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APPENDIX
A
Selected Minnesota Statutes That Impact Academic
Programs
Principles Underlying
Merger
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 212, Article 4, Section 4. [PRINCIPLES.]
Subdivision 1.
[FINDINGS; INTENT.] In merging the state universities,
community colleges, and technical colleges, the
legislature intends to seek ways to preserve access to quality
post-secondary education in Minnesota, to enhance the choices
of students who attend public colleges and universities, to improve
accountability, and to provide cost-effective programs.
Subdivision 2.
[BOARD.] It is the role of the board to govern the institutions
for which it is responsible through policy and decision making
that are necessary to ensure that the needs of the state and
the ability of institutions to provide education are met. Further,
it is the role of the board to ensure that the institutions are
well managed and that the state’s investment is enhanced
by choosing a chancellor, presidents, and other employees who
will provide leadership to the system, college, or university,
and by holding them accountable. Finally, it is the role of the
board to balance the competing needs of the colleges and universities,
determine the priorities among those needs, and coordinate institutional
actions to ensure that the state’s interests are well served,
while preserving and enhancing the local identities and initiatives
of the colleges and universities.
Subdivision 3.
[SYSTEM OFFICE.] It is the role of the chancellor and the system
office to provide general management of the colleges and universities
necessary to protect the state’s investment, particularly
in the areas of financial accountability and programmatic offerings.
It is the further role of the system office to carry out the
policies of the board while providing information and advice
on development of those policies. Finally, it is the role of
the system office to provide the leadership and services the
campuses need to provide quality education in an efficient manner
and to hold the campuses accountable for their actions.
Subdivision 4.
[COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.] It is the role of the colleges and
universities to provide quality education and
services to meet the needs of students and of the state. In so
doing, it is the role of the colleges and universities to provide
the day-to-day management and decisionmaking that affect the
education they deliver. It is the role of the college and university
presidents to provide leadership on the campuses, while promoting
a collegial environment that involves faculty, staff, and students
in decision making.
General Authority
M.S. 1996,
Chapter 368. Section 33. Minnesota Statutes
1995 Supplement, section 136F.06, subdivision 1, is amended to
read:
Subdivision 1.
[GENERAL AUTHORITY.] The board shall
possess all powers necessary to govern the state colleges and
universities and all related property. Those powers shall include,
but are not limited to, those enumerated in this section. The
board shall prescribe conditions of admission, set tuition and
fees, approve programs of study and requirements for completion
of programs, approve the awarding of appropriate certificates,
diplomas, and degrees, enter into contracts and other agreements,
and adopt suitable policies for the institutions it governs.
To the extent practicable in protecting statewide interests,
the board shall provide autonomy to the campuses while holding
them accountable for their decisions. Sections 14.01 to 14.47
do not apply to policies and procedures of the board.
Section 34. Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement,
section 136F.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subdivision 2.
[GOVERNANCE AUTHORITY.] The board shall have the authority needed
to operate and govern the state colleges and universities unless
otherwise directed or prohibited by law. The board is responsible
for its operations and necessary decisions unless these are specifically
delegated by law to a state department or agency.
Subdivision 3. [OFFICE LOCATION]. Notwithstanding
chapter 16B, the board may select the location for its central
office.
