Minnesota State Colleges and Universities board approves budget request to Legislature
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a recommendation from Chancellor James H. McCormick that the board request $630 million annually from the state in 2012 and 2013.
The request is the amount set by the Legislature as the base last session.
“The request recognizes the state’s difficult economic situation,” said Scott Thiss, who chairs the Board of Trustees. “By funding the request, the Legislature would help us hold down tuition increases and give more Minnesotans a chance to gain the skills and knowledge they need in today’s job market.”
Chancellor James H. McCormick said: “Employers in every region of the state depend on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to prepare and maintain a skilled workforce, increase employee productivity and promote new business growth. In the near future, this state simply must have more college graduates to remain globally competitive. To do this, we are working hard to recruit, retain and graduate more students but we must have adequate resources.” Eighty percent of the system’s graduates remain in the state.
The request amounts to a $49.7 million increase and would provide funding to preserve quality in instructional and student support services, provide 21st century equipment in classrooms and laboratories, invest in systemic efficiency improvements and sustain cutting-edge workforce development programs.
Currently, the system receives less state support than it did in fiscal year 2002. The system has experienced a 25 percent enrollment increase in recent years, placing tremendous pressures on faculty and student services.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system also serves about 277,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 157,000 students in non-credit courses.