Regents approve unified FY28 budget request, endorsing maintenance and technology investments

The South Dakota Board of Regents on a voice vote approved the systemwide fiscal year 2028 budget request presented by the presidents of the six public universities and the central office. Regent Rave moved the motion to approve the FY28 request and the board passed it after discussion praising its alignment with workforce and affordability goals.

Board members emphasized maintenance and technology as priorities in their votes. University of South Dakota president Sheila Gestering urged sustained investment in physical plant maintenance as a cost‑avoidance strategy, saying, "When maintenance is deferred, costs don't disappear, they grow. A repair becomes a replacement. A scheduled project becomes an emergency." Vice president for finance Heather Forney framed the technology requests as needed to sustain core services and to prepare the system for AI and security needs.

The approved package combines ongoing requests and one‑time investments: a system aim to reach 2% physical plant maintenance and repair funding; $4.5 million for ongoing core technology maintenance and an endorsed one‑time $20 million request described as a multi‑phase future‑ready initiative. Regents voiced support for coordinated presentation to the governor and legislature and praised the presidents' consolidated approach. The board recorded the motion, held discussion, and the motion passed by voice vote.