{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/23.1-3137.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/23.1-3137.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/23.1-3137.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/23.1-3137.html"}],"law_id":84624,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84624,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3137","catch_line":"Duties of the Authority","history":"2017, c. 686; 2018, cc. 199, 200, 832, 845; 2020, cc. 174, 340.","full_text":"The Authority shall:\n\n1\n\nExpand access to affordable higher education in the Commonwealth by establishing the Online Virginia Network (the Network) for the purpose of coordinating the online delivery of courses that facilitate the completion of degrees at George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, and comprehensive community colleges;2\n\nEncourage each public institution of higher education and each consortium of public institutions of higher education that offers online courses, online degree programs, or online credential programs to offer any such course, degree program, or credential program through the Network;3\n\nOversee a process of approval for public institutions of higher education and consortia of such institutions to participate in the Network, with such funds as are appropriated for such purpose and made available to it;4\n\nServe as a resource for residents of the Commonwealth and disseminate information regarding the opportunities for online learning offered by institutions and consortia that participate in the Network;5\n\nCoordinate the maintenance of an online portal through which potential students may examine and enroll seamlessly in Network offerings;6\n\nCollaborate with institutions and consortia that participate in the Network to ensure that the needs of enrolled students are met before, during, and after enrollment through online student support systems;7\n\nTo the extent practicable, ensure that courses and degree programs offered through the Network (i) are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or authorized by the Council, as applicable; (ii) expand access to underserved populations based on income, race, geography, and age; (iii) are responsive to the employment demands of the Commonwealth; (iv) employ learning and delivery technologies, which may include competency-based and experiential learning, in an efficient and cost-effective manner to promote flexibility for each student to pursue online courses and programs at his own pace and in his own location throughout the year; (v) minimize student expenses and reduce time-to-degree or time-to-credential; and (vi) are offered in collaboration with existing public and private providers of online courses;8\n\nPromote the refinement and implementation of articulation agreements to ensure that credits earned through the Network are transferable to each other public institution of higher education and contribute to on-time degree completion at each such institution;9\n\nAssist in developing processes to help institutions and consortia that participate in the Network to expand their online offerings;10\n\nEnsure that the Passport Program and the Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program, established pursuant to § 23.1-907, be made available through the Network;11\n\nDevelop specific goals for meeting the demand in the Commonwealth for affordable and accessible higher education through online learning;12\n\nReview and report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the cost structure of funds allocated to the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of the Network. In addition, the Authority shall examine ways to reduce the cost of online education and develop a budget that incorporates estimated expected tuition revenue from online students and its use in supporting the Network and assumes that any financial aid will come from existing financial aid programs; and13\n\nAccept, administer, and account for any state, federal, or private moneys that it may receive. Any moneys, including interest thereon, that have not been expended by the Authority by the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the accounts of the Authority.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":303340,"text":"The Authority shall:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":303341,"text":"Expand access to affordable higher education in the Commonwealth by establishing the Online Virginia Network (the Network) for the purpose of coordinating the online delivery of courses that facilitate the completion of degrees at George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, and comprehensive community colleges;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":303342,"text":"Encourage each public institution of higher education and each consortium of public institutions of higher education that offers online courses, online degree programs, or online credential programs to offer any such course, degree program, or credential program through the Network;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":303343,"text":"Oversee a process of approval for public institutions of higher education and consortia of such institutions to participate in the Network, with such funds as are appropriated for such purpose and made available to it;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":303344,"text":"Serve as a resource for residents of the Commonwealth and disseminate information regarding the opportunities for online learning offered by institutions and consortia that participate in the Network;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":303345,"text":"Coordinate the maintenance of an online portal through which potential students may examine and enroll seamlessly in Network offerings;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":303346,"text":"Collaborate with institutions and consortia that participate in the Network to ensure that the needs of enrolled students are met before, during, and after enrollment through online student support systems;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":303347,"text":"To the extent practicable, ensure that courses and degree programs offered through the Network (i) are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or authorized by the Council, as applicable; (ii) expand access to underserved populations based on income, race, geography, and age; (iii) are responsive to the employment demands of the Commonwealth; (iv) employ learning and delivery technologies, which may include competency-based and experiential learning, in an efficient and cost-effective manner to promote flexibility for each student to pursue online courses and programs at his own pace and in his own location throughout the year; (v) minimize student expenses and reduce time-to-degree or time-to-credential; and (vi) are offered in collaboration with existing public and private providers of