Dickinson State asks legislature for deferred‑maintenance, campus security and construction funds

Acting Dickinson State University President Tyler Norton told the Senate Appropriations — Education and Environment Division on Tuesday that Dickinson State needs one‑time funding in the next biennium to address aging buildings, deferred maintenance and program start‑up costs.

Norton, who said he has led the university for just over five months, told the committee that Dickinson State’s small, rural campus serves its region and that improving facilities and programs helps students in “their 720 days” of college. “We only get a little bit of time to change a life,” Norton said.

The university asked the committee for roughly $3.5 million in one‑time requests that include costs tied to the new presidential transition and start‑up support to reestablish a campus security function. Lehi Wietstock, vice president for finance, said Dickinson currently employs a single safety officer and is seeking funds to stand up non‑sworn security staff to reduce thefts and meet expanding Clery Act reporting requirements. “The Clery Act … requires us to report on an annual basis all the crimes that occur,” Wietstock…