HF 916

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; authorizing the Board of
Trustees to establish a four-year state university to
be colocated on the property of the Rochester
Community and Technical College; requiring a planning
report to the legislature; appropriating money for
planning, operations, and capital improvements; making
the new university contingent on fully funding MnSCU;
authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 136F.11.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 136F.11, is
amended to read:

136F.11 CHANGES IN DESIGNATION AND STATUS OF EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS.

Educational institutions heretofore known and described as
state normal schools and state teachers colleges as designated
in Minnesota Statutes have been redesignated as state
universities. All property of the Duluth State College has been
transferred and all obligations of the college have been assumed
by the regents of the University of Minnesota in accordance with
Minnesota Statutes 1974, section 137.13, and this college is now
part of the university. The Southwest State University has been
established in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota
Statutes 1976, section 136.016. new text begin Minnesota State University,
Rochester, is established in accordance with section 2.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ROCHESTER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Board of Trustees of
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is authorized, as
required by Minnesota Statutes, section 136F.16, subdivision 1,
to establish a comprehensive four-year state university in
Rochester, Minnesota, as an institution to grant baccalaureate
and graduate degrees. In developing the university, its
offerings and curriculum, the board must use a planning process
that involves the existing higher education partnerships of the
Greater Rochester Area University Center, including the
partnership for graduate education with the University of
Minnesota, the undergraduate and workforce preparation of the
Rochester Community and Technical College, partnerships with
other state universities, and partnerships with area businesses,
health care organizations, and other private organizations. The
board must provide transitions for students and faculty between
the educational opportunities of the University Center and the
four-year state university.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Mission. new text end

new text begin The Board of Trustees shall establish
a university to support the population and economic growth of
the region that focuses on the opportunities and needs of the
Rochester area, and that builds on, and expands the educational
opportunities of the existing education partnerships. The board
must develop a curriculum with academic programs that include
health sciences, technology and applied research.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Location. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota State University,
Rochester, must share the property and facilities of the
Rochester Community and Technical College. During the
transition period, the university shall share the property and
facilities of the University Center.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Plan. new text end

new text begin By March 1, 2006, the board must present
a written plan to the legislature and the governor that includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) an organizational and management plan that provides for
a coordinated campus with the community and technical college
and the four-year university;
new text end

new text begin (2) a financing plan for the university, including the
contributions from the city of Rochester and private partners,
and a proposal for any realignment of state public higher
education resources;
new text end

new text begin (3) a description of the academic programs to be offered
with a focus on health care, technology, biotechnology, life
sciences and technology, and applied research; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a capital plan and proposed schedule of capital needs
of the Minnesota State University, Rochester.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY,
ROCHESTER.
new text end

new text begin $3,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the
Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities for planning and operation of Minnesota State
University, Rochester, under section 1. This appropriation does
not cancel but is available until expended.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; CAPITAL PROJECTS AT ROCHESTER
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOR MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY,
ROCHESTER.
new text end

new text begin $12,759,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to
the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities for capital improvements at the Rochester Community
and Technical College and the Greater Rochester Area University
Center in Rochester for the Minnesota State University,
Rochester. The appropriation must be used to design, furnish,
and equip the renovation of the vacant Rockenbach Gymnasium,
portions of the Heintz Center, and the University Center main
campus buildings for use as a health sciences center, to expand
the dental clinic, and to create a community primary care clinic.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin BOND SALE.
new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated by section 4 from the
bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of finance shall sell and
issue bonds of the state in an amount up to $12,759,000 in the
manner, on the terms, and with the effect prescribed by
Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective July 1, 2005, if the
appropriation for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, is at least equal to
the enrollment base adjustment of $130,800,000 plus an
additional general fund appropriation of $66,500,000 for
strategic priorities.
new text end