{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/23.1-203.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/23.1-203.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/23.1-203.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/23.1-203.html"}],"law_id":83396,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83396,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-203","catch_line":"Duties of Council","history":"1956, c. 311, \u00a7\u00a7 23-9.5, 23-9.8, 23-9.13; 1970, c. 294, \u00a7 23-9.10:1; 1974, c. 544, \u00a7 23-9.6:1; 1977, cc. 319, 413, 676, \u00a7 23-261; 1979, cc. 2, 28, 136, 145, 619; 1980, c. 728; 1985, c. 448; 1989, c. 105; 1991, cc. 454, 590; 1992, c. 103; 1996, c. 215; 1997, c. 827; 1999, cc. 451, 460; 2001, c. 841; 2002, cc. 95, 158, 257; 2003, cc. 715, 725; 2004, cc. 176, 195, 502; 2005, cc. 753, 818, 834, 933, 945, \u00a7 23-9.8:1; 2006, c. 379; 2009, cc. 55, 56; 2010, cc. 68, 527; 2011, cc. 828, 869; 2012, c. 142; 2014, c. 628; 2016, c. 588, 775; 2017, cc. 314, 376, 796, 816; 2018, cc. 832, 845; 2020, cc. 1164, 1169; 2022, cc. 343, 344; 2025, c. 144.","full_text":"The Council shall:\n\n1\n\nDevelop a statewide strategic plan that (i) reflects the goals set forth in subsection A of § 23.1-1002 or (ii) once adopted, reflects the goals and objectives developed pursuant to subdivision B 5 of § 23.1-309 for higher education in the Commonwealth, identifies a coordinated approach to such state and regional goals, and emphasizes the future needs for higher education in the Commonwealth at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels and the mission, programs, facilities, and location of each of the existing institutions of higher education, each public institution’s six-year plan, and such other matters as the Council deems appropriate. The Council shall revise such plan at least once every six years and shall submit such recommendations as are necessary for the implementation of the plan to the Governor and the General Assembly.2\n\nReview and approve or disapprove any proposed change in the statement of mission of any public institution of higher education and define the mission of all newly created public institutions of higher education. The Council shall report such approvals, disapprovals, and definitions to the Governor and the General Assembly at least once every six years. No such actions shall become effective until 30 days after adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such a report. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the Council to modify any mission statement adopted by the General Assembly or empower the Council to affect, either directly or indirectly, the selection of faculty or the standards and criteria for admission of any public institution of higher education, whether relating to academic standards, residence, or other criteria. Faculty selection and student admission policies shall remain a function of the individual public institutions of higher education.3\n\nStudy any proposed escalation of any public institution of higher education to a degree-granting level higher than that level to which it is presently restricted and submit a report and recommendation to the Governor and the General Assembly relating to the proposal. The study shall include the need for and benefits or detriments to be derived from the escalation. No such institution shall implement any such proposed escalation until the Council’s report and recommendation have been submitted to the General Assembly and the General Assembly approves the institution’s proposal.4\n\nReview and approve or disapprove all enrollment projections proposed by each public institution of higher education. The Council’s projections shall be organized numerically by level of enrollment and shall be used solely for budgetary, fiscal, and strategic planning purposes. The Council shall develop estimates of the number of degrees to be awarded by each public institution of higher education and include those estimates in its reports of enrollment projections. The student admissions policies for such institutions and their specific programs shall remain the sole responsibility of the individual governing boards but all baccalaureate public institutions of higher education shall adopt dual admissions policies with comprehensive community colleges as required by § 23.1-907.5\n\nReview and approve or disapprove all new undergraduate or graduate academic programs that any public institution of higher education proposes.6\n\nReview and require the discontinuance of any undergraduate or graduate academic program that is presently offered by any public institution of higher education when the Council determines that such academic program is (i) nonproductive in terms of the number of degrees granted, the number of students served by the program, the program’s effectiveness, and budgetary considerations or (ii) supported by state funds and unnecessarily duplicative of academic programs offered at other public institutions of higher education. The Council shall make a report to the Governor and the General Assembly with respect to the discontinuance of any such academic program. No such discontinuance shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report.7\n\nReview and approve or disapprove the establishment of any department, school, college, branch, division, or extension of any public institution of higher education that such institution proposes to establish, whether located on or off the main campus of such institution. If any organizational change is determined by the Council to be proposed solely for the purpose of internal management and the institution’s curricular offerings remain constant, the Council shall approve the proposed change. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the Council to disapprove the establishment of any such department, school, college, branch, division, or extension established by the General Assembly.8\n\nReview the proposed closure of any academic program in a high demand or critical shortage area, as defined by the Council, by any public institution of higher education and assist in the development of an orderly closure plan, when needed.9\n\nDevelop a uniform, comprehensive data information system designed to gather all information necessary to the performance of the Council’s duties. The system shall include information on admissions, enrollment, self-identified students with documented disabilities, personnel, programs, financing, space inventory, facilities, and such other areas as the Council deems appropriate. When consistent with the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.), the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act (§ 60.2-100 et seq.), and applicable federal law, the Council, acting solely or in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education or the Virginia Employment Commission, may contract with private entities to create de-identified student records in which all personally identifiable information has been removed for the purpose of assessing the performance of institutions and specific programs relative to the workforce needs of the Commonwealth.10\n\nIn cooperation with public institutions of higher education, develop guidelines for the assessment of student achievement. Each such institution shall use an approved program that complies with the guidelines of the Council and is consistent with the institution’s mission and educational objectives in the development of such assessment. The Council shall report each institution’s assessment of student achievement in the revisions to the Commonwealth’s statewide strategic plan for higher education.11\n\nIn cooperation with the appropriate state financial and accounting officials, develop and establish uniform standards and systems of accounting, recordkeeping, and statistical reporting for public institutions of higher education.12\n\nReview biennially and approve or disapprove all changes in the inventory of educational and general space that any public institution of higher education proposes and report such approvals and disapprovals to the Governor and the General Assembly. No such change shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report.13\n\nVisit and study the operations of each public institution of higher education at such times as the Council deems appropriate and conduct such other studies in the field of higher education as the Council deems appropriate or as may be requested by the Governor or the General Assembly.14\n\nProvide advisory services to each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or graduate education and not to provide religious training or theological education on academic, administrative, financial, and space utilization matters. The Council may review and advise on joint activities, including contracts for services between public institutions of higher education and such private institutions of higher education or between such private institutions of higher education and any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth.15\n\nAdopt such policies and regulations as the Council deems necessary to implement its duties established by state law. Each public institution of higher education shall comply with such policies and regulations.16\n\nIssue guidelines consistent with the provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), requiring public institutions of higher education to release a student’s academic and disciplinary record to a student’s parent.17\n\nRequire each institution of higher education formed, chartered, or established in the Commonwealth after July 1, 1980, to ensure the preservation of student transcripts in the event of institutional closure or revocation of approval to operate in the Commonwealth. An institution may ensure the preservation of student transcripts by binding agreement with another institution of higher education with which it is not corporately connected or in such other way as the Council may authorize by regulation. In the event that an institution closes or has its approval to operate in the Commonwealth revoked, the Council, through its Executive Director, may take such action as is necessary to secure and preserve the student transcripts until such time as an appropriate institution accepts all or some of the transcripts. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to interfere with the right of a student to his own transcripts or authorize disclosure of student records except as may otherwise be authorized by law.18\n\nRequire the development and submission of articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements between associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institutions of higher education.19\n\nProvide periodic updates of base adequacy funding guidelines adopted by the Joint Subcommittee Studying Higher Education Funding Policies for each public institution of higher education.20\n\nDevelop, pursuant to the provisions of § 23.1-907, guidelines for articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements, including guidelines related to a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program and a one-semester Passport Program to be offered at each comprehensive community college. The guidelines developed pursuant to this subdivision shall be developed in consultation with all public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and shall ensure standardization, quality, and transparency in the implementation of the programs and agreements. At the discretion of the Council, private institutions of higher education eligible for tuition assistance grants may also be consulted.21\n\nCooperate with the Board of Education in matters of interest to both public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher education, particularly in connection with coordination of the college admission requirements, coordination of teacher training programs with the public school programs, and the Board of Education’s Six-Year Educational Technology Plan for Virginia. The Council shall encourage public institutions of higher education to design programs that include the skills necessary for the successful implementation of such Plan.22\n\nAdvise and provide technical assistance to the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee in the implementation and administration of the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program pursuant to Chapter 34.1 (§ 30-231.01 et seq.) of Title 30.23\n\nInsofar as possible, seek the cooperation and utilize the facilities of existing state departments, institutions, and agencies in carrying out its duties.24\n\nServe as the coordinating council for public institutions of higher education.25\n\nServe as the planning and coordinating agency for all postsecondary educational programs for all health professions and occupations and make recommendations, including those relating to financing, for providing adequate and coordinated educational programs to produce an appropriate supply of properly trained personnel. The Council may conduct such studies as it deems appropriate in furtherance of the requirements of this subdivision. All state departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Council in the execution of its responsibilities under this subdivision.26\n\nCarry out such duties as the Governor may assign to it in response to agency designations requested by the federal government.27\n\nInsofar as practicable, preserve the individuality, traditions, and sense of responsibility of each public institution of higher education in carrying out its duties.28\n\nInsofar as practicable, seek the assistance and advice of each public institution of higher education in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities.29\n\nAdminister the Virginia Longitudinal Data System as a multiagency partnership for the purposes of developing educational, health, social service, and employment outcome data; improving the efficacy of state services; and aiding decision making.30\n\nAssist the Department of Education with collecting and compiling information for distribution to high school students that assist such students in making more informed decisions about post-high-school educational and training opportunities pursuant to § 22.1-206.2.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":298761,"text":"The Council shall:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":298762,"text":"Develop a statewide strategic plan that (i) reflects the goals set forth in subsection A of § 23.1-1002 or (ii) once adopted, reflects the goals and objectives developed pursuant to subdivision B 5 of § 23.1-309 for higher education in the Commonwealth, identifies a coordinated approach to such state and regional goals, and emphasizes the future needs for higher education in the Commonwealth at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels and the mission, programs, facilities, and location of each of the existing institutions of higher education, each public institution’s six-year plan, and such other matters as the Council deems appropriate. The Council shall revise such plan at least once every six years and shall submit such recommendations as are necessary for the implementation of the plan to the Governor and the General Assembly.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":298763,"text":"Review and approve or disapprove any proposed change in the statement of mission of any public institution of higher education and define the mission of all newly created public institutions of higher education. The Council shall report such approvals, disapprovals, and definitions to the Governor and the General Assembly at least once every six years. No such actions shall become effective until 30 days after adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such a report. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the Council to modify any mission statement adopted by the General Assembly or empower the Council to affect, either directly or indirectly, the selection of faculty or the standards and criteria for admission of any public institution of higher education, whether relating to academic standards, residence, or other criteria. Faculty selection and student admission policies shall remain a function of the individual public institutions of higher education.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":298764,"text":"Study any proposed escalation of any public institution of higher education to a degree-granting level higher than that level to which it is presently restricted and submit a report and recommendation to the Governor and the General Assembly relating to the proposal. The study shall include the need for and benefits or detriments to be derived from the escalation. No such institution shall implement any such proposed escalation until the Council’s report and recommendation have been submitted to the General Assembly and the General Assembly approves the institution’s proposal.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":298765,"text":"Review and approve or disapprove all enrollment projections proposed by each public institution of higher education. The Council’s projections shall be organized numerically by level of enrollment and shall be used solely for budgetary, fiscal, and strategic planning purposes. The Council shall develop estimates of the number of degrees to be awarded by each public institution of higher education and include those estimates in its reports of enrollment projections. The student admissions policies for such institutions and their specific programs shall remain the sole responsibility of the individual governing boards but all baccalaureate public institutions of higher education shall adopt dual admissions policies with comprehensive community colleges as required by § 23.1-907.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":298766,"text":"Review and approve or disapprove all new undergraduate or graduate academic programs that any public institution of higher education proposes.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":298767,"text":"Review and require the discontinuance of any undergraduate or graduate academic program that is presently offered by any public institution of higher education when the Council determines that such academic program is (i) nonproductive in terms of the number of degrees granted, the number of students served by the program, the program’s effectiveness, and budgetary considerations or (ii) supported by state funds and unnecessarily duplicative of academic programs offered at other public institutions of higher education. The Council shall make a report to the Governor and the General Assembly with respect to the discontinuance of any such academic program. No such discontinuance shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":298768,"text":"Review and approve or disapprove the establishment of any department, school, college, branch, division, or extension of any public institution of higher education that such institution proposes to establish, whether located on or off the main campus of such institution. If any organizational change is determined by the Council to be proposed solely for the purpose of internal management and the institution’s curricular offerings remain constant, the Council shall approve the proposed change. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the Council to disapprove the establishment of any such department, school, college, branch, division, or extension established by the General Assembly.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":298769,"text":"Review the proposed closure of any academic program in a high demand or critical shortage area, as defined by the Council, by any public institution of higher education and assist in the development of an orderly closure plan, when needed.","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":298770,"text":"Develop a uniform, comprehensive data information system designed to gather all information necessary to the performance of the Council’s duties. The system shall include information on admissions, enrollment, self-identified students with documented disabilities, personnel, programs, financing, space inventory, facilities, and such other areas as the Council deems appropriate. When consistent with the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.), the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act (§ 60.2-100 et seq.), and applicable federal law, the Council, acting solely or in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education or the Virginia Employment Commission, may contract with private entities to create de-identified student records in which all personally identifiable information has been removed for the purpose of assessing the performance of institutions and specific programs relative to the workforce needs of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":298771,"text":"In cooperation with public institutions of higher education, develop guidelines for the assessment of student achievement. Each such institution shall use an approved program that complies with the guidelines of the Council and is consistent with the institution’s mission and educational objectives in the development of such assessment. The Council shall report each institution’s assessment of student achievement in the revisions to the Commonwealth’s statewide strategic plan for higher education.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":298772,"text":"In cooperation with the appropriate state financial and accounting officials, develop and establish uniform standards and systems of accounting, recordkeeping, and statistical reporting for public institutions of higher education.","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":298773,"text":"Review biennially and approve or disapprove all changes in the inventory of educational and general space that any public institution of higher education proposes and report such approvals and disapprovals to the Governor and the General Assembly. No such change shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":298774,"text":"Visit and study the operations of each public institution of higher education at such times as the Council deems appropriate and conduct such other studies in the field of higher education as the Council deems appropriate or as may be requested by the Governor or the General Assembly.","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"14"},"14":{"id":298775,"text":"Provide advisory services to each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or graduate education and not to provide religious training or theological education on academic, administrative, financial, and space utilization matters. The Council may review and advise on joint activities, including contracts for services between public institutions of higher education and such private institutions of higher education or between such private institutions of higher education and any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"14","prefix_anchor":"14","level":1,"prior_prefix":"13","next_prefix":"15"},"15":{"id":298776,"text":"Adopt such policies and regulations as the Council deems necessary to implement its duties established by state law. Each public institution of higher education shall comply with such policies and regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"15","prefix_anchor":"15","level":1,"prior_prefix":"14","next_prefix":"16"},"16":{"id":298777,"text":"Issue guidelines consistent with the provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), requiring public institutions of higher education to release a student’s academic and disciplinary record to a student’s parent.","type":"section","prefixes":["16"],"prefix":"16","entire_prefix":"16","prefix_anchor":"16","level":1,"prior_prefix":"15","next_prefix":"17"},"17":{"id":298778,"text":"Require each institution of higher education formed, chartered, or established in the Commonwealth after July 1, 1980, to ensure the preservation of student transcripts in the event of institutional closure or revocation of approval to operate in the Commonwealth. An institution may ensure the preservation of student transcripts by binding agreement with another institution of higher education with which it is not corporately connected or in such other way as the Council may authorize by regulation. In the event that an institution closes or has its approval to operate in the Commonwealth revoked, the Council, through its Executive Director, may take such action as is necessary to secure and preserve the student transcripts until such time as an appropriate institution accepts all or some of the transcripts. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to interfere with the right of a student to his own transcripts or authorize disclosure of student records except as may otherwise be authorized by law.","type":"section","prefixes":["17"],"prefix":"17","entire_prefix":"17","prefix_anchor":"17","level":1,"prior_prefix":"16","next_prefix":"18"},"18":{"id":298779,"text":"Require the development and submission of articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements between associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institutions of higher education.","type":"section","prefixes":["18"],"prefix":"18","entire_prefix":"18","prefix_anchor":"18","level":1,"prior_prefix":"17","next_prefix":"19"},"19":{"id":298780,"text":"Provide periodic updates of base adequacy funding guidelines adopted by the Joint Subcommittee Studying Higher Education Funding Policies for each public institution of higher education.","type":"section","prefixes":["19"],"prefix":"19","entire_prefix":"19","prefix_anchor":"19","level":1,"prior_prefix":"18","next_prefix":"20"},"20":{"id":298781,"text":"Develop, pursuant to the provisions of § 23.1-907, guidelines for articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements, including guidelines related to a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program and a one-semester Passport Program to be offered at each comprehensive community college. The guidelines developed pursuant to this subdivision shall be developed in consultation with all public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and shall ensure standardization, quality, and transparency in the implementation of the programs and agreements. At the discretion of the Council, private institutions of higher education eligible for tuition assistance grants may also be consulted.","type":"section","prefixes":["20"],"prefix":"20","entire_prefix":"20","prefix_anchor":"20","level":1,"prior_prefix":"19","next_prefix":"21"},"21":{"id":298782,"text":"Cooperate with the Board of Education in matters of interest to both public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher education, particularly in connection with coordination of the college admission requirements, coordination of teacher training programs with the public school programs, and the Board of Education’s Six-Year Educational Technology Plan for Virginia. The Council shall encourage public institutions of higher education to design programs that include the skills necessary for the successful implementation of such Plan.","type":"section","prefixes":["21"],"prefix":"21","entire_prefix":"21","prefix_anchor":"21","level":1,"prior_prefix":"20","next_prefix":"22"},"22":{"id":298783,"text":"Advise and provide technical assistance to the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee in the implementation and administration of the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program pursuant to Chapter 34.1 (§ 30-231.01 et seq.) of Title 30.","type":"section","prefixes":["22"],"prefix":"22","entire_prefix":"22","prefix_anchor":"22","level":1,"prior_prefix":"21","next_prefix":"23"},"23":{"id":298784,"text":"Insofar as possible, seek the cooperation and utilize the facilities of existing state departments, institutions, and agencies in carrying out its duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["23"],"prefix":"23","entire_prefix":"23","prefix_anchor":"23","level":1,"prior_prefix":"22","next_prefix":"24"},"24":{"id":298785,"text":"Serve as the coordinating council for public institutions of higher education.","type":"section","prefixes":["24"],"prefix":"24","entire_prefix":"24","prefix_anchor":"24","level":1,"prior_prefix":"23","next_prefix":"25"},"25":{"id":298786,"text":"Serve as the planning and coordinating agency for all postsecondary educational programs for all health professions and occupations and make recommendations, including those relating to financing, for providing adequate and coordinated educational programs to produce an appropriate supply of properly trained personnel. The Council may conduct such studies as it deems appropriate in furtherance of the requirements of this subdivision. All state departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Council in the execution of its responsibilities under this subdivision.","type":"section","prefixes":["25"],"prefix":"25","entire_prefix":"25","prefix_anchor":"25","level":1,"prior_prefix":"24","next_prefix":"26"},"26":{"id":298787,"text":"Carry out such duties as the Governor may assign to it in response to agency designations requested by the federal government.","type":"section","prefixes":["26"],"prefix":"26","entire_prefix":"26","prefix_anchor":"26","level":1,"prior_prefix":"25","next_prefix":"27"},"27":{"id":298788,"text":"Insofar as practicable, preserve the individuality, traditions, and sense of responsibility of each public institution of higher education in carrying out its duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["27"],"prefix":"27","entire_prefix":"27","prefix_anchor":"27","level":1,"prior_prefix":"26","next_prefix":"28"},"28":{"id":298789,"text":"Insofar as practicable, seek the assistance and advice of each public institution of higher education in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities.","type":"section","prefixes":["28"],"prefix":"28","entire_prefix":"28","prefix_anchor":"28","level":1,"prior_prefix":"27","next_prefix":"29"},"29":{"id":298790,"text":"Administer the Virginia Longitudinal Data System as a multiagency partnership for the purposes of developing educational, health, social service, and employment outcome data; improving the efficacy of state services; and aiding decision making.","type":"section","prefixes":["29"],"prefix":"29","entire_prefix":"29","prefix_anchor":"29","level":1,"prior_prefix":"28","next_prefix":"30"},"30":{"id":298791,"text":"Assist the Department of Education with collecting and compiling information for distribution to high school students that assist such students in making more informed decisions about post-high-school educational and training opportunities pursuant to § 22.1-206.