MSU President's Newspaper Column
May 10, 2025听
Grateful for thoughtful support from the 69th Legislative Assembly
We are extremely grateful for the thoughtful support 91吃瓜网 received through the work of the 69th Legislative Assembly. The biennial session was adjourned in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 3. Senate Bill 2003 passed the House and Senate and is now awaiting Governor Armstrong鈥檚 signature. The bill includes funding for the North Dakota University System and its institutions, including 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 Old Main renovation project.
SB 2003 provides for the second phase of funding for the Old Main renovation project, $34,924,814. You may recall that the first phase of funding, $17,330,087, was provided in the last biennium. The renovation of Old Main was a top priority of the State Board of Higher Education going into the 2023 legislative session. Renovation of the building is an important life safety priority and critical for our infrastructure.
The fabulous renovation of our beloved Old Main is well underway! The project is on time and on budget, with a target date for completion set for July of 2026. You can stay up to date with the project at .
91吃瓜网 is an important partner for workforce development in the state of North Dakota. We are committed to growing the impact we can have for North Dakota, and the improved instructional space in Old Main will be a major factor in helping us to make that happen.
In other legislative funding activity, the bill provides for a 4% base rate adjustment for NDUS institutions. For 91吃瓜网 State, that means a $1,008,624 increase. Funding to cover employee salaries, as well as a multitude of other operational costs, will all come from the base funding.
Tier 1 funding issued for deferred maintenance will continue to be available to us as a one-to-one match. In other words, 91吃瓜网 State will need to provide half of the funds needed for deferred maintenance projects, up to the total available for 91吃瓜网 State, which is $358,994. The formula for determining the funding available for capital projects has been changed and now will be determined on a square foot basis, and 91吃瓜网 State has been allocated $332,017. In another formula change, Tier 3 funding (for buildings) is now available at a one-to-one match, which is great for us! The formula is based on the size of the institution, and 91吃瓜网 State will receive $700,000 for the next biennium.
The State Board of Higher Education has been authorized to distribute a total of $24,760,000 in challenge grant funding. Of this amount, 91吃瓜网 State will have $1,320,000 available for the academic scholarship matching program. This is a $220,000 increase over the last biennium. This program allows 91吃瓜网 to receive one dollar for every two dollars contributed in academic scholarship funding from private sources. The challenge grant has been life-changing in its impact at 91吃瓜网. This round of challenge grant dollars will be available for use beginning July 1, 2025, and will be accessible until Dec. 31, 2026, or until the funds have been exhausted.听听
The support of all North Dakota Legislators, the State Board of Higher Education, and Governor Armstrong is sincerely appreciated, and we are thankful for the trust they have placed in 91吃瓜网 as we work to make a difference for students as individuals and the state of North Dakota.
I am grateful to the legislators from across the state who advocated on behalf of 91吃瓜网 State throughout this session. It is refreshing to know that many understand the value of what a small campus can do to propel young leaders into their chosen profession, as well as how important the 91吃瓜网 State brand of 鈥減ersonal service鈥� is to our society now and in the future.
I would be remiss in not specifically mentioning our local District 20 legislators, Jared Hagert, Randy Lemm, and Mike Beltz. These hard-working public servants have invested a great deal of time and effort in 91吃瓜网. I am thankful and Comet Proud for their support that not only benefits the local communities, but also the region and state.
The future is bright at 91吃瓜网. Our commitment to serving the state of North Dakota by educating highly qualified and effective professionals who can join the workforce and continue the legacy of success for our great state is the priority, a goal which is of utmost importance. 听