Outgoing University president, Robert Bruininks, states the challenges facing the University of Minnesota in the upcoming budget deliberations at our state capitol.
For the full State of the University address: http://www1.umn.edu/pres/
For the full State of the University address: http://www1.umn.edu/pres/
From President Bruininks:
My presidency began with substantial state budget cuts, and as my term comes to a close, we face the most challenging legislative session I've seen in my four decades in Minnesota. On Tuesday, May 3, I testified before the legislature's higher education budget conference committee, perhaps for the last time as president of this great University. I thanked the legislature for the many things we've accomplished with state support over the past several years, reminded the committee members that we've already been cut deeply twice in the past decade, and again urged them to consider something less than the severe budget reductions and additional regulations currently under consideration for the University of Minnesota.
My presidency began with substantial state budget cuts, and as my term comes to a close, we face the most challenging legislative session I've seen in my four decades in Minnesota. On Tuesday, May 3, I testified before the legislature's higher education budget conference committee, perhaps for the last time as president of this great University. I thanked the legislature for the many things we've accomplished with state support over the past several years, reminded the committee members that we've already been cut deeply twice in the past decade, and again urged them to consider something less than the severe budget reductions and additional regulations currently under consideration for the University of Minnesota.
Legislative outlook
Ordinarily
at this point in the budget process -- with both a House and Senate
bill on the table and a conference committee working -- we can see the
likely outcomes and work toward our preferred end. This time, however,
neither bill is acceptable:
- Both cut the University too deeply (especially given previous reductions).
- Both restrict our ability to set our own priorities to address these deep cuts.
- And both contain language that will damage our ability to attract and retain researchers and external funding.
The
proposed deep reductions roll state funding back to 1998 levels -- when
the price of oil was at an all-time low and our freshmen were entering
kindergarten -- and will erode our ability to deliver on our unique
mission of world-class educational opportunities and innovation through
research and discovery. Read more .....
Leave a comment