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CHAPTER 136F. MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Table of Sections
Section Headnote
DEFINITIONS
136F.01 DEFINITIONS.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
136F.02 BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
136F.03 MS 2022 [Repealed, 2023 c 41 art 2 s 35; 2023 c 62 art 2 s 133]
136F.04 STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SELECTION.
136F.045 LABOR ORGANIZATION BOARD MEMBER SELECTION PROCESS.
136F.05 MISSIONS.
136F.06 POWERS AND DUTIES.
136F.07 CHANCELLOR.
DESIGNATION
136F.10 DESIGNATION.
136F.11 [Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75]
FOND DU LAC CAMPUS
136F.12 FOND DU LAC CAMPUS.
136F.13 Subdivisions renumbered, repealed, or no longer in effect
CAMPUS MERGER, REORGANIZATION, ESTABLISHMENT, AND CLOSING
136F.14 CAMPUS MERGER OR REORGANIZATION.
136F.16 CAMPUS ESTABLISHMENT.
136F.18 CAMPUS CLOSING.
POWER OF YOU PROGRAM
136F.19 POWER OF YOU PROGRAM.
STUDENTS
136F.20 STUDENT HEALTH.
136F.202 STUDENT SUCCESS BASIC NEEDS BARRIER REDUCTION.
136F.22 STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS.
136F.23 STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS; PURCHASING AUTHORITY.
136F.24 LEGAL COUNSELING AND SERVICE PROGRAM; FUNDING.
136F.245 MS 2020 [Renumbered 135A.137]
136F.25 ABSENCE FOR CHEMICAL ABUSE TREATMENT.
136F.28 SOUTHWEST ASIA VETERANS; TECHNICAL COLLEGES.
CURRICULUM
136F.30 COURSES AND PROGRAMS.
136F.301 MAXIMUM CREDIT FOR GRADUATION; WAIVER REPORTING.
136F.302 REGULATING THE ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO REMEDIAL COURSES.
136F.303 DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE COMPLETION; REPORT.
136F.305 Z-DEGREES.
136F.31 CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.
136F.32 DEGREES; DIPLOMAS; CERTIFICATES.
136F.36 TECHNICAL COLLEGE CARPENTRY PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY.
136F.361 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE.
136F.37 JOB PLACEMENT IMPACT ON PROGRAM REVIEW; INFORMATION TO STUDENTS.
FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
136F.38 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS.
HUMAN RESOURCES
136F.40 APPOINTMENT OF PERSONNEL.
136F.41 ASSIGNMENT TO BARGAINING UNITS.
136F.42 PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.
136F.43 EXTENDED LEAVES OF ABSENCE.
136F.44 ADMINISTRATIVE INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS.
136F.45 ANNUITIES.
136F.46 NONPROFIT FOUNDATION PAYROLL DEDUCTION.
136F.47 PENSION PLAN.
136F.48 EMPLOYER-PAID HEALTH INSURANCE.
136F.481 EARLY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
136F.482 MS 2012 [Repealed, 2009 c 169 art 6 s 2]
136F.49 [Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75]
ADMINISTRATION
136F.50 COOPERATION OR PROMOTION OF A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.
136F.52 LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
136F.526 AUDITS.
136F.53 PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATION.
136F.54 STUDENT HOUSING MANAGEMENT.
136F.56 [Repealed, 2003 c 133 art 4 s 9]
136F.58 BOOKSTORES; COURSE MATERIAL ACQUISITION.
136F.581 PURCHASES AND CONTRACTS.
136F.582 [Repealed, 2003 c 133 art 4 s 9]
136F.59 TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT.
136F.595 STATEWIDE ELECTRONIC INFRASTRUCTURE; PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS.
FACILITIES
136F.60 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY SITES; ACQUISITION.
136F.61 STATE BUILDING CODE.
136F.64 CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, AND REPAIR OF FACILITIES.
136F.65 ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL MONEY.
136F.66 CAPITAL PROJECTS BIDDING PROCEDURES.
136F.67 FINANCING OF CHILD CARE; PARKING.
136F.68 STATE PROPERTY AGREEMENTS.
FINANCE
136F.70 TUITION; FEES; ACTIVITIES FUNDS.
136F.701 REFUND OF TUITION.
136F.705 UNDERGRADUATE TUITION GUARANTEE PLAN.
136F.71 RECEIPTS.
136F.72 FUNDS.
136F.73 CASH OVER AND SHORT ACCOUNT OF IMPREST CASH FUND.
136F.74 CARRYOVER AUTHORITY.
136F.76 LITIGATION AWARDS.
136F.77 EQUITY INVESTMENTS.
136F.79 SOLE STATE AGENCY.
GRANTS AND GIFTS
136F.80 GRANTS; GIFTS; BEQUESTS; DEVISES; ENDOWMENTS.
136F.81 TRANSFER OF GIFTS.
BONDS
136F.90 BOARD OF TRUSTEES DUTIES.
136F.91 BONDS, INVESTMENTS.
136F.92 RESOLUTION OF BOARD.
136F.93 STUDENT ACTIVITIES, FEES CHARGED.
136F.94 SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.
136F.95 ALLOCATION OF RECEIPTS.
136F.96 ADMINISTRATION.
136F.97 CONTRACTS OF BOARD, PERFORMANCE COMPELLED.
136F.98 REVENUE BONDS, ISSUANCE; FEDERAL TAX.

DEFINITIONS

136F.01 DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.Scope.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2.Board.

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Subd. 3.Chancellor.

"Chancellor" means the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Subd. 4.State colleges and universities.

"State colleges and universities" means Minnesota state colleges and universities governed by the board.

Subd. 5.Student activities.

