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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994                   TAG: 9406210081
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

VA. COLLEGES MUST RESTRUCTURE

Some states are pushing across-the-board mandates for schools, but Virginia is purposely avoiding that approach, instead giving colleges leeway to devise their own plans.

At a meeting Tuesday in Radford, the council approved restructuring criteria designed to help the colleges deal with skyrocketing enrollments and stagnant finances. The criteria, which the Allen administration has approved in principle, eventually will go to the General Assembly.

``The General Assembly, the governor, the state council are all deadly serious,'' council Chairman Hugh L. Patterson said. ``Higher education, like business, has got to be accountable. It's time to get on with doing things differently.''

The governor and legislature want colleges to scrutinize their administrative structure, teaching methods, student retention and especially curricula. For example, the council praised Radford University's plan to launch an international and interdisciplinary global studies college in 1995.

Unlike a corporate restructuring plan, the state's guidelines do not mandate particular administrative cuts or per-unit saving ratios. The guidelines leave such specifics up to the schools.

Some colleges have resisted broad changes, but council members said the state cannot micromanage their progress - or protect those who fail to make it.

``We don't want to be too involved in how institutions achieve those goals. That's not our job,'' council Director Gordon K. Davies said.

Council member John O. Wynne predicted ``a shotgun blast of activity'' in the next few years. But he and other members said the council must ensure that colleges look beyond quick mechanical changes.