STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTY-SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH 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 12:35 P.M. on Wednesday,
March 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
Bly, David
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Hortman, Melissa
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Moe, Frank
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Ruth, Connie
Severson, Dan
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Atkins, Joe
Eastlund, Rob
Murphy, Mary
Chair Rukavina indicated that the agenda for today's meeting is the Governor's budget recommendations for higher education.
Susan Heegaard, Director, Office of Higher Education, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the budget of the Office of Higher Education, their budget reductions, and the Governor's proposed reductions.
Mark Misukanis, Office of Higher Education, introduced himself and assisted with
Ms. Heegaard's presentation.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina commented on the Governor's budget proposal and the Governor's expectation that budget cuts would be made, saying that the Governor's no new tax pledge was not working, and that the Chair wouldn't be the one to correct the problem by putting and increase in tuition and fees on students.
Susan Heegaard provided further testimony.
Discussion and questions followed.
Robert Bruininks, President, University of Minnesota, introduced himself, indicated that Regent Patricia Simmons and Regent David Metzen were also present, and provided testimony regarding the Governor's budget recommendations for higher education and their impact on the University of Minnesota system and budget.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 12, 2008
Page Two
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina thanked a large group of students for attending the hearing as they were leaving.
Further discussion and questions followed.
Laura King, Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the Governor's budget recommendations for higher education and their impact on the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and budget.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina thanked students from the University of Minnesota for attending the hearing and invited them to come forward to present testimony.
Emma Olson, President of the University of Minnesota Undergraduate Student Body, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Discussion and questions followed.
Ross Skattum, Vice President of the University of Minnesota Undergraduate Student Body, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Discussion and questions followed.
Adam Engelman, Chair of Student Reps to the Board of Regents, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Discussion and questions followed.
Dustin Norman, IFC President, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Discussion and questions followed.
Scott Formo, President, Minnesota State College Student Association, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Kara Brockett, Chair, Minnesota State University Student Association, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
J. J. Jouppi, Executive Director, Minnesota State University Student Association, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina made final comments.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
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Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant