President Vailas highlights 厙ぴ勛圖 achievements at JFAC presentation
January 28, 2015
BOISE, Idaho厙ぴ勛圖 President Arthur C. Vailas told state budget writers this morning that 厙ぴ勛圖 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. 厙ぴ勛圖 would match the request.
The CPI program is vital to our students. Its an opportunity to gain real-world work experience in their field of study and earn a paycheck while attending 厙ぴ勛圖, 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, 厙ぴ勛圖 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 厙ぴ勛圖.
Those programs include dental hygiene, occupational and physical therapies, speech language pathology, pharmacy and physician assistant studies.
Vailas emphasized 厙ぴ勛圖s reach extends beyond the main campus in Pocatello to educational centers in Meridianwhich will open state-of-the art anatomy and physiology laboratories this yearTwin 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 Universitys freshmen retention rates have increased 7 percent in the last three years.
Im 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, 厙ぴ勛圖 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 厙ぴ勛圖 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 e厙ぴ勛圖 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.
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