University of Idaho President C. Scott Green Highlights Impacts of Inflation in Presentation to State Budget Writers

At the University of Idaho, President C. Scott Green expressed his gratitude to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee for the one-time security funding requested to cover costs associated with the deaths of four students in November. The funds would be used for the Idaho State Police, the safe shuttle service, counseling services, the vigil, and consulting services for media, social media, and security review. Green was emotional as he thanked the committee, saying, “We were shaken by unspeakable tragedy in our community last year, yet our Vandal family pulled together and continues to today.”

The committee then questioned Green about the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs. He referred them to an independent report from 2021 that found that staff positions related to DEI were proportionate to the size of the university and had positive impacts on student outcomes. He noted that only two positions were partially funded with state funds, one of which was 77% funded with non-taxpayer money and the other was only 10%.

Green also highlighted the university’s achievements, such as bringing in its largest research grant and the 20% higher go-on rate than the state average. The governor’s proposed budget includes $15.5 million for UI