NU officials prepare to defend budget ByIevaAugstums Senior staff writer --- Because of a production error, this sjory did not run in its entirety /Monday: With the Legislature’s increased focus on tight-fisted spending, univer sity officials are working to convince lawmakers that their budget requests are justified. However, heightened concern over state spending may impede the univer sity’s receiving higher salaries and bet ter technology, officials are worried. “I sense a strong desire to help die university,” said University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor James Moeser. “We are a favored institution in the state, but we are living in an era of reduced flexibility. It’s not going to be easy.” Last July, the NU Board of Regents approved the NU 1999-2001 biennial budget request that asks for a 6.8 percent increase for the first year over the 1998-99 budget of about $355.9 million. In February, Gov. Mike Johanns will present his budget to the Legislature for the next two years. Ron Withem, NU associate vice president for external affairs and direc tor of government relations, said the university needs to consider Johanns’ recommendation and the Legislature’s thoughts, then act on its requests. “It’s going to be a formidable chal lenge,” Withem said. “There is always more needs than dollars to go around.” The university’s legislative agenda includes increasing salaries, technolo gy funding and general inflation costs. Moeser said faculty and staff salaries are currently 5 to 6 percent below the midpoint of UNL’s peer institutions. “We are slipping and our peers are moving away from us,” Moeser said. “We need and want to keep our faculty. We need to catch up.” But Regent Drew Miller of Papillion disagreed. “I believe in merit pay, not these ideas of averages,” Miller said. “We should reward faculty and staff when and where it is necessary.” Withem said if the budget is passed, the Legislature and all four campuses would form a partnership, allowing each campus to gain a 4.625 percent yearly increase for the next four years. Along with salary increases, sever al million dollars are needed for tech nological funding at NU, Moeser said. “We have to be plugged in and wired to new technology,” he said. Funding would go toward increas ing distance learning capabilities throughout the state and will provide improved research possibilities. Kent Hendrickson, associate vice chancellor for information services, said UNL seeks $1.5 million to com plete a four-year project, reconstruct ing the technology infrastructure of university buildings. The project is scheduled to end June 30, even without the funds. All buildings will receive audio and digital technology improvements. However, if proper funding is not received, all buildings will not have the same technological capabilities. Withem said he is concerned the university may feel some effects of the state’s rejecting Initiative 413 last November. The amendment would have cut $20 million from NU’s bud get, according to university estimates. “If 413 would have passed, we would have been in dire need of funds,” Withem said. “Now we have to focus on convincing the Legislature that we need this money we are asking for.” Moeser said the university’s requests are rational and need to be analyzed thoroughly before a decision is made. “It costs money to run and main tain a university,” Moeser said. “All we want is what the Board of Regents is asking for.” Daughter ot victim to speak on execution By Josh Funk Senior staff writer Two days before the scheduled execution of Randy Reeves, profes sors and people connected to the case will discuss some of the under lying issues. This afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 at Comerstone