Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 10, 1995 TAG: 9505100039
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
``We wanted to make sure we're all working together in Virginia,'' Allen said after the 70-minute session. ``It was a very positive, constructive meeting. There will be ongoing discussions.''
At the meeting, Allen reiterated his hope that Virginia Cooperative Extension, based at Virginia Tech, will get out of social service programs and return to its original mission of agriculture and 4-H, said Tech President Paul Torgersen.
"That's not a surprise message," said Torgersen, who has appointed an internal committee to review this issue.
The governor's request for the Capitol session went out last Tuesday, with the 16 presidents advised to personally appear and not send representatives. But Allen insisted that his intentions were not punitive - as was the case when the presidents last assembled on a chief executive's orders under Gov. Douglas Wilder.
That meeting was called on the heels of a statewide newspaper series detailing colleges' bloated administrations, numerous sideline ventures and senior professors who sometimes teach little.
``It wasn't a session to berate anyone,'' Allen said. ``It was a session to have a direct discussion of where I think we need to go in higher education.''
Several presidents agreed with Allen's summary of their gathering, terming it a good meeting and an open exchange of ideas.
But the presidents, who met privately before joining the governor, also had a message of their own to deliver, said Virginia Commonwealth University President Dr. Eugene P. Trani, the group's spokesman.
``We are unanimous in our views and concerns for higher education and we share a sense of urgency,'' Trani said. ``It's a critical time in higher education.
``Higher education is a major part of what attracts people to Virginia,'' Trani added. ``We're concerned with the decline of general fund support and increasing tuitions, most of which occurred before his [Allen's] administration.''
Virginia's colleges have become increasingly vocal over plummeting state support, with higher education budget cuts in the late 1980s and early 1990s totaling nearly $500 million.
When Allen called this winter for further cuts in college funding, the presidents helped lead the charge against the governor's proposed budget, which was defeated by the General Assembly.
Allen said Monday's meeting was not called to mend fences with the state's colleges and universities.
``It had nothing to do with what's happened in the last 16 or 18 months, but where we want to go in the future,'' he said.
Torgersen agreed that Allen seemed to be looking ahead.
"That was certainly the tone set," he said. "On the other hand, there were no promises, and no commitments."
Allen said he wanted to discuss ways to promote his platform of education, job growth and economic development.
Torgersen said Allen made it clear that he includes higher education within his education plank.
"He was interested in fact if salaries had in fact suffered with respect to peer institutions," Torgersen said, adding that the governor wanted to see examples of faculty who are leaving due to lower salaries in the state.
Also raised were issues such as projected enrollment increases, college building needs and technology.
Staff Writer Allison Blake contributed information to this story.
by CNB