Updating facilities U of M

The U of M is trying to ask the state government for money to renovate various facilities across multiple campuses. President of the U of M claims that:  “University of Minnesota contributes more than $8.6 billion a year in economic activity to our 87 counties.” This may be factual but the point I like to make is how this school charges a significant amount of money for tuition but still needs helps with funding from the state. I understand that the U of M is a major contributor to the state tax  revenue, but I don’t think that is a good enough a reason to increase their budget.

I understand that we should prioritize our youth and their education, but I feel that with this school it shouldn’t need much help with renovating facilities with the money they already make off of the students. Also if the school is to use state government  funds, the school should make the facilities open to the public and not just the students enrolled at the school. I think that Erik Kaler, the president of the U needs to review his budget and see where he can scrounge up spare change to improve his school that doesn’t offer the general public time to use the facilities before asking for more money from the state. I think that tuition from all the students would be more than sufficient to cover pay for professors and facilities. Go gophers.

http://www.startribune.com/to-better-serve-minnesota-the-u-needs-state-help-renovating-outdated-facilities/474234783/

 

Taking Charge of YOUR Education!

As Students of Metropolitan State University, we share a common interest in our educational goals. MnSCU (Minnesota State Colleges & Universities) is the State organization which assesses and allocates funds to each Minnesota college and university. They also oversee the policy and operations of the public four-year and two-year higher education institutions in Minnesota.

The good news is that as students we have advocates working on our behalf to encourage policy makers – at both the state and federal level – to improve legislation and funds allocations to benefit students and lower the costs of attendance and associated living expenses. This advocacy influences the operations of MnSCU; therefore, each individual institution of higher learning; and subsequently you!

Students attending one of the twenty-four public two-year colleges in Minnesota are represented by MSCSA – the Minnesota State College Student Association.

At the four-year public Universities in Minnesota, students are represented by MSUSA – the Minnesota State University Student Association.

Both of these groups are non-profits who by law are entitled to collect a fee from all students to fund their advocacy work. MSCSA collects $0.35 per credit hour. MSUSA collects $0.43 per credit hour.

These fees are automatically calculated into our costs of attendance paid to the school. Therefore, it is critical that we utilize the resources that we are paying for.

Now, I know as students we typically hate paying for anything additional that we can imagine doing without. These fees are worth every penny! They are directly related to the tuition freeze that we currently have in Minnesota. As an alumnus of MSCSA, I can speak to the hard work and dedicated effort with which numerous students volunteer and the time and dedication the staff apply to train students in leadership and advocacy. I worked first hand as the elected platform representative of the seven colleges in North Western Minnesota to develop a platform for the association which represented the views and needs of that demographic.

Only you can ensure that you are represented well.

Each college and university sends delegates from each institution through their student government organization, to represent their school. Here at Metro State, we are represented by a diverse group of students who should be working to represent you. You have the right to attend the public meetings and speak to your student representatives about the issues that are important to you and your experience as a student at Metro.

I encourage you to do so!

Here is how:
You can contact Metro State’s Student Senate Here.
You can also find out when to attend Student Senate meetings Here.

 

What do you think?
Tell me in the comment section below.