Higher ed council seeks $109M

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is asking for $109 million more than it was budgeted, in part to help pay for an additional 2 percent faculty salary increase.

SCHEV unanimously approved its budget recommendations on Monday. The requests go to the governor and the General Assembly for consideration.

Chairman Gil Bland thanked lawmakers for the $258 million investment in higher education that was approved last year. But he said additional funding was needed to help mitigate tuition increases and improve performance by both students and institutions.

SCHEV recommended $71.5 million to provide more faculty and staff, instructional materials, improve retention and graduation and to increase in-state enrollment. The 2 percent faculty salary increase would begin in July.

Another $27 million was requested to provide financial aid.