STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FIRST 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 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 26, 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
Atkins, Joe
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Downey, Keith
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Mahoney, Tim
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Obermueller, Mike
Poppe, Jeanne
Reinert, Roger
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Eastlund, Rob
McFarlane, Carol
A quorum was present.
Chair Rukavina welcomed everyone and discussed the agenda. Chair Rukavina invited Chancellor McCormick to come forward to begin the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) presentation.
James McCormick, Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the MnSCU system.
Questions and discussion followed.
Al Johnson, Associate Vice Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the capital budget and project priorities.
Questions and discussion followed.
Al Johnson provided testimony regarding the Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Moorhead project.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Two
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina discussed the ranking sheets in members’ packets and suggested that the projects be ranked as the presentations are provided. The recommendations would then be provided to the Capital Investment Division on Thursday, January 28.
Edna Szymanski, President, Minnesota State University Moorhead, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
Dan Kirk, Vice President for Administration and Facilities, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding Minnesota State University, Moorhead’s bonding project.
Qeustions and discussion followed.
Kevin Kopischke, President, Alexandria Technical College, introduced himself and Tim Tougas. President Kopischke provided testimony regarding Alexandria Technical College.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Kopischke provided testimony regarding Alexandria Technical College’s bonding project.
Questions and discussion followed.
John Quistgaard, President, Bemidji State University, introduced himself and Bill Maki, Vice President of Finance, Bemidji State University. Representative Persell joined them for their prestentation.
HF xxxx (Persell)
Representative Persell presented HF xxxx (Revisor Number 10-4995), relating to capital investment, appropriating money for capital projects at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
President Quistgaard provided testimony regarding Bemidji State University.
Vice President Maki introduced himself and provided testimony regarding Bemidji State University’s bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Richard Shrubb, President, MN West Community and Technical College, Canby and Worthington, introduced himself and Lori Voss, Chief Financial Officer. President Shrubb provided testimony regarding the campuses and their bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 2536 (Falk)
Representative Falk presented HF 2536, relating to capital improvements; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds; appropriating money for a wind turbine training facility on the campus of Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Canby.
Questions and discussion followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Three
Bob Harnes, Vice President of Finance, Ridgewater Community College, introduced himself and Kip Oveson, Facilities, Ridgewater Community College and greeted everyone for Doug Allen, President.
Vice President Harnes provided testimony regarding Ridgewater Community College and their campus’ bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
David Danahar, President, Southwest Minnesota State University, introduced himself and Cyndi Holm, Facilities.
President Danahar provided testimony regarding Southwest Minnesota State University and their campus’ bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Mark Magnuson, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Lake Superior College, introduced himself and Mark Winson and Gary Kruchowski, Director of Public Information. Vice President Magnuson greeted everyone for President Kathy Nelson.
Vice President Magnuson provided testimony regarding Lake Superior College’s bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Sue Collins, President, Northeast Higher Education District, introduced herself and Tina Royer, Provost, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College and Tony Bartovich, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College.
Sue Collins provided testimony regarding the campuses and programs of the Northeast Higher Education District and their bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 2425 (Rukavina)
Representative Rukavina presented HF 2425, relating to capital investment; appropriating money for facilities for the Iron Range engineering program at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
Questions and discussion followed.
Don Supalla, President, Rochester Community and Technical College, introduced himself and Rick Roy, Regional Administrator, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). President Supalla provided testimony regarding Rochester Community and Technical College.
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 2472 (Welti)
Representative Welti presented HF 2472, relating to capital improvements; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds; appropriating money to renovate infrastructure and collocate the Minnesota Workforce Center at Rochester Community and Technical College.
Questions and discussion followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Four
President Supalla provided testimony regarding Rochester Community and Technical College’s bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Rick Roy, Regional Administrator, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced himself and provided additional testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Randy Jefferson, Workforce Development Inc., Rochester, introduced himself and assisted in answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
Representative Welti provided additional comments.
Questions and discussion continued.
Keith Stover, President, South Central College, Faribault, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding South Central College and their bonding requests.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina invited students to come forward to provide testimony.
Tyler Smith, Minnesota State College Student Association, introduced himself and provided testimony.
Jennifer Weil, Minnesota State University Student Association, introduced herself and provided testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina recessed the meeting at 11:30 A.M. for lunch.
Chair Rukavina reconvened the meeting at 12:07 P.M.
Joyce Helens, President, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, introduced herself and Lori Kloos, Vice President.
HF 2506 (Haws)
Representative Haws presented HF 2506, relating to capital investment; appropriating money for renovation of the Allied Health Center at St. Cloud Technical College; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
President Helens provided testimony regarding St. Cloud Technical and Community College and their bonding project.
Vice President Lori Kloos provided testimony regarding St. Cloud Technical and Community College’s bonding project and their change of mission.
Representative Haws provided further comments regarding their bonding project.
Questions and discussion followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Five
Laura King, Vice Chancellor for Finance, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) introduced herself and provided assistance in answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
HF 2506 (Haws)
Representative Haws presented HF 2443, relating to capital investment; providing for payment of certain lease revenue by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Vice President Lori Kloos provided testimony regarding HF 2443.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina indicated that there would be a future hearing on mission differentiation of colleges and universities.
Questions and discussion continued.
