For Release December 3
Board of Regents Reacts to Governor's Budget Recommendation
PIERRE-The Board of Regents today commended Governor Janklow for his Fiscal Year 1998 budget request, calling it a recognition of the state's priorities in preparing for the next century. Janklow, who presented the request to the Legislature today, asks for an additional $4.6 million for the public university system in FY98.
The bulk of the Governor's requested increase ($3.4 million) would be in salary policy for the system's Career Service Act (CSA) and CSA-exempt employees (including faculty). In addition, the request calls for approximately $750,000 to fund the system's instructional formula, the mechanism by which the universities provide resources for meeting instructional costs. Finally, Janklow's request authorizes the expenditure of just over $900,000 for technology infrastructure throughout the university system, which will aid technology enhancement efforts already underway through the system's Reinvestment Through Efficiencies Program. Approximately half of the funding for technology expenditure will be supplied by state appropriations, with the remainder to be funded using existing system resources.
"I am pleased with the Governor's recommendation," stated Board of Regents President Karl Wegner of Sioux Falls. "The universities have made a real effort to determine and pursue key priorities over the past two years, and I feel that this request, particularly with respect to technology infrastructure, affirms the value of our efforts," Wegner continued.
Regents' Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry added that working with the executive and legislative branches to maximize the state's investment in higher education will be a top priority in the months ahead. "All three major elements of the Governor's recommendation-formula funding, technology funding, and salary policy-are crucial for protecting our base investment in higher education. The universities have made a solid effort to protect this base through the Reinvestment Through Efficiencies Program, and the Board welcomes the opportunity to work with policymakers to further strengthen our preparation for the next century," said Perry.
The Governor's recommendation will be considered by the Legislature during its 72nd Session, which convenes on January 14.