2018 Capital Request and Supplemental Budget

Minnesota State Chancellor Visits CLC Staples Campus
Lakeland News – May 2, 2018
By Sarah Winkelmann
Central Lakes College in Staples had a special visitor today as the Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra was on campus. With a couple of weeks left in the legislative session, the chancellor is visiting campuses across the state to make sure their needs are being met. Minnesota State is requesting $10 million system wide for campus support. Central Lakes College would receive $228,000 of that budget to go into their student success and mental health programming.

Legislators, do your part to keep college students warm, safe, dry
St. Cloud Times – May 5, 2018
Times Editorial Board
It's no secret that during the past few decades the Minnesota Legislature has steadily changed how it funds higher education. See also: your tuition bill. Really, though, a better example rests in three words Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of the Minnesota State system, uses to describe the system's highest priority for state funding this legislative session. Warm. Safe. Dry. "Asset preservation is our top priority," Malhotra told the Times Editorial Board during a visit May 2. "We need to give our students a quality educational experience...We also need to keep them warm, safe and dry." Warm, safe and dry. That's not too much to ask for a higher education system that not only drives much of Minnesota's economic engine, but is expected to provide the bulk of the trained workforce employers require — not just in the form of 40,000 graduates in the next few weeks, but countless more in the decades ahead.

Minnesota West in “dire need” of state financial support
The Globe – May 5, 2018
By Alyssa Sobotka
Minnesota West Community and Technical College is one of the state’s 37 colleges and universities hopeful for financial support from state bonding to continue serving its students and communities without compromising its educational resources. According to Minnesota West President Terry Gaalswyk, with approximately $12 million worth of deferred maintenance needs across its southwest Minnesota campuses, the college is in dire need of financial support to not only maintain its facilities, but continuing to support its area community and industry needs. “We are standing at a critical point relative to the needs of our communities, our industry partners and the students we’re missioned to serve,” Gaalswyk said. “We walk a tight line on the budget side relative to meeting the needs of our communities, and yet providing space that is relevant and aligned with the needs of the students choosing to attend the organization.”

Pioneer Editorial:  Legislature needs to deliver for higher education
Bemidji Pioneer – May 7, 2018
Bemidji Pioneer Editorial Board
In order for Minnesota's higher education system to meet the changing needs of employers and students, we urge the State Legislature to approve funding requests from Minnesota State colleges and universities for infrastructure, technology and operations. The requests include items for Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College to the tune of $22.5 million for capital projects, $6.65 million for deferred maintenance projects and $375,000 for campus support. The capital funding would allow BSU to replace Hagg-Sauer Hall, an aging classroom facility that has risen to the No.1 spot on the Minnesota State bonding list. BSU leaders are seeking funds to tear down the 82,000-squarefoot, 48-year-old building and replace it with a 27,000-square-foot academic learning center.

Our View: State budget: Invest in critical higher education
Why it matters: The Minnesota State university system provides the biggest bang for the buck on educating Minnesota’s workforce for the future
Mankato Free Press – May 8, 2018
The supplemental budget request by the Minnesota State university system amounts to maintaining infrastructure it has, upgrading 20-year old technology and investing for the future while keeping tuition frozen or very low. That’s not an unreasonable request for Gov. Mark Dayton and the GOP-controlled Legislature. The system requested $130 million in bonding money to keep the lights on and the roofs from leaking. That’s just to pay for things that have been on the system’s “deferred maintenance list.” Minnesota State University alone has a deferred maintenance backlog of $80 million in needed upgrades. South Central College has a backlog of $10 million in projects and still needs roof repair money. They get water in the building when it rains. Tight budgets have caused Minnesota State University to put roof replacement on the Memorial Library into phases. The university needs to bring a fuel tank insert into compliance with MPCA regulations. There are dozens of other projects.

Minnesota State official makes case for more funding
Marshall Independent – May 9, 2018
By Jenny Kirk
Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra is a man on a mission – and it’s a colossal mission because he represents the 375,000 students who are served annually through the 30 colleges and seven universities that make up Minnesota State. Recently, Malhotra visited 10 different communities across the state – completing a 930-mile tour in three days – to advocate for a biennial budget request that he said is not only critical to the Minnesota State institutions but to the economic and societal vitality of the state as well.  Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall and Minnesota West Community and Technical College Canby campus were among the chancellor’s stops.  “As we drive around the state you can’t help but notice all the ‘Help Wanted’ signs, and given those current and impending shortages of workforce and talent, we know that there is a lot at stake for the state and a lot at state as it relates to our work,” Malhotra said. “In some ways, we’re the biggest partners the state has in providing Minnesota the talent it needs to flourish, both socially and economically.” Minnesota State’s legislative request includes $31 million for operating and technology investments and about $240 million in capital bonding.

Requesting support for our shared commitments to Minnesota
Grand Rapids Herald Review – May 9, 2018
By Devinder Malhotra
Much is at stake for Minnesota as the legislative session nears its conclusion, but nothing puts the social and economic future of communities across the entire state at risk more than the substantial workforce shortage we face. The extent of the problem becomes very real when you travel Minnesota and see “Help Wanted” signs just about anywhere you go. The colleges and universities of Minnesota State, which include Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College, and Vermilion Community College (collectively, the Northeast Higher Education District, or NHED), are the most effective partner the legislature has to address this risk and meet the critical needs of business and industry. Every year, Minnesota’s flagship system of 30 state colleges and seven state universities send approximately 40,000 graduates into the economy – in fact, about 20,000 are completing degrees and certificates this month. Indeed, as I have the privilege of participating in commencement exercises at three of our NHED colleges, it is clear to me that these graduates are the very talent that will ease Minnesota’s workforce shortage and help communities thrive. Meeting this need for talent is only possible because our state colleges and universities are committed to offering every Minnesotan the opportunity for an excellent education, regardless of age, economic status, cultural background, disability, immigration status, or place of residence. To meet the critical shortage of workforce talent, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind – especially those who have been underserved by higher education.

