Solid NAU budget demonstrates strong state support

The state budget signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano on Monday provides the most substantial enrollment growth funds to Northern Arizona University in more than a decade.

The budget, which takes effect July 1, also provides support for the expansion of NAU's health professions programs, salary increases and student and faculty retention initiatives.

"This budget demonstrates that our Legislature and Gov. Napolitano care about education, not just at NAU but at all levels," said President John Haeger. "The funding for NAU will make a substantial difference in our commitment to quality undergraduate education, workforce development and access to higher education to Arizona residents."

NAU's state operating budget for 2007-08 totals $159,092,229 and represents a 17 percent increase over last year. It is the largest percentage increase of the three universities.

Included in the 2007-08 budget is $4.4 million for enrollment growth. Northern Arizona University recorded the largest enrollment in its history last fall with a student population of 20,562—up nearly 1,500 students over the previous year.

The enrollment growth dollars will allow the university to fund some of the top priorities in each vice presidential area on campus, Arizona Board of Regents' initiatives and recruitment and retention of key faculty positions in support of undergraduate education.

The approved state budget also includes the $4 million the president had requested to create new health professions programs in the state to combat shortages in such areas as occupational therapy, physician assistant, biomedical science and clinical lab sciences. NAU now begins a search for a dean of the new College of Health and Human Services and an executive director of nursing.

"This is an opportunity for NAU to take the lead in training students for careers in the health professions, which serves an important public agenda for the state," Haeger said. "We look forward to joining our expertise in the health professions with the University of Arizona and Arizona State University at the new academic medical complex in Phoenix."

The FY '08 budget also includes $4.4 million for salary adjustments at NAU. That equates to a 3.25 percent pay increase. However, the Arizona Board of Regents must first approve university plans for allocating the increases. Following ABOR approval, the adjustments would be retroactive to July 2.

The state budget will cover the health insurance premium increase for employers. Those who participate in the Arizona State Retirement System will pay an additional .5 percent for the employee share.

NAU will receive another $4.7 million in its budget for student and faculty retention. This funding will provide for increased advising, classroom upgrades and college- and department-level incentives for achieving retention goals.

Haeger has set a university-wide retention goal of 78 percent of full-time, first-time freshmen by 2010. The fall 2006 retention rate was 71.8 percent.

The university also received $400,000 for the Arizona Water Institute.