BSU Legislative Priorities
Boise State University – Legislative and Public Policy Priorities for the 2009 Session
- In the current economic environment, Boise State's top legislative priority for the 2009 session is to maintain current base funding levels with at least a moderate increase to ensure continuance of current levels of operations and to keep student tuition and fee levels from rising too much in the future. Ensuring the state continues its support of and investment in higher education will ensure a place for all students and will also have a positive impact on local and regional economic development.
- Boise State supports an ongoing, dedicated fund to support capital projects in higher education. With the transfer of the Academic Building and property at the West Campus to support the development of the College of Western Idaho, Boise State now lags behind other universities in state funding for buildings.
- Boise State supports state rules and statutes relative to employee issues, purchasing, and construction that consider the unique nature of higher education and treats it in a manner that allows for maximum flexibility to respond to student needs as well as compete for faculty and staff within the higher education marketplace.
- In relation to medical education, Boise State believes that Idaho's best option to meet the immediate needs of students and citizens is to continue and enhance our efforts with the WWAMI program through the University of Washington. In addition, since a good predictor of where a physician will ultimately practice is where they do their residency, Boise State supports expanding residency opportunities in Idaho and developing a debt forgiveness incentive to attract new residents.
- Boise State supports expanded opportunities for concurrent credit offerings to Idaho high school students, and believes that program offerings should be thoughtfully coordinated by service region to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts, confusion for students, and to ensure high quality offerings.
- Boise State stands ready to support and assist with public policy efforts to enhance scholarship opportunities and debt forgiveness programs to ensure deserving students are afforded access to postsecondary education.
