MnSCU plans for worst, taking preliminary budget precautions

Anticipating budget cuts for the fiscal year 2012, the Office of the Chancellor for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is already taking cautionary steps.

By July 1, 2011, $4.2 million will be shaved from the budget, and 41 positions eliminated through resignations, retirements, and layoffs.

The office is funded entirely by Minnesota Legislature, federal and private grants, and partnership income, and unlike its campuses does not receive state funds or tuition revenue.

State support for the office between 2008 and 2011 has decreased by 10 percent, or $4.3 million. Another ten percent reduction is anticipated for 2012.

In a press release issued Oct. 19, Chancellor James H. McCormick is quoted as saying, “We know the colleges and universities have made painful reductions to their budgets. This office has not been immune to the same pressures or pain. In making these decisions, we have done our best to improve efficiency and preserve the most critical services.”

The release assures that no additional costs will be made to campuses because of these reductions.

Among the services that will be restructured or downsized over the next nine months are the Fire/Emergency Management Services Center and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

As well, the development, government relations, and public affairs divisions are to be merged into a single division.

Though functions and services will be eliminated, suspended, or curtailed during this process, the office will continue to carry out its legal obligations and provide campus services when they can be done more economically at the system level.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota.

The system serves about 277,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 157,000 students in noncredit courses.