STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FIFTH 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, started the meeting at 1:20 P.M. on Thursday, February 18, 2010, 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
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:
Atkins, Joe
Chair Rukavina recognized students from the Greater Mankato Leadeship Institute who were attending the hearing.
Chair Rukavina invited David Metzen, Director, Office of Higher Education (OHE) to come forward to begin his presentation.
David Metzen, Director, Office of Higher Education (OHE), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the Governor’s higher education budget recommendations, cuts in financial aid, second year financing, and the Achieve Program.
Mark Misukanis, Office of Higher Education (OHE), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the State Grant Program.
Meredith Fergus, Policy Analyst, State Grant Program, Office of Higher Education (OHE), introduced herself and provided further testimony regarding the State Grant Program.
Mark Misukanis provided additional testimony regarding the budget and the State Grant Program.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 18, 2010
Page Two
Meredith Fergus provided further testimony regarding the State Grant Program.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina commented regarding the testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Meredith Fergus continued her testimony.
Mark Misukanis provided further testimony regarding the State Grant Program.
Megan FitzGibbon, Office of Higher Education, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the Governor’s Achieve Program.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina commented further.
A quorum was present.
Representative Mahoney moved that the minutes of February 16, 2010 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Mark Misukanis commented regarding the Governor’s budget recommendations and the cuts to the University of Minnesota and to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system.
Chair Rukavina invited students from both the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system to come forward to testify regarding the budget cuts.
Tyler Smith, President, Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the Governor’s budget proposal.
Questions and discussion followed.
Thomas Trehus, student, University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the Governor’s budget proposal.
Questions and discussion followed.
Ian Galchutt, Vice President, Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) and student at Winona State University, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the Governor’s budget proposal.
Questions and discussion followed.
Steve Bairett, student at Rasmussen College in St. Cloud, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the budget cuts.
Questions and discussion followed.
Alicia Riley, student at Rasmussen College in St. Cloud, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the budget cuts.
Questions and discussion followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 18, 2010
Page Three
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant