institution on behalf of students who have been awarded financial assistance pursuant to § 23.1-624 .

B. The Council shall adopt regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this article and the disbursement of funds consistent with the provisions of this article that are appropriate to the administration of the Program.

2007, cc. 850 , 899 , § 23-38.10:9; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3133 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 8 / Section 23.1-3133
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2020, cc. 1164 and 1169 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-619 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-619
Collection of loans
Status: in_force

For each loan made from its fund, each institution shall:

1. Include in loan documents for each loan an individual plan for the repayment of principal and interest and the payment of any late fees and clear and detailed information about the collection process for such loan pursuant to the Virginia Debt Collection Act (§ 2.2-4800 et seq.), including information about the agency or entity that is responsible for collection;

2. Establish a process for notifying each student or, in the case of an undergraduate student and as appropriate, the student's parent of any loan payment that is past due no later than (i) 30 days after the payments become past due and (ii) if necessary, the end of the academic term during which such payment becomes past due; and

3. Make every effort to collect each loan and comply with the Virginia Debt Collection Act (§ 2.2-4800 et seq.) with regard to the collection of such loans, provided that, notwithstanding §§ 2.2-4805 and 2.2-4806 , the institution may, with the consent of the borrower, modify the terms of any loan for which payments are past due to provide for repayment forbearance on such loan and repayment to commence on a mutually agreed-upon date in the future. Prior to entering into any such agreement, the institution shall provide the borrower with information regarding the effect of a forbearance on the loan amount, including (i) the amount of any additional accumulated principal and interest and (ii) the estimated total amount to be owed upon recommenced payments.

1978, c. 745, § 23-38.10:4; 1988, c. 544; 2016, c. 588 ; 2018, c. 786 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2007 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 20 / Section 23.1-2007
Operations of Virginia Health Sciences at the University
Status: in_force

A. The University may provide medical and health sciences education and related research through teaching hospitals and related health care and health maintenance facilities, collectively referred to in this section as Virginia Health Sciences at the University. Virginia Health Sciences at the University may participate in cooperative arrangements reflective of changes in health care delivery.

B. The University shall ensure that all tuition, funds appropriated, and clinical-affiliated financial support for the continued operation of the schools and divisions previously existing as the Eastern Virginia Medical School shall remain with those schools and divisions for their continued operation. Such funds shall remain separate from funds for the other academic units identified by the board to be part of Virginia Health Sciences at the University.

C. The University may create, own in whole or in part, or otherwise control corporations, partnerships, insurers, or other entities whose activities promote the operations of Virginia Health Sciences at the University and its mission, cooperate or enter into joint ventures with such entities, and enter into contracts in connection with such joint ventures.

2023, cc. 756 , 778 ; 2026, c. 482 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-230 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-230
Enrollment agreements required
Status: in_force

A. No postsecondary school that is required to be certified by the Council shall enroll students without entering into an enrollment agreement with each student. Such enrollment agreement shall be signed by the student and an authorized representative of the school and shall contain all disclosures prescribed by the Council.

B. No postsecondary school that is required to be certified by the Council shall condition the enrollment of a student on:

1. Entering into an agreement that requires the student to arbitrate any dispute between the student and the school, regardless of whether the agreement permits the student to opt out of the requirement to arbitrate any such dispute in the future; or

2. Entering into an agreement that requires the student to resolve a dispute on an individual basis and waive the right to class or group actions.

2017, c. 298 ; 2020, c. 1135 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1300 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 13 / Section 23.1-1300
Members of governing boards; removal; terms; nonvoting, advisory representatives; residency
Status: in_force

A. Members appointed by the Governor to the governing boards of public institutions of higher education shall serve for terms of four years. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. No member appointed by the Governor to such a governing board shall serve for more than two consecutive four-year terms; however, a member appointed by the Governor to serve an unexpired term is eligible to serve two consecutive four-year terms immediately succeeding such unexpired term. Except as otherwise provided in § 23.1-2601 , all appointments are subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Members appointed by the Governor to the governing board of a public institution of higher education shall continue to hold office until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Ex officio members shall serve a term coincident with their term of office.

B. No member appointed by the Governor to the governing board of a public institution of higher education who has served two consecutive four-year terms on such board is eligible to serve on the same board until at least four years have passed since the end of his second consecutive four-year term.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection E or any other provision of law, the Governor may remove from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty any member of the board of any public institution of higher education and fill the vacancy resulting from the removal.

D. The Governor shall set forth in a written public statement his reasons for removing any member pursuant to subsection C at the time the removal occurs. The Governor is the sole judge of the sufficiency of the cause for removal as set forth in subsection C.

E. If any member of the governing board of a public institution of higher education fails to attend (i) the meetings of the board for one year without sufficient cause, as determined by a majority vote of the board, or (ii) the educational programs required by § 23.1-1304 in his first two years of membership without sufficient cause, as determined by a majority vote of the board, the remaining members of the board shall record such failure in the minutes at its next meeting and notify the Governor, and the office of such member shall be vacated. No member of the board of visitors of a baccalaureate public institution of higher education or the State Board for Community Colleges who fails to attend the educational programs required by § 23.1-1304 during his first four-year term is eligible for reappointment to such board.

F. The governing board of each public institution of higher education shall adopt in its bylaws policies (i) for removing members pursuant to subsection E and (ii) referencing the Governor's power to remove members described in subsection C.

G. The governing board of each public institution of higher education and each local community college board may appoint one or more nonvoting, advisory faculty representatives to its respective board. In the case of local community college boards and boards of visitors, such representatives shall be chosen from individuals elected by the faculty or the institution's faculty senate or its equivalent. In the case of the State Board, such representatives shall be chosen from individuals elected by the Chancellor's Faculty Advisory Committee. Such representatives shall be appointed to serve (i) at least one term of at least 12 months, which shall be coterminous with the institution's fiscal year or (ii) for such terms as may be mutually agreed to by the State Board and the Chancellor's Faculty Advisory Committee, or by the local community college board or the board of visitors, and the institution's faculty senate or its equivalent.

H. The board of visitors of any baccalaureate public institution of higher education shall appoint one or more students as nonvoting, advisory representatives. Such representatives shall be appointed under such circumstances and serve for such terms as the board of visitors of the institution shall prescribe.

I. Nothing in subsections G and H shall prohibit the governing board of any public institution of higher education or any local community college board from excluding such nonvoting, advisory faculty or student representatives from discussions of faculty grievances, faculty or staff disciplinary matters or salaries, or any other matter.

J. The president or any one of the vice presidents of the board of visitors of Virginia Military Institute, the chairman or the vice-chairman of the State Board, and the rector or vice-rector of the governing board of each other public institution of higher education shall be a resident of the Commonwealth.

K. No baccalaureate public institution of higher education shall employ an individual appointed by the Governor to the board of visitors of such institution within two years of the expiration of his term. Such prohibition shall not apply to the employment of an individual to serve as an institution president or, in the case of Virginia Military Institute, the Superintendent.

