When I became chancellor of the North Dakota University System 11 months ago, my pledge to the people of North Dakota was to listen to our many internal and external constituents and to engage in a statewide dialogue about the role and expectations of the University System.
During this short period of time, I have learned a great deal. Clearly, there is tremendous support for our state system of higher education. There also is a strong need to provide objective, accurate information about the vision and direction of the University System.
To that end, I plan to submit a series of articles to statewide newspapers over the coming months. These articles will focus on many dimensions of the University System, such as the system's relationship with the state and its future, the system's achievements and challenges, and its commitment to student success. I believe this discussion will help North Dakotans gain a better understanding of the complex and dynamic organization that is our University System.
Before I begin this series of articles, however, I believe it is important to address two key issues that have drawn significant media attention in recent weeks: the role of the State Board of Higher Education in governing the 11 University System colleges and universities and the 2009-11 NDUS budget request.
State Board of Higher Education members are constitutionally mandated to submit to the governor and Legislature a needs-based budget request. They must consider the NDUS budget proposal on the basis of how the University System can best respond to state needs and public expectations. This planning process is conducted in an open environment and reported on by the media. SBHE members appreciate and respect the public nature of their work; they also understand the importance of having full knowledge of the background information on which those decisions are made.
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During the past 11 months, I have gained a deep appreciation for the current members of the State Board of Higher Education and their tremendous commitment of time and energy to doing what's right for our students and the University System as a whole. This is a forward-thinking group of lay citizens, and its members are dedicated to the future of our state and its people.
As the SBHE continues discussion of the 2009-11 NDUS budget request, I respectfully ask you to keep an open mind about the initiatives included in this plan. These initiatives have been developed in direct response to needs expressed by legislators, private-sector business leaders, NDUS colleges and universities, and the parents and students who share the cost of higher education. The budget proposal includes funding to increase state student financial aid, hold down the cost of tuition, respond to work force needs, enhance campus security, improve faculty and staff salaries, and address other urgent needs.
The NDUS budget proposal continues to move through the board review process and soon will be complete. Then the final budget proposal will be provided to the governor and the Legislature, where it will be discussed, analyzed and acted upon.
I am committed to helping you become more informed about this process so that you can consider the NDUS budget request from the perspective of its potential to prepare students to compete in an increasingly global society and its potential to help drive our state's economic development.
Goetz is a former Dickinson, N.D., legislator and educator, former chief of staff for Gov. John Hoeven, and current chancellor of the N.D. University System.
