House conference committee agrees to budget cuts for UND and NDSU funding

The SB 2003 Conference Committee meeting held on April 29, 2025, focused on budget adjustments for higher education funding in North Dakota. Key discussions centered around proposed changes to allocations for the University of North Dakota (UND) and North Dakota State University (NDSU), as well as funding for Dickinson State University.

During the meeting, committee members reviewed a proposed $2 million increase for both UND and NDSU. After deliberation, it was agreed that this additional funding could be removed from the budget, leaving each university with a total of $5 million in base funding. This decision was made to streamline the budget and enhance overall fiscal responsibility.

The committee also addressed funding for Dickinson State University, specifically regarding campus security and deferred maintenance. A proposal to allocate $500,000 for campus security was discussed, but consensus was reached to remove this funding from the budget. Additionally, there was a suggestion to reduce the deferred maintenance funding from $1 million to $875,000, which was met with general agreement among the conferees.

Overall, the meeting highlighted a collaborative effort among committee members to adjust the budget in a way that reflects the current needs of North Dakota's higher education institutions while maintaining fiscal prudence. The next steps will involve finalizing these budget adjustments and ensuring that the changes are implemented effectively.