About the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system
With its 32 institutions, including 25 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 236,000 students in credit-based courses. Overall, the system produces about 33,500 graduates each year.
In addition to credit-based courses, the system offers customized training programs that serve about 153,200 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.
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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. Twelve trustees serve six-year terms, eight representing each of Minnesota's congressional districts and four serving at large. Three student trustees - one from a state university, one from a community college and one from a technical college - serve two-year terms.
The Board of Trustees selects the system chancellor and has broad policy responsibility for system planning, academic programs, fiscal management, personnel, admissions requirements, tuition and fees and rules and regulations.
The Office of the Chancellor
The Office of the Chancellor serves all the colleges and universities in the system. The chancellor and the office represent the system's 32 colleges and universities at the state Legislature, review and coordinate educational programs, oversee the credit transfer process, negotiate labor contracts, coordinate presidential searches and carry out policies of the Board of Trustees.
The present chancellor of the system is Dr. James H. McCormick, who began his term with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities on July 1, 2001. He succeeds Morrie Anderson who served from July 1997 until June 30, 2001. The system's first chancellor was Judith Eaton, who served from August 15, 1995 to June 30, 1997.
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.
2008 Capital budget request (PDF)
2008-2009 Operating budget request (PDF)
System planning
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 32 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.
Office of the Chancellor Web sites
A complete list of Office of the Chancellor divisional Web sites.
System Gateway: Resources from the Office of the Chancellor
The System Gateway provides access to a wide array of Office of the Chancellor 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.
