Guest Editorial: MnSCU's Marble Boat
IFO Update Newsletter: October 2007
By Professor Darrell Downs, Winona State University
In the late 1800s, China's Empress Dowager built a boat of stone. In a desperate attempt to gild the declining Qing Dynasty, the Empress diverted funds aimed for the navy and built a faux marble boat at the Summer Palace-a nice place for a picnic, but not really a boat.
In 1995, the state universities, community colleges, and technical colleges were merged into a centralized system of higher education known as the MnSCU (Minnesota State Colleges and Universities). By its own account, MnSCU has reduced and/or merged community colleges, universities, and technical colleges from 45 to 32 separate institutions. The savings produced a new administrative apparatus and multi-million dollar central edifice to higher education reform. Some would prefer something more tangible.
For the full editorial click here: MnSCU's Marble Boat
As Chinese school children learned of the Empress Dowager's fabled ploy to use the Dynasty's passion for the latest in maritime technology to obscure her more craven interest in summer palace remodeling, we stand in awe of an equally misdirected trick if "technology" becomes the raison d'être of the Imperial Guard at MnSCU. If MnSCU ever had any clear reason for being, it was to serve the educational needs of the campuses. Technology is part of that picture, but technology should never rise above the more basic instructional needs of students. Nor should technology become an excuse for central administration to impose control over the varied academic disciplines of the state's colleges and universities. If that happens, even the most strident efforts by the legislature to rebuild the state's higher education system will be fruitless . . . and such is the case today. On the heels of the legislature's 12 percent increase in appropriations for MnSCU's two-year budget, the legitimacy of MnSCU's management of these new dollars is disappearing faster than the Peking Duck at a tourist vendors' convention.
Consider MnSCU's Central's latest fetish for instructional technology. Of the $151 million increase in funding for the biennium, $62.8 million is slated for technology. If a budget is an expression of agency priority, the clearest priority of MnSCU Central is instructional technology. Of course, MnSCU has declared that instructional technology dollars are headed for the campuses. But how do those technology dollars help the students who can't afford the tuition to attend class, or how do those dollars help campuses hire faculty to offer classes to meet the student demand? On-line courses you say? Perhaps to a small degree, but $62.8 million is no small degree. Virtual learning you say? Perhaps actual learning should be a higher priority. A new multi-million dollar experiment in leading edge curiosities leads me to wonder how we're helping the campuses in any tangible way for the majority of students. Undoubtedly, a few of the system's 170,000 plus students will salivate at the thought of taking courses via Second Life or other avatar friendly virtual worlds. Most students and faculty, however, live in an actual world that relies on classroom assignments, non-avatar professors, and they must pay actual and unfortunately increasing tuitions.
Could it be that MnSCU doesn't know how to estimate needs? Certainly, this is not easy for 32 separate institutions, but there is no better indicator of campus needs than the students and faculty of these campuses, or the elected representatives that voice their needs. Last year, the MN Senate appropriation bill allocated $10 million for technology for the biennium. The MN House bill similarly allocated $30 million. In the end, the legislature decided not to micromanage technology spending, and granted MnSCU the flexibility to serve the campuses in the best way possible. A reasonable person might think that MnSCU Central would consider the spirit of the final appropriation bill to aim for somewhere between $10 and $30 million for technology, and if in doubt it would ask the campuses about their priorities. Unfortunately, nobody on the campuses really believed that MnSCU Central would double the amount and, in doing so, ensure yet another unnecessary and divisive battle over scarce higher education funding. But then again, I suppose nobody really believed the Empress was building a marble boat.
Someday soon, we'll look at the MnSCU Imperial Palace and agree that it's a nice place for a picnic, but it has done little for education. Darrell “non-avatar professor” Downs.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Bruce A. Svingen's Testimony
Chair Pelowski, members of the committee.
My name is Bruce Svingen. I am the Faculty Association president at Winona State University. On behalf of our faculty I thank you for hearing our concerns.
