North Dakota's Board of Higher Education
has approved its proposed budget for the next two years. Now board
members will see how the Legislature responds next year.
Board members on Thursday endorsed asking for a 16 percent
general fund spending increase for the next two years.
That adds up to almost $700 million for North Dakota's 11 public
colleges. The figure includes North Dakota State University's
extension service and agricultural research stations.
Board members also want 14 building and renovation projects.
They would cost $146 million.
New chancellor Ham Shirvani wants to increase
the size of the university system's office staff from 26 to 56. The
proposal includes more attorneys and rules compliance officers.
Shirvani says expanding the staff will help colleges operate as
a more unified system.
