State funding for the University of Idaho was called a success by President Scott Green in an email to UI students and employees Thursday morning.
UI is expected to benefit from an increased general fund allocation and specific budget items paid for by the state. Specific appropriations include a Permanent Building Fund appropriation for new research and extension centers as well as $1 million towards security costs following the November homicides.
The approved Idaho Launch program will provide funding for students pursuing post-secondary degrees or certifications. The launch grant was amended to only fund certificates, trainings or associate degrees. However, students pursuing certificates or associate degrees at UI will be eligible for launch funding.
The existing Idaho Opportunity Scholarship will now only serve students pursuing four-year degrees, not students attending two-year schools. As a result, more UI students may receive these renewable scholarships.
Green acknowledged that local legislators were at times unsupportive of UI efforts, and stated that “elections have consequences.”
The efforts of the Vandal Gateway Program, Women in Engineering and the Black/African American Cultural Center were highlighted as student success stories.
“We affirm the rights of all people to have access to education. The university was present in the statehouse every time this was questioned, and we proudly stood our ground protecting our students and institution from those who have attacked higher education,” Green stated in the email.
The state legislative session adjourned on April 6.
Katie Hettinga can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @katie_hettinga