North Dakota State University would have to significantly raise tuition or cut programs if changes to a higher education bill approved Wednesday in the state House are also endorsed by the Senate.
"We simply can't continue to do what we're doing with less resources than we currently have," said NDSU President Dean Bresciani.
The House on Wednesday voted 64-29 in support of House Bill 1003, which funds the North Dakota University System.
Earlier Wednesday, the House voted 59-34 in favor of amendments to the bill that cut $32.8 million from Gov. Jack Dalrymple's recommendation.
In total, the bill provides a $44.9 million increase in base funding for higher education, an 8.4 percent increase, plus $35.9 million in one-time funding and major building projects.
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But what was eliminated from the bill prompted the state Board of Higher Education, students and officials to express concerns.
Most controversial is the amendment that removes $6.6 million that would have frozen or limited tuition increases.
Andrew Brown, president of the North Dakota Student Association and a graduate student at the University of North Dakota, said students are disappointed House members want them to pay more for education at a time when the state has a surplus.
"If they're worried about students leaving (the state), this is not the way to get students to stay," Brown said.
The amendments also eliminate $10 million for equity funding, of which NDSU would have received $4.7 million.
Rep. Bob Skarphol, R-Tioga, chairman of the subcommittee that recommended the amendments, said higher education is unwilling to adapt.
"I think we're generous, probably beyond what we should be, until they indicate a willingness to change," Skarphol said.
Rep. Eliot Glassheim, D-Grand Forks, opposed the amendments and asked members to send the bill back to the committee.
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"We've got to invest in mining the human talents of our state so we will create our future smart people who will make our state strong," he said.
Other amendments:
- Removing $5 million for performance funding that would be allocated based on how campuses perform on measures.
- Removing $8.8 million for a library at Dickinson State University.
- Removing $8 million for the Valley City State University Rhoades Science Center, which the board made its No. 2 priority.
The amendments do add dollars into the budget that Dalrymple didn't include, such as fully funding a system technology facility and $10.5 million for a North Dakota State College of Science diesel technology building.
Students and university officials said they will continue to make the case for funding to the Senate.
"I have to remain optimistic about the impact that higher education, particularly NDSU, is having on North Dakota, and that the Senate is going to find the means to recognize that," Bresciani said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter
Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