With a $7 billion state deficit spread evenly across all state agencies, WSU would be facing at minimum a $6.2 million cut to base funding, this includes an expected enrollment increase by 200, a 4% tuition increase and the faculty’s proposal for a “no across the board” salary increases for the next two years.
At a $6.2 million deficit, the impacts are catastrophic:
1. The first impact is not filling positions needed to teach courses. If we took the $6.2 million entirely out of faculty positions, this would be a loss of 83 faculty and as much as 332 courses per semester, leaving all of our students a course short of a full load each semester. This would delay their graduation by one year at the same time we see a record high demand for our courses.
2. Secondly, as total course offerings decrease, departments will be driven to increase the number of lower division, less costly, courses in relation to upper division courses. If we’re not able to offer enough upper division classes, juniors and seniors will face further delays to graduation and entering the workforce. This uncertain sustainability of programs will jeopardize the University’s ability to recruit and retain students. Combined with the loss of $3 in tuition and fee revenue for every $1 in cuts under the projected deficit, this programmatic instability takes us toward the “death spiral” of the University.
3. The third impact is that higher tuition will limit accessibility and affordability at exactly the time our economy needs higher education to help rebuild our economy. Students have already faced an 85% tuition increases since 2001 and their average debt load upon graduation has blossomed to $24,000. With about 80% of our students staying in MN, burdening these students with more debt is another yoke on the state economy. According to Wilder and Associates, the positive regional economic impact of WSU is $194 million per year. This regional economic impact is now at great risk.
4. The fourth impact of large and destabilizing cuts will be more control over academic programs by the MnSCU System Office. This will not be guided by the academic needs of our students, but by the initiatives of the System Office and the Governor. We do not need trendy fixes, temporary reorganizations, or mandates for on-line education to create a student market – we already have a student demand for what we do. What we don’t need is a System Office spending $136 million/year that does not directly sustain the mission of the campuses, while spending only 40% of their budget on instructional support.
· We can sustain our mission without $20 million plus in System Office technology.
· We can sustain our mission without $20 million plus in the Chancellor’s office.
· We can sustain our mission without $20 million plus in administrative services.
· And we can sustain our campuses without 400 System Office employees.
We know this because we've done it before.
In closing, we are willing to make sacrifices. We have sacrificed wage increases for two years, we are pulling back operating budgets, and we are sacrificing positions.
But cuts alone may not be enough. We hope you will also consider “revenue enhancement” to help the campuses and other essential state services – one source of revenue to soften the blow to the campuses may be found in the MnSCU System Office. We would also ask that you consider tax reform as part of the solution. Coupled with this, we would suggest using one-time federal stimulus money to help soften the blow. And finally we suggest using the savings that come to the state via the PELL grant increases to reduce the cuts to public higher education. And if not that please uncouple the PELL grants from the state grant program so that are students can benefit directly from in the increased support.
Sincerely,
Bruce A. Svingen
President, WSUFA
My name is Bruce Svingen. I am the Faculty Association president at Winona State University. On behalf of our faculty I thank you for hearing our concerns.
With a $7 billion state deficit spread evenly across all state agencies, WSU would be facing at minimum a $6.2 million cut to base funding, this includes an expected enrollment increase by 200, a 4% tuition increase and the faculty’s proposal for a “no across the board” salary increases for the next two years.
At a $6.2 million deficit, the impacts are catastrophic:
1. The first impact is not filling positions needed to teach courses. If we took the $6.2 million entirely out of faculty positions, this would be a loss of 83 faculty and as much as 332 courses per semester, leaving all of our students a course short of a full load each semester. This would delay their graduation by one year at the same time we see a record high demand for our courses.
2. Secondly, as total course offerings decrease, departments will be driven to increase the number of lower division, less costly, courses in relation to upper division courses. If we’re not able to offer enough upper division classes, juniors and seniors will face further delays to graduation and entering the workforce. This uncertain sustainability of programs will jeopardize the University’s ability to recruit and retain students. Combined with the loss of $3 in tuition and fee revenue for every $1 in cuts under the projected deficit, this programmatic instability takes us toward the “death spiral” of the University.
