A proposal to extend a tuition freeze another two years at 31 Minnesota colleges and universities is now heading for the Legislature.
On Wednesday, the board of trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU) voted to formally request a $142 million increase in state funding. In exchange, the board said it would hold tuition flat at all its campuses through 2017.
In effect, the board is hoping to renew the deal that the governor and legislators made two years ago when they boosted state funding for higher education substantially in exchange for a tuition freeze.
MnSCU officials say they need the extra funds to cover rising expenses and to spare students from a 3 percent tuition hike.
The University of Minnesota is making a similar request to the Legislature. The U wants a $127 million increase in state funding this year, in part to avoid a tuition increase.
The MnSCU system, which includes seven state universities and 24 community and technical colleges, serves more than 400,000 students a year, including 264,500 students in for-credit programs. In total, it's seeking $1.39 billion in state funding over the next two years.
MnSCU officials have said that they might raise tuition if the increase is not approved.
Also Wednesday, supporters came to the defense of Chancellor Steven Rosenstone in the wake of a string of no-confidence votes by university faculty.
Richard Hanson, president of Bemidji State University, said he and his fellow college presidents "are united in our strong support for our leadership, our board, our chancellor." Board Chair Thomas Renier also reaffirmed the trustees' support for Rosenstone, and said they intend to push ahead with his reform effort, called "Charting the Future," despite criticism from faculty.
