STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE AND POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 1:05 P.M. on Tuesday,
February 3, 2009, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Bly, David, Vice-Chair
Atkins, Joe
Anderson, S.
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Downey, Keith
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Obermueller, Mike
Poppe, Jeanne
Reinert, Roger
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Carlson, Lyndon
Solberg, Loren
A quorum was present.
Representative Gunther moved that the minutes of January 29, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Rukavina invited the Minnesota State Universities Student Association (MSUSA) students to begin their presentation.
Jennifer Weil, student at Minnesota State University Moorhead and Vice Chair, MSUSA Moorhead, introduced herself and testified regarding her student experience and the impact of the budget cuts on students at the Moorhead campus.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina commented on the higher education budget documents and the lack of detail provided, and indicated he had requested in writing that both the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system provide detailed budget documents for the committee to review.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 3, 2009
Page Two
Questions and discussion continued.
Arron Olson, student at Southwest State University and MSUSA member, introduced himself and Cody Nelson, Bemidji State University alumni and MSUSA member, introduced himself, and they both assisted in answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
Cody Nelson, Bemidji State University alumni and MSUSA member, introduced himself again and provided testimony on his student experience and the impact of the budget on the students at Bemidji State University.
Questions and discussion followed.
Aaron Olson, Southwest State University and MSUSA member, introduced himself again and provided testimony on his student experience and the impact of the budget on the students at Southwest State University.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina asked the presenters from the Minnesota State Colleges Student Association (MSCSA) to come forward to begin their presentation.
Jacob Littler, President, MSCSA, introduced himself and provided testimony on the MnSCU two year colleges and the impact of the proposed budget cuts.
Vice Chair Bly assumed the chair at 1:52 p.m.
Chair Rukavina resumed the chair at 1:57 p.m.
Melodie Schultz, student at Lake Superior College and MSCSA member, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding her and her family’s student experiences at Lake Superior College and Fond du Lac Community College.
Questions and discussion followed.
Catherine Fenewald, student at Inver Hills Community College, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding her student experience.
Questions and discussion followed.
Travis Johnson, student at Lake Superior College, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his student experience.
Questions and discussion followed.
Kary Bowser, Vice Chair, MSCSA, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his student and life experiences.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina asked the presenters from the InterFaculty Organization and the Minnesota State College Faculty association to come forward together and provide their testimony.
Cynthia Phillips, Professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead and President of the faculty at Moorhead, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding her professional experience at Minnesota State University Moorhead and the impact of the budget cuts on the students and staff.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 3, 2009
Page Three
Questions and discussion continued.
Rod Henry, Professor at Bemidji State University and President of the IFO, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Questions and discussion followed.
Greg Mulcahy, President, MSCF, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget.
Questions and discussion followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:37 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant