[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6095637,"mediaKeyId","2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a","parentId",2837308,"title","System office carryover funds low; CTS is separate line item and enrollment shows recent rebound","audioSeconds",171,"startMs",3425000,"endMs",3596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a&start=3425&end=3596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a/thumbnail_3425000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6095637/North-Dakota/System-office-carryover-funds-low-CTS-is-separate-line-item-and-enrollment-shows-recent-rebound","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095637-a1e9a29df161e3a147b7f48f17d41f33/orig.mp4?Expires=1775301835&Signature=aw-Bm5CfyvR9mqRY1u36R-Ms~RMLxS~rv6mUvZ9GMpYw0WpCgL8iGRzCT4A-ZcdXaUilzL7aAUpa0-JnpGXlcpMY62NHg0Rv5dopE0A4usliHANPxUJbHrtWmzCAEroijwsv5selx6ualdI1zUEpLGaFW20x5VxTCefDnvy0T677-c-gDFnwoHmplbxmB4dm2Vsm1sxb9fKYwTwIkbY1I2kSFHGcS3qaUE9d~-aIIONXfSssabkDnp9HZfAp6X18myvlVruEod0EZsFxv5jYpcGkRd~IuoO42AYzz7Ut9DtiJJgj6Sro2F7uLw9Y1yuWmdKLM3fwzUDASBlj4aIR5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Dave Grubbs, a system office staff member, briefed the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on system-office carryover balances, the CTS (Core Technology Services) line and fall enrollment trends.

Grubbs told the committee that carryover language in the higher-education bill permits institutions and the system office to spend unobligated funds in the next biennium for the same appropriation lines. He said the system office’s remaining carryover from the prior biennium is “about $100,000 a little less than $100,000,” and that figure would not cover a separately discussed $500,000 separation package amendment for Bismarck State College if that amendment were enacted and charged to system office carryover.

Grubbs clarified the CTS budget is a distinct line item within the higher-education bill and separate from the system office’s general operations. “CTS is core technology services and that is a separate line item on our appropriations budget within the higher ed bill,” he told the committee.

On enrollment, Grubbs presented fall headcount totals by institution from 2018 through fall 2024. He said enrollments decreased after 2018, hit a low point during the pandemic years and began to rebound in fall 2023 and fall 2024. Grubbs confirmed the fall-enrollment figures include all registered students (online and in person).

Committee members asked follow-up questions about how campuses used carryover funds and whether remaining balances would be expended; Grubbs said campuses had largely indicated they expected to use their carryover by the end of the biennium but that conditions can change.

No formal appropriation changes were adopted at the hearing; members said they will continue budget deliberations with this information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reviewed NDUS carryover balances and enrollment trends: system office carryover available is under $100,000 and core technology services (CTS) is a separate budget line; fall enrollments fell after 2018 and began rebounding in 2023 and 2024.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28886,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095642,"Board will hold listening sessions before deciding commissioner or chancellor model; search timeline not finalized",213,2231000,2444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a&start=2231&end=2444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a/thumbnail_2231000.jpg","/articles/6095642/North-Dakota/Board-will-hold-listening-sessions-before-deciding-commissioner-or-chancellor-model-search-timeline-not-finalized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095642-57b365ca7a810fdc9ad57f06c3207492/orig.mp4?Expires=1775301835&Signature=j3P2hbaK2DS5ttPQiLuRiWflwCtHL-W6myehXYWFWKq6ZfehsyPAOA1GnBQH5OOIEK7iu1Sy9dt8f9ooOO8Fhyhl-vShWJWcQqOy3DTEqZZZghirYtEGy-21cZlW7V7g-PUEp7KAvO7g29W1GZEASVft5s34gqXZKTzZ~TUiOcr8MDsWwzcurFAPnRRYWus9JOtWc2scamvAJlMDQxuug1aitpthDz-2ya5y3GrEZOhisSLUN7wQ6VzqBbh6u6GXUWcqwKAIvIWPzNmzEJ41pHYVWYAaq6~vXAr5nA2mKv7lWGjMRYhzFLaYq~muS6lOqcsk9m46hhR2JcWsVKJ0ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislators pressed the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on whether the State Board of Higher Education will seek a commissioner of higher education as the constitution prescribes or continue with a chancellor model.

