President Kaler presents to MN Senate and House higher education committees

Today, University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler emphasized the importance of the University to members of the Minnesota Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee as well as the Minnesota House of Representatives Higher Education Finance and Policy Division. This was President Kaler’s first testimony during the 2019 legislative session.

Below is a statement from President Kaler:

“I appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate to lawmakers the University of Minnesota’s role as the state’s only land-grant and public research university, powering Minnesota’s economy today and building the economy of the future.

“We believe Minnesota is best positioned for success when it invests in the University of Minnesota. We prepare students to fill today’s needed job openings in health care, engineering, computer science, agriculture and more. We develop and shape the research and innovations that will create Minnesota’s workforce and discoveries of tomorrow. And through our outreach efforts, we work with and learn from Minnesota communities so we can put these discoveries and services to work for taxpayers across the state.

“The University of Minnesota is committed to strengthening Minnesota’s future. However, we cannot do this alone. We rely on a strong partnership with the State to continue to provide affordable education, attract and retain world-class researchers, strengthen communities and businesses, and improve the lives of Minnesotans.

“Simply put, an investment in the University of Minnesota is an investment in our state’s future. I will continue to make this case to lawmakers throughout the session.”

At the committee hearings, President Kaler was joined by several members of the University community to demonstrate the depth and impact of the University’s work across the state.

The University’s biennial budget request totals $87 million ($30 million in fiscal year 2020 and $27 million in fiscal year 2021) for the University’s core mission activities. The University’s capital request totals $232.3 million to repair and renovate facilities across the state.