76th Legislative Session _ 2001

Committee: Senate Appropriations
Tuesday, January 23, 2001

                                            P - Present
                                            E - Excused
                                            A - Absent

Roll Call
P    Sen. Drake, Co-Chair
P    Sen. Putnam, Vice-Chair
P    Sen. Apa
P    Sen. Dennert
P    Sen. Duxbury
P    Sen. Greenfield
P    Sen. Kleven
P    Sen. Madden

OTHERS PRESENT: See Original Minutes

The committee met jointly with House Appropriations.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Richter


Board of Regents

Harvey Jewett IV, President of the Board of Regents, appeared before the committee and introduced Ms. Peggy Elliott, President of South Dakota State University.

Ms. Elliott stated that enrollments have stabilized and head count for the University has increased 3.5%.

Ms. Elliott spoke about the Salary Competitiveness Program and expressed that the university faculty is more content. The salary increases were attainable due to increases in student fees. She also talked about the Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan and the university's renewed emphasis on scholarship programs.

Representative Derby asked what percentage of students remain in South Dakota after graduation.

Ms. Elliott replied that 80% of all tuition loan payments are made from South Dakota addresses.

Senator Apa asked for the definition of 'Rising Junior Test.' Ms. Elliott stated that it is a systemwide test consisting of math, English, and science questions that each junior-level student has to take.

Representative Clark asked the percentage of capacity the dorms had. Ms. Elliott said that they were presently at 89% of capacity.

Senator Kleven asked if the increase in salaries is given only to those receiving state-funded salaries. Ms. Elliott stated that if the increase is for state funded CSA employees, the salaries are increased with state funds; if the employees are exempt or professors, the increases are funded by increasing the tuition.

Representative Lange asked what the University could do to gain 2,500 students and if reductions in tuition for Nebraska and North Dakota students would help. Ms. Elliott stated that the Board is considering reducing out of state tuition for Nebraska and North Dakota students to draw them to the system.

Representative Adelstein asked if the percentage was reduced for out of state students what effect would it have on the net gain/loss. Ms. Elliott said that if they reduced it to only 150% of resident tuition, the University would still show a net gain.

Mr. Dave Gienapp, Budget Committee and Finance Director of the Board of Regents, appeared before the committee.

Mr. Gienapp stated that there are three areas of recommended budget increases: Information Technology, needs, and salary policy. He said developing the VTEL system is $188,824 and the new equipment is $45, 811.

Mr. Gienapp discussed the operation and maintenance costs of utilities increased by $313,690 for regular education schools and $12,000 for the Special Schools.

Mr. Gienapp stated that the recommended budget also included two new FTEs, one at a salary of $100,000 and one at a salary of $22,500. The new FTE receiving $22,500 from recommended funds would be matched by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology which is requesting the funds.

Mr. Robert 'Tad' Perry, Executive Director of the Board of Regents, approached the committee. Mr. Perry spoke about Internet and Internet 2 and their purposes.

Representative Clark asked why the number of South Dakota students attending the universities of

South Dakota is down and why the universities penalize the out of state students by increasing their tuition rate and discouraging them from attending. Mr. Perry said they weren't penalizing the out of state students, the marginal rates they are requesting are decreasing, and they are attempting to encourage out of state students to attend South Dakota universities. However, the Board has complied with the residency requirements proposed by Governor Janklow and enacted by the Legislature.

Representative Clark asked how the universities are addressing the issue of the number of South Dakota High School students decreasing. Mr. Perry said that half of those who do graduate apply at the universities within one year of graduation and there are many non-traditional students now attending college making up for the decrease in high school graduates.

Senator Kleven asked why the recommended budget includes more FTEs for FY2002 when the number of students has decreased. Mr. Perry said 31 of the 33 aren't faculty positions. They're FTEs to account for the Governor's Technology Fellows Program.

The committee recessed at 10:15 AM.

The committee reconvened at 10:30 AM.

Mr. John Hilpert, President of Northern State University, approached the committee and Document #5 was distributed.

Mr. Don Erlenbusch, Vice-President of Finance and Administration, Northern State University, addressed the unrestricted non-appropriated cash balances. He explained that the fluctuations were due to the time of year that tuition was collected and the faculty and expenses paid.

Mr. Hilpert stated that there was an increase of 26.4% in headcount and a decrease of 6.2% in FTEs. He addressed the Technology/Instructional Equipment Spending increase and the success of Governor Janklow's Faculty Awards For Teaching With Technology.

Dr. Cozzetto,Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Northern State University, approached the committee and spoke about the Student Technology Fellows Program's success. He stated that there is 112.4 miles of new computer wiring throughout the school and the wiring was completed with Department of Corrections inmates. He explained the importance of Internet 2 to Northern State University and the Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan.

Senator Apa asked what the median salary for faculty is. Mr. Cozzetto said he would supply that information at a later date.

Senator Kleven asked how many FTE are faculty. Mr. Cozzetto stated that 31% are faculty.


Representative Lange asked if the university could accommodate more students and how many of their students were from North Dakota. Mr. Cozzetto replied that they could physically accommodate five- to six-hundred more students but not educationally.

Senator Drake asked how many of the faculty members were attending the technology classes offered. Mr. Cozzetto replied that seventy faculty members are currently enrolled and twelve have graduated.

Senator Apa asked if the faculty who take the technology courses continue their employment. Mr. Cozzetto replied that the courses are working as a great retention tool.

Senator Duxbury asked how many students are involved in the International Student Exchange Program, what are their achievements, and their major areas of study. Mr. Cozzetto said that there are 60 students involved in the Exchange, they have built a great rapport, and their major area of study is business.

Senator Drake inquired about the $300,000 increase in other funds and where the funds initiated. Mr. Cozzetto explained that it was for the scholarship programs and the funds come from the foundation.

Mr. Jerry Tunheim, President of Dakota State University, appeared before the committee and Document #6 was distributed. Mr. Tunheim discussed the mission of Dakota State University.

Senator Kleven asked how many of the FTE are faculty and what is their average salary. Mr. Tunheim said eighty-four are faculty and their average salary is $52,000.

Representative Lange asked for the amount of funds in the foundation. Mr. Tunheim said the university has $4 million in funds and it spends approximately $400,000 per year.

MOTION:     ADJOURN

Moved by:    Apa
Second by:    Madden
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

LeAnn Allstot

____________________________

Committee Secretary
Bob Drake, Chair


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