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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 26, 1995                   TAG: 9507260052
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

COUNTY DONATES TO SURVEY

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to kick in $2,500 for a survey that will determine whether the Roanoke Valley needs a four-year state university.

The study, to be conducted by Roanoke College, will include interviews with 400 households to determine local interest in four-year courses of study. The survey will focus on interest levels and possible course offerings, but not funding or location.

Supervisor Harry Nickens asked the board to support the funding for the study, pointing out that demand for higher education is on the rise.

Nickens, who is also president of the College of Health Sciences, said estimates suggest that 30,000 to 40,000 Virginians will apply to colleges and universities in the near future. Current facilities are already full, he said.

"This is a matter of spending now or paying later," he said.

Supervisor Lee Eddy cast the only vote against funding the survey, saying he was unclear about its purpose.

The total cost of the study is $6,500. Salem City Council agreed at its July 10 meeting to provide $1,500. The Citizens' Committee for Higher Education, which is backing the study, plans to ask Roanoke City Council for the remaining $2,500.

by CNB