Legislative Summary

Compensation for faculty and staff at Utah State University is among the highlights of the 2005 Utah legislative season.

 

This has been a good year for Utah State after three years of serious budget reductions to higher education, said President Stan Albrecht at a Founder’s Day celebration in Salt Lake City.

 

“We received essential support for faculty and staff compensation, maintenance on our buildings and for fuel and power,” said Albrecht. “Funds were also set aside to help us retain strong faculty who are being recruited by other institutions.”

 

Money was also provided to prepare for the move of agricultural activities from north of the main campus to the Caine Dairy and South Farm, allowing room for a much needed expansion of Utah State’s Innovation campus.

 

Initial seed funding was provided for Utah State University and the University of Utah under the new Economic Development Initiative in an effort to help both universities become more involved in the state’s economic engine.

 

The Utah Climate Center was funded, as were the Ag in the Classroom program and the Veterinary Diagnostics Lab accreditation. The accreditation support brings ongoing funds to hire additional scientists at the lab, allowing it to seek accreditation from its national organization. Accreditation becomes increasingly important in state laws that regulate the transportation and sale of animals.

 

“Overall, we have done very well and we express our gratitude to those who worked through difficult issues to make this happen,” said Albrecht.