Kaler responds to legislative auditor’s report
On Thursday, March 19, President Kaler and Regent Patricia Simmons, M.D., testified in front of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee in response to the legislative auditor’s review of the Dan Markingson case. Kaler expressed his deepest sympathy to Dan Markingson’s mother and announced four steps the University will take to improve human subjects research practices. Read the news release.
Vice President for Research Brian Herman and Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical School Dean Brooks Jackson, M.D. also testified in front of the committee, providing background information and answering committee members’ questions. Professor Will Durfee, former chair of the Faculty Consultative Committee, presented the findings of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs report.
Governor’s revised budget released
On Tuesday, March 17, Governor Dayton released his revised budget proposal in response to the February forecast. As the governor announced on February 27, the revised proposal fully funds the University’s requested two-year tuition freeze and invests $30 million in the Medical School, for a total of $95.2 million. In a statement President Kaler responded, “I am thankful to Governor Dayton for his proposed investments in the University of Minnesota. We share a goal to maintain access and affordability for all qualified Minnesota students.”
The House and Senate are expected to release their budget targets next week.
First legislative deadline today
Yesterday marked the first legislative deadline. For a policy bill to continue in the legislative process, it must have been received a hearing in the House or Senate.
Sexual harassment and assault legislation
Over the past few weeks, the University has been working with the Senate and House authors of legislation relating to sexual harassment and assault. Among its other mandates, the bill would require postsecondary institutions to establish an online reporting system for sexual harassment and violence claims, provide comprehensive training for campus security officers and administrators, provide drug and alcohol amnesty for students who report sexual assault or violence, and designate confidential advocates for victims of sexual assault on each campus.
Minnesota Student Association president Joelle Stangler testified in support of this legislation, saying that the bill provides practical solutions to the issue of sexual assault that complement the progress that institutions like the University have already made. The bill passed and was sent to the Judiciary Committee. The House version of the legislation will likely be added to the higher education omnibus bill.
Concurrent enrollment legislation
On Wednesday, March 18, the House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee heard a bill that would allow ninth and tenth grade students to apply to enroll in a concurrent enrollment course at the discretion of the school district and the postsecondary institution providing the course. The bill exempts students not on track to graduate from limits on participation. The bill also provides funding for the Office of Higher Education and the Department of Education to develop and expand concurrent enrollment courses, disseminate information on dual-credit opportunities, and provide teacher training. Julie Williams, director of College in the Schools, and Susan Staats, associate professor in the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, testified in support of the legislation.
University PRIME Institute director testifies on pharmacy legislation
Yesterday in the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, Stephen Schondelmeyer, director of PRIME Institute in the College of Pharmacy, provided testimony in support of a bill that would require health plan companies and pharmacy benefit managers to allow enrollees to choose their pharmacy providers. The bill also requires health plan companies and pharmacy benefit managers to cover a service performed by pharmacists as long as the service is within the scope of the practice of the pharmacist and would be covered if a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse performed the service.