ND higher ed board talks budget, contracts

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's Board of Higher Education is drawing up its legislative budget proposals.

The board has a new chancellor, Hamid Shirvani (HAH’-mid shur-VAH’-nee), and two new board members, Don Morton and Kathleen Neset.

One of Shirvani's budget ideas would greatly expand the staff of the North Dakota university system's central office.

Shirvani wants to hire a new internal auditor and a compliance officer by Sept. 1. And Shirvani wants the Legislature to approve more than $8 million in the next two years to hire 30 new staffers.

The budget proposals also include $10 million in “energy impact” money for western North Dakota campuses. Shirvani says the money is needed to help the schools with the extra costs of hiring faculty and providing housing in western North Dakota's oil region.

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