The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee says there seems to be very little support at this time to add staff in the University System office.
Chancellor Ham Shirvani had asked for 30 new people – mostly legal and compliance staff. The Governor’s budget recommended 9. But Appropriations Committee chairman Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) says the bill will come out of committee without any new staffers in the central office.
"There are a number of reasons," said Holmberg. "Some are reasoned, some are just an unhappiness. And the Legislature sometimes works on feelings of individuals. I'm a great believer that you respect reality."
Holmberg says even though the Senate – for now – may decide against extra staffing in the University System central office, the House will still have to weigh-in, and the bill’s final details will likely be worked out in a conference committee.