Code 1919, §§ 807, 835, 859, 935, §§ 23-41, 23-70, 23-72, 23-93, 23-95, 23-115, 23-117; 1924, p. 145; 1930, pp. 80, 81, 739; 1936, p. 262; 1938, p. 443; 1944, pp. 344, 345, 399, 400, 401; 1945, pp. 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55; 1946, cc. 414, 415; 1952, c. 213; 1954, c. 343; 1960, cc. 180, 187; 1962, c. 69, §§ 23-49.14, 23-49.16; 1964, cc. 48, 50, 70, 97, 159 §§ 23-155.4, 23-164.3, 23-164.5, 23-165.4, 23-165.5, 23-185, 23-187; 1966, cc. 14, 18, 679, § 23-216; 1968, cc. 93, 532, 719, §§ 23-50.6, 23-174.4; 1970, cc. 601, 624; 1972, cc. 51, 136, 550, 861, §§ 23-91.26, 23-91.28, 23-91.36, 23-91.38; 1973, c. 55; 1974, cc. 29, 317; 1975, c. 484; 1976, cc. 21, 25 §§ 23-49.25, 23-49.26; 1977, c. 670; 1978, cc. 376, 453; 1979, cc. 17, 147, 623; 1980, cc. 100, 559, 625, 648; 1981, c. 225; 1982, c. 356, § 23-9.2:5; 1983, c. 148; 1984, c. 772; 1989, c. 107; 1989, Sp. Sess., c. 5; 1991, c. 96; 1992, cc. 53, 103; 1993, c. 697; 1995, c. 40 ; 1999, cc. 752 , 1013 ; 2000, cc. 699 , 715 , 844 ; 2002, c. 158 , 257 ; 2003, c. 802 ; 2004, cc. 499 , 519 , 695 , § 23-9.2:4.1; 2005, c. 12 ; 2007, cc. 471 , 727 ; 2008, cc. 55 , 155 , 399 , 465 , 477 ; 2012, c. 599 ; 2014, cc. 190 , 597 ; 2015, c. 560 , § 23-2.06; 2016, cc. 473 , 588 ; 2017, cc. 314 , 764 , 766 ; 2019, c. 373 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1303 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 13 / Section 23.1-1303
Governing boards; duties
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this section, "intellectual property" means (i) a potentially patentable machine, article of manufacture, composition of matter, process, or improvement in any of those; (ii) an issued patent; (iii) a legal right that inheres in a patent; or (iv) anything that is copyrightable.

B. The governing board of each public institution of higher education shall:

1. Adopt and post conspicuously on its website bylaws for its own governance, including provisions that (i) establish the requirement of transparency, to the extent required by law, in all board actions; (ii) describe the board's obligations under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.), as set forth in subdivision B 10 of § 23.1-1301 , including the requirements that (a) the board record minutes of each open meeting and post the minutes on the board's website, in accordance with subsection I of § 2.2-3707 and § 2.2-3707.1 , (b) discussions and actions on any topic not specifically exempted by § 2.2-3711 be held in an open meeting, (c) the board give public notice of all meetings, in accordance with subsection D of § 2.2-3707 , and (d) any action taken in a closed meeting be approved in an open meeting before it can have any force or effect, in accordance with subsection B of § 2.2-3711 ; and (iii) require that the board invite the Attorney General's appointee or representative to all meetings of the board, executive committee, and board committees;

2. Establish and maintain on the institution's website (i) a listing of all board members, including the name of the Governor who made each appointment and the date of each appointment; (ii) a listing of all committees created by the board and the membership of each committee; (iii) a schedule of all upcoming meetings of the full board and its committees and instructions for the public to access such meetings; (iv) an archive of agendas and supporting materials for each meeting of the governing board and its committees that was held; and (v) an email address or email addresses that allow board members to receive public communications pertaining to board business;

3. Establish regulations or institution policies for the acceptance of students that include provisions (i) that specify that the accreditation status of a public high school in the Commonwealth shall not be considered in making admissions determinations for students who have earned a diploma pursuant to the requirements established by the Board of Education and (ii) relating to the admission of certain graduates of comprehensive community colleges as set forth in § 23.1-907 ;

4. Assist the Council in enforcing the provisions relating to eligibility for financial aid;

5. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, establish policies and procedures requiring the notification of the parent of a dependent student when such student receives mental health treatment at the institution's student health or counseling center and such treatment becomes part of the student's educational record in accordance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.) and may be disclosed without prior consent as authorized by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g) and related regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 99). Such notification shall only be required if it is determined that there exists a substantial likelihood that, as a result of mental illness the student will, in the near future, (i) cause serious physical harm to himself or others as evidenced by recent behavior or any other relevant information or (ii) suffer serious harm due to his lack of capacity to protect himself from harm or to provide for his basic human needs. However, notification may be withheld if any person licensed to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders by a health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions who is treating the student has made a part of the student's record a written statement that, in the exercise of his professional judgment, the notification would be reasonably likely to cause substantial harm to the student or another person. No public institution of higher education or employee of a public institution of higher education making a disclosure pursuant to this subsection is civilly liable for any harm resulting from such disclosure unless such disclosure constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct by the institution or its employees;

6. Establish policies and procedures requiring the release of the educational record of a dependent student, as defined by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), to a parent at his request;

7. Establish programs to seek to ensure that all graduates have the technology skills necessary to compete in the twenty-first century and that all students matriculating in teacher-training programs receive instruction in the effective use of educational technology;

8. Establish policies for the discipline of students who participate in varsity intercollegiate athletics, including a provision requiring an annual report by the administration of the institution to the governing board regarding enforcement actions taken pursuant to such policies;

9. In addition to all meetings prescribed in Chapters 14 (§ 23.1-1400 et seq.) through 29 (§ 23.1-2900 et seq.), meet with the chief executive officer of the institution at least once annually, in a closed meeting pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 2.2-3711 and deliver an evaluation of the chief executive officer's performance. Any change to the chief executive officer's employment contract during any such meeting or any other meeting of the board shall be made only by a vote of the majority of the board's members;

10. If human research, as defined in § 32.1-162.16 , is conducted at the institution, adopt regulations pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) to effectuate the provisions of Chapter 5.1 (§ 32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1 for human research. Such regulations shall require the human research committee to submit to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the chief executive officer of the institution or his designee at least annually a report on the human research projects reviewed and approved by the committee and require the committee to report any significant deviations from approved proposals;

11. Submit and make publicly available on the institution's website the annual financial statements for the fiscal year ending the preceding June 30 and the accounts and status of any ongoing capital projects to the Auditor of Public Accounts for the audit of such statements pursuant to § 30-133 ;

12. No later than December 1 of each year, report to the Council and make publicly available on the institution's website (i) the value of investments as reflected on the Statement of Net Position as of June 30 of the previous fiscal year, excluding any funds derived from endowment donations, endowment income, or other private philanthropy; (ii) the cash earnings on such balances in the previous fiscal year; and (iii) the use of the cash earnings on such balances. In the event that the commitment of any such investment earnings spans more than one fiscal year, the report shall reflect the commitments made in each future fiscal year. The reports of the Boards of Visitors of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia shall exclude the value of and earnings on any investments held by the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority and the University of Virginia Medical Center, respectively. As used in this subdivision, "investments" includes all short-term, long-term, liquid, and illiquid Statement of Net Position accounts, and subaccounts thereof, in which moneys have been invested in securities;

13. Submit to the General Assembly and the Governor and make publicly available on the institution's website an annual executive summary of its interim activity and work no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website;

14. Make available to any interested party upon request a copy of the portion of the most recent report of the Uniform Crime Reporting Section of the Department of State Police entitled "Crime in Virginia" pertaining to institutions of higher education;

15. Adopt policies or institution regulations regarding the ownership, protection, assignment, and use of intellectual property and provide a copy of such policies or institution regulations to the Governor and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science. All employees, including student employees, of public institutions of higher education are bound by the intellectual property policies or institution regulations of the institution employing them;

16. Adopt policies that are supportive of the intellectual property rights of matriculated students who are not employed by such institution; and

17. Solicit the input of representatives of the institution's faculty senate or its equivalent (i) at least twice per academic year on topics of general interest to the faculty and (ii) in advance of decisions to be made on the search for the institution's new chief executive officer.

