EDUCATIONAL TRANSFORMATION AND WORKFORCE PROGRAMS: $4.8M ONE-TIME FUNDS

NDSU requests one-time funds to continue the transformational educational programmatic efforts launched during the 2023-25 biennium. These continuing efforts relate to curriculum transformation, student success initiatives, faculty and industry engagement, digital tool utilization, and workforce aligned programs.

Continuing this funding allows NDSU to further engage with industry leaders to provide programs that will prepare students for the North Dakota workforce.

HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA-SBHE REPORT

NDSU supports the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) Funding Formula Ad Hoc committee report presented and unanimously approved at the July 31, 2024 meeting. This report was prepared with an overview of the current formula and provides several recommendations for legislative consideration during the 69th Legislative Assembly.

Report recommendations approved by the SBHE:

• Remove the (per credit) averaging function or develop better solution for equity/parity
• Address unintended consequences for growing institutions impacted by the credit completion factor (NDCC 15-18.2-03)
• Strategically invest and align credit weightings with highest demand degrees through action in the 2025 session and continued studies with the legislature
• Formula enhancements, such as working in ND post-graduation, for legislative consideration

The report can be requested from the North Dakota University System.

CHALLENGE GRANT: $20M

NDSU supports continuation of the Challenge Grant funding and any increased funding included in the ND University System request. The continued support utilizes public/private partnerships to build workforce and applied research to benefit North Dakota.

TRANSFORMING STUDENT-WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE: $25M

Create a transformative, student-workforce for the future, including leaders in engineering, precision agriculture, pharmacy, and allied and life sciences, while building a strong K-12 pipeline.

RESEARCH COMPUTING- AI AND HIGH- PERFORMANCE COMPUTING STORAGE: $4M

NDSU and UND are each requesting $4 million in ongoing funds for additional computational and data- driven research. For example, research areas that could be supported with this initiative are: Artificial Intelligence, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, Food, Energy and Water Security. This will advance several areas of applied research and will require additional FTE with specialty knowledge in this area.

SBHE/ND UNIVERSITY SYSTEM REQUESTS (NDSU SUPPORTS):

1. Restore Governor 3% reduction: $4,724,723
2. Inflation Factor Increase: $4,724,723
3. Compensation package, cost to continue, continuation of support for students by funding tuition component of compensation package.
4. NDPERS defined benefit plan closure. Funding for general and special/other fund related costs due to the change: TBD/unknown amount until October or legislative session
5. Economic Diversification Research Funding continuation
6. Proposed initiatives requested through the ND University System and Envision 2035 Plan