The University of Minnesota is offering lawmakers a trade: more state funding for a tuition freeze for undergraduates.
On Friday, the Board of Regents unanimously and enthusiastically approved U President Eric Kaler's $1.18 billion biennial request, his first since taking office.
"This budget reflects a new tone, a new commitment and a new conversation," said Regent Laura Brod, a former Republican state representative. "And I think all three are welcome."
Unlike most requests, which are "about what you want, not about what you're going to do," this promises specifics, she said. It ties a small slice of funding to the university meeting benchmarks, such as better graduation rates. It also earmarks about a third of the new money for four specific research areas, including robotics.
In total, the U is asking lawmakers for $91.6 million more, an 8.4 percent bump over the current biennium. Almost half of that -- $42.6 million over two years -- is linked to a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduates.
The request would bring the university's state funding to what it was in 2001, if fully granted, without adjusting for inflation. Regent Clyde Allen said that the university is just asking for a small portion of what's been cut in recent years.
"This is a rather extraordinary bargain I think we are offering here," Allen said.
In-state, undergraduate tuition now totals $12,060. With fees, books, room and board, and other expenses, the cost reaches $24,718. Several students studying at Coffman Memorial Union midday Friday cheered the prospect of a freeze, which would apply to the base tuition only.