JFAC approves 3% boost in state funding for higher ed next year

On a unanimous vote, legislative budget writers have set a budget for Idaho’s four-year colleges and universities next year that matches Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation for a 3 percent increase in state funds, and 4.4 percent overall. The budget includes $2.03 million for an array of proposals from the colleges under the “Complete College Idaho” initiative, aimed at getting more of Idaho’s population to have post-secondary degrees or certificates; the State Board of Education had requested $9.3 million for that, and Otter recommended $2.6 million. Budget writers also upped the amount for a computer science workforce initiative at Boise State University to $1.26 million to match the full request; Otter had recommended just $694,600.

The lawmakers also added a requirement for the State Board of Education to report back to the Legislature on the progress and results under the Complete College Initiative. The amounts for next year cover $546,500 for BSU’s proposal to address barriers to degree progression; $630,600 for ISU’s bridge programs to address specific student populations; $557,100 for the U of I to increase advisory staff; and $229,600 for LCSC to add key faculty positions for general education courses.