Associated Press

Part of a new administrative computer software program may need to be rewritten to handle some of the accounting demands of North Dakota's largest universities, an administrator says.

Bonnie Neas, the North Dakota university system's deputy chief information officer, told the state Board of Higher Education on Thursday that the state's colleges need more staffing to help the ConnectND project operate properly.

Neas said officials who have been supervising work with the new software have suggested adding 11 positions. About 60 people now work with ConnectND and other computer systems within North Dakota's college network.

Neas said she is uncertain whether that many new hires are needed, but said, "there is, indeed, a need for more staff."

At present, the system is relying on five consultants who are paid an average of $200 an hour, to provide needed assistance. "If we had staff, I don't think that we would need to be investing as much in consultants as we are," Neas said.

Neas and Randall Thursby, a former chief information officer for Georgia's university system, have been hired to work out the kinks in ConnectND.