Greetings:

October 2009 UMN Legislative Network Update

Regents approve 2010 capital bonding request

On October 9, the Board of Regents approved President Bruininks' 2010 capital bonding request of $240 million for construction and renovation projects. As approved, the request would use $193.3 million in state funds and $46.7 million in University funds for the following projects (sorted by dollar amount):
  • Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR): $100.0M
  • Physics and Nanotechnology Center (Twin Cities): $80.0M
  • Folwell Hall Renovation (Twin Cities): $34.5M
  • American Indian Learning Resource Center (Duluth): $10.0M
  • General Laboratory Renovation: $10.0M
  • Itasca Biological Station: $5.5M
In November, the Legislative Network will be sending an action alert in support of this request, and will be unveiling web sites for several of the components of this request. Please stay tuned for more news about this and other U advocacy activities.

Save the date: 2010 Legislative Briefing and 2010 Support the U Day

The 2010 Legislative Briefing and Reception will take place on Wednesday, January 27th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center. University of Minnesota President Bruininks will preview the U's 2010 legislative request and talk about the challenges higher education faces in these trying economic times. Bring your cell phone and your passion to the Briefing, and be ready to speak up for the University of Minnesota. Registration information will be posted soon on the Legislative Network website.

Wednesday, February 10th will be the date for this year's Support the U Day event. Students from all U campuses will gather in the morning at Coffman Union in Minneapolis for advocacy training, a word from President Bruininks and lunch before heading to St. Paul to meet with legislators. This new approach promises to help students have an even greater impact.

Look for registration information on both of these events in upcoming newsletters.

State revenue forecast due in November

State budget officials will be releasing a revenue forecast at the end of November. The Legislative Network will provide you with an analysis of the forecast and its impact upon the U as soon as it is released.