Legislative Network Update

Constituent Meetings

With the election behind us, we shift our focus to the upcoming legislative session. This session will be extremely important to the future of the University of Minnesota. The coming weeks provide a great opportunity to educate newly elected and current legislators about issues affecting the U. To do this the Legislative Network is planning constituent meetings around the state. These meetings will allow U advocates to speak directly to their legislators and ask them to support the University's biennial budget and capital requests. The Legislative Network needs hosts to help coordinate these constituent meetings.

More information on hosting or attending a constituent meeting.

What Makes U Great?

We've heard from faculty, alumni, staff, and students about why the U is great, but there are still thousands of you out there with your own story to tell, and we want to hear from you.

Tiana Darst, a U student, attended a private university in St. Paul for two years. Financial difficulties led her to transfer to the U.

"I was apprehensive because of its size. I wasn't sure I would get as good an education. I absolutely LOVE IT! I have learned so much more than at a more expensive private school. Professors are very responsive ... I am getting a great education and appreciate the diversity on campus. As tuition goes up, I fear I am closer to my original problem; not being able to afford a good education."

Submit your story and read other stories.

Feature Story

Figuring out fat

When scientists start talking about what molecules do inside cells, listeners' eyes often start to glaze over. But when David Bernlohr, head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, mentions his sub-cellular research, people prick up their ears instead.

Bernlohr studies adipocytes, the cells that suck fat from our bloodstream and stash it away in our hips, stomachs, and thighs. In today's overweight world, plenty of folks would like to know how these cells do what they do--and how we can keep them from doing it so darn well.

Read more of Figuring out fat at UMNnews.

List the U of M among your assets
By Robert H. Bruininks

Visionary leaders in Minnesota's business community have for years known this truth: The University of Minnesota's ability to attract the best minds available is a critical asset in assuring a robust economic future for the
state in general and for their companies in particular.

Read more of List the U of M amoung your assets.

Did You Know?

State General Fund Appropriations for the U of M as a Percentage of Total State Spending

Upcoming Events

-- Constituent Meetings (Dec - Jan)
-- Legislative Briefing (Jan 27)
-- Lobby Day (Feb 16)

Volunteer of the Month

Corey Poppe

Corey Poppe, a journalism senior and president of the Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA), is dedicated to increasing awareness of issues that affect U students. His goal is to increase student involvement in U advocacy efforts at the state Capitol. Poppe and SAA recently formed a Legislative Network committee that is open to all U students.

Read more about Corey.

Web Highlight

District Team

The next session will be critical to the future of the U, so we need educated and motivated University advocates in every legislative district across the state. Our District Teams, made up of Legislative Network members, work to coordinate advocacy efforts in their local area. Members serve as our eyes, ears, and voice around Minnesota. When action is needed, we call on District Teams to mobilize U advocates in their local communities and urge them to contact legislators, write letters to local newspapers, and talk to members of their community about supporting the U. This network allows us to respond quickly and efficiently to what is happening at the Capitol.

Learn more about the District Team program.

Poll

What is the most significant way the University contributes to Minnesota?

College Corner

CLA

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) integrates knowledge from areas as diverse as science and literature to develop research that helps explain and improve many aspects of our lives. One example of this interdisciplinary research is CLA assistant professor Mary Kennedy's work on storytelling, memory loss, and head injuries.

Read full story in CLA Today.

WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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