Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The council recommended a temporary cut for Radford and five other state colleges and universities that have not submitted acceptable long-term restructuring plans.
But the council softened the blow by asking Gov. George Allen to place the withheld funds in escrow until the schools' plans are approved by panel members.
``The governor is committed to holding these institutions accountable,'' Secretary of Education Beverly Sgro said. ``But we are also in favor of administrative flexibility.''
Radford officials, informed last week that the plan needed more work, did not attend the Richmond meeting. However, acting President Charles Owens sent a memo to the council pledging full cooperation despite the school's disappointment.
Owens also pointed out that further cuts would "seriously cripple" programs. He is scheduled to meet with state council officials Monday.
"We believe our plan will be ready and set into motion before we lose any of the funds," university spokeswoman Deborah Brown said.
Besides Radford, other institutions facing cuts are Christopher Newport University, Longwood College, Mary Washington College, Norfolk State University and Virginia State University.
University restructuring - merging programs and reducing administration - resembles the kind of cost-cutting that private industry has undergone in recent years. Many larger universities, including Virginia Tech, already have launched such plans in the wake of budget cuts that have lopped $413million from Virginia higher education since 1990.
The General Assembly made the concept official this year by directing all state-supported universities to submit plans to reduce administrative costs, prepare for enrollment increases and review academic offerings.
Allen said institutions that did not create acceptable plans would face funding cuts of 2 percent to 6 percent.
Under that scenario, the six universities would have until around Dec. 10 to submit acceptable plans. Allen plans to finish his budget by Dec. 20.
Council members who have been working with the universities called that deadline unrealistic, saying many did not start working on the plans until spring.
``We're not going to try to force the entire change process into two weeks,'' said council Director Gordon Davies. ``There should be a pressure schedule, but not one that forces the schools to do something wrong.''
The council's recommendation would allow schools to regain withheld funds after submitting an acceptable proposal.
New restructuring reports are not officially due until October 1995, but Davies said he did not expect any school to wait that long.
Norfolk State President Harrison Wilson said he was satisfied with the council's decision.
``The council board is being very flexible,'' Wilson said. ``Giving the council staff time to work with different schools is very important. They have shown a great concern for higher education.''
Ten institutions, including Virginia Tech, already have had their plans approved by the council.
by CNB