Statements of support

For the 2007 Education Agenda for the Common Good

"The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota is very selective in supporting agendas not its own, but we must endorse the Education Agenda for the Common Good 2007. It is essential that we do more to prepare our young people for education and careers beyond high school. This agenda offers a comprehensive plan to achieve this aim."

— Val Vargas, President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota, January 2007

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"Broadly speaking, the Minnesota Private College Council’s 2007 Education Agenda is the right set of challenges and strategies, at the right time, targeted at the right populations to move the State forward."

— Lester Collins, Executive Director, State Council on Black Minnesotans, January 2007

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"Increasing investment in the grant program is in the best interest of business for two reasons. First, institutions should become more responsive to students. Since most student course selections are motivated, at least in part, by their vocational goals, this change will help make the institutions responsive to our changing economy. Second, increased grant money targets limited state dollars to those students who can least afford and might otherwise not pursue higher education. Given our state’s demographics and the competitiveness of today’s economy, investing in the State Grant Program is the best way to increase accessibility for the emerging workforce."

— Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, January 2007

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"Here is a plan that could substantially improve the prospects for low- and middle-income students hit hardest by rising tuition and reduced federal aid. Linked with stronger college preparation at the high-school level and more childcare assistance for college students, this is a proposal we can enthusiastically endorse. Think of thousands more of our children better prepared for college and better able to afford it without piling up debt, and you’ll see why we must pay close attention to how the Council’s recommendations fare in our newly Democratic Legislature."

— Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder editorial excerpt, “In Our View,” January 11, 2007

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"The Minnesota TRIO Association strongly supports the Minnesota Private College Council in its efforts to assist low-income students’ access to post secondary education. By funding the expansion of TRIO programs initiative, thousands of people, low income and first generation, will have access to post secondary education.

"In view of Minnesota’s aging population and imminent baby boom retirements, it is essential for us to educate the citizens of tomorrow. We can’t afford to let people fall through the cracks, unable to contribute to our society due to lack of education. We can best serve our society by igniting the desire to attend college, strengthening our children’s academic experience, preparing them for college, and help them succeed when they arrive on our campuses."

— Janet M. Tauer, President, Minnesota TRIO Association, January 2007 (Minnesota Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel)

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"The Minnesota Private College Council, representing 17 schools, has laid out a broad plan to knock down the academic, psychological and financial barriers keeping many kids from attending and succeeding in college. Whether this plan hits the right notes or not is almost beside the point. The point is this: Big change is coming, and we’d better get ready. . . . The Minnesota Private College Council wants people to see this not as mere education funding, but as an investment in Minnesota’s future. Without passing judgment on the details of the plan, we agree. Minnesota businesses have strong histories, practices and motivation for building and growing around Minnesota talent. But if the skilled mathematicians and scientists aren’t here, they’ll go elsewhere.

"It’s hard to say yet how the potential of this investment stacks up against others facing the new Legislature. But access to higher education is a core principle here. Minnesota’s ethnic and racial landscape is evolving, and so must the dynamic of our conversations."

— Pioneer Press editorial excerpt, November 27, 2006 (read full editorial PDF)

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"A remedy more targeted at getting needy students to college is in order. That’s what was advocated during the campaign by Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson: Increase the size and reach of the state’s existing grant program for needy college students.

"That program is due for a boost. Government-funded student aid has not been growing apace with college costs. The state’s colleges and universities have done their part, tripling their own help for needy students in the past 10 years. But . . . the biggest source of student aid is now loans — leading to a debt burden that alters career choices and slows graduates’ climb into the middle class.

"Last week, the Minnesota Private College Council proposed an intriguing variation on Hutchinson’s proposal. It would provide not only more need-based student aid, but also a financial incentive for qualifying high school students to prepare academically for college....

"Combining a bigger grant program with an incentive for high school students to prepare for college would not be cheap. The private colleges’ plan carries a $160 million annual price tag. But it tackles head-on a problem that is barreling straight at the Minnesota economy. In less than a decade, demand for college-educated workers in this state is projected to exceed its supply. Unless Minnesota finds a way to produce more college grads, the state risks losing jobs to a place that will."

— Star Tribune editorial excerpt, November 27, 2006 (read full editorial PDF)

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 "The Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley supports An Education Agenda for the Common Good statements as developed by the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC).

"I understand the major goals of the agenda are to increase academic readiness and graduation rates of high school students who would be the first generation in the families to attend college and to improve the ability of more low- and middle-income Minnesotans to afford postsecondary education.

"The Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley considers MPCC to be an important community partner that has proven abilities in helping empower youth to create stable futures for themselves."

— Tish Bolger, M.ED., Chief Operations Officer, Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley, February 7, 2007

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"Our organization works to show students the range of options available to them after high school. Achieving the goals presented in MPCC's 2007 policy agenda would allow significantly more students and families to understand Minnesota colleges and universities — whether public or private — can be viable options in building happy and productive lives. If the goals were achieved, the state's ability to compete in a global economy would be enhanced and they would strengthen the possibility Minnesotans will continue to enjoy a quality of life that is the envy of many across the country."

— Troy Matson, Director of Outreach & Strategic Partnerships, Student Paths, February 2007

Statements of Support PDF (126 KB)

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