The administrative department, office, or board of any penal or charitable state institution, or the state board of higher education, or any person thereof, in the transaction of the business of any state institution under its direction or control, may not make nor authorize knowingly any expenditure in the matter of the erection or improvement of any public building or structure, or the purchase of any real property, in excess of any appropriation made by the legislative assembly for such purpose. The president, superintendent, or managing officer of any state institution conducted under the direction or control of any department, office, or board, or the state board of higher education may not connive nor conspire knowingly with such departments, offices, or boards, nor with any member thereof, to procure to be expended in the matter of the erection or improvement of any public building or structure, or the purchase of any real property at the state institution of which the person is president, superintendent, or managing officer, any sum in excess of the appropriation therefor as made by the legislative assembly.