3. The third impact is that higher tuition will limit accessibility and affordability at exactly the time our economy needs higher education to help rebuild our economy. Students have already faced an 85% tuition increases since 2001 and their average debt load upon graduation has blossomed to $24,000. With about 80% of our students staying in MN, burdening these students with more debt is another yoke on the state economy. According to Wilder and Associates, the positive regional economic impact of WSU is $194 million per year. This regional economic impact is now at great risk.
4. The fourth impact of large and destabilizing cuts will be more control over academic programs by the MnSCU System Office. This will not be guided by the academic needs of our students, but by the initiatives of the System Office and the Governor. We do not need trendy fixes, temporary reorganizations, or mandates for on-line education to create a student market – we already have a student demand for what we do. What we don’t need is a System Office spending $136 million/year that does not directly sustain the mission of the campuses, while spending only 40% of their budget on instructional support.
· We can sustain our mission without $20 million plus in System Office technology.
· We can sustain our mission without $20 million plus in the Chancellor’s office.
· We can sustain our mission without $20 million plus in administrative services.
· And we can sustain our campuses without 400 System Office employees.
We know this because we've done it before.
In closing, we are willing to make sacrifices. We have sacrificed wage increases for two years, we are pulling back operating budgets, and we are sacrificing positions.
But cuts alone may not be enough. We hope you will also consider “revenue enhancement” to help the campuses and other essential state services – one source of revenue to soften the blow to the campuses may be found in the MnSCU System Office. We would also ask that you consider tax reform as part of the solution. Coupled with this, we would suggest using one-time federal stimulus money to help soften the blow. And finally we suggest using the savings that come to the state via the PELL grant increases to reduce the cuts to public higher education. And if not that please uncouple the PELL grants from the state grant program so that are students can benefit directly from in the increased support.
Sincerely,
Bruce A. Svingen
President, WSUFA
Saturday, February 21, 2009
IFO get's it right: The Mankato Reporter weighs in!
Mankato Reporter: MSU-Mankato student paper
Editorial: Inter Faculty Organization gets it right
Issue date: 2/19/09
Now is not the time to be asking for pay raises, and fortunately, the Inter Faculty Organization appears to recognize that.The group struck a deal with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system when negotiating a new contract earlier this month. The proposed two-year contract, which will be voted on by faculty next week, contains no across-the-board salary increases or annual step increases for faculty.No one should expect to be able to avoid at least some tightening of the belt during these tough economic times. In this case, the contract isn't even so much a tightening of the belt as it is a decision not to loosen the belt more.... [for more click here]
Editorial: Minnesota can ease fiscal pain by Cindy Phill
Editorial: Minnesota can ease fiscal pain
Inforum: The Forum for Fargo-Moorhead February 17 2009
It’s still a work in progress, but the budget meat grinder at the Minnesota Legislature likely will visit significant pain in two vital areas: education and aid to cities.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and key lawmakers have said education will not be cut, but the increases for all of public education will be smaller than anticipated. It also appears funds committed previously to higher education will not be forthcoming, which translates into severe cuts because commitments based on those appropriations had already been made.... [full text click here]
Inforum: The Forum for Fargo-Moorhead February 17 2009
It’s still a work in progress, but the budget meat grinder at the Minnesota Legislature likely will visit significant pain in two vital areas: education and aid to cities.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and key lawmakers have said education will not be cut, but the increases for all of public education will be smaller than anticipated. It also appears funds committed previously to higher education will not be forthcoming, which translates into severe cuts because commitments based on those appropriations had already been made.... [full text click here]
Friday, February 20, 2009
IFO Savings to the University
From Russ Stanton (2/20/2009)
To give a 1% per year raise to IFO faculty costs $6.1 million.
Last year, when the Department of Finance sent out instructions to agencies to prepare their budget requests, the agencies were told to build in a 3% per year compensation inflation.
Thus, the tentative contract settlement will help reduce compensation costs to the universities by about $18 million over the biennium compared to original estimated costs.
