ISU projects get tentative go-ahead
Idaho State University won approval Thursday to begin bidding for renovations at Davis Field. The action came during meetings of the State Board of Education in Moscow. The project cost was not to exceed $5 million.
The board also authorized ISU to proceed with the bidding process to begin phase two of construction at the EAMES Career Technical Facility. The bidding is contingent on the collection of donated funds. The entire project was was limited to $18.9 million.
Idaho State also won approval to move ahead with two projects at the Meridian Health Sciences Center. A parking lot was limited to $2 million. The university will also begin negotiations to purchase property adjacent the Center. That bidding was limited to $3.5 million.
In other business, the board heard a proposal by all Idaho universities to increase spending limits on university athletic programs. The funds would have to come from state general funds and university funds. Institution presidents believe the proposal would help address gender equity issues within university athletic programs. The Board will make a decision on the matter at its June board meeting at North Idaho College.
Earlier this week, the board granted requests from Idaho’s four-year college and universities to increase the amount charged for dual credit courses by $10, from $65 to $75 per credit hour.
“The $65 dollar per credit hour fee has never changed and has been in place for more than a decade,” State Board President Dr. Linda Clark said. “It costs more for the institutions to teach and administer these courses than it did a decade ago and the Board recognizes that.”
The State’s Fast Forward program provides up to $4,125 dollars to each Idaho high school students to use to take dual credit courses, to earn college credit while still in high school.
Two of Idaho’s four community colleges, including College of Eastern Idaho, have already increased the fee for dual credit courses. The other two are considering it.
