Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Annual Work Plan for 2005-2006

Actions for Fourth Quarter: April 2006 to June 2006

July 19, 2006

Focus Area 1: Revenue

Good afternoon Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system colleagues, and friends. I am delighted to join with Vice Chair Shaw and the trustees in welcoming Trustees McElroy, Rice, Thiss, and Van Houten to the leadership of the system. There are few tasks that are as daunting or as demanding than the accepted duties of the trustee for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. It is the exceptional volunteer who understands and accepts this role. The trustee has been described as the moral compass for an organization. This system is entrusted in your care, and we thank you.

With this opportunity, I wish to share with the new trustees, especially, the process that has brought us to this, the fourth and final report on the goals of the 2006 Work Plan. With the adoption of a systemwide strategic plan, we take up the challenge of developing a single year or multi-year action plan to focus upon specific areas of our strategic outlook. The resulting action plan is reviewed carefully by the board. It is my responsibility to report on our progress from one quarter to the next; the 2005-2006 plan is concluded today. The presidents, staff, and I stay on course with these parallel blueprints to meet the expectations of you, the governing board, the campus communities, and our citizen stakeholders.

The majority of the work plan's goals were completed and reported upon in previous quarterly reports. Rather than focus upon the limited few remaining activities, therefore, this report also highlights significant achievements in each of the five priority areas which go beyond those listed in the work plan.

Focus Area 1: Revenue

Advance the system's capital budget request.

A final appropriation of $191.4 million was provided to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to improve our capital investments. This amount represents 68 percent of the $280.4 million request and about 20 percent of the total bonding bill.
The culmination of the advocacy plan for advancing the system's capital budget request came in May with the adoption of the bonding bill. The campaign, developed in conjunction with the Government Relations, Finance and Facilities, and Public Affairs divisions, included publication of Space to Learn, highlighting the 27 capital projects on the Board of Trustees priority list; development of presentation materials for use by leadership and other system spokespersons; coordinating activities of institution presidents to advocate for the bonding bill; and scripting of "The Adventures of HEAPRMAN" for broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television.
Even though it was a capital budget year, there were several other successful legislative outcomes related to Higher Education Veteran Assistance, the University of Rochester campus language, Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Business, K-12 School safety, and automotive engineering hybrid vehicle research. In addition, all of our employee contracts and plans were ratified.
A new Economic Impact Study of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is not yet ready for release but will be used to prepare and plan for the 2007 biennial budget session.

Provide federal budget request advocacy.

Relationships with our Minnesota congressional offices continue to grow. Three projects were funded for a total of $1 million in earmarked appropriations in the federal FY2006 budget, and we have several projects currently pending in the FY2007 federal budgets.
Work was completed on the federal advocacy plan, which included the preparation of one-page handouts on each of the system's 22 federal appropriation requests. The Government Affairs and Public Affairs divisions worked together to produce the publication which was used by trustees and Office of the Chancellor staff during visits with members of the Minnesota congressional delegation and their staffs. As of June 30, federal legislation was still pending on the requests.

Build recognition of and support for the system among key stakeholders.

Completed production and placement of a new television ad series to enhance visibility and awareness among business and opinion leaders of the system's contributions to the State of Minnesota. The series of three 30-second ads ran on 26 cable and network television stations throughout the state. By the end of June, the spots had run 2,655 times and had been seen by an estimated 65.5 percent of Minnesota residents.
Completed the 2005-2006 Strategic Marketing and Communications plan and reported the results to the Leadership Council and Board of Trustees. Highlights included production and distribution of the popular Go Places publication to 120,000 high school students and counselors, which resulted in the return of more than 10,000 paper and electronic reply cards and generated an estimated 45,000 leads forwarded to our colleges and universities. Also, placement of sponsorship ads on Minnesota Public Radio resulted in 256 announcements that were heard by an estimated 15.1 percent of Minnesota residents; placement of print ads featuring our alumni continued this year in about a dozen newspapers and magazines.
A new series of ads to recruit students and employees of color to the system has been developed and will run over the next several months in minority newspapers throughout the state. The ad series was developed as a collaboration of the Diversity and Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs divisions.
The Public Affairs unit wrote 115 speeches and greetings throughout the year for system leadership, spokespersons, and other system representatives; advanced 75 story proposals to news media resulting in at least 28 stories; responded to approximately 140 media inquiries that generated at least 90 stories; and issued 60 news releases, generating dozens of stories.

