Kaler presents 2016 legislative priorities at Capitol
Kaler presents 2016 legislative priorities at Capitol
On Monday, March 14, President Kaler outlined the University of Minnesota's 2016 legislative priorities for members of the media. "All of the projects on our list are critical to producing a prepared Minnesota workforce for the 21st century and to providing our faculty with facilities to teach and conduct groundbreaking research," said Kaler. Read the press release and coverage by KSTP and MPR.
Governor releases supplemental budget recommendations
On Tuesday, March 15, Governor Mark Dayton released his FY17 supplemental budget recommendations. The proposed budget includes full funding for three projects in the University's supplemental budget request: $19 million for Cyber Security, $10.5 million for Health Training Restoration, and $5.75 million for Healthy Minnesota. View a financial comparison of the proposal.
In a press release, President Kaler thanked Governor Dayton for recognizing the importance of these initiatives. The University is also requesting $3.6 million for Mining Innovation Minnesota.
The House and Senate committees are hearing supplemental budget requests and will make recommendations in the coming weeks.
University leaders provide updates to House Higher Ed
On Tuesday, March 15, President Kaler and other University leaders appeared before the House Higher Education Committee to provide updates. Topics included the human research participant protection program, athletics, campus safety, administrative costs, tuition, and fetal tissue research.
Senate Higher Ed receives update on Gopher athletics
On Thursday, March 17, President Kaler, Interim Athletic Director Beth Goetz, and Associate Vice President of Internal Audits Gail Klatt presented updates to the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on the athletic department's finances and the results of the 2015 audit of the department. Additionally, Karen Schoenfeld from Fredrikson and Byron presented the results of the external review that the firm conducted regarding sexual harassment and the athletics department.
Real ID legislation
A bill to repeal the ban on implementing the federal Real ID law is quickly making its way through both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature. The bill is a high priority this year after worries mounted last December over the possibility the federal government would not accept Minnesota drivers' licenses as a valid form of identification in federal facilities, including airports.