Legislative History

Lawmakers in Minnesota are responsible for laws and appropriations that affect Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The following is a summary of legislative sessions 1999 through 2006. For additional detail, refer to the “Mandates and Curiosities” publications or contact the Government Relations Office at 651-296-0669.

2006 Session

Total Bonding Bill Request	$280.4 million
Legislature Appropriated	$191.40 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2007):
College Increase	7%
University Increase	8%
Overall System Increase	7%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2007):
College Annual Tuition	$3,869
University Annual Tuition	$5,193
Overall System Annual Tuition	$4,119

Session Highlights:

A University of Minnesota, Rochester branch was established with an appropriation of $5 million.
Minnesota State University, Mankato was given authority to design and build the College of Business building with private funding.
Southwest Minnesota State University received $11 million ($5 million private match) in bonding for the regional event center.

2005 Session

Biennial Budget Request (above base)	$197.3 million
(For FY2006-2007)
Legislature Appropriated	$107.5 million

Total Bonding Bill Request	$292.6 million (2004 request plus inflation)
Legislature Appropriated	$213.6 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2006):
College Increase	6%
University Increase	7%
Overall System Increase	6%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2006):
College Annual Tuition	$3,620
University Annual Tuition	$4,791
Overall System Annual Tuition	$3,841

Session Highlights:

$12 million of the $107.5 million appropriation was fenced for faculty competitive salaries
$10 million was fenced for centers of excellence

Board must designate 3-8 centers
Specifies criteria for selecting a center, including capacity to build recognition, expand influence, improve employment and earnings of graduates, partnerships between two- and four-year institutions, comprehensive plans, and commitments from area employers.
Report to the governor and legislature by January 15 every other year starting in 2007.

The state grant surplus was designated to be used in the second year to increase the living miscellaneous expenses (LME)
Reinvested the $12 million Pell savings:

14 to 30 day state grant application deadline extension
Increased the LME to $5,350 a year
Child care grant increase from $2,200 to $2,300 a year
Increased the 4-year tuition cap to $9,208 the first year and $9,438 in the second year

Name change from the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
The enrollment adjustment was eliminated, and a taskforce was created to recommend new funding models for higher education.
State universities were given authority to award applied doctoral degrees in education, business, psychology, physical therapy, audiology, and nursing.

2004 Session

Total Bonding Bill Request	$274.9 million
Legislature Appropriated	$0 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2005):
College Increase	14%
University Increase	15%
Overall System Increase	14%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2005):
College Annual Tuition	$3,437
University Annual Tuition	$4,474
Overall System Annual Tuition	$3,618

Session Highlights:

The Senate denied confirmation of Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke.
A public or private educational institution must ensure that calls made to 911 from the institution or dormitory have an automatic location identification starting with new multi-line telephone systems purchased after December 31, 2004.

2003 Session

Biennial Budget Request (above base	$107.6 million
(For FY2004-2005)
Legislature Appropriated	-$189 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2004):
College Increase	13%
University Increase	15%
Overall System Increase	14%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2004):
College Annual Tuition	$3,026
University Annual Tuition	$3,901
Overall System Annual Tuition	$3,179

Session Highlights:

The System lost $2.5 million as part of the budget balancing reductions to Executive Branch state agencies.
The Governor used his unallotment authority to reduce the System’s general fund by $25 million. This was a one-time reduction.
The $59.7 million bonding projects that were vetoed by Governor Ventura in the 2002 Session were restored.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and the University of Minnesota were required to report on progress made under the master academic plan for the metropolitan area as part of their biennial budget requests.
The HESO director is to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is authorized to offer a baccalaureate program in elementary education.
The maximum child care grant was reduced from $2,600 to $2,200 per academic year.
The concealed carry law passed. The System may make policies that restrict the ability of employees and students to carry firearms while on college/university property, with the exception of parking areas.

2002 Session

Total Bonding Bill Request	$251 million
Legislature Appropriated	$218.6 million (over 2002-2003 sessions)
Average Tuition Increase (FY2003):
College Increase	11%
University Increase	10%
Overall System Increase	11%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2003):
College Annual Tuition	$2,663
University Annual Tuition	$3,375
Overall System Annual Tuition	$2,813

Session Highlights:

The System received a $22.7 million appropriation reduction.
The legislature implemented a state hiring freeze, however the System was excluded from the freeze.

2001 Session

Biennial Budget Request (above base)	$311 million
(For FY2002-2003)
Legislature Appropriated	$105 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2002):
College Increase	11%
University Increase	10%
Overall System Increase	11%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2002):
College Annual Tuition	$2,400
University Annual Tuition	$3,071
Overall System Annual Tuition	$2,541

Session Highlights:

Legislation required transfer curriculum to be implemented by January 1, 2002.
Legislation required technical and consolidated colleges to use instructional advisory committees.
Legislation required the submission of specified accountability measures.
The community college (MCCFA) and technical college (UTCE) faculty bargaining units were merged under state law.

2000 Session

Total Bonding Bill Request	$230.0 million
Legislature Appropriated	$131.1 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2001):
College Increase	5%
University Increase	6%
Overall System Increase	5%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2001):
College Annual Tuition	$2,158
University Annual Tuition	$2,792
Overall System Annual Tuition	$2,291

Session Highlights:

$1.25 million was appropriated to the System for the development and implementation of the Urban Teacher program.
$250,000 was appropriated to the System for Farm Business Management for educational and management services for farmers facing financial hardship.

1999 Session

Biennial Budget Request (above base)	$253 million
(For FY2000-2001)
Legislature Appropriated	$104 million
Average Tuition Increase (FY2000):
College Increase	4%
University Increase	4%
Overall System Increase	4%
Average Annual Tuition (FY2000):
College Annual Tuition	$2,065
University Annual Tuition	$2,627
Overall System Annual Tuition	$2,186

Session Highlights:

$5 million was appropriated to the System each year for customized training and leveraged equipment purchases.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents, with the cooperation of the System's Board of Trustees, was authorized to establish a Rochester branch campus of the University of Minnesota. The campus is a joint partnership among Winona State University, Rochester Community and Technical College, and the University of Minnesota.