More fully develop a system-level major gifts and grants program.

With the Chancellor, more than twenty visits have been completed or scheduled. Each visit has resulted in extended opportunities to work together on projects and/or possible grant opportunities. Best progress was made with the Grotto Foundation, the Blandin Foundation, and the BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation. The Kellogg Foundation, Wallin Foundation, and 3M Foundation and Bush Foundation relationships also are very promising.
We continue to work with six colleges and universities on specific strategies. Three joint solicitations have been conducted with strategic involvement from Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud Technical College, South Central College, Metropolitan State University, and Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
By the end of June, six grant proposals to support system level, college, and university initiatives or proposals were being submitted: Alliss, Grotto, Peregrine Capital Management, Schwans, 3M, and Taylor Foundation. We have received funds from the Allis Foundation and Taylor Foundation and 3M Foundation. The other three are pending.
To provide leadership to foundation and development staff on all campuses as they build their capacity to raise private funds, a June staff workshop was held with approximately 50 system colleagues in attendance.
The FY06 Gifts and Grants report will use a national reporting tool that requiring the use of standard principles and practices.
The Foundation has a Web presence that includes information on how to make a gift, links to campus foundations, and information on available funds.

Focus Area 2: Productivity

Make significant progress to create a system in which students can easily move from one institution to another without encountering financial or organizational barriers.

Over the last quarter, the Business Practice Alignment Committee (BPAC) has progressed in its continuing drive to eliminate business practice variances that hinder access, impede seamlessness, and drive up internal maintenance costs.
System policies, procedures, and guidelines continue to be developed or revised, reviewed, and adopted. Certain adoptions are contingent on completion of specific information technology (IT) development projects.
Project plans were created and IT enhancements were and continue to be developed to support the implementation of two significant system initiatives in anticipation of the new academic year: "registration cancellation for nonpayment" and the offering of standardized payment plans.
Planning began for a comprehensive "payment front end" to coordinate pending and final financial transactions with class registration activities.
The BPAC obtained Leadership Council agreement for implementation of a common term start date by 2007-2008. The committee also established uniform policy and procedures for course placement (college readiness). These represent significant milestones for the BPAC and seamless initiatives.
Action has been taken on each of the initial 124 business practice variances brought before the committee. Many variances have been eliminated, others have been reduced, some accepted (as common/best business practices), and a few remain in the Office of the Chancellor consultation process under the guidance of the Vice Chancellors for Academic and Student Affairs and for Finance.
The Enterprise IT Strategic Investment Plan was completed and endorsed by the Board of Trustees, who supported the new strategic investments in IT recommended in the report.
The IT offices, in consultation with college and university chief information officers and the Leadership Council Technology Committee, has developed a detailed plan for the FY07 IT investments suggested in the Enterprise IT Strategic Investment Plan. The investments are focused on stabilization activities enhancing reliability and availability of systems and in building a base of IT organizational capacity for future innovation.
Eight new or revised policies and associated procedures were approved by the Board, including the procedure naming the Accuplacer as the sole system-endorsed course placement instrument, and the following: 2.9 Academic Standing and Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress - amendment and revised title; 3.3 Assessment for Course Placement - amendment, revised title, and new procedure; 3.4 Undergraduate Admissions - amendment, revised title, and new procedure; 3.15 Advanced Placement - amendment and new procedure; and 3.33 College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit - amendment and new procedure.
Developed the accountability measures: student to instructional faculty ratio, student to staff ratio that focus on employee productivity and a measure on investment in human resource development. These measures which are part of the Board's Accountability Framework were presented to the Board in recent months.
Developed two new accountability measures on student satisfaction and student engagement.
Developed and deployed an interactive Web-based dashboard to make the finance accountability measure available to internal and external constituencies.

Focus Area 3: Centers of Excellence

Establish Centers of Excellence.

