 |
|||||||
|
September 2005 In This Issue
|
||||||
|
2005 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HIGHER EDUCATION PUBLIC POLICY SUMMARY The next eight years in the upper Midwest will see a falling number of high school graduates, a rising number of retirees leaving the workforce and the creation of new jobs that require postsecondary education. To ensure our state’s future prosperity, Minnesota’s overall higher education enterprise — both public and private colleges and universities — must be focused on producing more educated people. With this goal in mind, we recommended that the state spend $56.7 million over the next two years in four policy areas:
While the legislature did not enact any significant change in public policy that we think is necessary to fully address future challenges, some improvements in each of these areas were secured. Perhaps the most important actions made by this legislature will come to fruition in the next two legislative sessions. The Higher Education Services Office was renamed “The Office of Higher Education,” to reflect its broader responsibilities as a cabinet-level agency. OHE, through a combination of statutory and gubernatorial requests, will be studying private college regulation, the state's methods of funding public colleges and the adequacy and equity of the State Grant Program. They will be reporting to the legislature and governor next year, and any legislative action, particularly on budgetary items, would likely go into effect for the 2008-2009 biennium, which begins after the 2007 legislative session. For the future, the Minnesota Private College Council will continue to advocate that appropriate attention be paid to reviewing current policy and budget priorities and making changes as needed to ensure our state's competitiveness and stability. FY05 FUND CAMPAIGN TOPS FY04 BY FOUR PERCENT With that, we are pleased to note that the Minnesota Private College Fund completed its FY05 campaign, raising $1,608,854, a four percent increase over the dollars raised in FY04. The success of the campaign is attributable to significant new scholarship gifts and the long-time support of the Fund's loyal donor base. John Meslow, former MPCCFRF board member, and his wife, Karen, generously contributed $85,000 to establish the Meslow First Generation Scholarship. This new scholarship will support first generation college students in launching their college careers. A $5,000 scholarship will be available on each member campus beginning fall 2005. We hope others will follow the Meslow family example. Tennant Company also established a new named scholarship. The Tennant Company scholarship will support students of color studying at our member institutions. THREE DONORS RECOGNIZED FOR 50 YEARS OF SUPPORT In offices, hallways, and outside committee room doors, participants shared their personal stories with the lawmakers who represent their districts. Messages of gratitude for supporting the Minnesota State Grant Program in the past mingled with requests that legislators continue to support need-based financial aid for students in the current budget. Day at the Capitol is an annual event of Minnesota Private College Council that brings legislators and their constituents representing private colleges together to talk about need-based financial aid, specifically, the Minnesota State Grant Program. DONORS AND SCHOLARS MEET AT LIGHTING THE FIRE EVENT
"Lighting the Fire" — a celebration of scholarship and presentation of the Edgar M. Carlson Award, took place in April at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Representatives from the 17 schools of Minnesota's Private Colleges, current scholars and donors to the Minnesota Private College Fund were invited to enjoy an evening of recognizing scholars and donors as critical contributors to higher education in Minnesota. A group of student speakers, including Shanita John — Cargill Diversity Scholar, Kelina Her — Destination 2010 Scholar, and Michael Minks — Phillips Family Foundation Scholar, shared their stories of achievement and demonstrated how valuable scholarship dollars are to recipients. Following the student speakers was the presentation of the Edgar M. Carlson Award to St. Paul Travelers Company of St. Paul. The Edgar M. Carlson Award, given by the board of directors of the Minnesota Private College Council, Fund and Research Foundation and named in honor of its first recipient, is awarded to individuals or organizations demonstrating distinguished service to higher education. In that spirit, St. Paul Travelers was honored for its more than 150 years of corporate giving in the Twin Cities. A contributor to the Fund for more than 50 years, the company supports a wide range of education initiatives, from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary programs. "Lighting the Fire" was generously supported by Sodexho Campus Services, which provided an in-kind catering donation for the event. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN INTRODUCED
Michael Mullen, a Mayo Clinic human resources executive and presenter at the event, highlighted the importance of this initiative. His organization — which depends on an educated workforce — is already planning for the projected mass retirements of baby boomers and declining availability of qualified workers. By sponsoring this event, MPCC aims to engage and empower our entire community in the search for common interest in addressing our present and future challenges. In addition to the small and large group discussion about the collaborations needed to produce tangible outcomes, MPCC also introduced plans for a new community Web site. This site will present research information and implications of these higher education challenges, and provide a forum for exchanging ideas and discussing solutions. Look for this exciting new Web site to launch early in 2006. For more information about the initiative, contact Phillip Miner, pminer@mnprivatecolleges.org ADVANCING ACCESS AND SUCCESS — A WINNING COMBINATION FOR MPCC'S COMMUNITY INITIATIVE Through multiple community collaborations with community partners, CI co-sponsored, facilitated and attended the following community-based events, meetings and programs this spring and summer:
2005-06 calls for MPCC schools to be equally engaged in events and activities in the wider community that link our campus student and staff resources with development and service opportunities in the corporate, governmental, civic and communities of color. | MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY INITIATIVE MINNESOTA PRIVATE COLLEGE WEEK 2005
The Minnesota Private College Council, Fund and Research Foundation represent 17 of the state’s most respected four-year, liberal arts colleges and universities as well as more than 54,000 students. We are: Augsburg College, Bethany Lutheran College, Bethel University, Carleton College, Concordia College (Moorhead), Concordia University (St. Paul), College of Saint Benedict, College of St. Catherine, College of St. Scholastica, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University, Macalester College, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Saint John’s University, St. Olaf College, and the University of St. Thomas.
|
|||||||
.jpg)
