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NDUS explains system-office and CTS budget structure; legislators reminded they appropriate block funding, not individual FTEs
Summary
NDUS and Core Technology Services staff told the committee that the legislature appropriates block operating funds to NDUS and campuses; institutions and CTS then manage staffing and FTE counts within those appropriations rather than the legislature assigning fixed positions.
At the division meeting NDUS finance staff and Core Technology Services (CTS) clarified how the system office, campuses and CTS are funded and staffed.
Dave Prepsbach of NDUS explained that the higher-education budget uses block appropriations: the legislature provides funding to NDUS (including a system governance line and a separate CTS appropriation), and the institutions and CTS have authority to manage hires and FTEs within those appropriations. Prepsbach said the system office historically receives an appropriation that the system uses to fund system-wide functions and personnel.
Prepsbach and a CTS representative emphasized that CTS has a separate appropriation line for core technology services and manages PeopleSoft and networking operations across the system. Committee members asked whether the legislature controls the number of FTEs in CTS or the system office; NDUS staff responded that the legislature grants the appropriation and the system office manages FTEs internally, though campuses and CTS track FTEs for reporting purposes.
Why it matters
Senators expressed concern about growth in FTE counts and asked for clarity. NDUS staff said the block-appropriation model allows institutions to flex staffing as operational needs change; that flexibility is different from agency-style funding where the legislature allocates specific positions.
Next steps
Senators asked staff to include the appropriation structure and CTS funding breakout in the long sheet materials so the committee understands where CTS operations are funded within the system office totals.
