BISMARCK (AP) - The chairman of a North Dakota legislative committee that reviews higher education spending says the university system's requests for more employees are going to get tough scrutiny.
New chancellor Ham Shirvani (shur-VAN'-ee) is asking for 30 new staffers in the North Dakota university system's central office. That would double the existing staff.
Shirvani says the people are needed to provide meaningful oversight of the system's operations.
Tioga Rep. Bob Skarphol is chairman of a North Dakota House Appropriations subcommittee that reviews higher education budgets.
He says legislators will be skeptical of the request, but Skarphol says they may become more sympathetic once they hear Shirvani explain how it is justified.
Skarphol says Shirvani is sincere and "very committed to what he believes."