SCHEV APPROVES CLASSES AT VIRGINIA BEACH HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia on Tuesday approved Old Dominion University's request to offer lower-level classes at its Virginia Beach Higher Education Center (VBHEC).

The Council voted 7-3 to allow the classes for five years, until the 2011-12 academic year. The university will be required to submit a report on its success for the permission to be renewed. Additionally, the university may offer no more than 25 of the approximately 350 total classes as lower-level classes, and it must explore additional collaborations with Tidewater Community College and Norfolk State University to provide joint undergraduate programs.

Old Dominion will offer 10 four-year degree programs at the VBHEC, allowing students to take all of their courses for a bachelor's degree at the center. The programs, in health services, education and counseling, communication, criminal justice and management, are designed to help meet the workforce needs of the city of Virginia Beach.

Approximately 4,500 ODU students live in Virginia Beach, and more than 3,500 students take classes at the center each year. Further, 475 faculty and staff live in Virginia Beach, and the city is home to some 15,700 ODU graduates.

Old Dominion University opened the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, located on Concert Drive between Princess Anne and Rosemont roads, in August 1999. The $14.5 million facility was built on 36 acres of land donated by the city of Virginia Beach. ODU oversees the operation of the 89,000-square-foot center, which also offers selected Norfolk State University classes. Prior to fall 1999, ODU and NSU operated the Virginia Beach Center on Little Neck Road, which opened in 1988.