The Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education yesterday agreed to ask the state for $100 million over the next five fiscal years to help implement its “System Redesign”, in addition to an operating budget request for $487 million for next year. That’s a $9.5 million increase over this year’s allocation.
The board settled on the $100 million request for extra revenue over President Cynthia Shapira’s suggested $300 million request. Shapira feels $100 million is not nearly enough to cover the expenses anticipated for the redesign, which will include a “shared services” platform, new online offerings, and changes in the information technology system.
Shapira said the additional funding could also help universities reduce their debt, but the governors were reluctant to ask for more money than state lawmakers would consider. Representative Brad Roae and Senator Scott Martin, who are both on the board of governors, warned that a funding request so large would turn off legislators and would also bring state extra scrutiny of the redesign. Martin, in particular, told the board it’s clear the State System hasn’t done everything it can do to cut expenses, such as laying off staff in light of declining enrollment.
Much of the State System Redesign hinges on the new “shared services consortium”, which would eliminate duplication of services at every university in favor of a centralized sharing system of resources.
