NDMoonStars

It is going to be a very rough few years for the local economy in Grand Forks, with the gradual enrollment declines at UND (fewer of the students will actually be in Grand Forks; this is especially the case for many masters' level programs and some PhD programs), and changes in the national economy. As per questions of people being willing to drive an hour from Grand Forks to Fargo, in many areas around the country,this situation is already in place with people being willing and happy to drive an hour to go to a larger city. Downtown development seems to be going in the right direction at least, and that is an encouraging sign. I'm a bit surprised Best Buy has stayed open as long as it has as it usually is fairly empty.

If you look at the composition of the SBHE and the committee, it was pretty clear from the get go that Heitkamp would not be seriously considered. Thoughts and observations on the pool collectively: Four come from an engineering background; one hard science; one education. Two former presidents, two former provosts. No sitting presidents and technically, no sitting provosts. One who is broadly equivalent to provost (at least for academic functions), and one who is a Dean, but has interviewed for presidential-level positions previously. Several have the potential to suffer from similar concerns as Kennedy did in my view (rather not name names). None are local to ND, which is kind of what I expected, but two have connections to the region more broadly. Relatively low salary compared to peers will also be a barrier. Preferred candidates at this point: Armacost, Stenberg Nichols, Tikalsky (not necessarily in that order).

4 year universities are UND, NDSU, Minot State, Valley City State, Mayville State, and Dickinson State. Bismarck State has some 4 year programs, but is mostly 2 year.

http://www.prettytough.com/whats-the-difference-between-divisions-i-ii-and-iii-schools/ If this is correct, must have 7 sports for men and 7 for women with two team sports for each gender (or can have six for men and eight for women).

I think there are additional requirements (higher) for D1 more set by the NCAA(?) beyond Summit League requirements. I could be wrong on this though. I have always thought the magic number is in the neighborhood of 14.

#1: Not sure what minimum number of sports are total to be in Summit League or D1 (I want to say it's 14, but don't quote me on this). #2: Then that option can't happen (not sure if it couldn't be changed in both ends with renegotiation though, where ND schools raise rates on MN students and MN raises rates on ND students). Many MN universities also are in serious need of additional revenue. #3: I thought it was 4% combined for the two years. If it is 4% per year, then that issue is less of a concern and also harder to justify changing.

Variety of options for UND and NDSU. What it likely will come down to is a mix of some of the following things (these are all theoretical possibilities): I think 1-2 more sports can perhaps be cut Continued faculty/staff buyouts Reduction in graduate programs (Ph.D/Ed.D especially, but could be MA also) Elimination of smaller undergraduate programs Increase in teaching load for tenure track/tenured faculty Continued loss of jobs (without replacement) in administrative offices (this really only has a marginal benefit in terms of costs though) Reduction in research grant outlays Continued closing down of older buildings, dorms, etc., as fewer students are on campus at UND (I think the same is true at NDSU to a slightly lesser degree) Increase of tuition on Minnesota residents, but this would be marginal short-term benefit and potentially large long-term cost Basically the same things that have already happened are likely to occur, but most likely with more elimination of programs. More drastic things are possible, but not that likely to occur IMO. That likely gets an additional 10% cut assuming no larger structural or fiscal changes occur such as changing the Constitution to shut down 2-3 smaller universities or taking money from the Legacy Fund to offset a portion of this (I don't anticipate that happening; perhaps interest, but it doesn't solve the longer term fiscal issues). Depends really on what the Legislature decides to do as the ball will be in their court. Unpopular, but theoretical larger things that could happen (probably not likely but theoretical possibilities): Elimination/modification of/partial exemption to law only allowing tuition increases of 2.5% per annum I think(?), but that is really a long-term answer (although I think larger increases of MN resident tuition can be done, with potential loss of students from Minnesota) Constitutional amendment with full court press from both state legislature and governor actively campaigning for change Use of some money from Legacy Fund to reduce burden to some extent (not likely and would have relatively small impact I think, but would allow additional attrition from retirements and not replacing people who retire) Differential cuts (different colleges/universities get cut different amounts percentage-wise rather than evenly distributed across universities/units within universities; perhaps the best, but politically toughest option)