Gov. Doug Burgum is renewing his push for two separate boards of higher education – one for the research universities, and the other for the rest of the colleges.
A task force on higher education governance had recommended three boards -- one for NDSU, one for UND and one for the other 9 campuses. It was introduced that way in the House, but was amended to the two board model after sponsors decided two boards would be easier to pass. The House turned that down.
The Senate is now considering a Constitutional resolution to expand the current board by three members – from 8 to 11. But Burgum told the Senate Education Committee, the single board was a 1930s idea, and higher education is facing a number of new, competitive issues.
"And these competitive forces will apply themselves differently across different types of institutions," Burgum told the Committee. "The challenges and decisions facing the board members will be greater than ever."
Burgum said tweaks to the current model won't work. He said he thinks voters will be receptive to a multi-board system that is more responsive to students, to business needs and to the campuses.
The bill was authored by the Senate’s Republican and Democratic floor leaders. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson) told the Committee the House has already rejected the two board solution, and this bill was drafted after the leaders had talked with the current board members, who said they feel overwhelmed.
"There's no question there needs to be a little more help," Wardner told the Committee. "We felt that, from those discussions, something needed to be done."
In an earlier interview, Wardner said a lot of legislators believe the one board model is "the best way to go."
"They (the board) don't have enough board members," Wardner said.
The North Dakota Student Association says if the state Board of Higher Education is expanded from 8 to 11 members, one of those should be a student member with voting rights.
Right now, one student serves on the board – and has a vote.
"Voting student representation is necessary for student voices to be given equal consideration alongside every other board member," NDSA President Jared Melville, an NDSU student – told the committee. "Increasing the number of board members without increasing student representation weakens the link between students and the board. Students could be disregarded entirely from decisions."
The measure – because it changes the state’s Constitution -- would need to go to voters, if the Legislature approves it.
