Who governs Minnesota State Colleges and Universities?

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System is governed by a Board of Trustees with 15 members. Eight are appointed from the Congressional districts (one member per district), four are appointed at-large, and three are students. One student representative comes from a technical college, one from a community college and one from a state university. Student members serve two-year terms and other members serve six-year terms. All trustees are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.

The board appoints the chancellor of the system. The present chancellor is Dr. James 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.

What does the Board of Trustees do?

The board of trustees provides policy guidance and leadership for the colleges and universities in the system. It approves academic programs and conditions of admission, prepares and confers diplomas and adopts policies for the institutions it manages. It also hires the system chancellor and presidents of the state colleges and universities, and adopts budgets for all campuses.

What does the Office of the Chancellor do?

The Office of the Chancellor serves all the colleges and universities in the system. The chancellor and the office represent the 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.

What does it cost to run Minnesota State Colleges and Universities?

The system has a budget of about $1.7 billion a year. About $623 million comes from tuition and fees, and the remainder from state appropriations and other sources.

What legislative committees oversee Minnesota State Colleges and Universities?

Both the Minnesota Senate and the House of Representatives have higher education committees that oversee the system's operations and finances.