FARGO (AP) - The North Dakota Board of Higher Education took a $69-million chunk out of its $808 million backlog in deferred maintenance projects, and some board members say it's not enough.
The board during a conference call meeting Wednesday approved more than $200 million in capital projects, including a new heating plant at Valley City State and new water and sewer lines at North Dakota State College of Science.
Board member Kevin Melicher, of Fargo, calls the need for building improvements "enormous'' and believes the oil-rich state has the ability to fund more of them.
The board also approved 3 percent raises for most of the university presidents. Williston State College President Raymond Nadolny received a 5-percent raise mainly because of the high cost of living in the oil patch.