Code 1919, § 837, § 23-99; 1970, c. 197, § 23-9.2:3; 1972, c. 861, § 23-91.40; 1984, c. 734, § 23-1.01; 1985, cc. 146, 520; 1986, c. 358, § 23-4.3; 1987, c. 109; 1990, c. 646, § 23-9.1:1; 1992, cc. 603, 630, § 23-9.2:3.3; 1997, c. 827 ; 1998, cc. 39 , 362 , 483 , 784 ; 2001, cc. 664 , 673 ; 2004, cc. 176 , 195 , 650 ; 2005, cc. 633 , 818 ; 2006, cc. 77 , 121 , 899 ; 2008, cc. 441 , 495 ; 2012, cc. 448 , 658 , 716 ; 2013, c. 577 , §§ 23-2.02, 23-2.03, 23-2.05; 2014, c. 557 , § 23-2.5; 2016, cc. 441 , 588 ; 2017, cc. 314 , 320 , 616 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 447 ; 2023, c. 536 ; 2026, c. 135 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-205 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-205
Authority to carry out federal requirements
Status: in_force

The Council may prepare plans, administer federal programs, and receive and disburse any federal funds in accordance with the responsibilities assigned to it by federal statutes or regulations.

1977, c. 676, § 23-261; 1991, c. 590; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2906.2 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 29 / Section 23.1-2906.2
Certain comprehensive community colleges; veterans advisors and veterans resource centers
Status: in_force

A. Each of the seven comprehensive community colleges with the highest number of enrolled students who are veterans shall employ at least one full-time veterans advisor to provide comprehensive and intensive enrollment and advising services to current and prospective students who are veterans.

B. Each of the seven comprehensive community colleges with the highest number of enrolled students who are veterans shall establish a veterans resource center on campus to:

1. Provide access to federal and state veterans resources;

2. Serve as a quiet place for veterans to study;

3. Enable veterans to connect to other veterans, helping them renew the bonds of military service; and

4. Be the central hub for all activities on campus related to veterans.

2016, c. 503 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-209 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-209
Reports of expenditures of state funds
Status: in_force

The governing board of each public institution of higher education shall provide the Council annual data indicating the apportionment and amounts of expenditures that the relevant institution expends by category, including academic costs, administration, research, and public service, as defined by the Council. The Council shall compile and submit a report of such data annually to the Governor and the General Assembly.

2003, c. 184 , § 23-9.9:01; 2007, c. 630 ; 2012, cc. 803 , 835 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-637 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 6 / Section 23.1-637
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Fund
Status: in_force

There is created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Fund (the Fund). The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, or other moneys as may be received for the purposes of the Fund shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be paid to any public institution of higher education on behalf of students who have been awarded grants pursuant to the provisions of § 23.1-638 . Any moneys remaining in the Fund shall be credited to the account of the Council. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Executive Director of the Council.

1992, c. 879, § 23-38.53:5; 1994, c. 789 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2025, c. 144 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-818 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-818
Security departments and other security services
Status: in_force

Nothing in this article shall abridge the authority of the governing board of a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education to establish security departments, whose officers and employees shall not have the powers and duties set forth in § 23.1-815 , in place of or in addition to campus police departments, rely upon local or state police forces, or contract for security services from private parties. Nothing in this article shall abridge the authority of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind to establish and maintain a campus security department and to employ campus security personnel therein in accordance with the provisions of subsection F of § 22.1-346.2 . Nothing in this article shall abridge the authority of the governing board of any educational institution established pursuant to Chapter 31 (§ 23.1-3100 et seq.) to establish and maintain a campus security department and to employ campus security personnel therein.

1977, c. 79, § 23-238; 2016, c. 588 ; 2023, c. 428 ; 2024, cc. 9 , 202 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2629 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-2629
Control and supervision
Status: in_force

The Water Center is a unit of the University under the supervision and control of the board.

1982, c. 379, § 23-135.7:10; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3217 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 32 / Article 6 / Section 23.1-3217
Board of trustees
Status: in_force

A. The management and control of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and its building, contents, furnishings, grounds, and other properties is vested in a board of trustees (the board) composed of (i) the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the mayor of the City of Richmond, who shall serve ex officio, and (ii) at least 25 but not more than 35 nonlegislative citizen members. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed by the Governor after consideration of a list of nominees from the Museum submitted at least 60 days before the expiration of the member's term for which the nominations are being made.

B. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for terms of five years. No nonlegislative citizen member is eligible to serve more than two consecutive five-year terms; however, a member appointed to serve an unexpired term is eligible to serve two consecutive five-year terms immediately succeeding such unexpired term.

C. Nine members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and a majority vote of those members present shall control in all matters.

D. The board shall adopt bylaws governing its organization and procedure and may alter and amend the bylaws.

E. The board shall elect one of its members president of the Museum.

F. The board may provide for an executive committee composed of at least three members that may exercise the powers vested in it and perform the duties imposed upon it by the board.

1997, c. 367 , §§ 23-253.1, 23-253.2, 23-253.3; 2010, c. 101 ; 2011, cc. 691 , 714 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2017, c. 314 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-608.1 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 6 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-608.1
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Fund; stipends
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"Fund" means the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Fund.

"Qualified survivors and dependents" means the spouse or a child between the ages of 16 and 29 (i) of a military service member who, while serving as an active duty member in the Armed Forces of the United States, Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States, or Virginia National Guard, during military operations against terrorism, on a peacekeeping mission, as a result of a terrorist act, or in any armed conflict, was killed, became missing in action, or became a prisoner of war or (ii) of a veteran who, as a direct result of such service, has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled and has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. However, the Commissioner of Veterans Services may certify dependents above the age of 29 in those cases in which extenuating circumstances prevented the dependent child from using his benefits before the age of 30.

B. From such funds as may be appropriated and from such gifts, bequests, and any gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources, the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Fund is established for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance, in an amount (i) up to $2,000 or (ii) as provided in the general appropriation act, for room and board charges, books and supplies, and other expenses at any public institution of higher education for the use and benefit of qualified survivors and dependents, provided that the maximum amount to be expended for each such survivor or dependent pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed, when combined with any other form of scholarship, grant, or waiver, the actual costs relating to the survivor's or dependent's educational expenses allowed under this subsection.

C. Each year, from the funds available in the Fund, the Council and each public institution of higher education shall determine the amount and the manner in which financial assistance shall be made available to beneficiaries and shall make that information available to the Commissioner of Veterans Services for distribution.

D. The Council shall disburse to each public institution of higher education the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Commonwealth to support the Fund and shall report to the Commissioner of Veterans Services the beneficiaries' completion rate.

