Many higher education advocates discuss potential cuts to the system with lawmakers
Students and faculty with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system testified earlier this week in front of the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed budget cuts to the system. Jennifer Weil, vice-chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association, or MSUSA, said she is concerned about budget cuts for the upcoming biennium because students still are paying the price for the cuts made to the system in 2003. Weil said student debt and borrowing has become the norm. She also told committee members that colleges and universities play a key role in rebuilding the economy. Also testifying for MSUSA were Cody Nelson, a recent graduate of Bemidji State University, and Arron Olson, a student at Southwest Minnesota State University. Nelson said he is concerned about the debt load students are carrying as well as the quality of education if cuts are made to programs and student services. Olson said he is concerned for the long-term health of education.
Jacob Littler, president of the Minnesota State College Student Association, or MSCSA, said 90 percent of the last round of budget cuts was made up by student tuition increases. He said that although tuition increases had been minimized in recent years, the system's two-year colleges still pay the second-highest tuition rate in the nation among comparable schools. Travis Johnson, an online student at Lake Superior College, told members that he works 55 hours a week and therefore he takes his courses online. Johnson said he is worried what cuts would mean to online opportunities. Kary Bowser, vice president of MSCSA and also a student at Century College, asked the committee to make public higher education a priority.
Also testifying were faculty from the Inter Faculty Organization, or IFO, and the Minnesota State College Faculty, or MSCF. Cindy Phillips, a business professor and president of the faculty association at Minnesota State University Moorhead, complimented the university's strategy for preparing for future cuts. She highlighted what is happening on the campus, including a hiring freeze and putting 10 searches on hold. She also said they have identified 22 vital positions that will not be filled, including two in nursing. Greg Mulcahy, president of MSCF, told members that when a system is being cut, the focus needs to be on what is central, teaching and learning. You may watch the complete hearing here.
In the Senate later in the week, the Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division also heard about the impact from the governor’s proposed cuts. Susan Heegaard, executive director, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, said the governor's focus is on maintaining high priority areas for both systems with minimal impact to students. Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Cloud, asked Heegaard how cuts of this magnitude, $146 million to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and $151 million to the University of Minnesota, would not affect students. Latz said that even if tuition increases are minimal, if class sections and student services are cut, students will see some impact. Heegaard responded that the governor feels it is critical that higher education look at efficiencies and innovation first, and as a last resort look at increases in tuition.
Trustee Clarence Hightower, a member of the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, said the board will follow three key principles as it thoughtfully makes decisions regarding the proposed shortfall: Decisions will be made in a way that best serve students, the economic development needs of the communities and state will be taken into account, and the board will take a multiyear approach to position the system for long-term financial viability.
Chancellor James McCormick said higher education is key to the economic recovery of the state. McCormick went on to say that the state's colleges and universities are the places where laid-off workers will turn to learn new skills for new jobs, from short-term programs to associate, bachelor's and graduate degree programs. Laura King, vice chancellor for finance and CFO, said despite the challenges being faced, the system is committed to strengthening partnerships and collaborations to increase productivity to meet the needs of students.
The February forecast, which is expected to project an even larger state deficit than the already estimated $4.8 billion, is tentatively scheduled to be released March 4. We are still in the early stages of the process as lawmakers and the governor grapple with how best to lead the state to economic recovery.
Committee deadlines announced
The House and Senate approved a resolution this week setting five committee deadlines for the 2009 session:
- March 27 - Committees act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
- April 7 - Committees act favorably on bills, or companion of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.
- April 16 - Divisions of House and Senate finance committees act favorably on omnibus appropriation bills.
- April 22 - House and Senate finance and tax committees, and the House Ways and Means Committee, act favorably on omnibus appropriation and tax bills.
- May 7 - Conference committees on omnibus appropriations and tax bills must report bills to the floor.
House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said the intention is to have all budget, finance and tax bills sent to the governor by May 12, six days before members must constitutionally adjourn.
State higher education leaders push federal government for a ‘New Deal for the New Millenium for Higher Education’
Recognizing that higher education is the key to economic recovery, the Minnesota Higher Education committee chairs pushed for federal action this week. The chairs, Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL- St. Paul, and Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, authored a bill that calls for $70 billion of federal relief for states to rebuild public higher education and increase access by establishing college-going grants similar to the World War II-era GI Bill of Rights and providing student loan debt forgiveness for all students who take jobs in public service. You may read the complete text here.
College deemed necessary for success, while affordability comes into question
College students are getting squeezed tighter in these bleak economic times, yet tuition prices keep rising. A new report, “Squeeze Play 2009: The Public’s View on College Costs Today,” said 55 percent of Americans think that college is necessary for students to get a well-paying job. However, only 29 percent of responders felt that students had an opportunity to attend college. Patrick M. Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, described the results as sobering. “This a red flag for policymakers and college leaders. Most Americans believe in the value of getting to college and getting a degree, yet the public increasingly feels that college is out of reach for many people who deserve to go,” Callan said. Callan continued, “It points to a growing sense of unfairness about the economy and American society today.” Click here to view a copy of the report.
Regional media events gain higher education support
The Minnesota State College Student Association has teamed up with the Minnesota State University Student Association to make higher education a priority in the state by holding media events at university campuses. Students were in Bemidji Thursday to ask the state to invest in higher education.
“With the job market becoming increasingly competitive every day, obtaining a postsecondary education is, and will continue to be, an essential stepping stone for today’s young people entering the workforce and non-traditional students seeking career advancement,” said Ryan Schwingler, co-president of the Bemidji State University Student Association Student Senate. “Not only is an accessible and quality education essential for prospective employees, but it’s important for the state of Minnesota as well,” Schwingler said.
