A weekly digest of news and information about higher education in Virginia and across the country, compiled by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Opinions in articles are the authors' alone; sharing does not necessarily indicate agreement.

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In announcing new HQ site, CEO cites Virginia's universities

When the leaders of CoStar, a research and analytic firm for the real-estate industry, looked at potential sites for a new headquarters for its multimilion-dollar research center -- and 730 new jobs -- they had four options their short list: Atlanta; Charlotte; Kansas City, Missouri; and Richmond.

Richmond won. And a big reason why was the nearby institutions of higher learning, writes the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Factors considered were a high quality of life, culture, cost of living, and a highly educated workforce, CEO Andrew Florance told the paper -- in particular "the proximity of such colleges as Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, Virginia Union University, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University and James Madison University."

The company will open the new center by the end of the year in the top floors of the nine-story WestRock building overlooking the James River.

Number of the week

Virginians earned the largest number of degrees and certificates in history from Virginia institutions this year -- a 3.8% increase over last year. Of that total, public colleges and universities awarded 49,726, while private institutions awarded 7,179. Virginia aims to be the best-educated state by 2030 with an additional 1.5 million degrees and workforce credentials.

SCHEV backs school autonomy on funds, supports faculty raises

A university’s endowment or other private resources should not be used by the General Assembly to determine how much public money is appropriated to the school, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said Tuesday. The Times-Dispatch reports that the council also supported "using tuition revenue to support faculty salaries."

Related: Public Support of Higher Ed Not Dependent on Private Funds (The Daily Progress editorial)

EVMS chosen for medical-education consortium

The American Medical Association announced Wednesday it has chosen Eastern Virginia Medical School as one of 20 across the country to help reshape medical education.

Stranded ITT Tech students find help, frustration

With thousands of Virginia students looking for options following the closing of ITT Tech, the state's community colleges are stepping up: Virginia Western Community College i s working with the former students in the Roanoke area, while Tidewater Community College this week announced a new scholarship fund for ITT Tech students.

Related: The trustee "appointed to liquidate ITT Tech’s assets and help divvy them up among creditors wants to put the brakes on just about everything as she dissects the carcass of the crumbled for-profit college," writes Politico.

Liberty University's students in the age of Trump

Four decades after its founding by Jerry Falwell, Liberty University has more influence than ever on evangelical and conservative politics. But as the presidential campaign winds on, many of its students seem to have other goals, writes The Atlantic: "Liberty’s students seem to want a new model for their Christian education -- one that’s less tied to Republican politics."

Question of the week
What can stop the rising price of college? Two studies from The College Board show that though "sticker price" for college went up only modestly in recent years, "there were considerable increases in net tuition and fees over the past few years,” reports the Washington Post -- well above the rate of inflation. On the other hand: "Grants constituted 55 percent of the funds used by undergraduates in 2015-2016, the highest level in recent years." Bloomberg News suggests the steady increase could add impetus to Hillary Clinton's plan to make college tuition-free for some students.

SCHEV

Plan would make New College Institute part of Longwood
The Daily Progress - October 26, 2016

Virginia Higher Education

C ommunity colleges direct funds to expand workforce training
Work It SOVA - October 24, 2016
The Virginia Community College system has directed $5.3 million to community colleges around the Commonwealth to augment or create new workforce credential training programs, based on local needs and innovative proposals.

U.Va.'s dean of students describes frustrations with 'Jackie,' Rolling Stone
Daily Progress - October 27, 2016
"Groves said he believed the article to be 'over-the-top' and 'designed to make an almost comic demonization' of Eramo and U.Va."

Governor Announces $1 Million Workforce Development Grant
NBC29 - October 26, 2016
The grant comes from USA Funds and will focus on young black or Latino students in the Richmond-Petersburg area.

Editorial: How student loans depress economic growth
The Roanoke Times - October 24, 2016
"Students and young adults say they can’t afford to take the risk of starting a new company because they have student loans to pay. Or they can’t afford to take the risk of going to work for a new company."

National Higher Education

Trending to Zero: The Lasting Impact of Total State Disinvestment from Public Higher Education
The Evolllution - October 28, 2016
The Pell Institute projects that when children born five years from now graduate high school, 13 states will provide zero funding for public higher education. At this rate, nationally we will reach zero funding by 2058.

New federal rules could make loan forgiveness easier
The Washington Post - October 28, 2016
The regulations overhaul a statute that wipes away federal loans if a school used illegal or deceptive tactics to persuade students to borrow money.

Advice for ensuring boards are prepared to deal with what's ahead (essay)
Inside Higher Ed - October 27, 2016
Is your board ready for the future?

The Obama administration has given community colleges a moment in the sun (essay)
Inside Higher Ed - October 25, 2016
Notable: Funding included $1.6 billion in Pell grants for Virginia community-college students.

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Learn more about the State Council of Higher Education for VIrginia and The Virginia Plan for Higher Education at www.schev.edu.
Feedback welcome at schevcommunications@schev.edu.

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