Jessica Medearis, MSCSA Associate Director This session will build a foundation of knowledge about the state of Minnesota’s higher education system. Topics will include the structure of higher education systems, especially MnSCU, student involvement in decision-making, and the role of the state legislature.

1. Higher Education in Review
Jessica Medearis
Associate Director, MSCSA

2.  Minnesota has two public higher
education systems.
Higher Education in Minnesota

3.  Minnesota also has a variety of private
higher education institutions
 Coordination by the Office of Higher
Education
Higher Education in Minnesota

4.  MnSCU system was created in 1995
 Merged all public schools, except the
University of Minnesota
 Efficiency, centralized services,
oversight
Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities

5.  State and tuition funded
 System currently gets more than half of
its funding from tuition
 System has over 400,000 students
 Subject to legislative oversight and
direction
Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities

6.  Five campuses and 65,000 students
 Split focus between education and
research
 Less legislative oversight
University of Minnesota

7. A “Land Grant” School

8.  Non-profit and for-profit
 No direct state aid, BUT
 Students are eligible for financial aid
 Institutions almost free from state
oversight
Private Colleges

9.  MnSCU received $102 million in new
money for 2014 and 2015
 Tuition freeze
 Change to state grant formula to
benefit MnSCU’s part-time students
◦ Two-year pilot
The legislative landscape…

10.  Bonding for facilities
 Policy initiatives
 Supplemental budget?
The legislative landscape…

11.  Over 95,000 full-time two-year
students
 Educates 63% of the state’s
undergraduates
 2013-2014 Tuition Average: $5,370
The MnSCU System:

12.  Who?
◦ Legislature
◦ Board of Trustees
◦ Chancellor
◦ Vice Chancellors
◦ Presidents/Leadership Council
◦ Provosts
◦ Students, Faculty, Staff
Shared Governance

13.  Federal and State Statute
 System Strategic Framework
 Board Policy and Procedures
 System Guidelines
 Campus Policy and Procedure
 Committee Bylaws
Guiding Documents:

14.  15-member Board
 6 year terms: 8 representing
regions, 3 at-large, one labor
 2 year terms: 3 students
Board of Trustees

15.  Vice Chancellors
 Associate Vice Chancellors
 Other Staff
 Students
 MSCF, IFO, MAPE, MSUAASF, AFSCME,
MMA
 Lawmakers
 Media
Other Decision-Makers

16.  Legislature
◦ Bargaining units (contract approval)
 Media
 Public
 Students
 Bargaining units (organizations)
 Board of Trustees
◦ Chancellor
 System Staff
 Presidents
 Campus Faculty and Staff (individually)
Governance in Action!

17. Governance in Action!