Faculty are doing their part to solve the budget shortfall and prevent layoffs.
To give a 1% per year raise to IFO faculty costs $6.1 million.
Last year, when the Department of Finance sent out instructions to agencies to prepare their budget requests, the agencies were told to build in a 3% per year compensation inflation.
Thus, the tentative contract settlement will help reduce compensation costs to the universities by about $18 million over the biennium compared to original estimated costs.
Faculty are doing their part to solve the budget shortfall and prevent layoffs.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
WDN: Time for a miniscule MnSCU office
The Winona Daily News "Our View" opinion page article on MnSCU Central (2/11/09):
Our view: Time for a miniscule MnSCU office
Our view: Time for a miniscule MnSCU office
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sign up to testify
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/budgettownhallmeetings.asp
"Above is a link to the legislative web page for signing up to testify at the regional legislative meetings on the state budget shortfall. This is an opportunity to not only have direct input to the legislature, but also get into the press. Please have the faculty leadership on your campus get together ASAP and recruit faculty to testify, and sign up right away. If you want assistance preparing testimony, give me call or write. Check the IFO web page for themes we want to push. I want faculty to testify---I’m afraid that the administration may try to dominate this, which would be tragic, since they will never bring up the need to raise taxes (which legislators need to hear), and they will never talk about cuts to the central office. I am also worried that anti-government/anti-tax groups may try to swamp these meetings. Start recruiting faculty and student turnout." - Russ Stanton
When: Friday February 20, 2009 at 3:30pm
Where: Winona City Hall-Council Chambers, 207 Lafayette
"Above is a link to the legislative web page for signing up to testify at the regional legislative meetings on the state budget shortfall. This is an opportunity to not only have direct input to the legislature, but also get into the press. Please have the faculty leadership on your campus get together ASAP and recruit faculty to testify, and sign up right away. If you want assistance preparing testimony, give me call or write. Check the IFO web page for themes we want to push. I want faculty to testify---I’m afraid that the administration may try to dominate this, which would be tragic, since they will never bring up the need to raise taxes (which legislators need to hear), and they will never talk about cuts to the central office. I am also worried that anti-government/anti-tax groups may try to swamp these meetings. Start recruiting faculty and student turnout." - Russ Stanton
When: Friday February 20, 2009 at 3:30pm
Where: Winona City Hall-Council Chambers, 207 Lafayette
Monday, February 9, 2009
Governor's response to the MnSCU budget request
The Governor’s response to the MnSCU budget request (1/30/2009): http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/budget/narratives/gov/mnscu.pdf
Chronicle article: Downturn Threatens the Faculty's Role in Running Colleges
Downturn Threatens the Faculty's Role in Running Colleges
BYLINE: ROBIN WILSONSECTION: THE FACULTY; Pg. 1 Vol. 55 No. 22 LENGTH: 2120 words February 6, 2009
Professors are losing their grip. Tough economic times are leading administrators to propose swift changes that short-circuit faculty governance, long a prized principle that gives professors wide-ranging authority over educational matters.
The results, faculty members say, are hastily conceived plans that reorganize academic programs, decrease professors' roles in shaping the curriculum, and jeopardize tenure applications -- all done with little advice from the faculty, in the name of saving money....
(read more via Lexis-Nexis --full text of The Chronicle of Higher Education).
BYLINE: ROBIN WILSONSECTION: THE FACULTY; Pg. 1 Vol. 55 No. 22 LENGTH: 2120 words February 6, 2009
Professors are losing their grip. Tough economic times are leading administrators to propose swift changes that short-circuit faculty governance, long a prized principle that gives professors wide-ranging authority over educational matters.
The results, faculty members say, are hastily conceived plans that reorganize academic programs, decrease professors' roles in shaping the curriculum, and jeopardize tenure applications -- all done with little advice from the faculty, in the name of saving money....
(read more via Lexis-Nexis --full text of The Chronicle of Higher Education).
Education must be priority in Minnesota by Paul Harris (MSU-Moorhead)
Paul Harris (MSU-Moorhead) had an article published February 7,2009 in Inforum: A forum of Fargo-Moorhead
Education must be priority in Minnesota
Minnesota faces severe budget problems as a result of the national recession, and everyone who receives state funding knows that some cuts are inevitable. In deciding where to make those cuts, one question should be paramount: How can we weather this crisis while doing the least possible long-term damage to the state? At some point our economy will begin to turn around, and Minnesota should position itself for a strong recovery. For Minnesota to thrive in today’s world, a highly educated work force is vital, and no one contributes more to that than Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and the other institutions that comprise the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). The system’s institutions graduate almost 34,000 people each year, more than 80 percent of whom remain in the state and find jobs related to their field of study. Despite steep tuition increases in recent years, it remains the most accessible alternative for people, both young and not so young, who are looking to improve their lives in hard times. Minnesotans used to understand the importance of education, but we have slipped markedly in recent years. Thirty states now spend a larger percentage of their personal incomes on public higher education than we do, including Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Now Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes once again to make disproportionate cuts to funding for public higher education. His recommendation seems perfectly wrongheaded if the state hopes to rebound strongly. To put it in perspective, his proposed cut of $146 million to the MnSCU system is the equivalent of about 975 faculty positions. If adopted, it would mean larger classes, fewer choices for students, and poorer facilities. Pawlenty says we must do more with less. My reply is, “You get what you pay for.” Thanks to a dedicated faculty, MSUM students still receive an excellent education, but if our funding continues to deteriorate, quality is bound to suffer. Minnesota must rededicate itself to the principle that the key to a bright future is investing in people.
Education must be priority in Minnesota
Minnesota faces severe budget problems as a result of the national recession, and everyone who receives state funding knows that some cuts are inevitable. In deciding where to make those cuts, one question should be paramount: How can we weather this crisis while doing the least possible long-term damage to the state? At some point our economy will begin to turn around, and Minnesota should position itself for a strong recovery. For Minnesota to thrive in today’s world, a highly educated work force is vital, and no one contributes more to that than Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and the other institutions that comprise the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). The system’s institutions graduate almost 34,000 people each year, more than 80 percent of whom remain in the state and find jobs related to their field of study. Despite steep tuition increases in recent years, it remains the most accessible alternative for people, both young and not so young, who are looking to improve their lives in hard times. Minnesotans used to understand the importance of education, but we have slipped markedly in recent years. Thirty states now spend a larger percentage of their personal incomes on public higher education than we do, including Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Now Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes once again to make disproportionate cuts to funding for public higher education. His recommendation seems perfectly wrongheaded if the state hopes to rebound strongly. To put it in perspective, his proposed cut of $146 million to the MnSCU system is the equivalent of about 975 faculty positions. If adopted, it would mean larger classes, fewer choices for students, and poorer facilities. Pawlenty says we must do more with less. My reply is, “You get what you pay for.” Thanks to a dedicated faculty, MSUM students still receive an excellent education, but if our funding continues to deteriorate, quality is bound to suffer. Minnesota must rededicate itself to the principle that the key to a bright future is investing in people.
