Engagement with Public Officials

USNH State Appropriation Requests – FY2020-2021

 

Capital Appropriation Request

The University System's top capital budget request is for the renovation and expansion of Spaulding Hall at UNH in Durham. This six-year, $86 million project - $35 million contributed by the state, $51 million by UNH/USNH - will create teaching and research facilities to support needed program growth to provide a STEM talent pipeline for NH businesses. The project will create 11 new and renovated instructional labs fitted with modern equipment, and increase laboratory instructional capacity by 850 students. The expansion will increase the number of students graduating in STEM fields by 250 a year.

In addition to the UNH project, the University System will seek $9 million over the next three biennia to address critical deferred maintenance in high-use buildings at Keene State College and Plymouth State University in order to meet the needs of students and help support the economies of the Monadnock, Lakes Region, and North Country regions.

 

Operating Appropriation Request

The University System’s FY 20-21 budget request will support a statewide talent initiative that targets high-demand areas of healthcare, technology, and precision manufacturing. This one-time, $27 million state investment was informed by stakeholders and employment data and will provide continued value to the state well beyond the biennium. These funds will support projects at the three residential campuses, including:
 
  • A doubling of students graduating from health care programs at the University of New Hampshire, including nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, and occupational therapists;
  • The creation of a Business Partnership Hub for precision optics design, engineering, and manufacturing at Keene State College, coupled with an expansion of healthcare-related educational pathway programs and partnerships; and
  • A STEM workforce focus at Plymouth State University connecting the technology and health needs to development in the southern parts of the State in biotechnology, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, ARMI, and robotics to bring development to the area north of Concord.

In addition to one-time strategic funding, the University System has submitted a $5 million efficiency request that will maintain NH resident enrollment levels and limit tuition increases to no more than 2.5%, well below national trends.