Kevin Black told the committee the board intends to hold listening sessions with legislative leaders, the governor’s office, K‑12 representatives, industry and campus leaders to determine which governance model better serves the institutions. “What the State Board of Higher Education has indicated it wants to do is we would like to hold a series of listening sessions with legislative leadership, governor's office, K‑12, industry and most importantly the institutions themselves,” Black said.

Black acknowledged the Constitution references a commissioner role and said any decision to keep a chancellor model should be matched with statute changes to align governance language. He said the board does not yet have a firm timeline for a permanent hire and hoped not to wait until 2026 to begin the process. Board members and the chancellor said an interim appointment is an available option and that new board members slated to begin July 1 would likely participate in the process.

Chancellor Hagerott said the board has scheduled a retreat and that the governor agreed to speak at the meeting; Hagerott said the board intends to include new board members, campus presidents and legislative input as part of the planning process.

No firm search timetable was established during the committee hearing; officials urged prompt listening sessions and said the board would revisit the system’s strategic plan once governance decisions are clearer.","Committee members asked whether the higher-education system will return to a commissioner model or continue with a chancellor. Board representatives said they will hold listening sessions with legislative, executive and campus leaders before starting a permanent search; they did not confirm a firm hiring date.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095645,"Committee probes presidential contracts and separation payments; board policy 305.1 governs non‑cause payouts",218,812000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a&start=812&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a/thumbnail_812000.jpg","/articles/6095645/North-Dakota/Committee-probes-presidential-contracts-and-separation-payments-board-policy-3051-governs-noncause-payouts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095645-70da8e9575b935e20e48dd725ea6f09a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775301835&Signature=PzWIzhUtU~4n8AymXAtK51~qT4qwzSO-hcZue1J9oU44vJMaStepjYKYNFo472Nis216cHqGbsasu8sYzox-FQjb6cYiEUMD65sbiCKT-02Mm2GDsWyrdvfGciP3APGBvErM3kyjwsCAPafhEbXCaAAEmGf5KMfklxDhzCqVvbcW0zkqpZ1~ikLCo1kDYvVsU2me2nsEEQFqMea28zcGvV5UdfR9CMGK1edSfA0y6JmWpIXuojlYtH4WpjTYoreg~JZB1g29MQYbwvv8emuze1A6RMzsTkyiJSk30NQLGd3GPivDvnF4Tt~OIn77XlTQxXM3vtAWJtI2vuTE1AcfNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers asked the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division for clarity on how presidential contracts, buyouts and separation agreements are handled and who pays them.

Kevin Black, appearing for the North Dakota University System office, said the system follows board policy and contract language when a president is separated. “There is in the event that, we terminate without cause, the president will receive an amount equal to 12 months the salary and benefits based on the presidential salary and benefits at the time of the the termination,” a system staff member described when reading policy language into the record.

Black and other officials told legislators that two procedural routes exist: termination for cause, which requires documented performance issues, or termination without cause, in which the board must follow the contract terms and reconcile any separation payment with board policy. The staff member who read the policy noted that a tenured president at a four‑year institution could instead exercise faculty retreat rights rather than collect a cash payment.

Representative Martinson and others pressed system officials about specific cases. Committee members were told the board reached a separation agreement with the president at Bismarck State College and that the board terminated the president without cause. “We terminate him without cause,” a system official said during the committee exchange. Officials said longstanding practice has been for the employing institution to pay separation agreements; that practice was cited in multiple examples but committee members challenged whether campuses should have greater input, particularly when the campus budget pays the cost.

Legislators identified earlier examples including a $500,000 separation figure reported in amendments and a roughly $300,000 payout tied to a retirement case at Devil’s Lake (Doug Darling), which officials described as an early-retirement decision intended to be cost‑effective compared with the campus paying a tenured faculty position. Officials emphasized that early retirement is treated as a cost‑savings tool and “is not an entitlement.”