E. The Department of Veterans Services shall disseminate information about the Fund to those spouses and dependents who may qualify. The Department of Veterans Services shall coordinate with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to identify veterans and qualified survivors and dependents. The Commissioner of Veterans Services shall include in the annual report submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly pursuant to § 2.2-2004 an overview of the agency's policies and strategies relating to dissemination of information about the Fund.

F. Each public institution of higher education shall include in its catalog or equivalent publication a statement describing the benefits available pursuant to this section.

2019, cc. 317 , 491 ; 2023, cc. 756 , 778 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-808 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-808
Sexual violence; policy review; disciplinary immunity for certain individuals who make reports
Status: in_force

A. By October 31 of each year, the System, Richard Bland College, each baccalaureate public institution of higher education, and each nonprofit private institution of higher education shall certify to the Council that it has reviewed its sexual violence policy and updated it as appropriate. The Council and the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall establish criteria for the certification process and may request information relating to the policies for the purposes of sharing best practices and improving campus safety. The Council and the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall report to the Secretary of Education on the certification status of each such institution by November 30 of each year.

B. The governing board of each nonprofit private institution of higher education and each public institution of higher education shall include as part of its policy, code, rules, or set of standards governing sexual violence a provision for immunity from disciplinary action based on (i) curfew violation or (ii) personal consumption of drugs or alcohol in any case in which disclosure of such violation or personal consumption is made in conjunction with a good faith report of an act of sexual violence.

2015, cc. 737 , 745 , § 23-9.2:17; 2016, c. 588 ; 2020, c. 1041 ; 2023, c. 160 ; 2026, c. 547 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-400 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 4 / Section 23.1-400
Student organizations; rights and recognition
Status: in_force

A. To the extent allowed by state and federal law, a religious or political student organization may determine that ordering the organization's internal affairs, selecting the organization's leaders and members, defining the organization's doctrines, and resolving the organization's disputes are in furtherance of the organization's religious or political mission and that only persons committed to that mission should conduct such activities.

B. No public institution of higher education that has granted recognition of and access to any student organization or group shall discriminate against any such student organization or group that exercises its rights pursuant to subsection A.

2013, cc. 696 , 701 , § 23-9.2:12; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1235 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-1235
Bonds as legal investments
Status: in_force

Bonds issued by the Authority under the provisions of this article are securities (i) in which all public officers and bodies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them and (ii) that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any officer of the Commonwealth or any of its localities or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth for any lawful purpose.

1972, c. 686, § 23-30.55; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1802 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 18 / Section 23.1-1802
Meetings; officers; committees
Status: in_force

A. The board shall meet at the University once a year and at such other times as it determines.

B. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

C. At the first meeting after July 1 in every even-numbered year, the board shall appoint from its membership a rector to preside at its meetings, a vice-rector to preside at its meetings in the absence of the rector, and a secretary to preside at its meetings in the absence of the rector and vice-rector.

D. The board may appoint a pro tempore officer to preside at its meetings in the absence of the rector, vice-rector, and secretary.

E. Vacancies in the offices of rector, vice-rector, and secretary may be filled by the board for the unexpired term.

F. Special meetings of the board may be called by the rector or any three members. In either case, the secretary shall give notice of the time of meetings to each member.

G. At every regular annual meeting of the board, it may appoint an executive committee for the transaction of business in the recess of the board, consisting of at least three and not more than five members, to serve for a period of one year or until the next regular annual meeting.

1972, c. 861, § 23-91.40; 2004, cc. 176 , 195 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1238 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-1238
Article controls inconsistent laws
Status: in_force

To the extent that the provisions of this article are inconsistent with the provisions of any general statute or special act or parts thereof, the provisions of this article control.

1972, c. 686, § 23-30.58; 1973, c. 205; 2015, c. 709 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2504 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 25 / Section 23.1-2504
Powers; removal of professors
Status: in_force

In addition to the authority provided elsewhere in this Code, a majority of the board may remove professors for good cause.

Code 1919, § 842, § 23-103; 2016, c. 588 ; 2020, c. 1047 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2217 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 22 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-2217
Reservation of nomination by donor
Status: in_force

If a donor pursuant to § 23.1-2214 reserves in writing as set forth in § 23.1-2215 to himself or to any other person the power to (i) nominate to any professorship, scholarship, or other place or appointment in the University or (ii) do any other act connected with such nomination and he or such other person fails to make such nomination in writing or do such other act within six months, the board may proceed to make such appointment or do such act.

Code 1919, § 825, § 23-84; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1233 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-1233
Remedies of bondholders or holders of other obligations
Status: in_force

Any (i) holder of revenue bonds, notes, bond anticipation notes, other notes, or other obligations of the Authority issued under the provisions of this article or any of the coupons appertaining to any such obligation and (ii) trustee under any trust agreement, except to the extent that such rights are restricted by any resolution authorizing the issuance of, or any such trust agreement securing, such bonds or other obligations, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceedings, (a) protect and enforce all rights under the laws of the Commonwealth or such resolution or trust agreement and (b) enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this article or by such resolution or trust agreement to be performed by the Authority or any officer, employee, or agent of the Authority, including the fixing, charging, and collecting of the rates, rents, fees, and charges authorized by this article and required by the provisions of such resolution or trust agreement to be fixed, charged, and collected.

1972, c. 686, § 23-30.52; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1015 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 10 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-1015
Covered institutions; operational authority; financial operations; power to issue bonds, notes, or other obligations
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 23.1-1119 , a covered institution may (i) issue bonds, notes, or other obligations for any purpose that is consistent with its institutional mission, including to (a) finance or refinance any project, (b) appropriately manage operational cash flows, (c) provide for short-term financing, (d) refund bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by or on behalf of such institution, or otherwise, including bonds, notes, or other obligations or obligations not then subject to redemption, and (ii) guarantee, assume, or otherwise agree to pay, in whole or in part, indebtedness issued by such institution or any affiliated entity for managing operational cash flows or resulting in the acquisition or construction of facilities for the benefit of such institution or the refinancing thereof.

B. Nothing in this article shall preclude a covered institution from participation in any financing program or bond issue established and implemented by the Commonwealth or any agency of the Commonwealth, including (i) any financing program or bond issue under Article X, Section 9 (b) or 9 (c) of the Constitution of Virginia and (ii) any financing program or bond issue under Article X, Section 9 (d) of the Constitution of Virginia undertaken by the Treasury Board, the Virginia College Building Authority, or the Virginia Public Building Authority if such institution is otherwise eligible and approved to participate and is otherwise able to fulfill any requirements that may be imposed upon it by virtue of its participation.

C. Notwithstanding Article 8 (§ 2.2-2415 et seq.) of Chapter 24 of Title 2.2, Chapter 11 (§ 23.1-1100 et seq.), and § 23.1-2205 , each covered institution may issue bonds, notes, or other obligations consistent with debt capacity and management policies and guidelines established by its governing board without (i) obtaining the consent of any legislative body, elected official, commission, board, bureau, political subdivision, or agency of the Commonwealth; (ii) any proceedings or conditions other than those specifically required by this article; (iii) the approval required by the provisions of Article 8 (§ 2.2-2415 et seq.) of Chapter 24 of Title 2.2; or (iv) any regulation or procedure, including a review or approval procedure, adopted pursuant to Chapter 11 (§ 23.1-1100 et seq.).

