THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, May 10, 1995                TAG: 9505100420
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY PHILIP WALZER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   60 lines

ODU, NSU LEAD STATE COLLEGES IN DECLINING USE OF CLASSROOMS THE NUMBERS HAVE BECOME A FOCUS AS BUDGETS ARE CUT.

Old Dominion and Norfolk State universities suffered the biggest drops among Virginia colleges in the use of classroom space since 1992, says a state study released Tuesday.

ODU officials said the report does not reflect the growth of classes at its off-campus centers in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth or the university's Teletechnet network, which beams classes to Virginia community colleges.

``The figures ignore the students we are teaching out there,'' President James V. Koch said. ``Our entire change came about to teach students where they are rather than insist they come to Hampton Boulevard.''

The report, issued by the State Council of Higher Education, found that a majority of schools - primarily community colleges - are using classrooms more often since 1992. But 10 of the state's 15 four-year colleges - including ODU - remain below the state's recommended guideline: Every classroom should be used 40 hours per week.

ODU fell from a 39-hour average in 1992 to 34 hours last year, putting it in the middle of the pack. Norfolk State University was the other big loser, dropping from 30 hours to 27.

The issue of classroom use has grown in importance as the state has prodded colleges to cut costs and increase efficiency. But some members of the council, which met at ODU on Tuesday, suggested they should put more heat on the schools.

``It seems like we ought to be talking about this'' more, said Donald Patten of Newport News. ``It's one of the things the governor would be criticizing.''

Gordon K. Davies, the director of the council, said schools with low usage would have a hard time getting approval for new campus buildings.

Donald J. Finley, an associate director of the council, said some schools already are working to increase use. The University of Virginia is allowing Piedmont Virginia Community College to use empty rooms at night.

The study showed that Christopher Newport University gets the most use out of its classrooms, with an average of 52 hours a week. George Mason was second, at 48.

Also at the meeting, Koch pushed for more state aid for ODU. The university got $4,694 from the state for each full-time in-state student in 1994-95, ODU figures show. Among doctoral institutions, only George Mason got less - $4,175. The average for all doctoral schools was $5,786.

Meanwhile, ODU spends a greater share of its budget on instruction than most schools, Koch said, and has a higher student-to-employee ratio than any other doctoral school in Virginia, except George Mason.

Vice President David F. Harnage said afterward: ``It shows you that, No. 1, we're very efficient at what we do, and, No. 2, with more funds we could do a lot more.''

The council annually makes budget recommendations to the General Assembly and the governor, who decide college funding.

KEYWORDS: HIGHER EDUCATION by CNB