Virginia State University Responds To JLARC Report On Viability Risk

Dear Trojans,

A study released this week by the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) has identified Virginia State University as being at a low level of viability risk. The report assessed all Virginia institutions and highlighted that three public universities have a low viability risk. VSU's low risks stem from challenges in pricing power (related to our affordable tuition cost) as well as the age and condition of some of our facilities.

According to the report, “Virginia State faces risk related to its pricing power and facility conditions. Virginia State has positive factors such as enrollment growth over the past eight years—particularly since the pandemic—and relatively stable retention and graduation rates. However, Virginia State’s inflation-adjusted tuition revenue per student has declined approximately 26 percent since 2015. The greater financial needs of Virginia State’s student population explain—but also compound—its pricing power challenges. Of the state’s public four-year higher education institutions, Virginia State has the highest percentage of students receiving a Pell Grant. Virginia State also faces risks related to the relatively poor condition of its facilities and lack of adequate student housing. The state, though, has recently been providing more operating and capital funding, which Virginia State anticipates will begin to help. The university expects to open several new buildings for the fall 2025 academic semester.”

These findings do not come as a surprise to us. In fact, they underscore what we already know, that as an HBCU, VSU has historically been underfunded compared to our contemporaries. However, we want to thank the Governor and the General Assembly, particularly the Legislative Black Caucus, for their continued support in addressing these findings.

Virginia State University is the fourth oldest public higher education institution in the Commonwealth, and we have the oldest facilities of any public university in Virginia. We have been successful in recent years and certainly during the current administration and legislative sessions in securing funding for new buildings and renovations to existing structures to accommodate our increasing enrollment.

Our tuition remains among the lowest in the state, which allows us to continue to serve a population of first-generation college students, many of whom come from working-class backgrounds. This is reflected in the fact that more than seventy percent of our students receive Pell Grants, underscoring our dedication to providing access to every student who aspires to attend VSU. This goal aligns with our mission to foster academic excellence and opportunity for all. We recognize that while our tuition cost has lowered our tuition revenue, it has increased access and contributed significantly to upward mobility and a more diverse workforce in the Commonwealth. It has furthermore made us a highly sought-after educational option in Virginia as we remain one of the fastest-growing universities in the State.

We are excited to continue to work with our state and federal governments to secure additional and needed funding as we continue to make a difference in Virginia and in the opportunities that we provide to transform the lives of generations to come.

Additionally, here is a link to the complete study if you wish to view it: https://jlarc.virginia.gov/pdfs/reports/Rpt593.pdf

Sincerely,

Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D.

President