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["30"],"prefix":"30","entire_prefix":"30","prefix_anchor":"30","level":1,"prior_prefix":"29"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14065,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers and Duties","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14064,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:45","permalink":{"id":184655,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14065,"identifier":"2","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2","url":"\/23.1\/I\/2\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14064,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Council of Higher Education for Virginia","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13393,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:45","permalink":{"id":184639,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14064,"identifier":"2","token":"23.1\/I\/2","url":"\/23.1\/I\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13393,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13111,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","permalink":{"id":184583,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13393,"identifier":"I","token":"23.1\/I","url":"\/23.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13111,"edition_id":1,"name":"Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions","identifier":"23.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:18","permalink":{"id":184581,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13111,"identifier":"23.1","token":"23.1","url":"\/23.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83396,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-203","catch_line":"Duties of Council","url":"\/23.1-203\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-203","metadata":false},{"id":71997,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-204","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/23.1-204\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-204","metadata":false},{"id":72876,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-204.1","catch_line":"Postgraduation employment rates","url":"\/23.1-204.1\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-204.1","metadata":false},{"id":55422,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-205","catch_line":"Authority to carry out federal requirements","url":"\/23.1-205\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-205","metadata":false},{"id":67622,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-206","catch_line":"Assessments of the performance of public institutions of higher education","url":"\/23.1-206\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-206","metadata":false},{"id":67782,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-207","catch_line":"Tuition relief and refunds and reinstatement for certain students in the Armed Forces","url":"\/23.1-207\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-207","metadata":false},{"id":72862,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-208","catch_line":"Budget requests and recommendations","url":"\/23.1-208\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-208","metadata":false},{"id":82639,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-209","catch_line":"Reports of expenditures of state funds","url":"\/23.1-209\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-209","metadata":false},{"id":74973,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-210","catch_line":"Advisory services to accredited nonprofit private institutions of higher education; Private College Advisory Board","url":"\/23.1-210\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-210","metadata":false},{"id":68769,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-211","catch_line":"Distance learning reciprocity agreements; participation; Distance Learning Reciprocity Advisory Council","url":"\/23.1-211\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-211","metadata":false},{"id":70827,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-212","catch_line":"Effect upon powers of governing boards of public institutions of higher education; endowment funds","url":"\/23.1-212\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-212","metadata":false},{"id":55170,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-212.1","catch_line":"Nuclear Education Grant Fund and Program","url":"\/23.1-212.1\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-212.1","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":71997,"structure_id":14065,"section_number":"23.1-204","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/23.1-204\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-204","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/23.1-203\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1956. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 311 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1956 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 29 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1970, chapter 294; in 1974, chapter 544; in 1977, chapters 319, 413, and 676; in 1979, chapters 2, 28, 136, 145, and 619; in 1980, chapter 728; in 1985, chapter 448; in 1989, chapter 105; in 1991, chapters 454 and 590; in 1992, chapter 103; in 1996, chapter 215<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 827<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 451<\/a> and 460<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 841<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 95<\/a>, 158<\/a>, and 257<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 715<\/a> and 725<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 176<\/a>, 195<\/a>, and 502<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 753<\/a>, 818<\/a>, 834<\/a>, 933<\/a>, and 945<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 379<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 55<\/a> and 56<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 68<\/a> and 527<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 828<\/a> and 869<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 142<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 628<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 588<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 314<\/a>, 376<\/a>, 796<\/a>, and 816<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 832<\/a> and 845<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1164<\/a> and 1169<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 343<\/a> and 344<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 144<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":55551,"section_number":"2.2-2036","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2036\/"},{"id":66511,"section_number":"23.1-1002","catch_line":"Eligibility for restructured financial and administrative operational authority and financial benefits","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1002\/"},{"id":81698,"section_number":"23.1-1403","catch_line":"Powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1403\/"},{"id":87327,"section_number":"23.1-1503","catch_line":"Powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1503\/"},{"id":82228,"section_number":"23.1-1803","catch_line":"Powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1803\/"},{"id":67086,"section_number":"23.1-2912","catch_line":"Shipyard workers; applied sciences and apprenticeship programs; Virginia Vocational Incentive Scholarship Program for Shipyard Workers; Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-2912\/"},{"id":82601,"section_number":"23.1-907","catch_line":"Articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements; admission of certain comprehensive community college graduates","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-907\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":69409,"section_number":"2.2-3800","catch_line":"Short title; findings; principles of information practice","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3800\/"},{"id":82634,"section_number":"22.1-206.2","catch_line":"Instruction concerning post-graduate opportunities for high school students","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-206.2\/"},{"id":66511,"section_number":"23.1-1002","catch_line":"Eligibility for restructured financial and administrative operational authority and financial benefits","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1002\/"},{"id":70221,"section_number":"23.1-309","catch_line":"Higher Education Advisory Committee established; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-309\/"},{"id":82601,"section_number":"23.1-907","catch_line":"Articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements; admission of certain comprehensive community college graduates","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-907\/"},{"id":86901,"section_number":"30-231.01","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-231.01\/"},{"id":77323,"section_number":"60.2-100","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/60.2-100\/"}],"permalink":{"id":184657,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83396,"identifier":"23.1-203","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-203","url":"\/23.1-203\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/23.1-203\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/2\/23.1-203","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of Council","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 23.1-203","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Council<\/span> shall:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Develop a statewide strategic plan that (i) reflects the goals set forth in subsection A of § 23.1-1002<\/a> or (ii) once adopted, reflects the goals and objectives developed pursuant to subdivision B 5 of § 23.1-309<\/a> for higher education in the Commonwealth, identifies a coordinated approach to such state and regional goals, and emphasizes the future needs for higher education in the Commonwealth at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels and the mission, programs, facilities, and location of each of the existing institutions of higher education, each public institution’s six-year plan, and such other matters as the Council<\/span> deems appropriate. The Council<\/span> shall revise such plan at least once every six years and shall submit such recommendations as are necessary for the implementation of the plan to the Governor and the General Assembly. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Review and approve or disapprove any proposed change in the statement of mission of any public institution of higher education<\/span> and define the mission of all newly created public institutions of higher education. The Council<\/span> shall report such approvals, disapprovals, and definitions to the Governor and the General Assembly at least once every six years. No such actions shall become effective until 30 days after adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such a report. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the Council<\/span> to modify any mission statement adopted by the General Assembly or empower the Council<\/span> to affect, either directly or indirectly, the selection of faculty or the standards and criteria for admission of any public institution of higher education<\/span>, whether relating to academic standards, residence, or other criteria. Faculty selection and student admission policies shall remain a function of the individual public institutions of higher education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Study any proposed escalation of any public institution of higher education<\/span> to a degree-granting level higher than that level to which it is presently restricted and submit a report and recommendation to the Governor and the General Assembly relating to the proposal. The study shall include the need for and benefits or detriments to be derived from the escalation. No such institution shall implement any such proposed escalation until the Council<\/span>’s report and recommendation have been submitted to the General Assembly and the General Assembly approves the institution’s proposal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Review and approve or disapprove all enrollment projections proposed by each public institution of higher education<\/span>. The Council<\/span>’s projections shall be organized numerically by level of enrollment and shall be used solely for budgetary, fiscal, and strategic planning purposes. The Council<\/span> shall develop estimates of the number of degrees to be awarded by each public institution of higher education<\/span> and include those estimates in its reports of enrollment projections. The student admissions policies for such institutions and their specific programs shall remain the sole responsibility of the individual governing boards<\/span> but all baccalaureate<\/span> public institutions of higher education shall adopt dual admissions policies with comprehensive community colleges<\/span> as required by § 23.1-907<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Review and approve or disapprove all new undergraduate or graduate academic programs that any public institution of higher education<\/span> proposes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Review and require the discontinuance of any undergraduate or graduate academic program that is presently offered by any public institution of higher education<\/span> when the Council<\/span> determines that such academic program is (i) nonproductive in terms of the number of degrees granted, the number of students served by the program, the program’s effectiveness, and budgetary considerations or (ii) supported by state funds and unnecessarily duplicative of academic programs offered at other public institutions of higher education. The Council<\/span> shall make a report to the Governor and the General Assembly with respect to the discontinuance of any such academic program. No such discontinuance shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Review and approve or disapprove the establishment of any department, school, college, branch, division, or extension of any public institution of higher education<\/span> that such institution proposes to establish, whether located on or off the main campus of such institution. If any organizational change is determined by the Council<\/span> to be proposed solely for the purpose of internal management and the institution’s curricular offerings remain constant, the Council<\/span> shall approve the proposed change. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize the Council<\/span> to disapprove the establishment of any such department, school, college, branch, division, or extension established by the General Assembly. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Review the proposed closure of any academic program in a high demand or critical shortage area, as defined by the Council<\/span>, by any public institution of higher education<\/span> and assist in the development of an orderly closure plan, when needed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Develop a uniform, comprehensive data information system<\/span> designed to gather all information necessary to the performance of the Council<\/span>’s duties. The system<\/span> shall include information on admissions, enrollment, self-identified students with documented disabilities, personnel, programs, financing, space inventory, facilities, and such other areas as the Council<\/span> deems appropriate. When consistent with the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (§ 2.2-3800<\/a> et seq.), the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act (§ 60.2-100<\/a> et seq.), and applicable federal law<\/span>, the Council<\/span>, acting solely or in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education or the Virginia Employment Commission, may contract<\/span> with private entities to create de-identified student records in which all personally identifiable information has been removed for the purpose of assessing the performance of institutions and specific programs relative to the workforce needs of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> In cooperation with public institutions of higher education, develop guidelines for the assessment of student achievement. Each such institution shall use an approved program that complies with the guidelines of the Council<\/span> and is consistent with the institution’s mission and educational objectives in the development of such assessment. The Council<\/span> shall report each institution’s assessment of student achievement in the revisions to the Commonwealth’s statewide strategic plan for higher education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> In cooperation with the appropriate state financial and accounting officials, develop and establish uniform standards and systems<\/span> of accounting, recordkeeping, and statistical reporting for public institutions of higher education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Review biennially and approve or disapprove all changes in the inventory of educational and general space that any public institution of higher education<\/span> proposes and report such approvals and disapprovals to the Governor and the General Assembly. No such change shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Visit and study the operations of each public institution of higher education<\/span> at such times as the Council<\/span> deems appropriate and conduct such other studies in the field of higher education as the Council<\/span> deems appropriate or as may be requested by the Governor or the General Assembly. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Provide advisory services to each accredited nonprofit private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or graduate education and not to provide religious training or theological education on academic, administrative, financial, and space utilization matters. The Council<\/span> may review and advise on joint activities, including contracts<\/span> for services between public institutions of higher education and such private institutions of higher education or between such private institutions of higher education and any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

