| 2008 Legislative Impacts for the University of Minnesota
Bonding Legislation authorized approximately $140M in capital projects for the University. It also passed a landmark $292 million project ($219 million from the state, plus $73 million funded by the U) to build four world-class science research facilities on the East Bank campus.
Approved U of M bonding projects include: Higher Education Asset Preservation and Repair funds, Science Teaching and Student Services Building, Civil Engineering, UMD, Gateway Center, UMM, Laboratory Renovations and Research and Outreach Centers.
Light Rail Transit $70 milllion in bonds for the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit line, which will run through the University of Minnesota campus, was approved.
State Budget Reconciliation The legislature passed a budget reconciliation bill in response to a $935 million state budget deficit. The agreement reached on May 18 includes the following changes for the U of M: Appropriation cuts of $6.15 million per year in FY 2008 (non-recurring) and 2009 (recurring) and an additional base reduction of $2.55 million beginning in Fiscal Year 2010. Statement from President Bob Bruininks:
“This was an outstanding legislative session for the university. Our biomedical science research program, enacted earlier this year, will go down in history as one of the most forward-looking state policy decisions in a generation. It will create jobs and help maintain Minnesota’s competitive advantage in one of the most rapidly areas of science and discovery.
“While budget cuts are never easy, the university appreciates the enormous challenge the legislature and governor faced this year in balancing the state budget. We’re optimistic that the final budget cut to the U will be managed with spending reductions and the previously anticipated tuition increase.
“Additionally, the university is pleased to see the Central Corridor funded and is committed to working with all of our partners to find a workable solution for this important regional infrastructure project.”
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The University of Minnesota Alumni Association has a long history of alumni involvement in advocacy on behalf of the University. Below are the Alumni Association 2007-08 priority issues:
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