CHAPTER 605
An Act to amend and reenact §23-9.3 of the Code of Virginia,
relating to the State Council of Higher Education.
[H 2311]
Approved March 20, 2013
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §23-9.3 of the Code of Virginia is amended and
reenacted as follows:
§23-9.3. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
created; purpose; membership; terms; officers.
(a) A. There is hereby created a State Council of
Higher Education for Virginia, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
Council. The purpose of the Council shall be, through the exercise of the
powers and performance of the duties set forth in this chapter, to advocate
and promote the development and operation of an educationally and
economically sound, vigorous, progressive, and coordinated system of higher
education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and to lead state-level strategic
planning and policy development and implementation based on research and
analysis and in accordance with §23-38.87:10 and subsection B of §23-38.88.
The Council shall also seek to facilitate collaboration among institutions of
higher education that will enhance quality and create operational efficiencies
and shall work with institutions of higher education and their boards on board
development.
B. The Council shall be composed of persons selected
from the Commonwealth at large without regard to political affiliation but with
due consideration of geographical representation. Appointees shall have
demonstrated experience, knowledge, and understanding of higher education and
workforce needs. Appointees shall be selected for their ability and all
appointments shall be of such nature as to aid the work of the Council and to
inspire the highest degree of cooperation and confidence. No officer, employee,
trustee, or member of the governing board of any institution of higher
education, no employee of the Commonwealth, except the Superintendent
of Public Instruction, or member of the General Assembly, or
member of the State Board of Education shall be eligible for appointment to the
Council except as hereinafter specified in this section. All
members of the Council shall be deemed members at large charged with the
responsibility of serving the best interests of the whole Commonwealth. No
member shall act as the representative of any particular region or of any
particular institution of higher education.
(b) C. The Council shall consist of eleven
13 members: 12 members appointed by the Governor and subject to
confirmation by the General Assembly at its next regular session and one ex
officio member. At least one appointee shall have served as a president
or chief executive of a public institution of higher education in the
Commonwealth. At least one member shall be a sitting Virginia school
superintendent, either at the state or local level. The President of the
Virginia Economic Development Partnership shall serve ex officio with voting
privileges. All terms shall begin July 1. Members shall be appointed for
four-year terms, except that appointments to fill vacancies occurring shall be
for the unexpired term.
(c) D. No person having served on the Council
for two terms of four years shall be eligible for reappointment to the Council
for two years thereafter.
(d) [Repealed.]
(e) E. The Council shall elect a chairman and a
vice-chairman from its own membership and appoint a secretary and such other
officers as it deems necessary or advisable, and shall prescribe their
duties and term of office.
F. At each meeting, the Council shall involve the
presidents of the public institutions of higher education in its agenda. The
presidents shall present information and comment on issues of common interest.
The presidents shall choose presenters to the Council from among themselves who
reflect the diversity of the institutions.
At each meeting, the Council may involve other groups,
including the presidents of private, nonprofit institutions of higher education,
in its agenda.
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