Hoeven signs $633 million higher education funding bill at MSU
Gov. John Hoeven was joined by legislators and campus and university system officials at Minot State University April 30 to sign House Bill 1003, the higher education budget bill, which increases funding for the system by $89 million. The bill raises the higher education budget to $633 million, with a 23 percent increase in state funding, and limits tuition increases for the next two years.
"For the first time ever, we are funding the needsbased budget of Higher Education at the level requested by the board," Hoeven said. "This legislation, which includes a range of new grant, assistance and savings programs for students and families, will help hold the line on tuition increases and keep the cost of a college education in North Dakota affordable."
"The legislation keeps tuition increases at all North Dakota University System institutions at no more than 5 percent each year for each year of the biennium. Also included in the bill was funding for raises at an average of 5 percent each year for university employees, including faculty and staff.
The bill was closely watched by MSU officials because it contained funding for two key building projects - renovation of Swain Hall and repair of the MSU Dome floor. President David Fuller and Vice President for Administration and Finance Ron Dorn had testified a number of times during the Legislative session about the need for appropriated funding for salary increases and MSU capital projects.