Minnesota Colleges Say Gimme Some of That Bread

Remember that $9.25B budget surplus we have? I’m sure you do because I won’t shut up about it. The Minnesota State College and University System hasn’t either because they’re asking for $350M of it.

Here’s Five Fast Facts on The College Funding Request:

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1. 🎓 Scholarship - The System wants that money to pay for funding for a variety of programming and services for all 26 colleges and seven universities in its system.
2. ⬆️ Up is Down - The request comes a few months after it was announced tuition continues to increase and enrollment continues to drop. 
3. ⬇️ Down is Up - $75M in the proposal is marked for a tuition freeze to stop the bleeding. It also includes $125M to stabilize budgets for the various campuses.
4. 📅 What a Year - The money would cover the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. 
5. 🤑 Give or Take - The Chancellor says the request has nothing to do with the surplus, but because he wants the colleges and universities to support the state’s economy. My guy, you’re not fooling anyone.

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🔥Bottom line: No matter the System’s motives for the request, the money is there. Our state colleges and universities are moving toward implosion. Tuition is being hiked because attendance is down, but attendance is down because tuition is being hiked. It’s a nasty self-sustaining circle that a cash infusion like this $350M can help stop. Time will tell.

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Should they approve the request?

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