Permanent directors were recently named for each of the four Centers of Excellence:

Minnesota Consortium for Manufacturing and Applied Engineering
Lead University: Bemidji State University
Director: Karen White, currently the Assistant Director for Engineering Operations at North Dakota State University's Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and will assume her new position in August
Center for Strategic Information Systems and Security
Lead University: Metropolitan State University
Director: Bruce Lindberg had been serving as the interim director and previously was with Inver Hills Community College as the Executive Director of Business Partnerships and Outreach
Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence
Lead University: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Director: Tsuguhiko Takamura served as advisor and engineer in the research and development office for the SuSumu Company of Japan, parent company of Thin Film, North Mankato
Center for Integrated Health Science Education and Practice
Lead University: Winona State University
Director: Susan Klaseus was the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Community Relations at Augsburg College

Continued to develop an external evaluation system for the four Centers of Excellence.

Wilder Research staff conducted campus visits and ITV meetings with each center to discuss legislative reporting requirements and individual center interests in measurement of activities and outcomes to develop a single logic model that will guide the evaluation.
Logic models unique to the activities and outcomes also were developed for each Center of Excellence.
A meeting with all four Centers of Excellence was held in early July to identify data sources, baselines, potential challenges, and other factors for meeting the legislative and other data requirements.

The Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence has several projects underway.

Alexandria Technical College has received certification in advanced automation education, one of only four colleges worldwide.
Minnesota State University, Mankato is redesigning opportunities for two-year college students to complete a four-year degree in engineering as non-residential students.
Participating two-year colleges are expanding curriculum in science, technology, engineering, and math to prepare students for bachelor's degree in engineering.
Itasca Community College of the Northeast Higher Education District has seen a 100 percent increase in applicants for their engineering program.
Hennepin Technical College has purchased of a new "robotic arm" for students in automation and machine technology programs. The college also has developed a traveling "road show" to introduce high school students to manufacturing and engineering technology.

The Center for Strategic Information Technology and Security has developed the following:

Nine new courses, a two-year degree program, and a bachelor's program are being developed to support the fast-growing need for Internet Protocol telephony for technicians and managers (supported by $243,000 Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grant).
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is designing a two-year degree in computer forensics (supported by $197,000 grant from Office of Justice).
A mobile computer forensics laboratory is being developed for use at all partner locations, as well as remote training sites.
A career portal has been launched to manage job postings, internships, and other career opportunities.

The Center for Integrated Health Science Education and Practice accomplishments include:

A new critical care Registered Nurse certification preparation course is being developed to focus on patient care and outcomes.
Training for lean practices in healthcare management is being developed; these practices promote cost containment and improve the return on investment.
A new curriculum in bio-informatics is being designed.
Winona State University is expanding clinical education sites through industry partnerships for its newly accredited clinical laboratory science program.
New programs are being developed to increase diversity in the health care workforce through outreach to Boys and Girls Club, a Postsecondary Education Option recruitment project, and offering training to low-wage incumbent workers for entry into higher-skilled health careers.

The Consortium for Manufacturing and Applied Engineering has initiated the following:

Planning for the programs of Engineering Technology and Applied Engineering (utilizing an online format) has been completed. Both programs are scheduled to begin fall 2006.
A Project Lead the Way conference will be held August 3, 2006, to update center partners, industry representatives, and high school instructors, secondary, and post-secondary administrators.
Preparation for engineering camps for summer 2007, is in progress with newly-equipped labs in biotech, materials and processing, and electronics.
The Center for Advanced and Emerging Technologies is expected to be ready for occupancy on August 5, 2006. Significant upgrades in automation, machining, and metal forming, plastics, electronics, and computer technology equipment have been made in the Technological Studies Department due to the center's funding.
Center collaboration with Northwest Technical College in the Industrial Model Building/Prototype Engineering and construction site management programs have provided students with internship opportunities for this summer.
Development of the 3D Holographic Projection program of distinction has put Bemidji State University on the cutting-edge of technology in this area.