Friday, February 6, 2009
We need your help: Participate in events (part 3)
Support Higher Education – Events around WSU
February 3, 2009 10:30-12noon - MPR in Kryzko Commons
February 5, 2009 at 4:00pm - WSU Faculty Association forum on the budget
February 13, 2009 at 11:00am-1:00pm - WSU and SE Tech Student sponsored event (Kryzko Commons basement and at 12noon in the WSU quad area)
February 11-12, 2009 -Lobby days for IFO (government relations and IFO leadership)
February 20, 2009 - Winona- Budget Town Hall meeting with Minnesota legislators Location/time: Winona City Hall-Council Chambers (207 Lafayette) at 3:30pm
March 3, 2009 - Budget Forecast
We need your help: Write a letter to the editor (part 2)
Faculty have already started sharing their views on the importance of higher education. Here are a few:
WSU’s Svingen and Down’s article in the Winona Post:
http://www.winonapost.com/stock/functions/VDG_Pub/detail.php?choice=28873&home_page=&archives=1
Clark Johnson's (MSU-Mankato)
Mankato Free Press: http://www.mankatofreepress.com/archivesearch/local_story_027200153.html
Star Tribune revised article: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/38581217.html?page=2&c=y
WSU’s Svingen and Down’s article in the Winona Post:
http://www.winonapost.com/stock/functions/VDG_Pub/detail.php?choice=28873&home_page=&archives=1
Clark Johnson's (MSU-Mankato)
Mankato Free Press: http://www.mankatofreepress.com/archivesearch/local_story_027200153.html
Star Tribune revised article: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/38581217.html?page=2&c=y
We need your help: Write your Legislator (part 1)
Please consider writing a brief note to legislators that emphasizes the potential impact of budget cuts on campus and perhaps your thoughts on how the state might address could find the revenue to minimize the damage. The House and Senate have set up blogs on their web sites for public input on the budget (see links below). Further down the page (and on the right of this site) are links to the higher education committees and campus area legislators.
Legislature Blogs
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/budgetsuggestions.asp
http://budgetforum.senate.mn/?cat=5
Additional helpful links:
Senate Higher Ed
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_bio.php?cmte_id=2003&ls=#members
House Higher Ed
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committeemembers.asp?comm=86116
CAMPUS AREA LEGISLATORS 2009 - Contact Information
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 30 (Rochester)
Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL)
State Office Building Room 553
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-0573
rep.tina.liebling@house.mn
P.O. Box 6332
Rochester, MN 55903
507/289-4664
Rep. Andy Welti (DFL)
State Office Building Room 389
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-4378
rep.andy.welti@house.mn
RR 2 Box 17
Plainview, MN 55964
507/951-8857
Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL)
Capitol Room G-24
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-4848
sen.ann.lynch@senate.mn
4479 Ettenmoor Lane SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/281-9297
Rep. Kim Norton (DFL)
State Office Building Room 387
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-9249
rep.kim.norton@house.mn
P.O.Box 6766
Rochester, MN 55903
507-280-6273
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 31
Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr. (DFL)
State Office Building Room 491
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-8637
rep.gene.pelowski@house.mn
257 Wilson Street
Winona, MN 55987
507/454-9500
Rep. Greg Davids (R)
State Office Building Room 283
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-9278
rep.greg.davids@house.mn
P.O. Box 32
Preston, MN 55965
507-765-4795
Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL)
Capitol Room G-24
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-5649
sen.sharon.erickson.ropes@senate.mn
978 Gilmore Avenue
Winona, MN 55987
507/454-5447
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 28B
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R)
State Office Building Room 247
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651/296-2273
rep.steve.drazkowski@house.mn
14369 654th Street
Wabasha, MN 55981
651/565-3711
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 4
Rep. Frank Persell (DFL)
State Office Building Room 529
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-5516
rep.frank.persell@house.mn
2435 Staghorn Lane
Bemidji, MN 56601
218/751-2770
Rep. Larry Howes (R)
State Office Building Room 201
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-2451
rep.larry.howes@house.mn
5340 Ladyslipper Lane NW
Walker, MN 56484
218/547-4707
Sen. Mary Olson (DFL)
Capitol Room 124
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-4913
sen.mary.olson@senate.mn
7332 Fergeson Court NE
Bemidji, MN 56601
218/444-6339
METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 58
Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL)
State Office Building Room 329
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-8659
rep.bobby.champion@house.mn
Legislature Blogs
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/budgetsuggestions.asp
http://budgetforum.senate.mn/?cat=5
Additional helpful links:
Senate Higher Ed
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_bio.php?cmte_id=2003&ls=#members
House Higher Ed
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committeemembers.asp?comm=86116
CAMPUS AREA LEGISLATORS 2009 - Contact Information
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 30 (Rochester)
Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL)
State Office Building Room 553
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-0573
rep.tina.liebling@house.mn
P.O. Box 6332
Rochester, MN 55903
507/289-4664
Rep. Andy Welti (DFL)
State Office Building Room 389
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-4378
rep.andy.welti@house.mn
RR 2 Box 17
Plainview, MN 55964
507/951-8857
Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL)
Capitol Room G-24
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-4848
sen.ann.lynch@senate.mn
4479 Ettenmoor Lane SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/281-9297
Rep. Kim Norton (DFL)
State Office Building Room 387
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-9249
rep.kim.norton@house.mn
P.O.Box 6766
Rochester, MN 55903
507-280-6273
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 31
Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr. (DFL)
State Office Building Room 491
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-8637
rep.gene.pelowski@house.mn
257 Wilson Street
Winona, MN 55987
507/454-9500
Rep. Greg Davids (R)
State Office Building Room 283
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-9278
rep.greg.davids@house.mn
P.O. Box 32
Preston, MN 55965
507-765-4795
Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL)
Capitol Room G-24
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-5649
sen.sharon.erickson.ropes@senate.mn
978 Gilmore Avenue
Winona, MN 55987
507/454-5447
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 28B
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R)
State Office Building Room 247
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651/296-2273
rep.steve.drazkowski@house.mn
14369 654th Street
Wabasha, MN 55981
651/565-3711
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 4
Rep. Frank Persell (DFL)
State Office Building Room 529
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-5516
rep.frank.persell@house.mn
2435 Staghorn Lane
Bemidji, MN 56601
218/751-2770
Rep. Larry Howes (R)
State Office Building Room 201
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-2451
rep.larry.howes@house.mn
5340 Ladyslipper Lane NW
Walker, MN 56484
218/547-4707
Sen. Mary Olson (DFL)
Capitol Room 124
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-4913
sen.mary.olson@senate.mn
7332 Fergeson Court NE
Bemidji, MN 56601
218/444-6339
METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY – DISTRICT 58
Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL)
State Office Building Room 329
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-8659
rep.bobby.champion@house.mn
Downs and Svingen's letter in the Winona Post
Darrell Downs and Bruce Svingen's letter to the editor, titled "Urge MnSCU to prioritize campus level funding," was published in the Winona Post (1/14/09) and an abridged version, titled "Stop the MnSCU Shell Game," in the Winona Daily News (1/22/09).
http://www.winonapost.com/stock/functions/VDG_Pub/detail.php?choice=28873&home_page=&archives=1
http://www.winonapost.com/stock/functions/VDG_Pub/detail.php?choice=28873&home_page=&archives=1
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Join us for a faculty forum on budget issues
What: Faculty Budget Forum
When: Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Where:
Winona Campus: Purple Rooms 105/106
Rochester Campus (ITV): ST 112
Article in the Minnesota Independent: Raise taxes? Rukavina broaches the taboo
Raise taxes? Rukavina broaches the taboo
By Paul Demko 2/3/09 5:26 PM
Raising taxes to solve the state’s looming $5 billion budget deficit has generally been a verboten subject. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, not surprisingly, has stuck to the no-new-taxes mantra that’s been the guiding philosophy of his two terms in office. His fellow Republicans at the Capitol have been equally adamant that the budget must be fixed without revenue increases.
Even Democrats have been reluctant to broach the topic of tax increases. Since Pawlenty unveiled his budget proposal last week, the party’s leadership has been notably vague in detailing what alternatives they might suggest for fixing the state’s fiscal crisis. Instead the Democrats have promised a two-week “listening tour” to hear how average Minnesotans suggest closing the deficit.
But there’s at least one legislator who’s not shy about suggesting that taxes need to be raised: Rep. Tom Rukavina. At the start of today’s meeting of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, the Iron Range Democrat declared it “nuts” to believe the massive deficit can be fixed without additional revenues.
“The governor’s got to understand he helped create this mess and now he has to help solve it,” Rukavina said. “As much as he wants to starve the beast and cut government, I think this monster’s gotten out of control.”
Click here for the rest of the story/article.