D. Each covered institution may issue such types of bonds, notes, or other obligations as it determines are appropriate and consistent with debt capacity and management policies and guidelines established by its governing board, including bonds, notes, or other obligations payable as to principal and interest from any one or more of the following sources: (i) its revenues generally; (ii) income and revenues derived from the operation, sale, or lease of a particular project, whether or not it is financed or refinanced from the proceeds of such bonds, notes, or other obligations; (iii) funds realized from the enforcement of security interests or other liens or obligations securing such bonds, notes, or other obligations; (iv) proceeds from the sale of bonds, notes, or other obligations; (v) payments under letters of credit, policies of municipal bond insurance, guarantees, or other credit enhancements; (vi) any reserve or sinking funds created to secure such payment; (vii) accounts receivable of such institution; or (viii) other available funds of such institution.

E. Any bonds, notes, or other obligations may be supported by any grant, contribution, or appropriation from a participating political subdivision, the covered institution, the Commonwealth, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth, any federal agency, or any unit, private corporation, partnership, association, or individual.

F. Bonds, notes, or other obligations of a covered institution are for an essential public and governmental purpose.

G. It is lawful for any bank or trust company within or outside the Commonwealth to serve as depository of the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations or other revenues of a covered institution, furnish indemnifying bonds, notes, or other obligations, or pledge such securities as may be required by such institution, provided that any such deposits are collateralized in accordance with the Security for Public Deposits Act (§ 2.2-4400 et seq.) in the case of a bank or savings institution or Article 3 (§ 6.2-1047 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 6.2 in the case of a trust company.

2005, cc. 933 , 945 , § 23-38.108; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1243 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12.1 / Section 23.1-1243
Annual report
Status: in_force

The Secretary of Finance, in consultation with the other designated reviewers, shall submit a report by December 1 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. Such report shall provide an update as to the progress of each qualified institution in meeting the goals set forth in its memorandum of understanding and the aggregate amount of grants awarded to the qualified institution pursuant to this chapter.

2019, cc. 638 , 639 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1231 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-1231
Revenue bonds not obligations of Commonwealth or political subdivision
Status: in_force

Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this article (i) do not constitute a debt, liability, or pledge of the faith and credit of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth and (ii) are payable solely from the funds provided from revenues as set forth in this article. Each such revenue bond shall state on its face that (a) neither the Commonwealth nor the Authority is obligated to pay such revenue bonds or the interest thereon except from revenues of the project or the portion of the project for which they are issued and (b) neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth is pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this article shall not directly, indirectly, or contingently obligate the Commonwealth or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth to levy or pledge any form of taxation for such bonds or make any appropriation for their payment.

1972, c. 686, § 23-30.49; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2215 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 22 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-2215
Donations for special purposes or objects
Status: in_force

If any particular purpose or object connected with the University is specified by a donor pursuant to § 23.1-2214 at the time of such deposit (i) by writing filed in the State Treasurer's office, which may also be recorded in the clerk's office of the Circuit Court of Albemarle County as a deed for land is recorded, or (ii) in the will of such testator, the interest, income, and profits of such fund shall be appropriated to such purpose and object and none other. If the donor or testator so directs in such writing or will, the interest accruing on such fund shall be reinvested by the State Treasurer every six months, in the manner prescribed in § 23.1-2214 and for such period as such writing or will prescribes, not exceeding 30 years. At the expiration of the time so prescribed or 30 years, whichever occurs first, the fund, with its accumulations, and the interest, income, and profits accruing upon the aggregate fund shall be paid to the board as they accrue and as directed by such writing or will and shall be appropriated and employed according to the provisions of such writing or will and not otherwise. The board shall render to the General Assembly, at each regular session, an account of the disbursement of any funds so derived.

Code 1919, § 823, § 23-82; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2600 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-2600
Corporate name; name of the University
Status: in_force

A. The board of visitors of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (the board) is a corporation under the name and style of "Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University" and has, in addition to its other powers, all the corporate powers given to corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1 except those powers that are confined to corporations created pursuant to Title 13.1. The board shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly.

B. The institution shall be known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (the University).

C. All laws relating to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, its predecessors, its board of visitors, or the board of visitors of each of its predecessors shall be construed as relating to the University.

Code 1919, § 860, § 23-114; 1944, p. 341; 1970, c. 98; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-213 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-213
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Academic-vocational non-college degree school" means a non-college degree school that offers degree and nondegree credit courses.

"Agent" means a person who is employed by any institution of higher education or non-college degree school, whether such institution or school is located within or outside the Commonwealth, to act as an agent, solicitor, procurer, broker, or independent contractor to procure students or enrollees for any such institution or school by solicitation in any form at any place in the Commonwealth other than the office or principal location of such institution or school.

"Certificate" means an award that is given by (i) institutions of higher education and academic-vocational non-college degree schools for successful completion of a curriculum consisting of courses that may also be taken for degree credit or (ii) vocational non-college degree schools for successful completion of a curriculum. "Certificate" includes a diploma.

"College" means any associate-degree-granting institution of higher education or institution of higher education at which a bachelor's degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.

"Continuing or professional education" means those classes, courses, and programs designed specifically for individuals who have completed a degree in a professional field that (i) are intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements for licensure or certification in such professional field, (ii) have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession, and (iii) are offered exclusively to an individual practicing in such professional field.

"Degree" means any earned award at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, first professional, or specialist levels that represents satisfactory completion of the requirements of a program or course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level.

"Degree credit" means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate or degree.

"Distance learning" or "distance learning modality" means any course offered by a postsecondary school for which the primary mode of instructional delivery is by television, videocassette or disc, film, radio, computer, or other telecommunications devices.

"Fraudulent academic credential" means a certificate, academic transcript, or other document issued by a person or other entity that is not an institution of higher education that provides evidence of or demonstrates completion of coursework or academic credit that results in the issuance of a degree.

"Institution of higher education" or "institution" means any person or other entity, other than a public institution of higher education or any other entity authorized to issue bonds pursuant to Chapter 11 (§ 23.1-1100 et seq.), that has received approval from the Council to (i) use the term "college" or "university," or words of like meaning, in its name or in any manner in connection with its academic affairs or business; (ii) enroll students; and (iii) offer approved courses for degree credit or programs of study leading to a degree or offer degrees either at a site or via a distance learning modality.

"Multistate compact" means any agreement involving two or more states to jointly offer postsecondary educational opportunities pursuant to policies and procedures established in such agreement and approved by the Council.

"Non-college degree school" means any person or other entity that offers courses or programs of study that do not lead to a degree. "Non-college degree school" includes academic-vocational non-college degree schools and vocational non-college degree schools.

"Nondegree credit" means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate but may not be used to earn a degree.

"Out-of-state" means formed, chartered, established, or incorporated outside of the Commonwealth.

"Postsecondary school" means any institution of higher education or non-college degree school offering formal instructional programs with a curriculum designed primarily for students who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent. "Postsecondary school" includes programs of academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, except courses or programs of continuing professional education set forth in subdivision B 4 of § 23.1-226 . "Postsecondary school" does not include avocational and adult basic education programs.

"Program" means a curriculum or course of study in a discipline or interdisciplinary area that leads to a degree or certificate.

"Program area" means a general group of disciplines in which one or more programs may be offered.

"Proprietary" means privately owned, privately managed, and corporately structured as a for-profit entity.