Missions for Higher
Education
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 248, Article 11, Section 10. Minnesota Statutes 1997,
section 135A.052, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
[STATEMENT OF MISSIONS.] The legislature recognizes each
public post-secondary system to have a distinctive mission within
the overall provision of public higher education in the state
and a responsibility to cooperate with the other systems. These
missions are as follows:
(1) the technical college system shall offer
vocational training and education to
prepare students for skilled occupations that do not require
a baccalaureate degree;
(2) the community college system shall offer
lower division instruction in academic programs, occupational
programs in which all credits earned will be accepted for transfer
to a baccalaureate degree in the same field of study, and remedial
studies, for students transferring to baccalaureate institutions
and for those seeking associate degrees;
(3) the state university system shall offer
undergraduate and graduate instruction through the master’s
degree, including specialist certificates, in the liberal arts
and sciences and professional education; and
(4) the University of Minnesota shall offer
undergraduate, graduate, and professional instruction through
the doctoral degree, and shall be the primary state supported
academic agency for research and extension services. It is part of the mission of each system that within
the system’s resources the system’s governing board
and chancellor or president shall endeavor to:
(a) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending
of public money;
(b) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage
the state’s resources and operate the system as efficiently
as possible;
(c ) coordinate the system’s activities wherever appropriate
with the activities of other systems and governmental agencies;
(d) use technology where appropriate to increase system productivity,
improve customer service, increase public access to information
about the system, and increase public participation in the business
of the system;
(e) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices
to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A; and
(f) recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary
to carry out the mission of the system.
State Higher Education
Policy
M.S. 1996,
Chapter 398, Section 27 [135A.053] [STATE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY.]
Subdivision 1.
[STATEWIDE OBJECTIVES.] Minnesota’s higher education investment
is made in pursuit of the following objectives:
(1) to ensure quality - to provide a level
of excellence that is competitive on a national and international
level, through high quality teaching, scholarship, and learning
in a broad range of arts and sciences, technical education, and
professional fields;
(2) to foster student success - to enable
and encourage students to choose institutions and programs that
are best suited for their talents and abilities, and to provide
an educational climate that supports students in pursuing their
goals and aspirations.
(3) to promote democratic values - to enhance
Minnesota’s quality of life by developing understanding
and appreciation of a free and diverse society;
(4) to maintain access - to provide an opportunity
for all Minnesotans, regardless of personal circumstances, to
participate in higher education; and
(5) to enhance the economy - to assist the
state in being competitive in the world market, and to prepare
a highly skilled and adaptable workforce that meets Minnesota’s
opportunities and needs.
Subdivision 2.
[PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.] Higher education systems and
campuses are expected to achieve the objectives in subdivision
1 and will be held accountable for doing so. The legislature
is increasing the flexibility of the systems and campuses to
provide greater responsibility to higher education in deciding
how to achieve statewide objectives, and to decentralize authority
so that those decisions can be made at the level where the education
is delivered. To demonstrate their accountability, the legislature
expects each system and campus to measure and report on its performance,
using meaningful indicators that are critical to achieving the
objectives in subdivision 1, as provided in section 135A.033.
Nothing in this section precludes a system or campus from determining
its own objective and performance measures beyond those identified
in this section.
M.S. 1996, Chapter 398, Section 35. Minnesota
Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 136F.12, is amended to read:
136F.12 FOND DU LAC CAMPUS.
The Fond du Lac campus has a unique mission
among two-year colleges to serve
the lower division general education needs in Carlton and south
St. Louis counties, and the education needs of American Indians
throughout the state and especially in northern Minnesota. Accordingly,
while the college is governed by the board of trustees, its governance
is accomplished in conjunction with the board of directors of
Fond du Lac tribal college.
Designation of
MnSCU Institutions
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 212, Article 4, Section 14. [136F.10] DESIGNATION.
The following are designated as the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities: thecommunity colleges located
at Austin, Bloomington, Brainerd, Brooklyn Park, Cloquet, Coon
Rapids, Ely, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International
Falls, Inver Grove Heights, Minneapolis, Rochester, Thief River
Falls, Virginia, White Bear Lake, Willmar, and Worthington; the
community college centers located at Cambridge and Duluth; the
state universities located at Bemidji, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead,
St. Cloud, Winona, and the Twin Cities metropolitan area; and
the technical colleges located at Alexandria, Albert Lea, Anoka,
Austin, Bemidji, Brainerd, Brooklyn Park, Canby, Detroit Lakes,
Duluth, East Grand Forks, Eden Prairie, Eveleth, Faribault, Granite
Falls, Hibbing, Hutchinson, Jackson, Minneapolis, Mahtomedi,
Moorhead, North Mankato, Pine City, Pipestone, Red Wing, Rochester,
Rosemount, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Staples, Thief River Falls, Wadena,
Willmar, and Winona.
