Collegiate Times

Delegate Robert Tata proposed a house-joint resolution to the Virginia General Assembly that proposes a study of the feasibility of a four-year degree-granting institution of higher education in the City of Virginia Beach.

Currently, Virginia Beach is home to Tidewater Community College, as well as two private schools, Virginia Wesleyan College and Regant University. However, it is also one of largest cities in the country without a four-year, state-supported university.

With eleven high schools in the area averaging around 500 graduating seniors each, Delegate Tata feels that a four-year institution would give students more options for higher education.

ÒStudents would have the option to go to a four-year college without having to move,Ó said Tata, ÒWith tuition costs how they are today, that is a god-send to come parents.Ó

Tata suggests the Higher Education building in Virginia Beach run by Old Dominion University and Norfolk State as an option for the location because it is currently only partially used. He also suggests that the college could be a branch of another University, citing University of North Carolina in Charlotte as an example.

Kathleen Kincheloe, the Assistant Director of Communication for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said that the proposal has been introduced to the House and reffered to a subcommittee.

ÒIf the majority of the subcommittee decides that it should be looked at further, it will be sent to the Senate,Ó Kincheloe said, ÒThen, if the majority of the Senate approves the proposal it will finally be sent to Governer Kaine.Ó

Larry Hincker, Associate Vice President of University Relations at Virginia Tech feels the proposal for higher education in Virginia Beach is a good idea.

ÒVirginia Tech is on a state-wide mission for undergraduate and graduate education, and we believe that the needs of the citizens of the sates should be satisfied,Ó Hincker said.