"Site" means a location in the Commonwealth where a postsecondary school (i) offers at least one course on an established schedule and (ii) enrolls at least two individuals who are not members of the same household, regardless of the presence or absence of administrative capability at such location.

"Teachout plan" means a written agreement between or among postsecondary schools that provides for the equitable treatment of students if one party to the agreement ceases to offer an educational program before all students enrolled in that program complete the program.

"University" means any baccalaureate institution of higher education.

"Vocational non-college degree school" means a non-college degree school that offers only courses for nondegree credit. "Vocational non-college degree school" does not include instructional programs that are intended solely for recreation, enjoyment, or personal interest or as a hobby or courses or instructional programs that prepare individuals to teach such pursuits.

Code 1950, § 23-265; 1980, c. 658; 1996, cc. 691 , 832 ; 1999, cc. 458 , 499 ; 2002, c. 178 , § 23-276.1; 2004, cc. 671 , 991 ; 2005, c. 447 ; 2007, cc. 82 , 115 ; 2008, c. 856 ; 2010, cc. 67 , 263 ; 2013, c. 229 ; 2016, c. 588 ; 2020, c. 380 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1008 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 10 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-1008
Covered institutions; operational authority generally
Status: in_force

In addition to those powers granted in each covered institution's enabling statutes and the general appropriation act, each covered institution, subject to the express provisions of the management agreement, may exercise all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this article and:

1. Make and execute contracts, guarantees, or any other instruments and agreements necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers, authority, and functions, including contracts with persons to (i) operate and manage any or all of the covered institution's facilities or operations and (ii) incur liabilities and secure the obligations of any entity or individual, provided, however, that no covered institution may pledge the faith and credit of the Commonwealth or enter into an indemnification agreement or binding arbitration agreement contrary to state law;

2. Conduct or engage in any lawful business, activity, effort, or project consistent with the covered institution's purposes or necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers; and

3. Procure insurance, participate in insurance plans, provide self-insurance, continue participation in the Commonwealth's insurance or self-insurance plans, continue participation in the Commonwealth's risk management programs, and continue participation in the Virginia Retirement System or other Commonwealth sponsored retirement plans subject to the conditions in §§ 23.1-1020 through 23.1-1026 , and any combination of the foregoing, as provided in this article. The purchase of insurance, participation in an insurance plan, or creation of a self-insurance plan by the covered institution shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any sovereign immunity to which the covered institution or its officers, directors, employees, or agents are otherwise entitled. Covered institutions may participate in any Commonwealth or Virginia Retirement System insurance, self-insurance, or risk management program on the same terms and conditions applicable to other state agencies and other public institutions of higher education.

2005, cc. 933 , 945 , § 23-38.99; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-229 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-229
Postsecondary school closure procedures
Status: in_force

A. Each postsecondary school shall notify the Council of its intention to close at least 30 days prior to the closure. The notice shall be accompanied by a comprehensive plan for closure and a teachout plan that makes provision for presently enrolled students to complete the program of instruction for which they have enrolled, either at such postsecondary school or at another postsecondary school certified by the Council or authorized to operate in the Commonwealth. Each closing postsecondary school shall obtain the Council's approval of the teachout plan prior to implementation.

B. Each closing postsecondary school shall notify the Council, in writing, if there is no comparable program for the purposes of developing a teachout plan within 50 miles of the closing postsecondary school or if the closing postsecondary school is unable to enter a teachout agreement with another postsecondary school. This information shall be provided at the time the closing postsecondary school notifies the Council of its intention to close.

C. Owners or senior administrators of a postsecondary school that closes without providing (i) an adequate teachout plan or refunds of unearned tuition and (ii) appropriate preservation of records shall be denied certification to operate another postsecondary school in the Commonwealth.

2013, c. 229 , § 23-276.16; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-214 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-214
Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail
Status: in_force

Whenever the Council is required to send any mail or notice by certified mail pursuant to this article and such mail or notice is sent certified mail, return receipt requested, the Council may send any subsequent, identical mail or notice by regular mail.

2011, c. 566 , § 23-276.1:1; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-1219 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle III / Chapter 12 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-1219
Jurisdiction of suits against Authority; service of process
Status: in_force

The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond has exclusive jurisdiction over any suit brought in the Commonwealth against the Authority, and process in such suit shall be served either on the State Comptroller or on the chairman of the Authority.

1964, c. 607, § 23-30.38; 1966, c. 685; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-402 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 4 / Section 23.1-402
Collection and dissemination of information concerning religious preferences and affiliations
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any public institution of higher education may collect and disseminate information concerning the religious preferences and affiliations of its students, provided that no such institution shall (i) require any student to indicate his religious preference or affiliation or (ii) disseminate such information without the student's consent.

B. No consent given pursuant to this section shall be construed to allow any public institution of higher education to disseminate to federal government authorities information concerning the religious preferences and affiliations of its students for the purpose of compiling a list, registry, or database of individuals based on religious affiliation, national origin, or ethnicity, unless such dissemination is specifically required by state or federal law.

1977, c. 506, § 23-2.1; 2016, c. 588 ; 2019, c. 774 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3132 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 31 / Article 8 / Section 23.1-3132
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2020, cc 1164 and 1169 , cls. 2 and 8, effective January 1, 2021.
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-225 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-225
Prohibited acts
Status: in_force

A. Without prior Council approval, no person or other entity subject to the provisions of this article shall use in any manner within the Commonwealth the term "college" or "university" or abbreviations or words of similar meaning in its name, in connection with its academic affairs or business, or in any literature, catalog, pamphlet, or descriptive material.

This subsection shall not apply to any person or other entity that (i) used the term "college" or "university" openly and conspicuously in its title within the Commonwealth prior to July 1, 1970; (ii) was granted authority to operate in the Commonwealth by the Council between July 1, 1970, and July 1, 2002, and maintains valid authority to so operate in the Commonwealth on or after July 1, 2002; (iii) was exempted from the provisions of former Chapter 21 (§ 23-265 et seq.) of Title 23, as such law was in effect prior to July 1, 2002; or (iv) was authorized by the Council to use a name while its request for approval to enroll students is pending before the Council.

B. No person or other entity shall sell, barter, or exchange for any consideration, or attempt to sell, barter, or exchange for any consideration, any degree credit, degree, or certificate.

C. No person or other entity shall:

1. Use or attempt to use, in connection with any business, trade, profession, or occupation, any degree credit, degree, or certificate, including any transcript of coursework that it knows or has reason to know has been fraudulently issued, obtained, forged, materially altered, or purchased;

2. Issue or manufacture a fraudulent academic credential;

3. Physically present a fraudulent academic credential, knowing it is fraudulent, in an attempt to obtain employment, promotion, licensure, or admission to an institution of higher education;

4. In any way represent that it is an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or has the foreign equivalent of such accreditation if the person or entity is not so accredited; or

5. Represent that credits earned at or granted by any institution of higher education or academic-vocational non-college degree school may be applied for credit toward a degree unless such person is exempted from the provisions of this article or granted certification or approval by the Council in accordance with this article and the Council's regulations.

Code 1950, § 23-272; 1980, c. 658; 2002, c. 178 , § 23-276.10; 2004, c. 991 ; 2008, c. 856 ; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-815 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 3 / Section 23.1-815
Campus police forces and auxiliary police forces; powers and duties; jurisdiction
Status: in_force

A. As used in this section:

"Campus" means (i) any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education located within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution and used by the institution in direct support of, or in a manner relating to, the institution's educational purposes, including residence halls, and (ii) any building or property that is within or reasonably contiguous to the area described in clause (i) that is owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is frequently used by students, and supports institutional purposes, such as a food or other retail vendor.

