U of M President Appeals To Legislature on State Aid

The University of Minnesota's president appealed to the Minnesota legislature to soften cuts to the university's state aid Thursday, according to an article in the Pioneer Press.
President Robert Bruininks said he'd like to see Gov. Tim Pawlenty's $36 million cutsreduced to $24 million. Cuts to education are a part of Pawlenty's plan to reduce the state's budget deficit.
The university has weathered many significant cuts since 2004, and has reached the limits of its ability to make deep cuts, said Bruininks.
Bruininks said the university would explore energy conservation and administrative reorganizations to lessen the blow, but that serious job cuts and tuition hikes would be necessary.
He also stressed that the university is a valuable resource for the state's future that shouldn't be choked off.
According to the Minnesota Daily, higher education makes up 9% of Minnesota's budget.