HF 2493 (Haws)
Representative Haws presented HF 2493, relating to capital investment; appropriating money for an Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility at St. Cloud State University; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
Earl Potter, President, St. Cloud State University, introduced himself and Steve Ludwig, Vice President of Finance, St. Cloud State University.
President Potter provided testimony regarding St. Cloud State University and their bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Richard Davenport, President, Minnesota State University, Mankato, introduced himself and Rick Straka, Finance, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
President Davenport provided testimony regarding Minnesota State University, Mankato and its bonding project.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Davenport provided further comment.
Ron Henry, President, Inter Faculty Organization and Russ Stanton, Governmental Relations, Inter Faculty Organization, introduced themselves and provided testimony regarding the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) list of priorities for bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Rick Nelson, Minnesota State College Faculty Association (MSCFA) introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the MnSCU list of priorities for bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Paul Rosenthal introduced himself and provided supportive testimony regarding Normandale Community College and their bonding projects.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Six
Joe Opatz, President, Normandale Community College, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding Normandale Community College and their bonding project.
Ed Hines, Vice President, Normandale Community College, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding Normandale Community College’s bonding project.
Questions and discussion followed.
Pat Johns, President, Anoka Ramsey Community College, introduced himself and Mike Seymour, Vice President, Anoka Ramsey Community College.
President Johns provided testimony regarding Anoka Ramsey Community College’s two campuses and their bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Mike Seymour, Vice President, Anoka Ramsey Community College, introduced himself and provided further testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Ann Wynia, President, North Hennepin Community College, introduced herself and Representative Mike Nelson.
President Wynia provided testimony regarding North Hennepin Community College.
HF 2524 (Nelson)
Representative Nelson presented HF 2524, relating to capital investment; appropriating money for the North Hennepin Community College Center for Business and Technology; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.
President Wynia provided further comment regarding HF 2524.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Wynia provided testimony regarding North Hennepin Community College’s bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Cecilia Cervantes, President, Hennepin Technical College, introduced herself and Diane Paulson, Vice President of Administrative Services, Hennepin Technical College.
President Cervantes provided testimony regarding Hennepin Technical College and their bonding project.
Vice President Paulson provided further testimony regarding their bonding project.
Questions and discussion followed.
Vice Chair Bly assumed the chair at 1:35 P.M.
Ron Thomas, President, Dakota Technical College, introduced himself and Tim McCluskey, Faculty, and Paul DeMuth, Director of Operations.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Seven
President Thomas provided testimony regarding Dakota Technical College and their bonding project.
Tim McCluskey provided further testimony regarding their bonding project.
Tim McCluskey introduced Paul DeMuth, Director of Operations, who provided further testimony regarding the bonding project.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Thomas provided further testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Phil Davis, President, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding Minneapolis Community and Technical College and their bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina resumed the chair at 2:05 P.M.
Questions and discussion continued.
Sue Hammersmith, President, Metro State University, introduced herself and Murtuza Sindiqui. President Hammersmith provided testimony regarding Metro State University and their bonding projects.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Hammersmith provided further comments.
Questions and discussion followed.
Robert Bruininks, President, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the University of Minnesota, their HEAPR projects, and bonding projects on both the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Bruininks asked Chancellor Kathryn Martin to join him to provide testimony regarding the University of Minnesota, Duluth bonding project.
Chair Rukavina asked Chancellor Martin, Vice Chancellor Greg Fox, Rick Smith and Representative Huntley to join President Bruininks at the table.
Representative Huntley provided testimony regarding the American Indian Center bonding project at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
Kathryn Martin, Chancellor, University of Minnesota Duluth, introduced herself and Rick Smith, Director of the Indian Learning Resource Center, UMD, and Greg Fox, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations, UMD.
Chancellor Martin provided testimony regarding the American Indian Learning Resource Center.
Questions and discussion followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Eight
Rick Smith provided further testimony regarding the American Indian Learning Resource Center and its programs.
Questions and discussion followed.
President Bruininks continued his presentation.
Questions and discussion followed.
Vice Chair Bly assumed the chair at 2:55 P.M.
Questions and discussion continued.
Chair Rukavina resumed the chair at 3:05 P.M.
President Bruininks continued his presentation.
Paul Hrain, Thomas Fichus, and Matt Hanzlik, Students, University of Minnesota, introduced themselves and provided testimony regarding the bonding projects.
Questions and discussion continued.
President Bruininks provided further comment.
Questions and discussion followed.
Vice Chair Bly assumed the chair at 3:20 P.M.
President Bruininks continued his presentation.
Steve Crouch, Dean, Institute of Technology, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and assisted with answering questions.
Tim Mulcahy, Vice President, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and assisted with answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
Chair Rukavina resumed the chair at 3:30 P.M.
Kathleen O’Brien, Vice Chancellor, University of Minnesota, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the bonding requests.
Questions and discussion continued.
Robert Elde, Dean, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and assisted with answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
Richard Pfutzenreuter, Vice President of Finance and CFO, University of Minnesota, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding U-More Park.
Questions and discussion followed.
Doug Berg, House Fiscal Analyst, presented information on the operating budget.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
January 26, 2010
Page Nine
Mark Misukanis, Office of Higher Education, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the state grant program.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina asked members to turn in their prioritized project lists and discussed the agenda for tomorrow’s hearing.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant