STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY-THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND
FINANCE DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair of the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division, called the meeting to order at 12:45 P.M. on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Poppe, Jeanne, Vice-Chair
Atkins, Joe
Bly, David
Brynaert, Kathy
Dettmer, Bob
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Hortman, Melissa
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Ruth, Connie
Severson, Dan
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Clark, Karen
Moe, Frank
Murphy, Mary
A quorum was present.
Chair Rukavina welcomed everyone and gave an overview of the agenda.
Chair Rukavina invited Chancellor James McCormick, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), to begin his presentation on the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Chancellor James McCormick, MnSCU, introduced himself, and Vice Chancellor Allan Johnson, and Trustee Clarence Hightower, who would be assisting Chancellor McCormick with the MnSCU presentation. Chancellor McCormick also noted that there were a number of presidents of colleges and universities from the MnSCU system attending the hearing who would be available for any questions.
Chancellor McCormick began the MnSCU capital bonding request presentation.
Clarence Hightower, Member, MnSCU Board of Trustees, introduced himself and assisted with
the MnSCU presentation.
Chancellor McCormick continued the MnSCU presentation.
Vice Chancellor Allan Johnson, Facilities, MnSCU, introduced himself and continued the MnSCU presentation.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
February 12, 2008
Page Two
Chancellor McCormick continued the MnSCU presentation. Chancellor McCormick indicated that Jered Weber, Minnesota State University Student Association Board Member; Scott Formo, President, Minnesota State College Student Association; Dr. Nancy Black, President, InterFaculty Organization; Shazaad Ahmad, President, Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF); Karen Forenan, AFSCME, and Chet Jorgenson, MAPE, were present and would appreciate the opportunity to testify briefly on the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Vice Chancellor Allan Johnson continued the MnSCU presentation.
Discussion and questions followed.
Representative Ruth requested that Terry Leas, President of Riverland College, be allowed to testify, and Chair Rukavina agreed.
Dr. Terry Leas, President, Riverland College, MnSCU, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding Riverland College's bonding request.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina asked the students and the union representatives to testify.
Jered Weber, Board Member, Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) introduced himself and offered testimony regarding the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Scott Formo, President, Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) introduced himself and offered testimony regarding the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Dr. Nancy Black, President, InterFaculty Organization (IFO), introduced herself and offered testimony regarding the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Karen Forenan, AFSCME, introduced herself and offered testimony regarding the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Shazaad Ahmad, President, Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF), introduced himself and offered testimony regarding the MnSCU capital bonding request.
Chair Rukavina discussed the committee process for the bonding requests before the Division.
Representative Hilty presented HF 1102, Fond du Lac Technical and Community College land acquisition.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina asked Chancellor McCormick and Trustee Hightower to comment on the MnSCU Board's opinion of the Governor's priority list for capital bonding.
Trustee Hightower offered testimony on the Governor's priority list.
Chancellor McCormick offered testimony on the Governor's priority list.
Vice Chancellor Johnson offered testimony on the Governor's priority list.
Chancellor McCormick offered further testimony on the MnSCU capital bonding request and the Governor's priorities.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
February 12, 2008
Page Three
Chair Rukavina discussed the priority list. Further discussion and questions followed.
Representative Nelson presented HF 891, Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park campus asset preservation.
Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, President, Hennepin Technical College, introduced herself and offered testimony regarding HF 891 and HF 2643.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina commented further on the process for the committee regarding capital bonding.
Discussion followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:05 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant