Incredible. The Board of Higher Education has decided to request from the 2009 Legislature an increase of almost 53 percent in state funding. That's on top of a 19 percent increase for two years' appropriations granted by the 2007 Legislature.

The university system's 2007-09 budget for permanent operations is $477.4 million. But the board voted in a meeting Thursday that $729.2 million for the following biennium will do nicely, thanks much.

The discussion prompted this mind-boggling exchange between board member Sue Andrews and University System Chancellor Bill Goetz:

Andrews, reacting to the $729.2 million figure:"Is it enough?"

Goetz: "The answer is, depends on who you ask. You ask the presidents, campuses, obviously we can use more resources."

Who can't?

Please let it be possible that the chancellor, the board, the system including all the institutions' presidents are employing a strategy of asking in 2009 for way, way more than they expect will be given, hoping to end up with, say, a nice 25 percent increase.

Remember, that would be an increase based on the budget that was increased by 19 percent in 2007.

The title of the nonfiction documentary based on the board's adventure last week could be "Higher Ed in Wonderland." Or if you prefer Westerns, how about "Fistsful of Dollars?"

Laura Glatt, university system vice-chancellor for administrative affairs, called the 19 percent increase awarded in 2007 a first step, which "has to continue because we're coming off several years where that was not the case."

Granted, there have been many projects that have been deferred by state colleges and universities, including needed maintenance. And it's undeniable that the average of the salaries of faculty at those schools comes in dead last among all the states. A 7 percent increase for salaries of faculty and staff is included in the whopping amount of funding the board will seek from the 2009 Legislature. Quite possibly, that is the most justifiable argument in favor of an increase, to a point.

Ellen Chaffee, soon-to-retire president of Valley City State University, said there was nothing unimportant in the proposed $729.2 million budget, while saying that it wasn't "the full meal deal."

There might be some 2009 legislators who disagree, seeing it as a five-course meal with lobster as the seafood course and filet mignon as the main entree. It is they who'll decide whether there is nothing unimportant in the board's and schools' wish list.

At least, the board has plenty of time before the Legislature convenes - to reconsider, to give more thought to the amazing bottom line of its proposed budget. We hope it does. And if it doesn't, we pray the Legislature will educate Higher Ed.