Month: June 2023

Governor Henry McMaster issued his vetoes for the state budget on Tuesday, June 20.

There are no vetoes specific to Clemson University’s budget and legislative priorities.  

Clemson E&G
Recurring Requests
–      Base Appropriations Increase (In State Tuition Mitigation) $22M
–      College of Veterinary Medicine $12.5M
–      Student Experiential Learning $3.5M
–      STEM Workforce Development $7M

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Planned Maintenance and Renewal Projects $15.6M
–      College of Veterinary Medicine $75M 

Clemson PSA
Recurring Requests
–      Employee Retention & Recruitment $2.3M 

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Poultry Science Research Facility $4.5M
–      Critical PSA Research Infrastructure and Dam Improvements $2.1M
–      PSA Animal Farms Infrastructure (College of Veterinary Medicine): $15.4M
–      Statewide Program Support $1M 

Money Provisos Impacting Clemson:

–      Battelle Alliance at Savannah River National Lab — Of the funds appropriated for the Battelle Alliance forty percent ($16M) are allocated to Clemson University. The funds must be expended collaboratively to conduct research partnerships and develop workforce training programs designed to fill engineering, science, research, and management positions.
–      DHHS: Rural Health – Directs that at least $1M is recommended for rural health initiatives at Clemson University
–      DAODAS: Addiction Research – Directs $2M for a SC Center for Excellence in Addiction for a collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC
–      DHHS: Alzheimer’s Research – Directs $10M to be used by the collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC to achieve the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center designation
–      Athletic Admissions Revenue–For the current fiscal year, revenue derived from admissions to an athletic event of an accredited college or university shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue. Thereafter, the Department of Revenue shall allocate the same amount to the college or university so long as the use of the revenue is limited exclusively to supporting the college or university’s student-athletes through the provision of student aid, scholarship, and/or related financial support.

The budget includes several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University:
–      $4.1 million in recurring lottery dollars for students with intellectual disabilities attending college transition programs
–      $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools

The budget includes a $2500 compensation increase for state employees earning less than $50,000 and a 5% compensation increase for state employees earning more than $50,000. The language (included in proviso) that allows institutions the flexibility to reward based on performance remains in the bill.

The budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both will be paid by the state.  The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.

Thank you for your service on behalf of Clemson University, especially as we mark an important milestone in Clemson’s history with the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine.  Every day, we are reminded of how special the Clemson family is. Your commitment to advocacy on Clemson’s behalf is a tremendous contribution to our success. 

The budget conference report was adopted by the House and Senate and ratified on June 14. The budget was sent to the Governor who has 5 days, excluding Sunday, to issue vetoes. For appropriations bills, the Governor has line-item veto power.

Clemson E&G
Recurring Requests
–      Base Appropriations Increase (In State Tuition Mitigation) $22M
–      College of Veterinary Medicine $12.5M
–      Student Experiential Learning $3.5M
–      STEM Workforce Development $7M

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Planned Maintenance and Renewal Projects $15.6M
–      College of Veterinary Medicine $75M

Clemson PSA
Recurring Requests
–      Employee Retention & Recruitment $2.3M

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Poultry Science Research Facility $4.5M
–      Critical PSA Research Infrastructure and Dam Improvements $2.1M
–      PSA Animal Farms Infrastructure: $15.4M
–      Statewide Program Support $1M

Money Provisos Impacting Clemson:
–      Battelle Alliance at Savannah River National Lab — Of the funds appropriated for the Battelle Alliance forty percent ($16M) are allocated to Clemson University. The funds must be expended collaboratively to conduct research partnerships and develop workforce training programs designed to fill engineering, science, research, and management positions.
–      DHHS: Rural Health – Directs that at least $1M is recommended for rural health initiatives at Clemson University
–      DAODAS: Addiction Research – Directs $3M for a SC Center for Excellence in Addiction for a collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and US
–      DHHS: Alzheimer’s Research – Directs $10M to be used by the collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC to achieve the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center designation
–      Athletic Admissions Revenue–For the current fiscal year, revenue derived from admissions to an athletic event of an accredited college or university shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue. Thereafter, the Department of Revenue shall allocate the same amount to the college or university so long as the use of the revenue is limited exclusively to supporting the college or university’s student-athletes through the provision of student aid, scholarship, and/or related financial support.

