Over 200 advocates rally for Support the U Day
On Tuesday, over 200 students, alums, faculty, and staff visited the State Capitol for Support the U Day. Collectively, University advocates held over 75 meetings with legislators and sent over 200 tweets with the hashtags #umnproud and #whystudentsmatter.
Board of Regents hosts legislative breakfast
On Wednesday, March 30, the Board of Regents invited all legislators to join them for breakfast at the Minnesota History Center. Over 20 legislators attend, including the House Higher Education Committee and House Capital Investment chairs.
First legislative deadline passes
Yesterday marked the first legislative deadline. For a policy bill to continue in the legislative process, it must have received a hearing in the House or Senate.
Rochester campus recovery program legislation
On Wednesday, March 30, the House Higher Education Committee heard a bill that would fund a collegiate recovery program at the University of Minnesota's Rochester campus. The program would provide structured academic, career, and personal support for students in recovery from alcohol, chemical, and other addictive behaviors, while also facilitating completion of a postsecondary educational program. UMR vice chancellor Lori Carrell testified in support of the bill.
Lt. Gov. Smith visits Duluth campus
On Tuesday, March 22, Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith convened a roundtable discussion at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Medical School to highlight the proposed Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science Building. UMD Chancellor Lendley Black, regional campus dean of the medical school Paula Termuhlen, and area legislators participated in the discussion. Governor Dayton fully funded the project in his bonding bill proposal.
Women's hockey team visits Senate
Hannah Brandt, Kelly Pannek, Milica McMillen and coach Brad Frost represented the Gopher women's hockey team as they were recognized and congratulated by the State Senate for their seventh national championship win.
Fetal tissue research legislation
Two bills related to the University's use of fetal tissue in research were heard in committees this week. The first bill requires the legislative auditor to conduct an audit on the University's use of fetal tissue in research. The second bill cuts the U of M's FY17 appropriation by $14 million and requires $1 million of the appropriation to be redirected to the construction of a fetal tissue research center. If the center is constructed and becomes operational, the $14 million appropriation would be provided again in FY18.
Grow Your Own Teacher legislation
The House Education Policy and Education Finance committee heard the Grow Your Own teacher residency pilot program bill. The bill establishes a non-conventional teacher residency pilot program to provide tuition scholarships to help non-licensed, bachelor's degree holding people seek an elementary education license to participate in a board of teaching-approved non-conventional teacher residency pilot program. Deborah Dillion, professor and associate dean for graduate and professional programs in CEHD testified in strong support of this bill.
VP Wheelock and Dan Hartman testify on Glensheen
The House Capital Investment Committee heard a presentation on March 22nd in support of state bonds for the renovation of the Glensheen Mansion, this historic Congdon estate in Duluth. Glensheen Director Dan Hartman testified, along with University Vice President Pam Wheelock. Hartman shared with the committee memorabilia from the Mansion, including rare documents from the Congdon family recently discovered on site. Legislation has been introduced this session in the House and Senate to appropriate $26 million for repairs and renovations at Glensheen. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
REAL ID legislation becomes law
After garnering nearly unanimous support in both the House and Senate, Governor Dayton signed into law a bill on Thursday that will allow the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to begin studying how to bring the state's drivers' licenses into compliance with the federal Real ID requirements. Since 2009, the law prohibited DPS from addressing the federal mandate due to concerns over individuals' privacy. However, an announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that federal buildings, including airports, would no longer accept Minnesota licenses starting in 2018 caused the Minnesota Legislature to reconsider. The DPS now has until April 14 to report on how it will implement the Real ID law.