Public hearings set on preliminary MnSCU budget request

Posted: September 20, 2002

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

Public comment on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities preliminary budget request for the 2004-2005 biennium will be gathered Sept. 27 in Marshall and Oct. 2 in St. Paul by a committee of the system's Board of Trustees.

The board's Finance and Facilities Policy Committee is considering a request for $107.3 million more in state appropriations over the next two years to support the core educational mission and keep tuition affordable for students at the 34 state colleges and universities. The Board of Trustees is expected to approve a biennial budget request at its meeting Oct. 15-16.

The budget request is being developed collaboratively by Chancellor James H. McCormick and his office, the presidents of the state colleges and universities, and representatives of faculty, staff and students.

The 2001 Minnesota Legislature appropriated a $100 million increase for the system's 2002-2003 budget, but reduced that amount by $22.7 million in its 2002 session.

The public budget hearings will be held by the Board of Trustees Finance and Facilities Policy Committee as follows:

  • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Southwest State University, Bellows Academic Center, Room 280E, 1501 State St., Marshall.
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, International Hall, Fourth Floor, World Trade Center, 30 E. Seventh St., St. Paul.

Advance registration is not required to speak at the hearing, but depending on the number of people who want to testify, there may be time limitations. Registration will be accepted at the hearing. Those testifying are asked to bring 20 copies of their testimony.