Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, told ISU President Arthur Vailas, "I am concerned that the unrestricted, unallocated net assets for the universities are as low as they are," and Vailas said, "I have the same concerns you do." Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, said he looks at it differently: The state has spent its reserves in this economic downturn, he said, so why shouldn't the universities as well?" Vailas responded, "A reserve fund to me is a misnomer. I look at that as an emergency fund that, as Rep. Wood said, is really inadequate." Emergencies, he said, "I know are going to come before us."

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