Tracker Pixel for Entry

​To: North Dakota Senators and Representatives

Letters to the Editor | April 3rd, 2019

The North Dakota Student Association (NDSA) is a student-funded and student-led advocacy organization representing North Dakota’s 45,000 public college and university students. We have been very active this legislative session promoting the voice of students in state policymaking, and one major focus of ours has been lessening the financial burden of college.

Perhaps one of the best ways you can make college more affordable for students is by supporting the Challenge Fund Grant program. This two-for-one match program—which provides institutions with $1 from the state of North Dakota for every $2 raised from a private donor—has had a profound impact on stimulating philanthropy for education in our state.

Since 2013, $90 million has been generated to support scholarships for students.

North Dakota has a skilled workforce shortage, but with the growing cost of college, pursuing a postsecondary education to develop the critical skills necessary to fill these positions has become increasingly unaffordable for many students. These scholarships have helped to combat this issue by giving low-income students a chance to move up the economic ladder.

As legislators, you know firsthand the importance of networking and capitalizing on opportunities. Full-time students who have to work full-time to cover education costs are prevented from realizing the benefits of unpaid internships and industry networking events. These $90 million have helped students focus more time on their academics and take advantage of professional development opportunities.

NDSA calls on you to empower students across our state by restoring Challenge Fund appropriations to a level seen in past biennia. Legislators, please reach out to your colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund this program, which has been some of the best money North Dakota has ever spent on higher education. We hope you will join us with your support.

NDSA Director of Governmental Affairs Taylor Toso, Bismarck

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com Ten North Dakota communities will participate in the nationwide No Kings Day of Peaceful Action on October 18. The grassroots movement is a nonviolent protest against President Trump’s…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu I would like to recognize some of the scholarly Germans from Russia from Canada and USA shared on the GRHC website. There are additional names not included here. If you have suggestions…

Friday, October 31, doors 8 p.m. show starts at 8:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe annual Aquarium Halloween Cover Show is back and it is stacked. And this time there are a limited amount of presale…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com At the end of September, downtown Fargo said goodbye to another old friend; the Spirit Room closed its doors, marking the end of an era. The Spirit Room room has been a fixture downtown for the…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comThat old time religion, filled with love, is no longer good enough In the first “Inherit the Wind” movie about religion and evolution starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, and Gene Kelly, the…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Now available on Amazon Prime following its world premiere last month as the opening night selection of the Toronto International Film Festival’s golden anniversary, “John Candy: I Like…

By HPR staffsubmit@hpr1.com Mark the first weekend of October on your calendar. It’s the weekend of the Studio Crawl, which takes us all on a wonderful, metro-wide tour of our talented (and often wacky) arts community. On October…

Press release“Shakespeare with a sharpened edge.” To launch its 2025 – 2026 season, Theatre NDSU is thrilled to team up with Moorhead-based organization Theatre B to perform a co-production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com When we are sick, all we want is a cure. You go to the doctor, they give you a pill, you take it for a bit, then you are cured. It happens. But unfortunately, it is not always the case. …

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…