ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 TAG: 9704220126
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER THE ROANOKE TIMES
MEMO: NOTE: Ran on C-1 in New River Valley edition.
Dorm, dining and student fees, the lowest in Virginia, could go up 2.15 percent per year over five years.
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a range of faculty salary increases Monday, but actual raises will depend on specifics such as performance and changes in job descriptions.
The General Assembly is providing money for an average 6 percent increase for teaching and research faculty, and an average of 4 percent for administrative and professional faculty.
"I think the encouraging thing," said James E. Turner Jr., a McLean resident who will become the board's new rector in July, "is that [with the help of the legislature] we have reversed what was seen as a downward spiral."
Since 1990, Virginia Tech's salary average had declined dramatically, ranking 13th during the 1990-91 year among 20 benchmark institutions. That ranking should increase when the raises take effect in December.
The board approved a 1997-98 internal operations budget of about $529million, a $33.6million increase over the current budget.
Student fees will go up during the next few years to help cover debt from construction and renovation of campus facilities.
How much they would increase depends on whether general funds are provided to support Tech's Upper Quad conversion to administrative offices, while students now housed there will move to new dormitories. The Corps of Cadets would remain in the Upper Quad, but converting the other buildings will ease the university's shortage of office space.
If general funds are not authorized, the comprehensive student fees and dorm and dining fees could go up 2.15 percent per year over five years.
Virginia Tech now has the lowest room, board and comprehensive fees in Virginia. "We have taken pride in managing those fees and managing our dining system," said Executive Vice President Minnis Ridenour.
Turner, a senior executive with General Dynamics Corp. in Falls Church, will succeed Henry J. Dekker of Blacksburg as rector. Dekker said private resources will become more important for Tech as government funding dwindles. He supported a goal cited by Tech President Paul Torgersen to establish a $1billion endowment by 2013.
Joseph R. Jenkins of Richmond, chief financial officer for Heilig-Meyers, will succeed Turner as vice chairman.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB