Boise State budgets for growth, touts student success; president says DEI staffing cut and legal defense paid with non‑taxpayer funds

Boise State University officials told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 that the university is focusing on student success and workforce alignment while requesting FY2026 funding to address market pressures for faculty and staff.

Kevin Campbell introduced the BSU budget, citing enrollment “more than 27,000 students” and roughly 1,980.9 full‑time positions. He told the committee that personnel costs represent 81.8% of BSU’s expenditures, operating costs 16.5% and capital 1.7%. Campbell summarized prior cuts, enhancements and consolidations and said BSU planned to use FY2026 operational capacity funding toward CEC (cost‑of‑employment compensation) needs.

President Marlene Tromp highlighted programs and recent institutional changes. On LAUNCH, she said about 1,300 Boise State…