When my mother, Kathryn Sughrue, retired after 28 years in the extension service at Kansas State and North Dakota State universities, she announced that she was not finished working. Then, without any previous political experience, she ran for a seat in the Kansas legislature and won. During her 14 years as a state representative, my mother authored or co-authored legislation that increased teachers’ salaries, introduced a bill decreasing class sizes, and established Kansas Teacher Day, which was adopted by states across the country after President Carter signed the National Teacher Day legislation. My mother saw that things needed to be done in Kansas and she stepped up to do them. I hope her example is an inspiration to some of our readers who want to make a difference too.
In the months following the Minnesota legislature’s special session, it became clear to alumni and friends of the University that things have been left undone with respect to this great institution. Despite University President Mark Yudof’s $221.5 million request for new funding, the U received $110.6 million—roughly half the amount deemed essential by President Yudof and those of us who believe in striving for excellence in higher education. The state’s lack of financial support is disappointing, but the alumni association considers the outcome of the 2001 session to be only a setback, not a defeat.
Despite broad public support for the University, state spending dedicated to the U has steadily declined over the past 30 years, part of an alarming trend at public universities nationwide. To make up for the shortfall, the University, like other such institutions across the country, has had to raise tuition and is exploring alternative and creative methods of funding. As President Yudof and the Board of Regents pursue a new model for funding, my message to alumni is this: Do not give up and do not give in. I am convinced we need to go back to the legislature year after year and to keep reiterating the importance of higher education to Minnesota. It is our responsibility as alumni, the permanent shareholders of the University of Minnesota, to remind our legislators about the U’s importance to the state. And if we feel that we need more support inside the legislature, we should consider running for a seat in the House or Senate.
And here is where it gets interesting.
In 2002, all 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives will be up for reelection, as will all 67 seats in the Senate. (In election years ending in zero, senators serve two-year instead of four-year terms to provide for the redistricting process done in conjunction with the U.S. census). Newly drawn legislative districts should be announced next spring. This combination of redistricting and the next election can have an extraordinary impact on legislation important to the University. Some districts might not have incumbents, giving new candidates the chance to run for an open seat. In other cases, incumbents will inherit scores of new constituents whose votes they will need to work for. In short, redistricting provides constituents who care about the University a great shot come election day.
Without a doubt, the University already has some passionate advocates in the state legislature. But those legislators need a more powerful coalition on the inside. The 2002 elections will offer a unique opportunity to fill more legislative seats with University alumni who understand the importance of higher education. And now is the opportunity to build an even stronger pro-education coalition in the legislature. I don’t expect that every seat will be filled by University alumni and advocates, but we don’t even need a simple majority to make a difference. It doesn’t take many people in the legislature to rally support for a cause—especially for education. I should know. Once on the inside of the Kansas House of Representatives, my mother became known as the education legislator. The same can be true for many of our alumni.
If you believe in higher education and in the University of Minnesota and if you believe you can make a difference, please consider running for the state legislature. If a candidacy for you isn’t possible but you know the right person for the job, help convince that someone to run. We should welcome the quandary of having to choose from among several alumni running for the same seat in districts across the state!
Jane Freeman (B.A. ’41), the wife of former Minnesota governor Orville Freeman, recently wrote a note to President Yudof that said: "The grassroots work you and your staff did this year will pay off in the future, so do not stop now nor despair too much. You have reawakened the alumni group, and they can be powerful at the ballot box."
The filing period for the 2002 general election is July 2 through 16, 2002—less than a year away. Let’s show the state how powerful our alumni truly are—not only at the ballot box, but on the ballots.
For more information on filing for candidacy, call the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at 651-215-1440 (toll free from outside the Twin Cities metro area at 877-600-VOTE) or visit www.sos.state.mn.us.
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