Recent content from Mila Koumpilova
MeToo era slow to arrive at Minnesota State campuses
Complaints at Minnesota State often result in reprimand or short suspension.
University of Minnesota aims to think bold about tuition costs, enrollment
In a discussion about the U's budget outlook, regents again suggested the university should not be complacent about the status quo.
U mines China connection but worries about future
Chinese students now make up 45% of all international students at the U, providing a major cash infusion. But the U's success recruiting students from China is facing fresh threats.
U's academic work with China chilled by federal concerns
Collaboration with China has long been a linchpin of U research, but the work has been shaken recently by federal investigations.
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Email: U student imprisoned in China for tweets is released
Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation and free-speech advocates voiced support for a University of Minnesota student sentenced in China for tweets he made while studying in the United States.
Twin Cities-based Rasmussen graduating from college to university
Bloomington for-profit school's leaders say the name change signals a renewed push to expand options for students.
Richard Pellow, salvage and towing entrepreneur and a former state lawmaker, has died
During three terms in the Minnesota Legislature, the father of five drew votes and made friends across the political spectrum.
Demolition underway at fire-ravaged Francis Drake Hotel
Relocation of homeless families to a nearby downtown Minneapolis church continues.
University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel makes her first key hire
University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel has chosen a Michigan State University dean to serve as her second-in-command.The U announced Wednesday that Rachel Croson, who…
Minnesota State schools plan 'ambitious' push to shrink achievement gaps
New initiative aims to improve graduation rates and other outcomes for minority, low-income and first-generation students.
Minnesota Supreme Court ruling: All former criminal justice students at defunct for-profit schools may seek refunds
Any of the 1,330 students who attended the programs is eligible for tuition refund.
Community college faculty in Minnesota seek $1.6 million in back pay
Minnesota community college professors file claims for back pay under settlement.
Minnesota sues companies that allegedly defrauded student loan borrowers
State says firms defrauded customers with illegal fees; companies defend their actions.
Schools walk fine line as they bring faculty back after sexual misconduct findings
As sanctioned faculty return to Minnesota public and private campuses in the MeToo era, administrators are feeling new pressure to talk about their cases more openly.
University of Minnesota leaders consider how to tackle renaming campus buildings in the future
The Board of Regents tasked new President Joan Gabel with planning permanent displays and educational activities to address campus segregation as well as with helping to overhaul the renaming policy.
U leaders say tuition hike strategy for nonresidents is working
The university expects to end double-digit increases, officials told regents.
Engineer Leonard Frame, who launched firms with global presence, dies at 95
FluiDyne, the company he launched in the 1950s, made inroads in markets from Sweden to Japan, earning a reputation for innovation and reliability.
Former Gov. Mark Dayton to complete unpaid U fellowship
He will work with students on an oral history project.
U review shows room for improvement in handing over public information
The review came after concerns about the U's handling of an information request.
With vegan chili and less pomp, U installs Joan Gabel as its 17th president
The ceremony was designed to herald a presidency that would honor the university's history while at the same time embracing innovation and more fiscal restraint.
Union pressured Inver Hills college clerk to join, lawsuit says
The case is the first one filed in Minnesota that stems from last year's landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Two more years for U food vendor is too much, students say
Student groups want fresher food and more kosher, halal, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Aramark says it has worked to make the changes.
University of Minnesota president balances optimistic outlook with calls for reform
Joan Gabel kicked off her historic presidency at the University of Minnesota this summer with an unapologetically upbeat message: The U doesn’t have pressing problems,…
Red Lake Band, city of Minneapolis break ground for affordable housing complex
Red Lake Band funds most of the $35.8 million complex, with Minneapolis' help.
New Minnesota-made podcast offers student advice on college survival
New series is designed to help first-generation students.
At U convocation, year begins with focus on wellness, self-care
The incoming freshman class on the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus is shaping up to be among the U's most academically accomplished.
On Minnesota campuses, a push to rethink remedial education
The Minnesota State system, facing intense pressure, is taking steps to shrink the number of students who take such courses.
Dr. Wesley Miller, retired University of Minnesota doctor, educator and head of medicine, dies
An early proponent of evidence-based medicine, Miller played a key role in the university's pioneering work in bone marrow and stem cell transplantation
Minn. colleges hunting for talent lean more heavily on search firms
The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State system together have paid more than $10 million in the past five years for outside help in recruiting administrators.
Concordia University in St. Paul names new president
The Rev. Brian Friedrich will take the helm on Jan. 1.
U president orders review of practices and policies on access to public data
The announcement comes after school officials admitted mistakes in handling recent public data request.
University of Minnesota staffer's advice to delete e-mail raises red flag for lawmaker
The head of the Minnesota Senate's higher education committee is voicing concern about the University of Minnesota's handling of a recent data request for correspondence…
U admits to mishandling data request for renaming buildings
The request followed the contentious debate over task force recommendations to rename buildings named after U administrators.
U regents and new leader tackle new efforts at campus inclusion
Some want more greater Minnesota students and conservative ideas to the university.
New University of Minnesota president strikes upbeat tone
Joan Gabel pledged to address issues ranging from the steady climb of tuition costs to a "crisis" of student mental health.
Head of Minnesota State higher-ed system blitzes state, seeking students to train for high-demand jobs
The system faces another enrollment dip this fall.
Joan Gabel takes the helm at U today with a focus on teamwork
Gabel inherits an institution enjoying strong student demand and stable finances but one that also is facing formidable challenges, including renewed calls to control costs and a need to better serve an increasingly diverse student body.
