Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Plan eliminates UTTC funding

Plan eliminates UTTC funding

Feb 08, 2005 - 06:52:15 CST

By TOM RAFFERTY, Bismarck Tribune

Officials announced Monday that this is the fourth year in a row President Bush's budget has eliminated funding for United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck.

Although Congress has restored funding for the college in each of the past three years, it would be a major blow to the school if the funding doesn't come through this year.

According to David Gipp, president of the college, the school's annual budget is a little more than $7 million, of which about $3.5 million comes from a federal grant through the Department of the Interior.

"It would certainly put the intertribal college in jeopardy," Gipp said.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., was disappointed at the news, but also optimistic that Congress will restore funding because of the college's important mission.

"We have been able to get funding restored because this college does an excellent job in providing students with career skills they need," Pomeroy said.

Pomeroy said it has turned into a game with the Office of Management and Budget because Congress has had to restore the funding year after year.

Officials had predicted beforehand that the college would not be funded in Bush's budget.

Gipp testified before a legislative committee on Monday morning asking state lawmakers for help even before he knew for sure the funding would be taken away.

The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously for a "do pass" recommendation on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4024, which sends a letter to Congress and the president urging them to restore the funding.

The resolution asks Congress for $4.5 million in funding, which is $1 million more than what the school received last year. Gipp said the additional money would be used to expand programs and pay for increased costs.

Gipp testified that the college helps students from all over the United States and provides an economic boost to Bismarck.

"The federal administration really has not come up with any sound reason to why we've been eliminated," Gipp said.

United Tribes Technical College has been in existence since 1969.

The college provides two-year associate degrees and one-year certificates.

Programs include a licensed practical nurse program, small business management, health information technology, automotive and building trades, office technology, art and art marketing.

Gipp said more than 600 students attend the college, and 300 children of the students and staff attend elementary school and day care facilities. Students from across the United States representing several tribes attend the school.

Although the announcement wasn't good news for the college, Gipp said he is optimistic that the funding will be restored. In addition to urging Congress to restore funding, Gipp said he also will be traveling to Washington, D.C., to ask the Office of Management and Budget to reverse the decision.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who sits on an appropriations subcommittee that will take up the issues, said the Bush administration obviously doesn't value funding the college even though it has been shown to be an excellent college.

"Frankly, they know better," Dorgan said.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

sister wrote on Dec 12, 2007 11:03 PM:

" your missed dearly buddy. "

guess wrote on Feb 13, 2007 12:19 PM:

" Thanks for putting MY efforts into the paper. You rock. No Alyysa, this is my idea. "

Alyssa Roller wrote on Jan 1, 2007 10:27 PM:

" hey . thanks for putting that sweet article in the news paper i just love when people can read about me ! well thanks love : alyssa roller "

Question? wrote on Dec 30, 2006 9:52 AM:

" How come is the school improvement director for DPI not a licensed teacher? Is this a patern the State Superintendent of Public Instruction has been doing for years? I've heard rumors to that effect. It would be nice if someone would check this out - and not only in the school improvment department. I think the State Superintendent should be held to the same standard as public schools are held to in North Dakota. Currently when schools hire teachers who do not have a current North Dakota Teacher's License, someone (the teacher) pays a fine ( I think it is about $ 100. per day.) I think what is good for the goose is good for the gander. DPI should be held to the same standard as teachers and the schools. "

Correction wrote on Dec 30, 2006 9:38 AM:

" The article states that "The plan provides further details to state assessments, which are currently given to fourth-, eighth- and 12th-graders and will eventually be expanded to other grades." This is incorrect. For the past 2 years the state assessments were administered to students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. Twelfth grade students haven't been assessed for 3 years. "

Let's do it!! wrote on Oct 19, 2006 5:34 PM:

" Lets give back the whole state to the Native Peoples of this land. It's there's anyway!! "

Buck wrote on Aug 30, 2006 9:59 AM:

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Kristin wrote on Aug 24, 2006 2:09 AM:

" Well i was searching for my friend Kelly Winn the snow boarder i meant from the max air show at a Carnival in Carbondale IL... i use to work with Harris Exoitics and we were set up right behind him... Kelly and i kept in touch for a while after but i guess i know why the letters stopped now. you know it sucks to have had to find out this was. i still thought of him from time to time hoping one day we'd see eachother again i cant believe i had to find out this way years later what had a happen. RIP Kelly. Im just sorry it took me this long to find out.. "

ummyeah wrote on Aug 16, 2006 10:39 AM:

" These comments aren't even about the article. Wow. "

washingtongirl1 wrote on Aug 3, 2006 3:30 AM:

" Wow! These comments don't even seem to apply...? Far too confusing for those who read, to even try to care. Hmmm, who screens this anyway? "

L33tmaster wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:51 AM:

" I hate the government. They have no right to tell me what I can or can't do. I'll gamble online whenever i damn please. "

hunkpapa wrote on May 24, 2006 9:32 AM:

" The Gaming Division of North Dakota need to furhter investigate this man. He has been given a license to steal just as he did at Standing Rock. Banks accounts and other financial information needs to be collected and examined on how he was able to obtain the funds to purchase the establishment in Fargo. One would believe it was from the money that was obtined from the Standing Rock Tribe. Be where of this individual. "

Shannon wrote on May 16, 2006 11:49 AM:

" Whay happpend to this women is unbelivable but the article was to discriptive of the scene. Yes, we are curois about the events that surrounded her murder but to what extent? Could you emagine if you read about your grandmother this way.... what would be your feelings then?! "

berber wrote on May 8, 2006 6:50 PM:

" what is another bird in the pelican family "

kathy toohey wrote on May 4, 2006 12:26 AM:

" I never fully understood the vital lifeline that Greyhound is, or was according to the article. It is somewhat confusing, you don't know if they are going or coming back. All of the stories are everyday stories and these are the ones that should be heard, and considered in such a decision, community, and communities that were all connected by this one bus line, and the jobs that were connected with this company, to rid these individuals of this one required mode of transportation is totally uncalled for and should be rectified immediately. We have to remember what we are dealing with here, humans who by helping them, they help one another, and it continues on,and all concerned will benefit and they will make their money, they have to remember maybe their pockets are to full and might need some individuals to be held accountable for the reasons that this is happening at all. "

Bob Armentrout wrote on Apr 17, 2006 9:21 AM:

" Just a quick note, my wife (who is from the La Crosse, WI area) and I saw about 200 white pelicans on the Mississippi River, just south of Stoddard WI. She told me she had never seen pelicans in this area before. We saw the flock first on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006. Today, April 17, the flock has scattered some, mostly appearing to be in breeding pairs. If we see any nesting, we will post additional comments. "

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