
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 30, 1994                   TAG: 9401300112
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

UVA SEEKS EXEMPTION FROM STATE REGULATIONS

The University of Virginia wants to be freed from virtually all state regulations, arguing that because it receives less than 15 percent of its funding from the state, it should be exempt from all but a few requirements.

If the university is to continue to cover an ever-growing portion of its operating costs, it must be given the flexibility to function like a business, school officials said. They said the university is no longer state-supported, but merely state-assisted.

The university does not want to become private, a school spokeswoman said Friday, but it wants state government to recognize that inadequate funding has a cost.

The university outlined its idea in budget amendments submitted Friday to General Assembly. The autonomy clause doesn't mention any state schools by name, but the University of Virginia is the only one that would meet the proposed funding requirements.

An exempt school would be responsible to the state in only three areas: through an annual state audit, some oversight by the State Council of Higher Education, and by rules governing health and safety.

The university's request for semi-independent status would require the approval of Gov. George Allen. He supports giving colleges and universities more flexibility.

So the biggest hurdle would be getting the autonomy clause through the legislature.

"Whether they can get it in the budget, that's the big question," said House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County. He said he would support the measure if it reached the full House of Delegates, but added that the real fight will occur in legislative committee meetings.

Declaring that "students at U.Va. are subsidizing through their tuitions the educations of students at other institutions," the University of Virginia is seeking $2.1 million in aid for 1994-96. William & Mary is asking for $2.5 million, and Old Dominion University is asking for $4.6 million to offset the cuts.

by CNB