As Eric Kaler leaves U, intense debate over his legacy builds
Kaler wraps up his eight years at the helm of Minnesota's flagship research institution Sunday.
Trustees OK 3% tuition increase for Minnesota State system
Because of another projected dip in enrollment this fall, the system is poised to see less revenue from tuition despite the new higher rates.
2% tuition increase approved for U undergrads on Twin Cities campus
The increase is less than the 2.5% President Eric Kaler was seeking, the result of pushback from university regents.
University regents push back on tuition increase proposal
The University of Minnesota's governing board is pushing back on President Eric Kaler's proposal to raise Twin Cities undergraduate tuition by 2.5%, urging leaders to consider ways to limit that increase.
U of Minnesota president pitches 2.5% tuition hike for next year
President Eric Kaler's proposed tuition hike would affect Minnesota undergraduates on the Twin Cities campus.
E-mails reveal U's rushed effort to rename 4 Twin Cities buildings
Intense deadline pressure, hurdles to tracking down records and skepticism about administrator support plagued a task force that weighed renaming the buildings.
Minn. court rules closed for-profit schools must fully repay illegal loans
The state estimates a total of $7.2 million is owed to 6,000 former students.
Duluth's College of St. Scholastica names community college leader as new president
The head of North Hennepin Community College will lead the private nonprofit college in August.
![Renee Sande was one of ten Dougherty Family College student recipients of scholarships to St. Thomas. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/21569474/ows_155882541334912.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota colleges get creative to court low-income students
St. Thomas college-within-a-college gets creative, with free meals, laptops and $1,000 tuition
Minnesota community college faculty to receive up to $1.9M in back pay
The agreement, signed Wednesday, settles a lawsuit filed by the union representing faculty.
St. John's University President Michael Hemesath to step down
Michael Hemesath has served for seven years as the school's first lay president.
Duane LeRoy Addison, theologian and social justice advocate, dies at 88
For pastors, the Rev. Duane Addison was an intimidating presence in the pews of St. Anthony’s Nativity Lutheran Church when he joined 25 years ago…
U cuts $90M in overhead costs, but critics say it's not enough
More than 600 positions on five campuses, a plant pathology library and the water coolers in the law school — that's what the University of Minnesota cut to keep a pledge its president made to lawmakers six years ago.
Regents signal support for alcohol sales at Williams and Mariucci
"We've got to get creative to get fans to come back to our venues," the University of Minnesota's Athletic Director told regents.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design names new president
New leader comes from George Washington University's arts and design school
Cybersecurity programs mushroom on Minnesota college campuses
Demand for skilled tech workers fueling boom on local college campuses.
U regents vote to keep names on Coffman Union, 3 other campus buildings
Regents voted 10-1 to preserve the former leaders' names, despite calls by U president, students and a faculty task force to change them.
U regents slated to reject name changes at four campus buildings
U regents plan to act on a resolution keeping the names of Coffman Memorial Union and three Twin Cities halls, defying recommendations by President Eric Kaler and a faculty task force.
Minnesota graduation rate hits all-time high; racial gap narrows
More than 83 percent of students graduated on time, with some progress in narrowing the achievement gap.
Minnesota State extends contract of chancellor Malhotra
Move keeps continuity at time of enrollment decline, other challenges.
Former Argosy students implore Minnesota lawmakers for help after school shuts down
Many are still struggling to regroup after the abrupt closure of the Eagan campus.
Macalester College President Brian Rosenberg to step down
A national advocate for liberal arts education, Rosenberg has served 16 years as president of the St. Paul college.
Adjunct professors unionize at 3 private colleges in Minn.
As number of adjunct faculty swells, efforts to form alliances grow.
Minnesota professor's suspension fuels academic freedom debate
Today's increasingly diverse, student-centered campuses is at the middle of the argument over the future of the long-standing policy.
Minn. colleges say they already comply with free-speech order
Some local higher education officials voiced skepticism that the order will have much of an impact.
U leaders break into war of words over possible renaming of buildings
Rift widens between top officials, regents over handling of report urging changes.
LeRoy Brown, advocate for private education, dies at 105
The longtime St. Thomas Academy physics teacher was instrumental in integrating private school teams into the Minnesota State High School League.
University president reflects on his tenure during annual address
In his final State of the University speech, Eric Kaler spoke of his accomplishments and a few regrets.
Recent search for new president cost the U almost $260,000
The costs include $165,000 in fees for outside search consultants, more than $22,000 for search committee and regent travel, and about $15,000 to a local four-star hotel.
Proposal to rename U of Minn. buildings faces pushback
Plan to rename buildings unfairly maligns relatives, they say.
Argosy's Eagan campus will close Friday, school confirms
For-profit university has withheld students' loans while in receivership.
Students at Minnesota's Argosy University campus brace for possible closure
For-profit university has reportedly withheld loans while in receivership.
Minnesota State colleges and universities system seeks to reinvent itself — again
Leaders seek outside ideas to address enrollment.
U's Kaler wants to rename Coffman Union, 3 other buildings
If U's governing board backs Eric Kaler's proposal, the names of campus buildings will change for the first time in the U's 167-year-old history.
Bethel University president to step down next year
Jay Barnes, president since 2008, is retiring after 25 years at the school.
U task force: Rename Coffman Union, 3 other buildings over racist, anti-Semitic links
History of racism, anti-Semitism factored into the recommendations.
U's Board of Regents could see influx of diversity
State legislators are making a push to appoint more women and people of color to the University of Minnesota's male-dominated governing board — an effort that led one of its veteran members to drop out of contention.
