This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's colleges and universities are asking the State Legislature for more than $78 million in new funding for the 2015-2016 school year.
The Utah State Board of Regents on Friday approved their annual budget request, which includes $28 million for salary increases and $15 million to hire additional faculty and relieve a bottleneck in popular courses.
"I do feel like we have great support from our legislators and they are very interested in prioritizing education," said David Buhler, Utah commissioner of higher education.
The Regents' also want lawmakers to prioritize $34 million in funding for the University of Utah's new $55 million Crocker Science Center, which would replace the old Natural History Museum on President's Circle.
Snow College would get an $18.4 million science building if the Regents have their way. Salt Lake Community College would build a $39 million learning and resource center. And Utah State University would receive $55 million for a $65 million biological science building.
Money for university buildings is handled in a separate legislative funding request.
This year's budget request is roughly half the $140 million in new funding higher education sought from the Legislature last year. But Buhler said last year was unique because schools were seeking to correct inequities that had resulted from years of enrollment growth at the state's regional universities.
Lawmakers ultimately approved about $80 million for higher education during the 2014 legislative session, including a $50 million appropriation aimed at establishing a consistent per-student funding level.
Included in this year's request is $15 million in student participation funding, which includes money to hire additional faculty and maintain per-student funding levels.
Statewide enrollment declined after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lowered the age of service for its missionaries, but Buhler said numbers are expected to start climbing again as those younger missionaries return to the state.
"We think that rebound is going to start this fall," he said.
Rather than setting aside money for across the board cost-of-living-adjustments, Buhler said, higher education administrators are planning to provide school presidents with "money they could use for merit increases based on the performance of faculty and staff."
Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, who co-chairs the Legislature's Executive Appropriations Committee, said that he anticipates lawmakers will have greater flexibility with the budget than last year. But, Hillyard added, there are still many unknowns, including how much revenue Utah will receive from the federal government.
"That could have a big impact," he said, "especially after the election."
Hillyard said Utah's economy is doing well compared to other states, but until lawmakers receive final budget numbers in December it's too early to speculate about specific budget requests.
Buhler said the higher education budget approved Friday would help Utah schools to minimize tuition increases next spring. The Regents approved a 4 percent statewide tuition increase in March. Another year of sufficient funding could lead to an increase next year of just 2.5 percent, Buhler said.
"I'm hoping that if we receive a few years of good funding, that will ease the burden on students," he said.
bwood@sltrib Utah Board of Regents Building Priorities:
University of Utah Crocker Science Center, $55 million
Snow College Science Building, $18.4 million
Salt Lake Community College CTE Learning & Resource Center, $39 million
Utah State University Biological Sciences Building, $65 million
Weber State University Social Sciences Building Remodel and Expansion, $30 million
Dixie State University Physical Education & Student Wellness Center, $29 million
Utah Valley University Performing Arts Building, $36 million
Utah State University Clinical Services Building, $30 million
Southern Utah University New Business Building $14 million