Regents approve 2008-09 budget
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Amy K. Stewart
Standard-Examiner staff
Combined budget more than $100M
LOGAN -- The State Board of Regents during its meeting in Logan on Friday approved a 2008-2009 budget request for $68.7 million ongoing funds, $15.3 million one-time funds and $683,000 supplemental funds.
"This is probably the largest budget request we have made in the last eight to 10 years," said Higher Education Commissioner Rich Kendell, of Bountiful.
Combined with the compensation package recommended by the regents, the entire request for 2008-2009 will be more than $100 million for higher education, Kendell said.
The commissioner, however, said it is more than just a request for money from the state. It is about what higher education does for Utah.
"It is very difficult to put a number on. It is very difficult to summarize," Kendell said. "You come onto a university campus like this (USU) on a fall day and you're just struck with not only the beauty of the place, but with what an incredible asset this is for this community, the region and the state of Utah."
The university is also a place with an incredible energy, research and development activities, Kendell said.
Speaking of higher education in general, the commissioner said he doesn't think it's appropriate to look at the higher education budget request as just one more slice of the state's budget.
"The state has to invest in this if we are going to have a sound future," Kendell said. "This is a tremendous asset. We want to sustain it. And we want to play a major role in the state in producing a better, higher-quality future."
Kendell displayed one of his favorite charts to the regents. Titled "Student Success: Self-Sustaining Adults," it explains the average median income for Utah adults.
A person with a high school diploma would earn $22,437 annually; $30,356 with an associate's degree; $45,776 with a bachelor's degree; and $65,301 with an advanced degree, according to the chart.
Further, Utah needs more qualified teachers and people working in health professions, not to mention employees in the engineering, science and technology areas, Kendell said.
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