Campus
Reorganization or Location
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 212, Article 4, Section 16. [136F.12] CAMPUS MERGER OR
REORGANIZATION.
The board may merge or reorganize campuses
or centers for the purpose ofincreased efficiency, use of personnel,
placement of programs, student access, and other needs as determined
by the board. The board shall report its actions to the legislature.
M.S. 1996, Chapter 398, Section 36. Minnesota
Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 136F.16, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 3.
OFF-CAMPUS SITES. The board shall not establish off-campus centers
or other permanent sites to provide academic programs, courses,
or students services without authorizing legislation. For the
purposes of this subdivision, the campus of Metropolitan State
University is the seven-county metropolitan area. This section
does not apply to sites set up specifically for the delivery
of courses and programs through telecommunications.
Campus Closing
M.S. 1996,
Chapter 398. Sec.37. Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement, section
136F.18, is amended to read:
136F.18 CAMPUS CLOSING.
The board may close a campus or center under
its jurisdiction according to policies adopted by the board.
Prior to closing a campus or center, the board shall hold a public
hearing on the issue in the area which would be affected by the
closing. At the hearing affected persons shall have an opportunity
to present testimony.
Awarding of Credits,
Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 212, Article 3, Section 5. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section
135A.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
[POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO AWARD CREDIT.] The board of
regents of the University of Minnesota and the board of trustees
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall each develop
a clear and uniform policy for its system of awarding post-secondary
credit toward a degree for a student who earns an acceptable
score on an advanced placement program examination. Each policy
must include procedures to inform students and prospective students
about credit award and procedures to assure implementation on
each campus.
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 4, Section
27. [136.32] DEGREES; DIPLOMAS; CERTIFICATES.
The board may approve awarding of appropriate
certificates, diplomas, or degrees to
persons who complete a prescribed curriculum.
Curriculum/Courses
and Programs
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 3, Section
3. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 135A.08, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
[COURSE EQUIVALENCY.] The regents of the University of Minnesota
and the trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
shall develop and maintain course equivalency guides for use
between institutions that have a high frequency of transfer.
Course equivalency guides shall not be required for vocational
technical programs that have not been divided into identifiable
courses. The governing boards of private institutions that grant
associate and baccalaureate degrees and that have a high frequency
of transfer students are requested to participate in developing
these guides.
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 3, Section
4. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 135A.08, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subdvision 2.
[COMMON NUMBERING.] The regents of the University of Minnesota
and the trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
shall develop and maintain a common numbering convention to distinguish
remedial, lower division, upper division, and graduate level
course work. The governing boards of private institutions that
grant associate and baccalaureate degrees are requested to cooperate
in the development of this numbering convention.
M.S. 1996, Chapter 398. Section 38, Minnesota
Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 136F.30, is amended to read:
136F.30 COURSES AND PROGRAMS.
The board shall review and approve or disapprove
campus proposals for adding, deleting, or substantially changing
programs of study, including graduate and undergraduate academic
programs, training in professional, semiprofessional, and technical
fields, and adult education. The board shall avoid duplicate
program offerings. The board may initiate activities to close
programs. The board shall place a high priority on ensuring the
transferability of credit.
Career Planning
and Job Placement Information
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 212, Article 2, Section 20. CAREER PLANNING AND JOB PLACEMENT
INFORMATION:
Subdivision 1.
[PLAN.] The state universities, community colleges, and technical
colleges shall each develop and implement plans, in conjunction
with the board of trustees, to provide job placement history
and projected demand to students at the time the student declares
a major program or field of study. The University of Minnesota
campuses are requested to develop and implement similar plans.
