Guest Opinion
Boise State University – 2008 Legislative Agenda
Center for Environmental Science and Economic Development (CESED)
Boise State has requested state funding to cover part of the costs of a new state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary research building
to house the departments of Geosciences, Civil Engineering, Public Policy and Administration and Political Science. CESED will
nurture initiatives, educational programs and research partnerships in the areas of environmental science and economic development.
Cross-pollination of programs in areas like the environment, transportation, water, land use and community and regional planning will truly make CESED a hothouse for ideas essential to the future of the community, region and state. It will become the cornerstone of Boise State's pursuit of scholarship that improves upon our state's amazing quality of life, the energy of its commerce and the well-being of its citizens.
CESED is so essential that Boise State has made securing the final funding needed for the facility the university's top priority for the 2008 legislative session. We have requested $15 million from state coffers to help with the cost of this very important building. These funds, in addition to the over $3.1 million in HUD/EDI appropriations garnered in recent years under Senator Craig's leadership as well as student fees set aside for this purpose, will cover the costs of the planned $35 to $40 million building.
The State's Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council and Governor Otter both recommended that the Legislature appropriate $10 million for CESED. If the Legislature agrees and provides two-thirds of the requested amount, the additional $5 million needed to complete the facility would have to come from increased student fees. Boise State is working with, particularly, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and are hopeful that the Legislature will ultimately decide to fund the full $15 million as requested.
Boise State University's success as a metropolitan research university has reached an important milestone: our planned Center for Environmental Science and Economic Development (CESED) will be the first major brick-and-mortar project on campus brought about by and dedicated to the advancement of research.
Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget
In addition to funding for CESED, top priorities for funding for general operations at Boise State include the following:
- Fully fund the Enrollment Workload Adjustment as requested at a level of approximately $1.4 million. Per the State Board of Education formula, these funds will help cover costs of student enrollment growth at Boise State University. These funds are critical to the University and represent the fairest approach to higher education budgeting - following the student with the funding. Governor Otter has recommended full funding of this portion of our request.
- State Funding for Occupancy Costs. Funding in this area covers the expenses (custodial, utility, maintenance) for academic spaces on campus. They are requested each time new space comes online and once funded, are built into the base budget of the institution. Boise State has requested funding this year for the Department of Nursing space in the new Norco Nursing & Health Sciences Building (slated to open during the last quarter of FY 2009), the Art Department (converted warehouse space), and for the Student Conduct Office (part of newly constructed offices in the Parking Deck). Our total request in this category is $119,100. Governor Otter has recommended partial funding of this part of our request.
- Maintenance and Infrastructure. Boise State has requested $1.2 million for Information Technology Maintenance and Infrastructure, which will pay for necessary software upgrades, licenses and maintenance due to continued student enrollment growth. Governor Otter has recommended full funding of this portion of our request.
- Masters in Community and Regional Planning. Boise State has requested funding for this program, with hopes to begin offering it in Fall 2009. The demand for this expertise in the Treasure Valley and statewide is high. The total requested amount, to cover the cost of three new faculty positions, six graduate assistants and administrative support is $554,000.
- Governor Otter has recommended a 5% increase in salary for all state employees, including those at Boise State University. We are in full support of Governor Otter's proposed increase for employees. Although the Governor's recommendation for FY 2009 does not include all of the requested items above being fully funded, his overall recommended increase for higher education is at 11.8% and Boise State is very supportive and appreciative of his recommendation.
Increased Flexibility from the State Division of Public Works
Boise State University is working with the State Department of Administration and the Division of Public Works to develop legislation that
would increase flexibility relative to construction projects and ensure that projects are approached most efficiently and without duplication
of oversight efforts. Boise State is one of, if the not most active consumer of Division of Public Works services and construction oversight
due to the large number of active construction projects on campus. The University of Idaho is exempt from Division of Public Works
oversight currently for all projects regardless of fund source. The proposed change would give the other institutions substantially the same
flexibility, upon mutual agreement of parties, granted to the UI currently for projects funded by non-state sources.
Because the bill is still in the drafting stage, a bill number is not yet available, but will be posted once established.
