More faculty and higher salaries are priorities in the proposed 2019-20 budget for the state's system of 25 public colleges and universities.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education voted Thursday to request $878.2 million in state funding, an increase of $101.5 million or 13 percent over the current budget.

"This request is a conservative budget request for $101 million, with every dollar programmed to drive increasing college degree completion, shortening the time to degree, and saving students and parents money," Chancellor Glen Johnson said.

"This budget request strengthens our role, which is a vital role in providing the graduates that will fill the job needs of this state," Johnson said.