HF 2987

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/20/2023 02:12pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; providing funding to the Board of Trustees of the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Minnesota state stabilization. new text end

new text begin $40,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$85,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the Board of
Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to stabilize system operations,
maintain academic programs, and keep tuition affordable.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Student support. new text end

new text begin $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $75,000,000 in fiscal
year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities to directly support students' critical needs. Of the amounts
appropriated in this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) $25,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to freeze
the 2023-2024 academic year and the 2024-2025 academic year tuition rates at the current
2022-2023 academic year tuition rates;
new text end

new text begin (2) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to reduce
students' out-of-pocket costs by expanding free offerings in course materials and resources,
including through open educational resources, open textbooks, and Z-Degrees, as defined
in Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.305;
new text end

new text begin (3) $13,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $13,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to expand
student support services. This appropriation provides funding to campuses to add additional
staff in the areas of highest need, such as student advisors, social workers, basic needs
coordinators, community resource connectors, and mental health support staff. In addition,
this funding provides systemwide resources and coordination, including electronic
connections for peer support and professional clinical support for mental health. These
systemwide resources must be available online and via telephone and text, 24 hours a day,
seven days a week;
new text end

new text begin (4) $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are to create a
transfer scholarship program to financially support students who transfer from any Minnesota
state college to a Minnesota state university; and
new text end

new text begin (5) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for student
emergency grants to assist with emergencies that arise to allow students to continue with
their educational goals.
new text end