The board has formed an executive compensation and contract review task force, led by board member D.J. Campbell, to examine contract language and options for reducing financial burdens on campuses. Officials also said nonrenewal is typically honored by letting a contract expire without additional payouts unless the contract previously included an exemption.

No formal committee action was taken; members requested additional documentation and said they expect continued oversight and possible policy-level recommendations.","Committee members heard from system officials about presidential contract terms, early-retirement policy and who pays separation agreements. Officials said policy 305.1 and individual contracts guide outcomes and that institutions typically pay separation costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095650,"Higher education requests $4.1 million for Palo Alto cybersecurity as funding hops between NDIT and system office",137,522000,659000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a&start=522&end=659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837308-4a175172c1effe00b0c587c985ab121a/thumbnail_522000.jpg","/articles/6095650/North-Dakota/Higher-education-requests-41-million-for-Palo-Alto-cybersecurity-as-funding-hops-between-NDIT-and-system-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095650-003252b2a8baf151e9342d2f37d7985a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775301835&Signature=njU~yChoCWxsCaG2frfNCkO5HwFHt4fml-vOSlRtdocwz7UaDyAccSnxb6ZKxVuin8G4n0j31ngjnPTMFkU9iKxb7eYCqDDbYgNW0ExZEZ7nyYxBDqBMfSOfOIZqoLjpWw4R9Pp4IKizjsLgjpf~wLwiXXHiR75R-yuuqIRvBRH2KfN8WpmoeiHPHnc1LJ1u1qOgpgXF1sHEiIo1GqiCxJSQZa-9YWzOMTdxT80D-Vk1daWLSB9dxvfylA8LaNVLYMJPfDd5CUFPCFCAl5Zhht~QzIXhEXPj3XaclnLaMhEZrOCn378UTT2MQEZjHBJoIrCtks2W1QZMxpcnlhz9EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division heard that the North Dakota University System is seeking a $4,100,000 increase to maintain Palo Alto security solutions used across higher-education campuses.

Corey Quirk, deputy CIO for the North Dakota University System’s central IT office, told the committee the request represents additional licensing and service costs for an established security toolset. “So what you have in front of you there is a $4,100,000 increase in those Palo Alto security solutions for higher ed,” Quirk said.

Quirk summarized a legislative history in which the funding request moved between the state information-technology agency (NDIT) and the higher-education bill multiple times during the session. He said staff proposed placing the increase in NDIT’s bill originally to reduce administrative overhead, but that representatives requested moving the amount back into the higher-education appropriation so the system office would pay NDIT for the services.

Quirk said the final figure he provided to the committee reflects later adjustments to earlier estimates and that he did not have a full line-item breakout with him. “Initially back in June when we put this information together, that was the initial cost. As the end of the year came closer, it came down to $4,100,000… I do not have the detail break out. I just have the final amount which is down to 4.1,” he said.

Committee members pressed on necessity and consequences. When the chair asked whether the service was essential, Quirk replied the tool is a core part of the security toolset and that a funding shortfall would force the system to seek alternatives. “Obviously for us not to get the funding, we'd have to go find other alternative solutions, which would have a devastating effect for higher ed,” he said.

No formal vote occurred during the committee discussion. Committee staff said the item would be added to the list of budget topics to address in further deliberations.

Clarifying details provided in the hearing: the requested increase was stated as $4,100,000; the precise internal cost breakout was not provided at the meeting; committee staff will carry the item forward for further review. The committee did not record a formal action on this request during the session.","The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division heard that the North Dakota University System needs a $4.1 million increase to maintain Palo Alto security services; officials described the request as having moved between the state information-technology agency (NDIT) and the higher-education appropriations bill during the session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

System office carryover funds low; CTS is separate line item and enrollment shows recent rebound

Board will hold listening sessions before deciding commissioner or chancellor model; search timeline not finalized

Committee probes presidential contracts and separation payments; board policy 305.1 governs non‑cause payouts

Higher education requests $4.1 million for Palo Alto cybersecurity as funding hops between NDIT and system office