The Conference Report includes several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University:

–      $4.1 million in recurring lottery dollars for students with intellectual disabilities attending college transition programs (Clemson LIFE)
–      $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools

The Conference Report includes a $2500 compensation increase for state employees earning less than $50,000 and a 5% compensation increase for state employees earning more than $50,000. The language (included in proviso) that allows institutions the flexibility to reward based on performance remains in the bill.

The Conference Report includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both will be paid by the state.  The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.

THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS
The Budget Conference Committee completed its work on the budget on Wednesday, June 8. The summary below outlines impacts to the University:

Clemson E&G
Recurring Requests
–      Base Appropriations Increase (In State Tuition Mitigation) $22M
–      College of Veterinary Medicine $12.5M
–      Student Experiential Learning $3.5M
–      STEM Workforce Development $7M

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Planned Maintenance and Renewal Projects $15.6M
–      College of Veterinary Medicine $75M 

Background: Clemson University College of Veterinary Medicine
–      Clemson has requested funding from the SC General Assembly to establish the College of Veterinary Medicine at Clemson University.
–      The total cost of to establish the College is $285 Million in nonrecurring and 20.5 million in recurring funding.
–      Last year the General Assembly funded $10 million in nonrecurring funds to conduct a feasibility study, begin the site selection process, and hire a dean. The feasibility study was completed and approved by the Clemson Board of Trustees in February 2023. The search process for a dean of the college is underway.

Clemson PSA
Recurring Requests
–      Employee Retention & Recruitment $2.3M
–      Statewide Program Support $1M 

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Poultry Science Research Facility $4.5M
–      Critical PSA Research Infrastructure and Dam Improvements $2.1M
–      PSA Animal Farms Infrastructure $15.4M 

Money Provisos Impacting Clemson

–      Battelle Alliance at Savannah River National Lab — Of the funds appropriated for the Battelle Alliance forty percent ($16M) are allocated to Clemson University. The funds must be expended collaboratively to conduct research partnerships and develop workforce training programs designed to fill engineering, science, research, and management positions.
–      DHHS: Rural Health – Directs that at least $1M is recommended for rural health initiatives at Clemson University
–      DAODAS: Addiction Research – Directs $3M for a SC Center for Excellence in Addiction for a collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC
–      DHHS: Alzheimer’s Research – Directs $10M to be used by the collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC to achieve the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center designation
–      Athletic Admissions Revenue–For the current fiscal year, revenue derived from admissions to an athletic event of an accredited college or university shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue. Thereafter, the Department of Revenue shall allocate the same amount to the college or university so long as the use of the revenue is limited exclusively to supporting the college or university’s student-athletes through the provision of student aid, scholarship, and/or related financial support.

The Conference Report includes several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University

–      $4.1 million in recurring lottery dollars for students with intellectual disabilities attending college transition programs
–      $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools

The budget includes a $2500 compensation increase for state employees earning less than $50,000 and a 5% compensation increase for state employees earning more than $50,000. The language (in proviso) that allows institutions the flexibility to reward based on performance remains in the bill.

The Conference Report includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both will be paid by the state.  The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.

The House and the Senate are scheduled to return to Columbia on Wednesday for adoption of the budget conference report. The budget will then go to Governor McMaster who has five days (not including Sunday) to sign the bill or issue vetoes.

THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS
The budget conference committee met briefly Monday afternoon, June 5, but has not yet reached a compromise on the House and Senate versions of the budget. Also, House Conferee Rep. David Weeks was unable to continue serving due to schedule and travel constraints. Rep. Todd Rutherford was named to serve in Rep. Weeks’s place.

The members of the budget conference committee include:
Senate:
Senator Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee)
Senator Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee)
Senator Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington)

House:
Rep. Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville)
Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R-Beaufort)
Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Richland)

As a reminder, the current versions of the budget include the following specifically for Clemson University and Clemson PSA:

Clemson E&G
Recurring Requests
–      Base Appropriations Increase (In State Tuition Mitigation)-CU requested: $12.1M (Senate recommended $13M) (House recommended $18M)
–      College of Veterinary Medicine – CU requested: $2.5M (Senate recommended $12.5M) (House recommended $7.5M)
–      Experiential Learning – CU requested: $3.5M (Senate recommended $3.5M in the lottery) (House recommended $1)

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Planned Maintenance and Renewal Projects- CU requested: $15M (Senate recommended $15.6M) (House recommended $2)
–      College of Veterinary Medicine – CU requested: $30M (Senate recommended $75M) (House recommended $1)

Clemson PSA
Recurring Requests
–      Employee Retention & Recruitment – CU requested: $2.3M (FUNDING IS LOCKED)
–      Statewide Program Support – CU requested: $1M (FUNDING IS LOCKED)
–      Problematic Wildlife – CU requested: $954,400  (Senate recommended $0) (House recommended $954,400 nonrecurring)

Nonrecurring Requests
–      Poultry Science Research Facility – CU requested: $4.5M (Senate recommended $4.5M) (House recommended $3M)
–      Critical PSA Research Infrastructure and Dam Improvements – CU requested: $8.2M (Senate recommended $4M) (House recommended $2.1M)
–      PSA Animal Farms Infrastructure: CU requested: $15.4M (Senate recommended $15.4M) (House recommended $1)

Background: Clemson University College of Veterinary Medicine
–      Clemson has requested funding from the SC General Assembly to establish the College of Veterinary Medicine at Clemson University.
–      The total cost of to establish the College is $285 Million in nonrecurring and 20.5 million in recurring funding.
–      Last year the General Assembly funded $10 million in nonrecurring funds to conduct a feasibility study, begin the site selection process, and hire a dean. The feasibility study was completed and approved by the Clemson Board of Trustees in February 2023. The search process for a dean of the college is underway.
–      The Senate version of the state appropriations bill includes approximately $90 million in nonrecurring and $12.5 million in recurring funds.

Money Provisos Impacting Clemson:
–      DHHS: Rural Health – Directs that at least $1M is recommended for rural health initiatives at Clemson University
–      DAODAS: Addiction Research – Directs $3M for a SC Center for Excellence in Addiction for a collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC
–      DHHS: Alzheimer’s Research – Directs $10M to be used by the collaboration between Clemson, MUSC, and USC to achieve the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center designation

The budget includes several items from the Executive Budget of impact to the University:
–      $4.1 million in recurring lottery dollars for students with intellectual disabilities attending college transition programs
–      $10 million in recurring lottery dollars for the continuation of the initiative to address the shortage of instructors in nursing schools

$2500 compensation increase for state employees earning less than $50,000 and a 5% compensation increase for state employees earning more than $50,000. The language (in proviso) that allows institutions the flexibility to reward based on performance remains in the bill.

The budget includes an increase in the cost of health insurance and an increase in retirement contributions for state employees and employers.  The employee portion of both will be paid by the state.  The employer portion of both will have to be covered partially by the university.

From a state budgeting standpoint, Clemson is considered two separate state agencies: a research university that receives an educational and general (E&G) state appropriation for teaching and student support, and a land-grant Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs.

The university also has auxiliary operations, such as athletics, student housing and dining services, which receive no state funding and must generate all of their own revenue.

NEWS AND FYI
Please follow CU at the Capitol on Twitter. Current news coverage of interest may be found here.