More legislative oversight of UNH budget?

Next Tuesday, March 28 the Senate Finance committee will host a public hearing on two bills intended to increase the Legislature’s involvement in the state university budget.

One bill, HB 409, states that “The chancellor of the university system and the chancellor of the community college system shall provide detailed budgets of their respective system operations upon legislative or executive request.” 

The other bill, HB 95, establishes a committee to study how the university and community college systems spend taxpayer money, and to study how to “ensure accountability for such expenditures.” 

Spending at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has come under scrutiny after some controversial purchases, from a $17,000 LED dining hall table to a new $4.5 million outdoor pool. 

Meanwhile New Hampshire has the highest in-state tuition and fees among public universities in the United States (although UNH was able to freeze tuition in recent years). 

Opponents of increased legislative oversight note that the governor already has a seat on the university system Board of Trustees, which is responsible for overseeing the budget and setting tuition. The governor also appoints several members of the board.

Others argue that the solution to lower tuition is not increased legislative involvement in budgeting, but rather increased state funding overall. In 2012 the Legislature slashed university funding in half. Right now state taxpayer funding only covers 9% of the university budget. 

Do you think the Legislature should have more oversight of UNH budgeting? Share your opinion in the comments below.