1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; providing for a study of educational needs in 
1.3 	northeastern Minnesota.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MESABI RANGE HIGHER EDUCATION NEEDS STUDY.
 1.6 	The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota through the Duluth campus 
1.7 	is requested to coordinate a study of student demand and employer needs for higher 
1.8 	education in the Mesabi Range region of northeastern Minnesota, including the cities of 
1.9 	Grand Rapids through Eveleth to Ely. The Board of Regents may contract for all or part of 
1.10 	the study. The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will 
1.11 	participate as partners in the study to advise on which of the identified needs can be met by 
1.12 	University of Minnesota courses and which can be met by the Minnesota State Colleges 
1.13 	and Universities, and which degree programs may be offered jointly. The final report must 
1.14 	be submitted to the committees of the legislature responsible for higher education finance 
1.15 	by January 15, 2008, with recommendations and plans for the region.