online courses;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":303348,"text":"Promote the refinement and implementation of articulation agreements to ensure that credits earned through the Network are transferable to each other public institution of higher education and contribute to on-time degree completion at each such institution;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":303349,"text":"Assist in developing processes to help institutions and consortia that participate in the Network to expand their online offerings;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":303350,"text":"Ensure that the Passport Program and the Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program, established pursuant to § 23.1-907, be made available through the Network;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":303351,"text":"Develop specific goals for meeting the demand in the Commonwealth for affordable and accessible higher education through online learning;","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":303352,"text":"Review and report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the cost structure of funds allocated to the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of the Network. In addition, the Authority shall examine ways to reduce the cost of online education and develop a budget that incorporates estimated expected tuition revenue from online students and its use in supporting the Network and assumes that any financial aid will come from existing financial aid programs; and","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":303353,"text":"Accept, administer, and account for any state, federal, or private moneys that it may receive. Any moneys, including interest thereon, that have not been expended by the Authority by the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the accounts of the Authority.","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15987,"edition_id":1,"name":"Online Virginia Network Authority","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14672,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:03:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:03:13","permalink":{"id":186995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15987,"identifier":"9","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9","url":"\/23.1\/V\/31\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14672,"edition_id":1,"name":"Educational Authorities, Centers, Committees, Funds, Institutes, and Partnerships","identifier":"31","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14459,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:15","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:15","permalink":{"id":186837,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14672,"identifier":"31","token":"23.1\/V\/31","url":"\/23.1\/V\/31\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14459,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Educational and Cultural Institutions","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13111,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:12","permalink":{"id":186829,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14459,"identifier":"V","token":"23.1\/V","url":"\/23.1\/V\/","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":78740,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3135","catch_line":"Online Virginia Network Authority established","url":"\/23.1-3135\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3135","metadata":false},{"id":65162,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3136","catch_line":"Board of Trustees","url":"\/23.1-3136\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3136","metadata":false},{"id":84624,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3137","catch_line":"Duties of the Authority","url":"\/23.1-3137\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3137","metadata":false},{"id":62366,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3138","catch_line":"Procurement and information technology","url":"\/23.1-3138\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3138","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65162,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3136","catch_line":"Board of Trustees","url":"\/23.1-3136\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3136","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62366,"structure_id":15987,"section_number":"23.1-3138","catch_line":"Procurement and information technology","url":"\/23.1-3138\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3138","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/23.1-3137\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 686<\/a> 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. It has been modified 2 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 2018, chapters 199<\/a>, 200<\/a>, 832<\/a>, and 845<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 174<\/a> and 340<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":187005,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84624,"identifier":"23.1-3137","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3137","url":"\/23.1-3137\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/23.1-3137\/","token":"23.1\/V\/31\/9\/23.1-3137","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of the Authority","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 23.1-3137","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Authority shall:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Expand access to affordable higher education in the Commonwealth by establishing the Online Virginia Network (the Network) for the purpose of coordinating the online delivery of courses that facilitate the completion of degrees at George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, and comprehensive community colleges<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Encourage each public institution of higher education<\/span> and each consortium of public institutions of higher education that offers online courses, online degree programs, or online credential programs to offer any such course, degree program, or credential program through the Network; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Oversee a process of approval for public institutions of higher education and consortia of such institutions to participate in the Network, with such funds as are appropriated for such purpose and made available to it; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Serve as a resource for residents of the Commonwealth and disseminate information regarding the opportunities for online learning offered by institutions and consortia that participate in the Network; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Coordinate the maintenance of an online portal through which potential students may examine and enroll seamlessly in Network offerings; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Collaborate