About the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system
With its 31 institutions, including 24 two-year colleges and seven state universities, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is the largest single provider of higher education in the state of Minnesota.
The colleges and universities operate 54 campuses in 47 Minnesota communities and serve about 277,000 students in credit-based courses. Overall, the system produces about 34,700 graduates each year. The system also serves 157,000 students in non-credit courses.
In addition to credit-based courses, the system offers customized training programs that serve about 179,500 employees from 6,000 Minnesota businesses each year.
The law creating the system was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1991 and went into effect July 1, 1995. The law merged the state's community colleges, technical colleges and state universities into one system.
Instead of three separate governing boards and three chancellors, there is now one board and one chancellor for the entire system.
The system is separate from the University of Minnesota.
--> Learn more facts about the system
System governance
Board of Trustees
The system is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees. Trustees are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
System office
The present chancellor of the system is Steven J. Rosenstone, who began his term with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities on Aug. 1, 2011.
System Presidents
Each college and university is headed by a president who serves as the chief executive officer. The presidents report to the system's chancellor.
System policies and procedures
A complete list of the policies and procedures approved by the system's Board of Trustees.
System budget
The system has a budget of about $1.8 billion a year. About $647 million comes from tuition and fees, and the remainder from state appropriations and other sources.
Chancellor’s initiatives
Students First
Students First is an initiative that will allow students to benefit fully from the breadth and depth of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system with its diverse offerings and strong campuses. Specifically, this systemwide initiative will redesign online systems to better meet students’ needs when it comes to searching for a college or university, program or course, as well as applying for admission, registering for courses, planning for graduation and viewing or paying tuition bills.
Legislative oversight
Both the Minnesota Senate and the House of Representatives have higher education committees that oversee the system's operations and finances.
System Mission
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system of distinct and collaborative institutions offers higher education that meets the personal and career goals of a wide range of individual learners, enhances the quality of life for all Minnesotans and sustains vibrant economies throughout the state.
System Vision
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will enable the people of Minnesota to succeed by providing the most accessible, highest value education in the nation.
Additional system resources
Accountability Dashboard
The Accountability Dashboard for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is designed to track progress in reaching the system's strategic goals and to encourage continuous improvement of system institutions. The dashboard provides a snapshot of selected performance indicators and does not give a comprehensive picture of a college's or university's overall performance.
Directories
Contact information for the Board of Trustees, college and university presidents, Office of the Chancellor staff, state legislators and higher education organizations affiliated with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
Friends Action Network
The Friends Action Network is a network of faculty, students, staff, alumni and community members committed to building public support for the system's annual legislative requests, advocating for the system's strategic directions and goals, and promoting all of the 31 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Government Relations
The Government Relations division publishes legislative updates every Friday afternoon during the legislative session.
Job opportunities
A searchable database of job postings from around the Minnesota State system.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as an integral partner with institutional foundations to advocate for the system, and to raise and distribute funds for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, programs and communities.
System office Web sites
A complete list of system office divisional Web sites.
System Gateway: Resources from the System Office
The System Gateway provides access to a wide array of system office Web sites, publications and services. The information on these sites is generally prepared for system faculty, staff, other government agencies and partners of the system.
System publications
A complete list of links to the system's most recent publications.
