Collegiate Times

Correction: This story has been modified from its original version. — This article has been modified from its original version to correct the misspelling of certain Greek organizations. The Collegiate Times regrets these errors.

Spencer said Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi and Beta Theta Pi are the only three groups that have submitted applications or letters of commitment to the new community.

The closing of the nine-hole Tech golf course is still nearly a decade away, though the first stage of phase four could be completed within two to three years.

Spencer noted the university has been avoiding expanding onto the remaining nine holes of the golf course for as long as possible.

“The golf course is the last piece of land contiguous to the main campus to which we can expand,” Spencer said.

Spencer outlined the university master plan, which includes the Oak Lane expansion, as well as a parking garage and academic and student support buildings on the land currently occupied by the course.

Laura Fornash, director of state government relations for Tech, noted the university has a considerable amount of authority when it comes to restructuring with capital outlay. In order for Tech to pursue legislation, Fornash said the university must simply find a patron to introduce the bill.

“We just ask a legislator and usually if it’s a concept they understand, they are willing to patron the bill,” Fornash said. “Timing is important as to when you get the concept to them. It varies on their load, if they have a lot of bills that will be demanding on their time.”

Specific to HB43 and SB434, Fornash referenced three levels of autonomy in capital outlay, a system that governs the freedom a particular university has in project development. Tech has level three clearance, granting it the most freedom possible for a state university.

“There is a lot of red tape cut between the institutions and state government so we don’t have to go to Richmond on certain things,” Fornash said.

In addition to Tech, William and Mary and the University of Virginia also both have maximum flexibility. Virginia Commonwealth University is currently in the process of applying for level three autonomy.

On a given year, Fornash said Tech can track upwards of 150 bills in the House and Senate relative to higher education that include capital outlay, human resources, and finance, among other things.

In the 2010 session, Fornash highlighted HB1189, dealing with a restructuring of retirement plans state employees. The bill was rejected on March 1.

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A version of this article appeared in the Mar 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.