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Guest Opinion: Advocating for academics and ag agencies

BOZEMAN – At the recent Board of Regents’ meeting, several motions were presented that involved funding for Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations and the MSU Extension Service. I want to ensure that our agricultural producers in the state understand my position on these motions and my plans for increasing support for these two agencies, which are at the heart of our land grant institution.

By GEOFFREY GAMBLE
MSU President

Two motions were introduced for board consideration. The first was to restore the FY03 funding for MAES to the FY02 level. This would restore $300,000, but the funding would come from reducing the allocation the MSU and UM campuses (including Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Havre, Dillon and Missoula). The second motion was to restore $100,000 to the Extension Service FY03 budget, as backfill for decreased federal funding. This amount would also come from the allocation to all of the MSU and UM campuses.

I opposed these motions, not because I don’t support the need for increased funding for our agencies, but because of the way in which those monies were to be reallocated by the Regents. I see the Legislature’s decision in 1995 to "line item" the agencies’ funding as wise public policy. It protects against a commingling of funds by separating the agency from university funding, and therefore ensuring that student funding will not be used for the operation of an agency, and likewise that agency funding will not be used for an instructional purpose. This is as it should be. Our instructional efforts should not be subsidized with agency funds, nor should our research and outreach efforts be subsidized with instructional funding.
Appropriation decreases

Since 1992, the general fund appropriation to MAES has increased by 30 percent, and to Extension Service by 47 percent. By contrast, the state appropriation to the Montana University System campuses has decreased by 2 percent. This comparison demonstrates that our past efforts, in concert with agricultural organizations, have made a difference.

In addition, our faculty in the College of Agriculture and MAES have brought in more than $16 million this past year in competitive grants, which is almost 25 percent of our total funded research enterprise at MSU-Bozeman, and which underscores the national reputations these faculty have achieved.

In spite of the success of these efforts, however, our agencies still need attention, as current funding is restricting their ability to properly serve our state. I asked the Legislature in the August special session to give increased consideration to the funding level of our two agencies.
Adequate funding sought

Several decisions were made by the Legislature to protect MAES and Extension Service from the full impact of the budget reductions implemented for the rest of state government. I will ask again in the regular session of the Legislature for additional consideration for an adequate funding level for our agencies.

As president of Montana State University, my job is to ensure that our two agencies remain viable and healthy through these difficult budget times, and that we take the necessary steps now to ensure they can continue to make significant contributions to our agricultural producers and businesses throughout the state.

I will be meeting with leaders of our agricultural organizations in mid-November. In that meeting, we will be developing plans for a coordinated effort during the next legislative session. I look forward to working with these partner organizations in crafting plans that will contribute to obtaining the executive and legislative support our agencies need and deserve.

Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises.

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