Posted: January 12, 2010
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees will host four listening sessions around the state to gather comments on how the state colleges and universities system can better meet the public’s needs in light of fiscal and demographic challenges.
Between 2000 and 2009, enrollment has gone up 26 percent and the state’s share of the costs of educating students has dropped significantly. During the same time, the system's average annual tuition has doubled.
“As we continue some long-range planning, we believe it is vitally important to listen to what our constituents have to say about how we can improve the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities,” said David Olson, the board chair. The trustees invite comment to the Ad Hoc Committee on System Planning on the following questions:
1. What are the most significant changes or challenges affecting public higher education in Minnesota?
2. How can the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities add value and better meet your needs now and in the future?
3. Given the fiscal and demographic challenges facing postsecondary education, what should the system’s priorities be for the next five to 10 years?
The four sessions will be:
Jan. 21, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd., Auditorium
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Jan. 27, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Ballroom, Comstock Memorial Union
Moorhead, MN 56563
Jan. 28, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Alexandria Technical College
1601 Jefferson St., Rooms 209/211
Alexandria, MN 56308
Feb. 1, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Centennial Student Union, Rooms 253-255
Mankato, MN 56001