BISMARCK — North Dakota lawmakers and representatives of the state’s University System on Wednesday took first steps in evaluating the way the state funds higher education.

Lawmakers said the formula used to evaluate funding for universities and colleges in the state has not been significantly changed since it was created in 2013.

But the financial landscape was dramatically different when the current formula was devised, said Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck.

“This formula was kind of set up pre (oil) boom for higher ed. Obviously, the higher ed landscape and the state of North Dakota has totally changed since 2013,” Nathe said. “We need to update this because we have huge workforce needs. We have growing schools, so the landscape online wasn't even a thing, barely, back in 2013.”

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