15.<\/span> Adopt such policies and regulations as the Council<\/span> deems necessary to implement its duties established by state law<\/span>. Each public institution of higher education<\/span> shall comply with such policies and regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

16.<\/span> Issue<\/span> guidelines consistent with the provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), requiring public institutions of higher education to release a student’s academic and disciplinary record to a student’s parent. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

17.<\/span> Require each institution of higher education formed, chartered, or established in the Commonwealth after July 1, 1980, to ensure the preservation of student transcripts<\/span> in the event of institutional closure or revocation<\/span> of approval to operate in the Commonwealth. An institution may ensure the preservation of student transcripts<\/span> by binding agreement with another institution of higher education with which it is not corporately connected or in such other way as the Council<\/span> may authorize by regulation. In the event that an institution closes or has its approval to operate in the Commonwealth revoked, the Council<\/span>, through its Executive Director, may take such action as is necessary to secure and preserve the student transcripts<\/span> until such time as an appropriate institution accepts all or some of the transcripts<\/span>. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to interfere with the right of a student to his own transcripts<\/span> or authorize disclosure of student records except as may otherwise be authorized by law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

18.<\/span> Require the development and submission of articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements between associate-degree-granting<\/span> and baccalaureate<\/span> public institutions of higher education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

19.<\/span> Provide periodic updates of base adequacy funding guidelines adopted by the Joint Subcommittee Studying Higher Education Funding Policies for each public institution of higher education<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

20.<\/span> Develop, pursuant to the provisions of § 23.1-907<\/a>, guidelines for articulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements, including guidelines related to a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program and a one-semester Passport Program to be offered at each comprehensive community college<\/span>. The guidelines developed pursuant to this subdivision shall be developed in consultation with all public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and shall ensure standardization, quality, and transparency in the implementation of the programs and agreements. At the discretion of the Council<\/span>, private institutions of higher education eligible for tuition assistance grants may also be consulted. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

21.<\/span> Cooperate with the Board of Education in matters of interest to both public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher education, particularly in connection with coordination of the college admission requirements, coordination of teacher training programs with the public school programs, and the Board of Education’s Six-Year Educational Technology Plan for Virginia. The Council<\/span> shall encourage public institutions of higher education to design programs that include the skills necessary for the successful implementation of such Plan. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

22.<\/span> Advise and provide technical assistance to the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee in the implementation and administration of the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program pursuant to Chapter 34.1 (§ 30-231.01<\/a> et seq.) of Title 30. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

23.<\/span> Insofar as possible, seek the cooperation and utilize the facilities of existing state departments, institutions, and agencies in carrying out its duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

24.<\/span> Serve as the coordinating council<\/span> for public institutions of higher education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

25.<\/span> Serve as the planning and coordinating agency for all postsecondary educational programs for all health professions and occupations and make recommendations, including those relating to financing, for providing adequate and coordinated educational programs to produce an appropriate supply of properly trained personnel. The Council<\/span> may conduct such studies as it deems appropriate in furtherance of the requirements of this subdivision. All state departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Council<\/span> in the execution of its responsibilities under this subdivision. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

26.<\/span> Carry out such duties as the Governor may assign to it in response to agency designations requested by the federal government. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

27.<\/span> Insofar as practicable, preserve the individuality, traditions, and sense of responsibility of each public institution of higher education<\/span> in carrying out its duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

28.<\/span> Insofar as practicable, seek the assistance and advice of each public institution of higher education<\/span> in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

29.<\/span> Administer the Virginia Longitudinal Data System<\/span> as a multiagency partnership for the purposes of developing educational, health, social service, and employment outcome data; improving the efficacy of state services; and aiding decision making. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