By Paul Demko 2/3/09 5:26 PM
Raising taxes to solve the state’s looming $5 billion budget deficit has generally been a verboten subject. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, not surprisingly, has stuck to the no-new-taxes mantra that’s been the guiding philosophy of his two terms in office. His fellow Republicans at the Capitol have been equally adamant that the budget must be fixed without revenue increases.
Even Democrats have been reluctant to broach the topic of tax increases. Since Pawlenty unveiled his budget proposal last week, the party’s leadership has been notably vague in detailing what alternatives they might suggest for fixing the state’s fiscal crisis. Instead the Democrats have promised a two-week “listening tour” to hear how average Minnesotans suggest closing the deficit.
But there’s at least one legislator who’s not shy about suggesting that taxes need to be raised: Rep. Tom Rukavina. At the start of today’s meeting of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, the Iron Range Democrat declared it “nuts” to believe the massive deficit can be fixed without additional revenues.
“The governor’s got to understand he helped create this mess and now he has to help solve it,” Rukavina said. “As much as he wants to starve the beast and cut government, I think this monster’s gotten out of control.”
Click here for the rest of the story/article.
Article in LWN's National Voter: Examining "Redistribution of Wealth"
In the National Voter February 2009 issue (national magazine for the League of Women Voters), Jeff Kolnickjust (MSU-Southwest) "recently published an essay with Doug Anderson, a union brother from the SMSU English Department, that deals with taxes, unions, and the redistribution of wealth. It is for the national magazine of the League of Women Voters and might be useful..." -JK forwarded this note to IFO leadership.
The current issue can be found at (article is in the February 2009 issue):http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Current_Issue
The current issue can be found at (article is in the February 2009 issue):http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Current_Issue
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
IFO Suggested Messages to Legislators
IFO's Suggested Messages to Legislators (by Russ Stanton):
- MnSCU institutions are part of the solution to the economic crisis.
MnSCU is the system that unemployed people return to when they need further education and training for the new economy. 1/3 of our students are over age 25. Enrollment is likely to increase as a result of the economic crisis. Applications for next year are way up compared to this point last year. - MnSCU institutions graduate almost 34,000 students per year (by comparison, the U of M graduates only 14,000). 82.6% are employed in the state after they graduate. Over 87% find jobs related to their field of study. MnSCU produces 52% of the teachers, 82% of the nurses, 89% percent of law enforcement graduates, 41% of the business graduates—the very kind of graduates that essential to a functional society. In addition, MnSCU provides career education to 6,000 employers and 151,000 individuals.
- MnSCU is the system that first generation college students attend to get a foothold in the modern economy. For instance, MnSCU serves over 32,800 students of color—far more than any other system of higher education in Minnesota. Higher education is the gateway to higher incomes and lower unemployment.
- At a time when higher education is the key to global economic competitiveness, we should not be reducing our investment in higher education. Minnesota, once a leader in its support for higher education, now ranks 31st among the states on per capita appropriations for higher education. While Minnesota has been resting on its laurels, states like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Kentucky have surpassed us in per capita investment in higher education.
- Appropriation cuts increase tuition.
- State appropriations have fallen behind enrollment growth and inflation in recent decades, forcing colleges and universities to rely more on tuition to replace appropriations. This has caused tuition to skyrocket. Average tuition and fees at state universities have increased over 94% since 2000. MnSCU institutions now have some of the highest tuition rates in the nation for peer institutions. In the last two years, thanks to improved funding from the legislature, tuition increases have been held to a minimum. However, if appropriations are cut again, we will again see tuition rates skyrocket, driving students and their families further into debt and making college less affordable.
- It is better to raise taxes on high income Minnesotans than to raise tuition on college students.
- The Department of Revenue has shown that tax rates are slightly regressive for incomes over $105,000. High income tax payers received significant tax cuts earlier in this decade.
- If cuts have to be made, make sure there are riders attached (like last year) to make sure a sizable share of the cuts are to the central bureaucracy—not to the campuses where education occurs.
- Some areas of the central budget—particularly the Office of the Chancellor/Shared Services and Enterprise Technology have grown substantially in the last three bienniums, whereas Basic Institutional Allocations have remained relatively flat.
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