This campus generally receives about half of the total system request. Story also lauded a new state endowment incentive program to encourage and support private fund raising for public higher education.
People like to contribute when they know there's a challenge.
Story said the program dispels any fears that the state will reduce appropriations in the face of increased private fundraising. The state has also supported requests by the University for funding capital projects, said Story. The bill proposes a five-year plan to increase state funding for higher education and cap the proportion of costs paid by students. Under the bill, University and state college students would pay 33 percent of the total cost of their education, while community college students would pay 25 percent. In both cases, the state would make up the difference.