Focus Area 4: Strategic Planning

Develop a strategic plan to guide the work of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Designing the Future: 2006 - 2010 Strategic Plan was completed and approved by the Board in January 2006. Other planning linked to the overall strategic plan completed and accepted by the board in the fourth quarter were the Systemwide Diversity Plan and the Systemwide American Indian Plan.
As a review, recall that this past year, the Board formed an ad hoc committee on strategic planning comprising six Trustees, four presidents, and staff in the Office of the Chancellor to revisit the strategic plan.
The plan approved in January retained three of the earlier strategic directions and added an important fourth: increase access and opportunity; promote and measure high quality learning programs and services; provide programs and services integral to state and regional needs; and innovate to meet current and future needs.
Following approval of the strategic plan, we began work on a four-year Action Plan which the Board approved in May and which carries specific measurable targets for several goals. They will be presented to you for consideration at the September meeting.
Professional development sessions on the implementation of the above-mentioned plans to chief student affairs officers, chief academic affairs officers, and diversity officers have been conducted.

Focus Area 5: Serving the Underrepresented

Affirm our mission and commitment to serve underrepresented populations and maintain educational access for Minnesotans.

Established the Community Action Diversity Council.

The Community Action Diversity Council, comprising a cross-section of business, professional and community leaders, advises and supports the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's mission and goals by providing information regarding issues of diversity that impact higher education. The council's collective expertise and influence will help the system's leaders design effective tactics, measures of success, and communication vehicles to increase access and opportunity to higher education for all Minnesotans.

Updated student demographic data and Office of the Chancellor employees' demographic data in conjunction with institutional research and the auditor.
Guided multiple events for campus staff to enhance knowledge and share information.

Presented professional development sessions to affirmative action officers on best practices for improving faculty/staff diversity.
Presented professional development sessions to affirmative action officers on assessing the effectiveness of search committees.
Convened the Student Affairs Conference: Focus on Underserved Students, which attracted over 300 faculty and staff members from throughout the system.

Secured funding to support this goal.

Provided funding from a 3M grant to two state universities for projects aimed at increasing retention of underrepresented students by focusing on improvement of math and English skills.
Provided $1 million in legislative initiative funding to 11 colleges and universities for projects including outreach, transition, and retention services for underrepresented students.
Secured Perkins funding for a joint pilot project by the Metro Alliance colleges and universities for outreach services to underserved students and students in non-traditional occupations.

Developed process to establish system targets for six accountability measures, including two focusing on improving retention of all students measured by gender, race, and ethnicity and reducing the achievement gap between students of color and other students. To assist in this endeavor, we developed and deployed two interactive Web-based dashboards to make the student success accountability measure available to internal and external constituencies.

Our Students

Curt Christian, a student at St. Cloud State University, is conducting cutting-edge biomedical research this summer at The Jackson Laboratory in Maine. He was selected for this prestigious ten-week student program from a pool of almost 400 applicants. The Jackson has a research staff of more than 450, and is best known for its investigations of the genetic basis of cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, and diabetes. The Laboratory is also the world's source for nearly 3,000 strains of genetically-defined mice and home of the Mouse Genome. I am told that 80 percent of summer program's 2,200 alumni have gone on to careers in medicine or biomedical research and has two Nobel Prize-winning alumni.

Final Notes

I am pleased to tell you that your system was a feature of the recent Education Commission of the States conference. We joined with Commissioner Alice Seagren to talk and teach about the Minnesota P-16 partnership work. Our version, the P-16 Roundtable, is now chaired by Commissioner Seagren, but it first found its way into the system's work plan in 2002-2003. The system began the partnership, and now it is a model for a start-up, collaborative that is making basic education-higher education ties stronger.

Some of our longer term board members may recall that we believed we were named as a beneficiary of the trust established by Warren Robens and Henry Dembiczak. Though we have been aware of this since 1997, we had no documentation of the value of the estate, nor did we know specifically what percentage was designated to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation. We have been informed that the foundation is the sole beneficiary of the trust which has a current value of $2.5 to $3 million. The gentlemen have signed a statement of intent which will allow us to count their gift commitment in FY06.

Neither Mr. Robens nor Mr. Dembiczak is a graduate of any of our institutions. Rather, Mr. Robens holds a degree from Macalester, and Mr. Dembiczak holds a degree from the University of Minnesota. They both spent the majority of their careers at 3M. Interestingly, Mr. Robens had a brother who attended St. Paul Vo-Tech many years ago and went on to do very well. It is clear that public higher education simply is very important to them. Their generosity will make a difference for this system's students.

Thank you for your attention. We are looking forward to the upcoming academic year and pursuing the new action plan together.