STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTIETH 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 1:03 P.M. on Tuesday, March 17, 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
Anderson, Sarah
Atkins, Joe
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:
A quorum was present.
Chair Rukavina asked Tricia Grimes to come forward to begin the presentation on institutional accreditation and financial aid eligibility.
Tricia Grimes, Office of Higher Education, introduced herself and presented information on institutional accreditation and financial aid eligibility, using a powerpoint presentation and providing paper copies of that presentation. Additional handouts were provided.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina welcomed a group of 9th grade students from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg Schools who were observing the hearing.
Representative Sarah Anderson recognized her niece who was with that group of students.
Peggy Schmidt, Owner, Minnesota School of Barbering, introduced herself and provided testimony on behalf of unaccredited career schools regarding institutional accreditation and financial aid eligibility.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
March 17, 2009
Page Two
Questions and discussion followed.
Lara Kelly, one of the owners of the Minnesota School of Beauty, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding institutional accreditation and financial aid eligibility.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina asked Representative Atkins to come forward to present HF 1560.
HF 1560 (Atkins)
Representative Atkins moved that HF 1560 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division omnibus bill.
Representative Atkins moved to amend HF 1560 with amendment
H1560A1
Representative Atkins presented HF 1560 as amended, relating to higher education; modifying the state grant program.
Questions and discussion followed.
David Laird, Jr., Minnesota Private College Council, introduced himself and assisted in answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
Representative Atkins renewed his motion that HF 1560 as amended be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division omnibus bill. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1414 (Bigham)
Representative Brynaert moved that HF 1414 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division omnibus bill.
Representative Bigham presented HF 1414, relating to higher education; changing eligibility for the state grant program.
Graeme Allen, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota State University Student Association, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1414. A written copy of his testimony was provided.
Questions and discussion followed.
Nichole Mohlenhoff, student at Globe University in Woodbury, introduced herself and provided testimony in opposition to HF 1414.
Janice Flanary, student at Rasmussen College in Lake Elmo, introduced herself and provided testimony in opposition to HF 1414.
Tom Kosel, Minnesota Career College Association and Globe University, introduced himself and provided testimony in opposition to HF 1414. A handout was provided.
Stacia Smith, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, introduced herself and provided testimony in opposition to HF 1414.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
March 17, 2009
Page Three
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Brynaert renewed her motion that HF 1414 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division omnibus bill. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
A division was called. With four ayes and nine nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Representative Gunther moved that the minutes of March 12, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED
The meeting was adjourned at 2:28 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant