The private sector and the North Dakota University System have put forth one consistent message this legislative session: The single most important factor that will determine the future success of North Dakota will be the availability of "human capital" - the talent, energy and innovation needed to compete in today's knowledge-based economy. That is the central message emphasized by numerous private sector business representatives in testimony during this legislative session and at a Feb. 27 news conference.

In the 1980s and '90s, North Dakota lost young people because there were no jobs. Now our state is losing jobs because we do not have enough qualified people to fill them. The private sector is saying North Dakota needs more human capital - now - and they are saying they rely upon the North Dakota University System to provide it.

As chancellor and CEOs of the state's 11 public colleges and universities, it is both our responsibility and desire to provide the work force employers need in partnership with our state's business community and the Legislature. Together we can address the largest decline in young adults of any state in the nation and create a brighter future for the people and state of North Dakota.

We need legislators' help. To enhance the economy of North Dakota, we encourage their strategic investment in a 2007-09 NDUS budget that includes the following adjustments to the House version of HB1003 in priority order:

1. Restore $4.2 million in state general funds to provide 5 percent annual salary increases for faculty and staff, as originally included in the executive budget; even with this level of funding, some institutions will be faced with re-allocation and reductions to meet increased costs next biennium.

2. Fund the state health insurance plan at the level needed to maintain the current level of benefits for all state employees.

3. Add $2.4 million to provide adequate ConnectND funding to stabilize and enhance performance of the system and to maintain a balanced budget and positive cash flow through 2007-09 or 2009-11, depending upon the level of base and one-time funding.

4. Add $400,000 in base funding and $373,800 in one-time funding to complete the installation of the Northern Tier Network and to cover ongoing maintenance costs for one year of the biennium.

5. Add $200,000 to the State Board of Higher Education Contingency and Capital Improvement Emergency Fund to restore funding to the 2005-07 funding level of $496,482.

6. Add $1,791,174 to the SBHE Initiative Fund to restore funding to the 2005-07 funding level to support cost-saving projects and collaborative initiatives among the institutions.

7. Add $308,000 in funding to allow the addition of a full-time CTEC director.

8. Add $200,000 to the Operations Pool to restore funding to the 2005-07 funding level of $344,559.

Other important funding investments are continuation of the current Centers of Excellence program and increased funding for work force training, both of which are included in other agency budgets and need legislators' support.

(Copies of a version of this letter were sent to all state legislators. In addition to Dunn, chancellor of the university system, the letter was signed by Lee Vickers, president of Dickinson State University; Gary Hagen, president of Mayville State University; Ken Grosz, campus dean of Minot State University-Bottineau; Joseph Chapman, president of North Dakota State University; Ellen Chaffee, president of Valley City State University; Larry Skogen, president of Bismarck State College; Sharon Etemad, president of Lake Region State College; David Fuller, president of Minot State University; John Richman, president of North Dakota State College of Science; Charles Kupchella, president of the University of North Dakota; and Joseph McCann, president of Williston State College. - Editor)