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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The state’s university’s and colleges had to deal with a 20 percent budget reduction this year as legislators made cuts due a slumping oil and agriculture economy in North Dakota.

Valley City State University President Dr. Tisa Mason said for VCSU the allotment reflected a budget cut of 5 million dollars for the university. She said 20 teaching positions were cut, a majority through retirements. However, six positions were cut permanently.

Valley City State University’s  budget was $25.5 million and was reduced to $20.5 million in the upcoming biennium. Mason also talked about a capital improvement project that will benefit Valley City State University down the road. The new heating plant.

Mason said the construction of the new heating plant will be completed later this year. But the demolition of Foss Music Hall is on hold being the construction of a new Fine Arts and Communication Building is on hold due to a legislative funding mechanism.

Mason said despite the gloomy news there are a number of positive things that are happening now at the university. Enrollment set a record and funding during the annual VCSU Scholarship Auction increased by more than $10,000 compared to last years auction.