After four years of cuts, Northern Arizona University’s budget will see an increase after the state Legislature agreed to Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal.
NAU will receive about $104 million in state-appropriated funds out of Arizona’s $8.6 billion budget. The university’s share is about $3.3 million more than last year’s appropriation of $101 million.
“We appreciate Gov. Brewer and the Legislature’s support for our student success initiatives,” NAU President John Haeger said. “The state has been in difficult financial circumstances the last few years, so I’m grateful that Arizona’s leadership is demonstrating its faith in the university system.”
NAU’s additional funding is part of $15.3 million allocated to NAU and Arizona State University for course redesign, classroom technology and unfunded enrollment growth. Through innovative changes, NAU hopes to increase its student retention rates and decrease per-student costs without sacrificing quality.
Rick Myers, chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, said, “Today we are thankful for the state taking initial steps to reinvest in higher education. For the first time in five fiscal years, the Arizona University System will receive new state general fund dollars in support of critical educational programs.”
NAU has seen its budget appropriation decrease by $60 million since 2009. At the same time enrollment has grown significantly in Flagstaff and across Arizona.
Details on the state budget can be found on the governor’s website.