Budget requests for everything from facility upgrades to quantum computing were made at the latest Board of Regents meeting. While schools seek more funding, freezing tuition and paying off debts have been prioritized.
Across the state’s university system keeping tuition rates locked remains a top priority. That move is supported by Board president Tim Rave.
“For me at least, and I know hearing from all the presidents and other interested parties, the tuition freeze is something that does make a huge impact and has strategically placed us in a position over our neighboring states," Rave said. "So, to me, that one is important to have discussion about, and I think all of these are excellent proposals.”
Another system-wide request from Heather Forney, Regents Vice President of Finance, was for $10 million to remove debts, but there are inequities in the makeup of the budget as it stands.
Black Hills State University President Laurie Nichols said her school is the most underfunded among institutions in the Regental system. She said the university operates at roughly three-fourths of an ideal budget.
“I will tell you nobody operates on a leaner budget than Black Hills State," Nichols said. "I can say that from personal experience serving as a provost or a president at three of the institutions. It is lean, and there are a lot of things that we would love to do that we just can’t do. Mostly, I am asking for this money for our students, because we aren’t able to provide some of the student support services that are really critical today.”
Nichols requested a $3 million infusion for the school. But she said BHSU needs a significantly higher amount to fully close the gap with peer institutions.
“This is a high priority for us," Nichols said. "In fact, if it’s the only thing we get, this would be what we would like to get, because we think it gets BH back in the ballgame and back on par with the other institutions, and I think that it deserves that.”
Another goal of Nichols was to make the BHSU business program a regional pipeline school for high-demand accounting and business majors. The board did not take formal action on the requests this meeting.