Guest Opinion: Crunch time in the Legislature for WSU, MSC Southeast
Winona Post – May 9, 2018
By Devinder Malhotra, chancellor of Minnesota State; Larry Lundblad, president of Minnesota State College Southeast; and Scott Olson, president of Winona State University
With only days to go before the legislative session wraps-up, our legislators are working around the clock. We are hopeful that the final legislation includes adequate funding for the colleges and universities of the Minnesota State system and its essential campuses in the Winona community: Winona State University and Minnesota State College Southeast. Our request to the legislature is especially important this year due to the critical need for asset-preservation funding, because all 54 of our campuses are dealing with a significant backlog of deferred maintenance. Adequate funding from the state will be essential to ensuring that we can continue to take care of the state’s buildings while effectively supporting the success of students and delivering a talented workforce to employers. For example, at Winona State, Stark Hall needs a replacement HVAC system and upgrades to utility tunnels, while Minnesota State College Southeast requires a roof replacement on its main campus building. These are not extravagant requests — they are requests for investments in the facilities that directly impact the functioning of these important Minnesota assets and the learning environment for our students. Our legislative request also includes $10 million for supplemental funding — support that helps our campuses meet student and community needs in a nimble, innovative way. This could mean $136,000 in additional support for Southeast, and $581,000 for Winona State — enough to make a tremendous difference in our ability to maintain and develop the kinds of programs and services that are so important to our regional economy.

RCTC, Minnesota State are key partners to employers
Post Bulletin – May 10, 2018
By Devinder Malhotra
Much is at stake for Minnesota as the legislative session nears its conclusion, but nothing puts the social and economic future of communities across the entire state at risk more than the substantial workforce shortage we face. The extent of the problem becomes very real when you travel Minnesota and see “Help Wanted” signs just about everywhere you go. The colleges and universities of Minnesota State, which include Rochester Community and Technical College and Winona State University, are the most effective partners the Legislature has to address this risk and meet the critical needs of business and industry. Every year, Minnesota’s flagship system of 30 state colleges and seven state universities send approximately 40,000 graduates into the economy — in fact, about 20,000 are completing degrees and certificates this month. These graduates are the very talent that will ease Minnesota’s workforce shortage and help communities thrive. Meeting this need for talent is only possible because our state colleges and universities are committed to offering every Minnesotan the opportunity for an excellent education, regardless of age, economic status, cultural background, disability, immigration status, or place of residence.

Our View:  Funding Minnesota State is the easiest choice the state Legislature can make
Winona Daily News – May 11, 2018
By Winona Daily News Editorial Board
Last week, the Winona Daily News recognized nine area high school seniors for our 13th annual Above and Beyond awards. These remarkable young men and women have overcome tremendous odds to put themselves in a position to graduate high school and attend college. These are the students who, in three to five years, become the applicants that every business wishes would walk through the door. While tenacity, heart and character are great attributes, potential employees also need the requisite skills. And where better for the workforce of tomorrow to learn those skills than at the local college or university. The colleges and universities of the Minnesota State system – including Winona State University and Minnesota State College Southeast — have a history of working with local employers to identify needs that can best serve a changing workforce. They have fostered partnerships that have benefited not only the business and the educational institution, but also the student, who leaves after two or four years with not just a certificate or a degree, but the confidence and skills to pursue a career. (Not to mention, they probably aren’t buried in debt, either.) Our hope is that our elected representatives in St. Paul remember this when putting together the budget before the legislative session ends May 22.

Minnesota's state universities will fuel the future. So … legislators? Public higher education must not be neglected.
Star Tribune - May 11, 2018
By Lori Sturdevant
While folks who hold election certificates did their best to sound like economists during a House debate on tax policy on April 30, a fellow who holds a Ph.D.in economics and spent three decades as an economics professor came to the State Capitol basement to put on a seminar for one lucky journalist. To be fair: Furthering my education was not Devinder Malhotra's purpose. The new chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities had come with a briefing on the lame response of Legislature is making to his plea for enough additional state funds to avert program cuts and physical plant deterioration in his sprawling system.

The New Chancellor of the MN State System of Colleges and Universities Devinder Malhotra
KAXE - May 11, 2018
By Heidi Holton
This week Itasca Community College provost Bart Johnson introduced us to the new MN State System of Colleges and Universities Chancellor Devinder Malhotra. He talked about the need for a "major rethink".

Time to invest in Minnesota State campus support and capital project
Inforum - May 13, 2018
By Forum Editorial
The importance of Minnesota State colleges and universities is being driven home this graduation season, when 40,000 students will receive degrees from the system's campuses in 47 communities throughout the state. We're well aware of the system's importance here at home, with the presence of two campuses in Moorhead: Minnesota State University Moorhead and Minnesota State Community and Technical College, which has sister campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls and Wadena.

COMMENTARY: Seeking support for our shared commitments
International Falls Journal - May 13, 2018
By Devinder Malhotra
Much is at stake for Minnesota as the legislative session nears its conclusion, but nothing puts the social and economic future of communities across the entire state at risk more than the substantial workforce shortage we face. The extent of the problem becomes very real when you travel Minnesota and see “Help Wanted” signs just about anywhere you go. The colleges and universities of Minnesota State, which include Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College, and Vermilion Community College — collectively, the Northeast Higher Education District, or NHED — are the most effective partner the Legislature has to address this risk and meet the critical needs of business and industry.