Policy Brainstorm Extravaganza!!

MnSCU System Policy Work

Student Transfer Survey Appeals Tracking MnTC Certification

Credit Transfer

Tuition set for 2014-2015 Fees increase up to 3% Credit for Prior Learning Four-year degrees on two-year

campuses Scholarship campaigns

Affordability

Increasing credit opportunities in high school

Aligning high school assessments with college placement exams

College Readiness

Statewide academic planning Increasing internship opportunities

Meeting Workforce Needs

State Legislative Landscape

State Budget Outlook FY 2014-2015 projected $627 million

shortfall, however $2.1billion in revenue increases during legislative session will cover the deficit

MN’s economy ranked 5th fastest growing in 2012

November Forecast – Surplus of $825 million after K-12 school shifts are paid back

Biennial cycle: first year is a budget/appropriations year, second year is bonding bill

67 Senators, 134 Representatives Higher Education committee

members in House and Senate are the main focus of our work, Capital Investment committee is also important, especially in bonding years

Legislative Basics

Bonding◦ MnSCU will be asking for:

$130.6 million in HEAPR and demolition $155.9 million for capital projects and design The request relies on $58.8 of System financing

and $227.7 million in General Obligation financing

If fully funded, this request reduces total MnSCU square footage by 257,360 feet

Bonding bill will likely be between $800 and $900 million if passed

What’s next at the Capitol?

The Unsession◦ Governor Dayton has named the 2014

session as the “Unsession”◦ The goal is to repeal outdated legislation,

streamline and improve government

What’s next at the Capitol?

House of Representatives •DFL: 73•R: 61

Senate•DFL: 39•R: 28

DFL Governor

Current Legislative Composition

Federal Legislative Landscape

Federal Government Shutdown◦ Deal to end shutdown funds federal

government until January 15, 2014 and raises debt ceiling through February 7, 2014

◦ Relatively minor impact on higher education, did not impact federal financial aid

Federal Budget Challenges

Sequestration Cuts◦ First round occurred last year◦ Reduced funding for

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants TRiO Federal work study Suspension of military tuition assistance Pell Grant was not impacted

◦ Second round of cuts scheduled for next year which will be larger than the 2013 cuts

Federal Budget Challenges

U.S. Senate◦ 51 Democrats◦ 47 Republicans◦ 2 Independents

U.S. House◦ 242 Republicans◦ 193 Democrats

White House◦ President Obama, Democrat

Divided Government

Regional discussions

What are the most important policy issues facing students?

Time to Brainstorm!