Change often happens so slowly that we hardly notice. It's only
when we stop and reflect on the past that we can see just how far
we've come. But sometimes a transformation is so rapid and life-enhancing
you can sense it happening all around you.
That's what it's been like here at the University under the exemplary
leadership of President Mark Yudof. A series of new initiatives—funded
through a combination of state investments, internal reallocations,
and private support—have enriched the student experience and
bolstered the University's stature among the nation's top research
institutions. Quite simply, we've experienced the onset of a wonderful
renaissance whose ultimate purpose is to better serve the people
of Minnesota.
But many of the gains we have made over the past four years will
be lost if the legislature approves the shortsighted higher education
budget proposed by Governor Jesse Ventura.
Ventura's budget includes only $56.6 million of the $221.5 million
increase requested by the University to cover inflationary increases
and other basic needs as well as new strategic investments that
will support the University's continued revitalization.
If approved, the governor's proposal would be the third-lowest
appropriation for the University in a non-recession year since 1945.
It won't even provide enough new resources to cover unavoidable
increases in health insurance premiums, which are negotiated by
the state and over which the University has no control. It doesn't
cover the inflationary cost of utilities, library materials, and
other basic expenses. It provides nothing to advance research and
teaching in critical fields like genomics and computer and information
sciences, or to continue improvements in undergraduate education.
If the legislature endorses the governor's plan, we will have to
cut our programs and personnel by about seven percent per year for
each of the next two years. Our students may face double-digit tuition
increases that make the University less affordable, and we will
lose many talented professors—as well as the millions of dollars
in research money they attract—to other institutions. (IT has
already lost 22 outstanding professors over the past three years
because we could not offer them competitive salaries.)
In short, both the quality of the University and access to its
programs will suffer under the governor's plan.
Because a diminished University means a diminished Minnesota, the
stakes are high for all our citizens. The University produces an
educated workforce and attracts smart, creative people who want
to stay in the state. Groundbreaking research, technology transfer,
capital investment, and economic development follow in the wake
of intellectual capital.
We do have advocates at the legislature, but they need our help.
I urge you to contact your legislators immediately and voice your
strong support for the University's budget request. Tell them why
you think the University benefits individuals, the community, and
Minnesota's economy.
If you believe, as I do, that we must continue the University's
renaissance-as evidenced by its revitalized undergraduate program,
renovated campuses, and pioneering new research across disciplines-then
we must keep the University moving forward by giving it adequate
resources. To find contact information for your legislators and
to learn more about the University's budget request and how you
can help, visit www.it.umn.edu/about/news/legis/.