"Noncampus building or property" means (i) any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by an institution of higher education or (ii) any building or property owned or controlled by an institution of higher education that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution's educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.

"Public property" means all public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

B. A campus police officer appointed as provided in § 23.1-812 or a member of an auxiliary police force appointed and activated pursuant to §§ 23.1-811 and 23.1-812 shall be deemed police officers of localities who may exercise the powers and duties conferred by law upon such police officers, including the provisions of Chapters 5 (§ 19.2-52 et seq.), 7 (§ 19.2-71 et seq.), and 23 (§ 19.2-387 et seq.) of Title 19.2, (i) upon any property owned or controlled by the public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education, or, upon request, any property owned or controlled by another public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education, and upon the streets, sidewalks, and highways immediately adjacent to any such property; (ii) pursuant to a mutual aid agreement (a) as provided for in § 15.2-1727 or (b) between the governing board of a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education and another public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth or an adjacent political subdivision; (iii) in close pursuit of a person as provided in § 19.2-77 ; and (iv) upon approval by the appropriate circuit court of a petition by the local governing body for concurrent jurisdiction in designated areas with the police officers of the locality in which the institution, its satellite campuses, or other properties are located. The local governing body may only petition the circuit court for such concurrent jurisdiction pursuant to a request by the local law-enforcement agency.

C. Each public institution of higher education and private institution of higher education that establishes a campus police force pursuant to this article shall enter into and become a party to a mutual aid agreement with an adjacent local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police for the use of their regular and auxiliary joint forces, equipment, and materials when needed in the investigation of any felony criminal sexual assault or medically unattended death occurring on property owned or controlled by such institution or any death resulting from an incident occurring on such property. Such mutual aid agreements shall include provisions requiring either the campus police force or the agency with which it has established a mutual aid agreement pursuant to this subsection, in the event that such police force or agency conducts an investigation that involves a felony criminal sexual assault as set forth in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 occurring on campus, in or on a noncampus building or property, or on public property, to notify the local attorney for the Commonwealth of such investigation within 48 hours of beginning such investigation. No such notification provision shall require a campus police force or the agency with which it has established a mutual aid agreement to disclose identifying information about the victim. Nothing in this section prohibits a campus police force or auxiliary police force from requesting assistance from any appropriate law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth with which the institution has not entered into a mutual aid agreement.

D. Each public institution of higher education and nonprofit private institution of higher education that (i) has not established a campus police force or auxiliary police force pursuant to this article and (ii) has a security department, relies on local or state police forces, or contracts for security services from private parties pursuant to § 23.1-818 shall enter into and become a party to a memorandum of understanding with an adjacent local law-enforcement agency or the Department of State Police (the Department) to require either such local law-enforcement agency or the Department, in the event that such agency or the Department conducts an investigation that involves a felony criminal sexual assault as set forth in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 occurring on campus, in or on a noncampus building or property, or on public property, to notify the local attorney for the Commonwealth of such investigation within 48 hours of beginning such investigation. No such notification provision shall require the law-enforcement agency or the Department to disclose identifying information about the victim.

E. All mutual aid agreements and memoranda of understanding entered into pursuant to this section shall specify the procedure for sharing information.

1977, c. 79, § 23-234; 1985, c. 386; 1991, c. 711; 1992, c. 187; 2002, c. 97 ; 2012, cc. 282 , 450 ; 2015, c. 707 ; 2016, cc. 513 , 571 , 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-306 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle I / Chapter 3 / Section 23.1-306
Public institutions of higher education; six-year plans; institutional partnership performance agreements
Status: in_force

A. The governing board of each public institution of higher education shall (i) develop and adopt biennially in odd-numbered years and amend or affirm biennially in even-numbered years a six-year plan for the institution; (ii) submit a preliminary version of such plan to the Council, the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than July 1 of each odd-numbered year; and (iii) submit preliminary amendments to or a preliminary affirmation of each such plan to the Council, the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than July 1 of each even-numbered year. Each such preliminary plan and preliminary amendment to or preliminary affirmation of such plan shall include a report of the institution's active contributions to efforts to stimulate the economic development of the Commonwealth, the area in which the institution is located, and, for those institutions subject to a management agreement set forth in Article 4 (§ 23.1-1004 et seq.) of Chapter 10, the areas that lag behind the Commonwealth in terms of income, employment, and other factors. Each such preliminary plan and preliminary amendment to or preliminary affirmation of such plan shall be submitted as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports. No such preliminary plan, amendments, or affirmation shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

B. The Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Education, the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, the Executive Director of the Council, the Staff Director of the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, or their designees, shall review each institution's preliminary plan, amendments, or affirmation and provide comments to the institution on such plan, amendments, or affirmation by September 1 of the relevant year. Each institution shall respond to any such comments by October 1 of that year and submit a finalized version of such plan, amendments, or affirmation to the Council, the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than December 1 of that year. Each such finalized version shall be submitted as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

C. Each plan shall be structured in accordance with, and be consistent with, the objective and purposes of this chapter set forth in § 23.1-301 and the criteria developed pursuant to § 23.1-309 and shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the Council, in consultation with the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Education, the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, the Executive Director of the Council, the Staff Director of the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, or their designees.

D. Each six-year plan shall (i) address the institution's academic, financial, and enrollment plans, including the number of Virginia and non-Virginia students, for the six-year period; (ii) indicate the planned use of any projected increase in general fund, tuition, or other nongeneral fund revenues; (iii) be based upon any assumptions provided by the Council, following consultation with the Department of Planning and Budget and the staffs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, for funding relating to state general fund support pursuant to §§ 23.1-303 , 23.1-304 , and 23.1-305 and subdivision 9; (iv) be aligned with the institution's six-year enrollment projections; and (v) include:

1. Financial planning reflecting the institution's anticipated level of general fund, tuition, and other nongeneral fund support for each year of the next biennium;

2. The institution's anticipated annual tuition and educational and general fee charges required by (i) degree level and (ii) domiciliary status, as provided in § 23.1-307 ;

3. Plans for providing financial aid to help mitigate the impact of tuition and fee increases on low-income and middle-income students and their families as described in subdivision 9, including the projected mix of grants and loans;

4. Degree conferral targets for undergraduate Virginia students;

5. Plans for optimal year-round use of the institution's facilities and instructional resources;

6. Plans for the development of an instructional resource-sharing program with other public institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education;

7. Plans with regard to any other incentives set forth in § 23.1-305 or any other matters the institution deems appropriate;

8. The identification of (i) new programs or initiatives including quality improvements and (ii) institution-specific funding based on particular state policies or institution-specific programs, or both, as provided in subsection C of § 23.1-307 ; and

9. An institutional student financial aid commitment that, in conjunction with general funds appropriated for that purpose, provides assistance to students from both low-income and middle-income families and takes into account the information and recommendations resulting from the review of federal and state financial aid programs and institutional practices conducted pursuant to subdivisions B 2 and C 1 of § 23.1-309 .