Subdivision 2.
[CONTENTS.] Information provided must include program placement
history, and projected demand in the field and in associated
types of placement, using labor market forecasting information
from the department of economic security. The plan must provide
for students to indicate in writing that they received the information.
Efficiency Measures
M.S. 1995,
Chapter 212, Article 2, Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1994, section
135A.031, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
(c) The state may not provide any of the estimated
expenditures for undergraduate students (1) who do not meet the
residency criteria under paragraph (a), or (2) who have completed,
without receiving a baccalaureate degree, 48 or more quarter
credits [36 semester credits] or the equivalent, applicable toward
the degree, beyond the number required for a baccalaureate in
their major. Credits for courses in which a student received
a grade of "F" or "W" shall be counted toward
this maximum, as if the credits had been earned.
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 2, Section
4, [135A.181] ACADEMIC CALENDAR.
Subdivision 1.
[TRANSITION TO SEMESTER SYSTEM] The board of trustees of the
Minnesota state colleges and universities shall convert, and
the board of regents of the University of Minnesota is requested
to convert, to the semester system by the 1998-1999 academic
year. The public post-secondary institutions shall review and
revise the content and structure of their academic programs,
degrees, and courses, and prepare new course materials as necessary.
Each public post-secondary board shall submit information on
the progress to a semester system in the 1997 biennial budget
document.
M.S. 1996, Chapter 398, Section 29. Sec. 29.
Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 135A.181, subdivision
2, is amended to read:
Subdivision 2.
[CALENDAR.] In converting to the semester system the campuses
in consultation with the system office, shall set calendars that
best meet the needs of students, including those jointly enrolled
in local school districts and other cooperative programs. Common
calendars shall be a priority at co-located campuses including
a common start and end date for each semester as well as common
summer school schedules.
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 2, Section
4, Subd.3. Subd. 3. [REPEALER] This section is repealed
June 30, 1999.
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 2, Section
17. AKITA:
Subdivision. 1.
[INTENT.] The legislature intends to provide opportunities for
inter-
national programs that enhance the global perspective and understanding
of post-secondary students. However, with increasing fiscal constraints,
the legislature intends that these programs operate in an efficient
and effective manner.
M.S. 1995, Chapter 212, Article 2, Section
18. FACILITY USE.
The post-secondary governing boards and their
campuses shall determine ways in which campus facilities can
be used more efficiently in order to (1) reduce the need for
state physical plant investments, and (2) to improve students’
opportunities for timely completion. The boards shall consider
schedule changes such as expanded summer terms, increased weekend
and evening courses, short courses, and other scheduling alternatives.
As part of their 1998-1999 biennial budget requests, the board
shall demonstrate the changes that their campuses have made or
plan to make, and the performance measures that will be used
to determine the effectiveness of these changes.
M.S. 1996, Chapter 398, Section 42. Minnesota
Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 136F.50 is amended to read:
136F.50 [COOPERATION OR PROMOTION OF A STATE
COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.]
The board, system office, and the campuses
may cooperate by contractual arrangement or otherwise with responsible
persons, firms, corporations, associations, or governmental agencies
to promote short courses, research, and other programs and activities
in the state colleges and universities as in the judgment of
the board, system office, or the campus contribute to the development
of the state colleges and universities and the welfare of their
students.
M.S. 1996, Chapter 398, Sec.26. Minnesota
Statutes 1994, Section 135A.033, is amended to read:
135A.033 PERFORMANCE FUNDING.
The governing boards of the University of
Minnesota and the Minnesota state colleges and universities in
conjunction with their respective campuses, shall each specify
performance categories and indicators relating to section 135A.053,
subdivision 1, to be used for policy and appropriations decisions,
as well as allocations for rewarding campuses that achieve performance
levels and assisting campuses that are unable to achieve these
levels. Because the mission of each system and type of campus
varies, categories and indicators shall vary accordingly.
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