U of M students hold Support the U Day rally at MN Capitol

What: A student-led rally at the Minnesota Capitol to advocate for the University’s legislative priorities
Who: U of M students from all five U of M campuses, President Eric Kaler, Head Gopher Football Coach P.J. Fleck, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon
When: Wednesday, March 1, 2017; rally from noon to 1 p.m.; students meet in small groups with lawmakers from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, St Paul, MN 55155

On Wednesday, March 1, more than 200 University of Minnesota students from all five campuses will rally at the Minnesota Capitol on Support the U Day to advocate for the University’s 2017 legislative request. The event, organized by the Minnesota Student Legislative Coalition, gives students the opportunity to meet with their legislators, and in turn, gives legislators the chance to hear directly from Minnesota students on the impact of their education and the issues most critical to their future.
 
U of M President Eric Kaler, Head Gopher Football Coach P.J. Fleck, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and student leaders from U of M Twin Cities, U of M Duluth, U of M Crookston, U of M Morris and U of M Rochester will kick off the rally at noon in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda.
 
From 1–3 p.m., students will meet with legislators in small groups to discuss the needs of students across the University system and the impact of state funding on advancing student success. Following the meetings, students are invited to attend the Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance committee meeting at 3 p.m. in room 5 of the Minnesota State Office Building. Committee members will hear a presentation of the U of M's biennial budget request from University leaders and stakeholders.  
 
The University is requesting state funding for six priority projects that will enhance student experience throughout Minnesota, fuel research to advance the state’s most promising industries and improve Minnesotans’ access to quality healthcare. The six projects total a $147.2 million request:

• Core mission support ($68.2 million)
• Investing in student success ($22 million)
• Expand MnDRIVE research ($32 million)
• Advance Natural Resources Research Institute applied research ($4 million)
• Restore health training and services ($14 million)
• Support the Bell Museum’s expanded programming ($7 million)

Related links:

• Find out more about the University’s legislative request on the Government Relations website.
• Watch a video of MnDRIVE research at the U of M.