|
seek additional state funding aimed at holding down tuition and fee increases for students at the six state-run universities.
• The regents unanimously approved a budget request that seeks a $14.5 million total increase in state funding for operating the state universities in the year beginning July 1, 2013. The governor and the Legislature will have the final say on the budget. The regents will set tuition for the 2014 school year next spring after the Legislature approves a new state budget.
• The board is requesting about $2.8 million in additional state money to cover inflation in operating costs and a 1 percent faculty salary increase aimed at making South Dakota salaries competitive with those paid at public universities in nearby states. Another $3.2 million would be divided among the universities based on each school's success in graduating more students, retaining more students between their freshman and sophomore years and increasing research activities.
• An extra $2.3 million in state funding is being sought to maintain campus buildings and other facilities.
• Those requests will help hold down tuition and fee increases that otherwise might be used for the programs, regents said.
• "Our goal is to stem the tide of the cost shifting to students as a result of declining state support," Regents President Kathryn Johnson said.
• In its budget request to Gov. Dennis Daugaard, the regents also asked the governor to make salary increases for all state workers the highest priority when he submits his budget to the Legislature. The 1 percent faculty salary increase in the board's budget request would be in addition to the pay raise all state employees receive.
• Other priorities identified by the board include more scholarship aid for students and increased support for agricultural research.
(Continued on page 15)
|
|
