Student leaders press regents for clarity after tuition‑fee special fund used for hazard pay; regents urge immediate briefing

Student representatives told the Board of Regents they were not consulted before an administrative decision was made to use the tuition‑fee special fund to finance hazard pay negotiated between the state and public unions.

Student Caucus delegates said they are seeking a full accounting and asked administration to brief the caucus. The caucus reported it will raise the issue at its March 7 meeting and invited administration to provide particulars about which positions and amounts are charged to tuition‑fee accounts.

The nut graf: Regents expressed strong concern about both process and fiscal consequences, with some noting that using tuition‑based funds for hazard pay could have retirement and long‑term budgetary effects and urging the caucus to request an expedited briefing from administration.

Board members pressed for details and urged the student caucus to convene an emergency meeting with administrators because the legislature is in session and the fiscal implications are unfolding. One regent noted an internal estimate that the pension system could face a long‑term reduction in returns that may create liabilities “in excess of $350,000,000” over time if retirement‑related impacts are realized; that regent urged the students and board to seek prompt, verified information from administration.

Student Caucus representatives said they have scheduled administrative staff to meet with their caucus on March 7 and asked for administration participation in the near term; several regents urged the caucus to request an earlier, emergency meeting given the legislature’s schedule.

The board agreed administrators should verify the facts and brief the student caucus and regents; student leaders said they would forward meeting notes and pursue follow‑up as needed.