E. In developing such plans, each public institution of higher education shall consider potential future impacts of tuition increases on the Commonwealth Savers Plan and ABLE Savings Trust Accounts (§ 23.1-700 et seq.) and shall discuss such potential impacts with the Commonwealth Savers Plan. The chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Savers Plan shall provide to each institution the Plan's assumptions underlying the contract pricing of the program.

F. 1. In conjunction with the plans included in the six-year plan as set forth in subsection D, each public institution of higher education, Richard Bland College, and the Virginia Community College System may submit one innovative proposal with clearly defined performance measures, including any request for necessary authority or support from the Commonwealth, for a performance pilot. If the General Assembly approves the proposed performance pilot, it shall include approval language in the general appropriation act. A performance pilot shall advance the objectives of this chapter by addressing innovative requests related to college access, affordability, cost predictability, enrollment management subject to specified commitments regarding undergraduate in-state student enrollment, alternative tuition and fee structures and affordable pathways to degree attainment, internships and work study, employment pathways for undergraduate Virginia students, strategic talent development, state or regional economic development, pathways to increase timely degree completion, or other priorities set out in the general appropriation act.

2. A performance pilot may include or constitute an institutional partnership performance agreement, which shall be set forth in a memorandum of understanding that includes mutually dependent commitments by the institution, the Commonwealth, and identified partners, if any, related to one or more of the priorities set forth in subdivision 1 or set forth in a general appropriation act. No such institutional partnership performance agreement shall create a legally enforceable obligation of the Commonwealth.

3. No more than six performance pilots shall be approved in a single session of the General Assembly.

4. Development and approval of any performance pilot proposal shall proceed in tandem with consideration of the institution's six-year plan, as follows:

a. An institution that intends to propose a performance pilot shall communicate that intention as early as practicable, but not later than April 1 of the year in which the performance pilot will be proposed, to the reviewers listed in subsection B, the co-chairmen of the Joint Subcommittee on the Future Competitiveness of Virginia Higher Education, and the Governor. In developing a proposed performance pilot, the institution shall consider the Commonwealth's educational and economic policies and priorities, including those reflected in the Virginia Plan for Higher Education issued by the Council, the economic development policy developed pursuant to § 2.2-205 , the strategic plan developed pursuant to § 2.2-2237.1 , relevant regional economic growth and diversification plans prepared by regional councils pursuant to the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Act (§ 2.2-2484 et seq.), and any additional guidance provided by the Joint Subcommittee on the Future Competitiveness of Virginia Higher Education and the Governor.

b. An institution that submits a performance pilot shall include the one innovative proposal with clearly defined performance measures, and any corresponding authority and support requested from the Commonwealth, with its submission of the preliminary version of its six-year plan pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection A or with its preliminary amendment or affirmation submission pursuant to clause (iii) of subsection A.

c. The reviewers listed in subsection B, or their designees, shall review and comment on any proposed performance pilot in accordance with the six-year plan review and comment process established in subsection B and may expedite such review and comment process to facilitate the executive and legislative budget process or for other reasons. No later than October 15 of the relevant year, the reviewers shall communicate to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations their recommendations regarding each performance pilot proposal. Such recommendations shall include the reviewers' comments regarding how the proposed performance pilots, individually and collectively, support the strategic educational and economic policies of the Commonwealth.

d. Each performance pilot proposal shall include evidence of its approval by the institution's governing board and, if accepted, shall be referenced in the general appropriation act.

2011, cc. 828 , 869 , §§ 23-38.87:15, 23-38.87:17; 2016, cc. 149 , 588 ; 2018, c. 487 ; 2019, cc. 794 , 795 ; 2024, c. 217 ; 2025, c. 144 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-903.5 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-903.5
Certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials
Status: in_force

A. The System, in consultation with the Council, the Board of Nursing, and representatives from associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education that offer nursing programs, shall develop a common curriculum for practical nursing programs that shall be implemented at each comprehensive community college in the System that offers a practical nursing program. Such common curriculum shall, to the extent possible, (i) align with the degree requirements for registered nursing programs offered at associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education and (ii) be transferable to each registered nursing program offered at an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education.

B. Each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program shall participate in a practical nursing program to registered nursing program transfer agreement with the System that aligns with the practical nursing program common curriculum established pursuant to this section. Any baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program and any private institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program may also be consulted regarding and participate on a voluntary basis in such a transfer agreement.

C. In addition to the common curriculum established pursuant to subsection A and the transfer agreement established pursuant to subsection B, the System, the Council, and any baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program shall establish a pathway of stackable nursing credentials that consists of a practical nursing to associate registered nursing to bachelor of science in nursing program pathway.

2025, cc. 462 , 465 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-3209 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle V / Chapter 32 / Article 4 / Section 23.1-3209
Authority to contract debts and obligations payable from revenues
Status: in_force

The Foundation, acting by and through the corporation authorized by § 23.1-3207 , may contract debts and obligations to the extent of its anticipated revenues. Such debts and obligations shall be paid only from the revenues of the Foundation.

1998, c. 786 , § 23-290; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2105 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 21.1 / Section 23.1-2105
Corporate name; name of the College
Status: in_force

A. The board of visitors of Richard Bland College (the board) is a corporation under the name and style of "The Rector and Visitors of Richard Bland College" and has, in addition to its other powers, all the corporate powers given to corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1 except those powers that are confined to corporations created pursuant to Title 13.1. The board shall at all times be under the control of the General Assembly.

B. The institution shall be known as Richard Bland College (the College).

2025, c. 607 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-807 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 23.1-807
Sexual assault; memoranda of understanding; policies
Status: in_force

A. Richard Bland College and each baccalaureate public institution of higher education and nonprofit private institution of higher education shall establish, and the State Board shall adopt a policy requiring each comprehensive community college to establish, a written memorandum of understanding with a sexual assault crisis center or other victim support service in order to provide sexual assault victims with immediate access to a confidential, independent advocate who can provide a trauma-informed response that includes an explanation of options for moving forward.

B. Each public institution of higher education and nonprofit private institution of higher education shall adopt policies to provide to sexual assault victims information on contacting such sexual assault crisis center or other victim support service.

C. Each public institution of higher education or nonprofit private institution of higher education may request the cooperation of the primary law-enforcement agency of the locality in which the institution is located to establish a written memorandum of understanding with such law-enforcement agency to address the prevention of and response to criminal sexual assault as set forth in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2.

2015, cc. 737 , 745 , § 23-9.2:16; 2016, cc. 481 , 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2603 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 1 / Section 23.1-2603
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The board is charged with the care, preservation, and improvement of the property belonging to the University and with the protection and safety of students and other persons residing on such property. Pursuant to such duties, the board may change roads or driveways on the property belonging to the University or entrances to such property, close temporarily or permanently the roads and driveways on such property and entrances to such property, prohibit undesirable and disorderly persons from entering such property, eject such persons from such property, and prosecute under state law trespassers and persons committing offenses on such property.

B. The board shall regulate the government and discipline of the students.

Code 1919, § 864, § 23-122; 1924, p. 143; 1970, c. 98; 2016, c. 588 .
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-2633 — Virginia Code / Title 23.1 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 26 / Article 5 / Section 23.1-2633
Virginia Center for Housing Research established
Status: in_force

The Virginia Center for Housing Research (the Housing Center) is established and shall be located at the University.

1989, c. 700, § 23-135.7:14; 2016, c. 588 .