Va. stimulus means VCU relief

Gov. Tim Kaine announced on Feb. 16 that Virginia’s expected $1.2 billion portion of the stimulus package means further cuts might be unnecessary. The package includes $985 million to fund education. The money comes with the condition that it is dispersed over the course of two years and split between grades K-12 and higher education.

The General Assembly is set to vote Saturday on how the funds will be allocated.

John Bennett, senior vice president for finance and administration, said the stimulus means VCU is less likely to see more layoffs.

Fred Hawkridge, interim dean for the College of Humanities and Sciences, said there should be fewer classes cut next year. Hawkridge said priority would be given to degree requirements, including required electives.

According to Hawkridge, academic departments are being urged to reduce the number of required electives. The goal is “not to impede anyone from graduating,” Hawkridge said.

Bennett said he expects next year’s tuition increase to be lower than initially estimated. While the stimulus provides a temporary reprieve, Bennett said he is unsure about what will happen after the two years are up.

“If the state can fill in the gap in fiscal 2012, we will have dodged a bullet,” Bennett said.

Although VCU has worked to cut costs all around, Bennett said the completion of construction of the W. Baxter Perkins, Jr. dentistry building, the VCU Health and Life Sciences engineering building, and the Medical Science Research Building cannot be put on hold. Bennett said this is because the projects are so far along.

The dentistry building is expected to be complete by early July, the medical science research building by March, and the life and health science lab by the end of the month.

As Virginians wait to see how the federal funds will be allocated, Bennet said VCU wouldn’t see the extent to which the stimulus plan might provide relief until early April.