BOISE-- The University of Idaho has watched its budget shrink over the past four years. In all, its lost $30 million in state funding. To fill that hole university leaders are trying something different, they're turning to new partnerships.
These partnerships don't just help the university bring in money, it helps students interact with companies around the state and get some hands-on experience.
"It certainly creates a healthier university by having these partnerships," said University of Idaho President Duane Nellis.
Nellis has put a lot of effort into forming these partnerships. A handful of partners are right here in the Treasure Valley, like the Wheat Commission, Idaho Power, Wells Fargo and Micron.
Simplot partnered with the U of I when it was about to shut down the Parma research facility because of budget cuts. Simplot offered to pay to keep the facility open if its researchers could use the space.
"Simplot's CEO, Bill Whitacer, has told me on several occasions how much they've appreciated the opportunity and how it is something that they wish they would have done it earlier because it has been such a positive thing for them as well as for us," said Nellis.
Phil Tate is also a Treasure Valley partner, he owns Campbell Company. It's a company that develops high-tech crosswalk signs.
Four years ago, an engineering professor from the U of I approached him about a partnership.
Tate donates money to the university and in return engineering students and professors help him develop new technology.
"Working with the group of students and the professor you get a lot of free thinking going on about what could be rather than what the restraints are," said Tate.
Tate's been so impressed he hired one of the students and plans to hire another student this spring.
A lot of people partner with the university to ensure they have strong job candidates.
"We believe in what they are doing. Some of it is selfishly too for Wells Fargo because they are educating our future workforce," said Amy McDevitt, a Wells Fargo spokeswoman.
Some companies have donated to the U of I for years. But when the university had millions of state dollars cut from its budget, it started seeking out more partnerships. This year the university is up to 250 partnerships.
"We are a partner with the state in helping the states grow, the state of Idaho grow and also enhancing the quality of life for our citizens," said Nellis.
Many of the university's 250 partnerships are with companies based out of Idaho, but it also has partnerships with companies based outside the state like Alaska Airlines, Time Warner Cable and Verizon.
