In a conference call meeting on April 6, the State Board of Higher Education restated its support for two key initiatives included in the board’s 2009‐11 North Dakota University System budget request.

Funding to keep higher education affordable for students and equity funding to address campus priorities are omitted from SB 2003, the NDUS budget bill, in amendments adopted by the House Appropriations Committee, Education and Environment Division. The State Board of Higher Education agreed on the urgency to oppose these amendments and maintain this funding.

“The State Board of Higher Education’s 2009‐11 budget request focuses on providing high‐quality education at an affordable cost, in response to the needs of our students and our state,” said Richie Smith, State Board of Higher Education president. “These budget initiatives are vitally important to the future of higher education in our state.”

To view a resolution and position statement, go to www.ndus.edu/news/news-releases/details.asp?id=101.