President Vailas highlights ISU achievements at JFAC presentation

BOISE, Idaho—Idaho State University President Arthur C. Vailas told state budget writers this morning that ISU is committed to leading the state in health science education and creating new opportunities for academic discovery, research and economic development.

Speaking before the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee at the State Capitol in Boise, Vailas highlighted faculty, staff and student accomplishments of the past year and outlined goals for next year, including seeking a state budget request of $1.7 million to fund the highly successful Career Path Internship program. ISU would match the request.

“The CPI program is vital to our students. It’s an opportunity to gain real-world work experience in their field of study and earn a paycheck while attending ISU,” said Vailas. He also noted that the internship can give students a leg up when seeking employment after graduation.

As the state-designated leader in health science education, ISU continues to offer more health professions degrees than any other Idaho university.

In 2014, eight of the top 11 health professions programs in greatest need across the country (according to Forbes magazine) were available at ISU.

Those programs include dental hygiene, occupational and physical therapies, speech language pathology, pharmacy and physician assistant studies.

Vailas emphasized ISU’s reach extends beyond the main campus in Pocatello to educational centers in Meridian—which will open state-of-the art anatomy and physiology laboratories this year—Twin Falls and Idaho Falls. Enrollment and retention rates university-wide continue to climb. The number of new first-time freshmen increased 19 percent from fall 2013 to fall 2014. The University’s freshmen retention rates have increased 7 percent in the last three years.

“I’m pleased to report many of those students are staying with us, completing their degrees, landing good jobs and supporting the Idaho economy,” said Vailas. In 2014, ISU awarded a record 2,361 degrees with 51 percent in the health professions and STEM disciplines, which include science, technology, engineering and math.

The president also applauded ISU faculty, staff and students for their commitment to research, innovation and community service.

In addition to the $1.7 million request for matching CPI funds, Vailas is seeking $5.1 million for a 6 percent increase in salary funding to bring faculty and staff compensation packages more in line with national averages; approximately $1.2 million to expand eISU and online classes; and $33,500 in one-time funding to place the Idaho Museum of Natural History collection online, making it accessible from anywhere in the world.