with institutions and consortia that participate in the Network to ensure that the needs of enrolled students are met before, during, and after enrollment through online student support systems<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> To the extent practicable, ensure that courses and degree programs offered through the Network (i) are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or authorized by the Council<\/span>, as applicable; (ii) expand access to underserved populations based on income, race, geography, and age; (iii) are responsive to the employment demands of the Commonwealth; (iv) employ learning and delivery technologies, which may include competency-based and experiential learning, in an efficient and cost-effective manner to promote flexibility for each student to pursue online courses and programs at his own pace and in his own location throughout the year; (v) minimize student expenses and reduce time-to-degree or time-to-credential; and (vi) are offered in collaboration with existing public and private providers of online courses; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Promote the refinement and implementation of articulation agreements to ensure that credits earned through the Network are transferable to each other public institution of higher education<\/span> and contribute to on-time degree completion at each such institution; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Assist in developing processes to help institutions and consortia that participate in the Network to expand their online offerings; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Ensure that the Passport Program and the Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program, established pursuant to § 23.1-907<\/a>, be made available through the Network; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Develop specific goals for meeting the demand in the Commonwealth for affordable and accessible higher education through online learning; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Review and report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the cost structure of funds allocated to the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of the Network. In addition, the Authority shall examine ways to reduce the cost of online education and develop a budget that incorporates estimated expected tuition revenue from online students and its use in supporting the Network and assumes that any financial aid will come from existing financial aid programs; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Accept, administer, and account for any state, federal, or private moneys that it may receive. Any moneys, including interest thereon, that have not been expended by the Authority by the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the accounts of the Authority. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF THE AUTHORITY (\u00a7 23.1-3137)\n\nThe Authority shall:\n\n1. Expand access to affordable higher education in the Commonwealth by\nestablishing the Online Virginia Network (the Network) for the purpose of\ncoordinating the online delivery of courses that facilitate the completion of\ndegrees at George Mason University, Old Dominion University, James Madison\nUniversity, and comprehensive community colleges;\n\n2. Encourage each public institution of higher education and each consortium of\npublic institutions of higher education that offers online courses, online\ndegree programs, or online credential programs to offer any such course, degree\nprogram, or credential program through the Network;\n\n3. Oversee a process of approval for public institutions of higher education and\nconsortia of such institutions to participate in the Network, with such funds as\nare appropriated for such purpose and made available to it;\n\n4. Serve as a resource for residents of the Commonwealth and disseminate\ninformation regarding the opportunities for online learning offered by\ninstitutions and consortia that participate in the Network;\n\n5. Coordinate the maintenance of an online portal through which potential\nstudents may examine and enroll seamlessly in Network offerings;\n\n6. Collaborate with institutions and consortia that participate in the Network\nto ensure that the needs of enrolled students are met before, during, and after\nenrollment through online student support systems;\n\n7. To the extent practicable, ensure that courses and degree programs offered\nthrough the Network (i) are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by\nthe U.S. Department of Education or authorized by the Council, as applicable;\n(ii) expand access to underserved populations based on income, race, geography,\nand age; (iii) are responsive to the employment demands of the Commonwealth;\n(iv) employ learning and delivery technologies, which may include\ncompetency-based and experiential learning, in an efficient and cost-effective\nmanner to promote flexibility for each student to pursue online courses and\nprograms at his own pace and in his own location throughout the year; (v)\nminimize student expenses and reduce time-to-degree or time-to-credential; and\n(vi) are offered in collaboration with existing public and private providers of\nonline courses;\n\n8. Promote the refinement and implementation of articulation agreements to\nensure that credits earned through the Network are transferable to each other\npublic institution of higher education and contribute to on-time degree\ncompletion at each such institution;\n\n9. Assist in developing processes to help institutions and consortia that\nparticipate in the Network to expand their online offerings;\n\n10. Ensure that the Passport Program and the Uniform Certificate of General\nStudies Program, established pursuant to § 23.1-907, be made available\nthrough the Network;\n\n11. Develop specific goals for meeting the demand in the Commonwealth for\naffordable and accessible higher education through online learning;\n\n12. Review and report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the\ncost structure of funds allocated to the establishment, maintenance, and\nexpansion of the Network. In addition, the Authority shall examine ways to\nreduce the cost of online education and develop a budget that incorporates\nestimated expected tuition revenue from online students and its use in\nsupporting the Network and assumes that any financial aid will come from\nexisting financial aid programs; and\n\n13. Accept, administer, and account for any state, federal, or private moneys\nthat it may receive. Any moneys, including interest thereon, that have not been\nexpended by the Authority by the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the\ngeneral fund but shall remain in the accounts of the Authority.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 686; 2018, cc. 199, 200, 832, 845; 2020, cc. 174, 340.","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}}