There was no debate and no discussion on the equally bare-bones budget for community colleges that followed the university budget-setting this morning. Community colleges will take an 11 percent cut in their state general funds next year, under the budget, but see a 5.4 percent cut overall, thanks to the addition of $1.6 million in federal stimulus money. No additional items were funded in the budget over last year, not even the $102,000 that Gov. Butch Otter recommended for additional nursing faculty positions, the only one of five budget expansion requests from Idaho's three community colleges that got his nod. Going unfunded are requests for a campus technology upgrade, more funding for dual credit math and science programs, building occupancy costs, and a new dental hygiene and assistant program at North Idaho College. NIC had hoped for $605,100 next year to start up the program in partnership with a local free clinic.

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