30.<\/span> Assist the Department of Education with collecting and compiling information for distribution to high school students that assist such students in making more informed decisions about post-high-school educational and training opportunities pursuant to § 22.1-206.2<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF COUNCIL (\u00a7 23.1-203)\n\nThe Council shall:\n\n1. Develop a statewide strategic plan that (i) reflects the goals set forth in\nsubsection A of § 23.1-1002 or (ii) once adopted, reflects the goals and\nobjectives developed pursuant to subdivision B 5 of § 23.1-309 for higher\neducation in the Commonwealth, identifies a coordinated approach to such state\nand regional goals, and emphasizes the future needs for higher education in the\nCommonwealth at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels and the mission,\nprograms, facilities, and location of each of the existing institutions of\nhigher education, each public institution’s six-year plan, and such other\nmatters as the Council deems appropriate. The Council shall revise such plan at\nleast once every six years and shall submit such recommendations as are\nnecessary for the implementation of the plan to the Governor and the General\nAssembly.\n\n2. Review and approve or disapprove any proposed change in the statement of\nmission of any public institution of higher education and define the mission of\nall newly created public institutions of higher education. The Council shall\nreport such approvals, disapprovals, and definitions to the Governor and the\nGeneral Assembly at least once every six years. No such actions shall become\neffective until 30 days after adjournment of the session of the General Assembly\nnext following the filing of such a report. Nothing in this subdivision shall be\nconstrued to authorize the Council to modify any mission statement adopted by\nthe General Assembly or empower the Council to affect, either directly or\nindirectly, the selection of faculty or the standards and criteria for admission\nof any public institution of higher education, whether relating to academic\nstandards, residence, or other criteria. Faculty selection and student admission\npolicies shall remain a function of the individual public institutions of higher\neducation.\n\n3. Study any proposed escalation of any public institution of higher education\nto a degree-granting level higher than that level to which it is presently\nrestricted and submit a report and recommendation to the Governor and the\nGeneral Assembly relating to the proposal. The study shall include the need for\nand benefits or detriments to be derived from the escalation. No such\ninstitution shall implement any such proposed escalation until the\nCouncil’s report and recommendation have been submitted to the General\nAssembly and the General Assembly approves the institution’s proposal.\n\n4. Review and approve or disapprove all enrollment projections proposed by each\npublic institution of higher education. The Council’s projections shall be\norganized numerically by level of enrollment and shall be used solely for\nbudgetary, fiscal, and strategic planning purposes. The Council shall develop\nestimates of the number of degrees to be awarded by each public institution of\nhigher education and include those estimates in its reports of enrollment\nprojections. The student admissions policies for such institutions and their\nspecific programs shall remain the sole responsibility of the individual\ngoverning boards but all baccalaureate public institutions of higher education\nshall adopt dual admissions policies with comprehensive community colleges as\nrequired by § 23.1-907.\n\n5. Review and approve or disapprove all new undergraduate or graduate academic\nprograms that any public institution of higher education proposes.\n\n6. Review and require the discontinuance of any undergraduate or graduate\nacademic program that is presently offered by any public institution of higher\neducation when the Council determines that such academic program is (i)\nnonproductive in terms of the number of degrees granted, the number of students\nserved by the program, the program’s effectiveness, and budgetary\nconsiderations or (ii) supported by state funds and unnecessarily duplicative of\nacademic programs offered at other public institutions of higher education. The\nCouncil shall make a report to the Governor and the General Assembly with\nrespect to the discontinuance of any such academic program. No such\ndiscontinuance shall become effective until 30 days after the adjournment of the\nsession of the General Assembly next following the filing of such report.\n\n7. Review and approve or disapprove the establishment of any department, school,\ncollege, branch, division, or extension of any public institution of higher\neducation that such institution proposes to establish, whether located on or off\nthe main campus of such institution. If any organizational change is determined\nby the Council to be proposed solely for the purpose of internal management and\nthe institution’s curricular offerings remain constant, the Council shall\napprove the proposed change. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to\nauthorize the Council to disapprove the establishment of any such department,\nschool, college, branch, division, or extension established by the General\nAssembly.\n\n8. Review the proposed closure of any academic program in a high demand or\ncritical shortage area, as defined by the Council, by any public institution of\nhigher education and assist in the development of an orderly closure plan, when\nneeded.\n\n9. Develop a uniform, comprehensive data information system designed to gather\nall information necessary to the performance of the Council’s duties. The\nsystem shall include information on admissions, enrollment, self-identified\nstudents with documented disabilities, personnel, programs, financing, space\ninventory, facilities, and such other areas as the Council deems appropriate.\nWhen consistent with the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices\nAct (§ 2.2-3800 et seq.), the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act\n(§ 60.2-100 et seq.), and applicable federal law, the Council, acting\nsolely or in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education or the\nVirginia Employment Commission, may contract with private entities to create\nde-identified student records in which all personally identifiable information\nhas been removed for the purpose of assessing the performance of institutions\nand specific programs relative to the workforce needs of the Commonwealth.\n\n10. In cooperation with public institutions of higher education, develop\nguidelines for the assessment of student achievement. Each such institution\nshall use an approved program that complies with the guidelines of the Council\nand is consistent with the institution’s mission and educational\nobjectives in the development of such assessment. The Council shall report each\ninstitution’s assessment of student achievement in the revisions to the\nCommonwealth’s statewide strategic plan for higher education.\n\n11. In cooperation with the appropriate state financial and accounting\nofficials, develop and establish uniform standards and systems of accounting,\nrecordkeeping, and statistical reporting for public institutions of higher\neducation.