During UVA President John Casteen’s final Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting before he retires in August, the board approved a $2.4 billion operating budget for the 2010-2011 academic year. However, it also ruled that a design for the expansion of Newcomb Dining Hall needed a makeover before it could move forward.
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Newcomb Hall Dining’s proposed $16-18 million expansion (pictured) will take on a new look after a few BOV members suggested the design lacked that UVA feel. |
The $2.4 billion budget is an increase of 4.2 percent, compared to last year’s budget. About 56 percent of the budget—$1.3 billion—is dedicated to UVA’s academic division. Another 43 percent—$1.02 billion—goes to the UVA Medical Center, and the remaining $34.4 million is for the university’s College at Wise.
“The increase in the academic division budget is essentially related to the research activity that we are projecting,” says Leonard Sandridge, UVA’s Chief Operating Officer. Roughly 42.9 percent of the school’s operating budget comes from patient revenues, 17.6 percent from tuition and fees, 13.6 percent from sponsored programs, and a mere 6.3 percent from the state’s General Fund.
While the operating budget will see a boost, Sandridge suggested that UVA is already anticipating the loss of one-time funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2012. Since October 2007, UVA has been hit with $36.8 million in budget reductions, and anticipates a reduction of at least $14.7 million for the 2011-2012 academic year.
“We aren’t making ongoing commitments in this budget that call for the use of stimulus monies,” said Sandridge. For the 2010-2011 academic year, the entirety of UVA’s $21 million in stimulus funds will be used to fund AccessUVA, the University’s financial aid program, said Colette Sheehy, vice president for Management and Budget.
Despite reductions, the development of the University’s future rolls on. In the past year, 355 sets of building plans were reviewed, up 10 percent from last year, while building permits increased from 148 to 172.
The BOV also expressed its dislike of a design for the expansion of Newcomb Hall Dining, a project estimated to cost between $16 million and $18 million. The utilitarian design includes a two-story entry with a skylight, which University Architect David Neuman called a new portal for the University.
“I just don’t think it says ‘University of Virginia,’” responded board member Robert Hardie, adding that it looked “heavy” and disconnected from the rest of the building. A second board member, Helen Dragas, expressed the same sentiment and asked that the design concept return to the drawing board for changes, to be reviewed at a later date.
During a report on student life, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Pat Lampkin told the board that the death of fourth-year student and lacrosse player Yeardley Love (see page 9) has been a cause of shock for the entire University community.
“Our response to this tragic incident has been guided by the protocols and emergency plans that were already in place,” she told the board. “This tragedy has affected the student body deeply.” Lampkin said her office’s focus during the summer and the next academic year will be to ensure students take full advantage of available support resources.
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