Also at the event was Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann, who said it is critical that higher education is funded at a higher, adequate level. Chris Brown, president of the Bemidji State University Faculty Association, noted, “I think the state needs to reinvest in public education.”
To read the whole article on this event, please visit The Bemidji Pioneer.
The Bemidji press conference was the first of many events. You may learn more about the upcoming press conferences below. The students would like to work with administration, faculty and staff to make these events successful. For more information, please contact Jason Fossum, 651-297-5877.
Location: Southwest Minnesota State University
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10
Theme: Buck Tuition
Details: A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. in the Ballroom. Immediately after the press conference, student organizations and academic departments will showcase their concerns about the economy in the Student Union.
Location: Minnesota State University Moorhead
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12
Theme: The Price is Right
Details: A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. in the Ballroom. Immediately after the press conference, students will play a higher education version of “The Price is Right.”
Location: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12
Theme: Hope for Higher Education
Details: A press conference will be held at 3 p.m. in the Student Union, with a student event to be held immediately after the press conference.
Location: Winona State University
Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Theme: Crashed Economy
Details: A press conference will be held at 12 p.m. in the Student Union. Students will hold an event immediately after the press conference in the courtyard outside the Student Union, which will center around a smashed car.
Location: Minnesota State Capitol
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
Theme: Where Will Minnesota Be in 2030?
Details: A press conference will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the State Capitol, immediately followed by a student rally in the rotunda from 1 to 2 p.m. Students will work to illustrate the importance of access and affordability, as well as how graduates of state colleges and universities impact Minnesota.
Location: St. Cloud State University
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Theme: The Game of Life
Federal stimulus bill update
As reported last week, the House passed its $819 billion version of the economic stimulus package last week. The Senate is expected to vote as soon as tonight on its version of the bill, which as of last night had grown to $920 billion. Moderates from both parties tried all day Thursday to agree on cuts to the bill in hopes of garnering enough votes for passage today. Most Republicans and some Democrats say the bill is too big and would like it reduced. The Democrats will need at least 60 votes in the Senate to pass the bill, which means they will have to gain the support of at least two Republicans and probably more. After the Senate passes the bill, House and Senate negotiators will meet in conference committee to iron out the differences. The two bodies will then vote on the single package. President Obama was hoping to have the bill by the end of next week.
As you may recall this bill has both funding for higher education operations and infrastructure. What the final package will look like is still to be determined. You may find more detailed information about the economic stimulus at www.ncsl.org/statefed/2009economicstimulus.htm.
Handy resources
Did you know that daily and weekly legislative updates are also in blog form? You may find them here. Daily updates are found on the home page and weekly updates are found under the “Legislative” tab.
You can listen to Senate hearing archives on your computer here. Prior House hearings can be found here. You can also watch any live hearing or floor session by clicking on the “watch live video” link in the left hand bar on either of these pages.
You can advocate for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by becoming a member of the Friends Action Network, or FAN. By being a member of the FAN, you will have an opportunity to write your state legislators and the governor. You can also share your thoughts on how higher education is the key to economic recovery. To join, sign up here.
Here's What's Happening at the Capitol:
This schedule shows all meetings that we are aware of at the time of publication that MAY have an impact on the system. This schedule may change. Please watch the House and Senate schedules posted on the Legislature web site.
Monday, February 9
10:00 AM
Senate in Session
1:00 PM
House in Session
3:00 PM
Senate Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni
Agenda:
Public Facilities Authority
Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)
3:00 PM
Senate State and Local Government Operations and Oversight
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest
Agenda:
S.F. 334-Prettner Solon: State employee veterans with service-related disabilities additional sick leave provision.
S.F. 233-Bakk: Constitutional amendment to change method to propose amendments to the state constitution.
S.F. 307-Olseen: Local government out-of-state travel policy requirements modification.
Presentation on Association of Minnesota Counties – Minnesota Redesign Project
Tuesday, February 10
8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: Presentation of Governor's College of Education Reforms
Testimony from Colleges of Teacher Education, U of M researcher, the Bush Foundation
12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Room 123 Capitol
Agenda: Discussion of PSEO options at MnSCU and "College in the Schools" at U of M;
Discussion of Systems' tools & strategies for promoting student graduation within four years.
1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Representative Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Detailed look at DEED's revenues and expenditures
6:15 PM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Murphy
Agenda: Approval of Prior Commission Meeting Minutes
Designated Commission Interim Study; Review of the Commission's Principles of Pension Policy: Final Consideration
Governor's Proposal to Change Retirement Plan Coverage for Secure Facility Employees
Minnesota Management & Budget
Election of 2009-2010 Commission Officers
Other items as designated by the Commission chair
Wednesday, February 11
8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: Presentation of Governor's State of Minnesota Mid-Career Alternative Route to Teaching (SMART) proposal
Thursday, February 12
8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: SciMathMN presentation on setting priorities for STEM education, recommendations from Minnesota's TIMSS participation
Discussion of Math and Science Teacher Academies
1:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and University of Minnesota respond to budget questions
1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Representative Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Minnesota Private Education: Private College Council, Cappella University, Career College Association
2:45 PM
House Capital Investment Finance Division
Room: Basement Hearing Room
Chair: Rep. Alice Hausman
Agenda: Bonding updates:
Public Facilities Authority
Department of Employment and Economic Development
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Tuesday, February 17
12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: To be announced
1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Representative Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Detailed look at DOLI's revenues and expenditures
Thursday, February 26
12:30 PM
Joint Senate and House Higher Education Committees
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: U of M Regent selection
Tuesday, March 3
12:30 PM
Joint Senate and House Higher Education Committees
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda: U of M Regent selection