\n\n12. Review biennially and approve or disapprove all changes in the inventory of\neducational and general space that any public institution of higher education\nproposes and report such approvals and disapprovals to the Governor and the\nGeneral Assembly. No such change shall become effective until 30 days after the\nadjournment of the session of the General Assembly next following the filing of\nsuch report.\n\n13. Visit and study the operations of each public institution of higher\neducation at such times as the Council deems appropriate and conduct such other\nstudies in the field of higher education as the Council deems appropriate or as\nmay be requested by the Governor or the General Assembly.\n\n14. Provide advisory services to each accredited nonprofit private institution\nof higher education whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or graduate\neducation and not to provide religious training or theological education on\nacademic, administrative, financial, and space utilization matters. The Council\nmay review and advise on joint activities, including contracts for services\nbetween public institutions of higher education and such private institutions of\nhigher education or between such private institutions of higher education and\nany agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth.\n\n15. Adopt such policies and regulations as the Council deems necessary to\nimplement its duties established by state law. Each public institution of higher\neducation shall comply with such policies and regulations.\n\n16. Issue guidelines consistent with the provisions of the federal Family\nEducational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), requiring public\ninstitutions of higher education to release a student’s academic and\ndisciplinary record to a student’s parent.\n\n17. Require each institution of higher education formed, chartered, or\nestablished in the Commonwealth after July 1, 1980, to ensure the preservation\nof student transcripts in the event of institutional closure or revocation of\napproval to operate in the Commonwealth. An institution may ensure the\npreservation of student transcripts by binding agreement with another\ninstitution of higher education with which it is not corporately connected or in\nsuch other way as the Council may authorize by regulation. In the event that an\ninstitution closes or has its approval to operate in the Commonwealth revoked,\nthe Council, through its Executive Director, may take such action as is\nnecessary to secure and preserve the student transcripts until such time as an\nappropriate institution accepts all or some of the transcripts. Nothing in this\nsubdivision shall be deemed to interfere with the right of a student to his own\ntranscripts or authorize disclosure of student records except as may otherwise\nbe authorized by law.\n\n18. Require the development and submission of articulation, dual admissions, and\nguaranteed admissions agreements between associate-degree-granting and\nbaccalaureate public institutions of higher education.\n\n19. Provide periodic updates of base adequacy funding guidelines adopted by the\nJoint Subcommittee Studying Higher Education Funding Policies for each public\ninstitution of higher education.\n\n20. Develop, pursuant to the provisions of § 23.1-907, guidelines for\narticulation, dual admissions, and guaranteed admissions agreements, including\nguidelines related to a one-year Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program\nand a one-semester Passport Program to be offered at each comprehensive\ncommunity college. The guidelines developed pursuant to this subdivision shall\nbe developed in consultation with all public institutions of higher education in\nthe Commonwealth, the Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of\nSchool Superintendents and shall ensure standardization, quality, and\ntransparency in the implementation of the programs and agreements. At the\ndiscretion of the Council, private institutions of higher education eligible for\ntuition assistance grants may also be consulted.\n\n21. Cooperate with the Board of Education in matters of interest to both public\nelementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher education,\nparticularly in connection with coordination of the college admission\nrequirements, coordination of teacher training programs with the public school\nprograms, and the Board of Education’s Six-Year Educational Technology\nPlan for Virginia. The Council shall encourage public institutions of higher\neducation to design programs that include the skills necessary for the\nsuccessful implementation of such Plan.\n\n22. Advise and provide technical assistance to the Brown v. Board of Education\nScholarship Committee in the implementation and administration of the Brown v.\nBoard of Education Scholarship Program pursuant to Chapter 34.1 (§\n30-231.01 et seq.) of Title 30.\n\n23. Insofar as possible, seek the cooperation and utilize the facilities of\nexisting state departments, institutions, and agencies in carrying out its\nduties.\n\n24. Serve as the coordinating council for public institutions of higher\neducation.\n\n25. Serve as the planning and coordinating agency for all postsecondary\neducational programs for all health professions and occupations and make\nrecommendations, including those relating to financing, for providing adequate\nand coordinated educational programs to produce an appropriate supply of\nproperly trained personnel. The Council may conduct such studies as it deems\nappropriate in furtherance of the requirements of this subdivision. All state\ndepartments and agencies shall cooperate with the Council in the execution of\nits responsibilities under this subdivision.\n\n26. Carry out such duties as the Governor may assign to it in response to agency\ndesignations requested by the federal government.\n\n27. Insofar as practicable, preserve the individuality, traditions, and sense of\nresponsibility of each public institution of higher education in carrying out\nits duties.\n\n28. Insofar as practicable, seek the assistance and advice of each public\ninstitution of higher education in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities.\n\n29. Administer the Virginia Longitudinal Data System as a multiagency\npartnership for the purposes of developing educational, health, social service,\nand employment outcome data; improving the efficacy of state services; and\naiding decision making.\n\n30. Assist the Department of Education with collecting and compiling information\nfor distribution to high school students that assist such students in making\nmore informed decisions about post-high-school educational and training\nopportunities pursuant to § 22.1-206.2.\n\nHISTORY: 1956, c. 311, \u00a7\u00a7 23-9.5, 23-9.8, 23-9.13; 1970, c. 294, \u00a7 23-9.10:1;\n1974, c. 544, \u00a7 23-9.6:1; 1977, cc. 319, 413, 676, \u00a7 23-261; 1979, cc. 2, 28,\n136, 145, 619; 1980, c. 728; 1985, c. 448; 1989, c. 105; 1991, cc. 454, 590;\n1992, c. 103; 1996, c. 215; 1997, c. 827; 1999, cc. 451, 460; 2001, c. 841;\n2002, cc. 95, 158, 257; 2003, cc. 715, 725; 2004, cc. 176, 195, 502; 2005, cc.\n753, 818, 834, 933, 945, \u00a7 23-9.8:1; 2006, c. 379; 2009, cc. 55, 56; 2010, cc.\n68, 527; 2011, cc. 828, 869; 2012, c. 142; 2014, c. 628; 2016, c. 588, 775;\n2017, cc. 314, 376, 796, 816; 2018, cc. 832, 845; 2020, cc. 1164, 1169; 2022,\ncc. 343, 344; 2025, c. 144.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}