"Student activities" means lectures, concerts, and other functions contributing to the mental, moral, and cultural development of the student body and community in which they live, athletic activities, including intercollegiate contests, forensics, dramatics, and such other activities of any nature as in the opinion of the board contribute to the educational, cultural, or physical well being of the student body.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

136F.02 BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Subdivision 1.Membership.

The board consists of 15 members appointed by the governor, including three members who are students who have attended an institution for at least one year and are enrolled at the time of appointment at least half time in a degree, diploma, or certificate program in an institution governed by the board. The student members shall include one member from a community college, one member from a state university, and one member from a technical college. One member representing labor must be appointed after considering the recommendations made under section 136F.045. The governor is not bound by the recommendations. Appointments to the board are with the advice and consent of the senate. At least one member of the board must be a resident of each congressional district. All other members must be appointed to represent the state at large. In selecting appointees, the governor must consider the needs of the board and the balance of the board membership with respect to labor and business representation and racial, gender, geographic, and ethnic composition.

A commissioner of a state agency may not serve as a member of the board.

Subd. 2.Term; compensation; removal; vacancies.

The compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies on the board are as provided in section 15.0575. Members are appointed for a term of six years, except that the term of each of the student members is two years. Terms end on June 30, except that members may serve until their successors are appointed.

Subd. 3.Board administration.

The board shall elect a chair and other officers as it may desire. It shall determine its meeting dates and places.

136F.04 STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SELECTION.

Subdivision 1.Responsibility.

The State University Student Association and the State College Student Association shall each have the responsibility for recruiting, screening, and recommending qualified candidates for their student members of the board.

Subd. 2.Criteria.

After consulting with the Candidate Advisory Council, the student associations shall jointly develop a statement of the selection criteria to be applied to potential candidates.

Subd. 3.Recruiting and screening.

Each student association shall develop processes for identifying and recruiting qualified candidates and for screening those candidates.

Subd. 4.Recommendations.

Each student association shall recommend at least two and not more than four candidates for its student member. By April 15 of the year in which its members' term expires, each student association shall submit its recommendations to the governor and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance. The governor is not bound by these recommendations.

136F.045 LABOR ORGANIZATION BOARD MEMBER SELECTION PROCESS.

The Minnesota AFL-CIO shall recruit and screen qualified labor candidates to be recommended to the governor for appointment to the board. The organization must develop a process for selecting candidates, and a statement of selection criteria for board membership that is consistent with the requirements under section 136F.02, subdivision 1. The organization must recommend at least two and no more than four candidates to the governor every six years or sooner if vacancies in the labor seat occur. Recommendations must be made to the governor and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance by April 15 of the year in which the governor makes appointments to the board. The governor is not bound by the recommendations.

136F.05 MISSIONS.

The mission of the board is to provide programs of study that meet the needs of students for occupational, general, baccalaureate, and graduate education. The state universities, community colleges, and technical colleges shall have distinct missions as provided in section 135A.052, subdivision 1. Within that statutory definition and subject to the approval of the board, each community college, state university, and technical college may develop its own distinct campus mission. The board shall develop administrative arrangements that make possible the efficient use of the facilities and staff of the technical colleges, community colleges, and state universities for providing these several different programs of study, so that students may have the benefit of improved and broader course offerings, ease of transfer among schools and programs, integrated course credit, coordinated degree programs, and coordinated financial aid. The board shall control administrative costs by eliminating duplicative administrative positions and course offerings.

136F.06 POWERS AND DUTIES.

Subdivision 1.General authority.

The board shall possess all powers necessary to govern the state colleges and universities and all related property. Those powers shall include, but are not limited to, those enumerated in this section. The board shall prescribe conditions of admission, set tuition and fees, approve programs of study and requirements for completion of programs, approve the awarding of appropriate certificates, diplomas, and degrees, enter into contracts and other agreements, and adopt suitable policies for the institutions it governs. To the extent practicable in protecting statewide interests, the board shall provide autonomy to the campuses while holding them accountable for their decisions. Sections 14.01 to 14.47 do not apply to policies and procedures of the board.

Subd. 2.Governance authority.

The board shall have the authority needed to operate and govern the state colleges and universities unless otherwise directed or prohibited by law. The board is responsible for its operations and necessary decisions unless these are specifically delegated by law to a state department or agency.

Subd. 3.Office location.

Notwithstanding chapter 16B, the board may select the location for its central office.

Subd. 4.Workforce focus.

The board must identify colleges offering flexible academic programs that accommodate the needs of laid-off workers and assist its other institutions in determining whether to offer similar programs. Colleges must increase the number of certificate programs available to meet the needs of unemployed Minnesotans.

Subd. 5.Streamlined Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office.

Notwithstanding any law or policy to the contrary, the board shall streamline services provided through the system's central service office to reduce expenditures, better target the use of state resources, and provide services at the most appropriate and efficient level so as not to duplicate any services provided at the institutional level. These actions must be implemented so as to achieve budgetary savings and efficiencies in delivery of services and the accomplishment of the academic mission. The board must revise any board policies in a way that is consistent with the requirements of this section.

136F.07 CHANCELLOR.

The board shall appoint a chancellor who shall serve in the unclassified service. The chancellor shall possess powers and perform duties as delegated by the board. The board shall set the salary of the chancellor according to section 15A.081, subdivision 7c.

DESIGNATION

136F.10 DESIGNATION.

The following are designated as the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: the state community, technical, and consolidated colleges located at Alexandria, Albert Lea, Anoka, Austin, Bemidji, Bloomington, Brainerd, Brooklyn Park, Cambridge, Canby, Cloquet, Coon Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, East Grand Forks, Eden Prairie, Ely, Eveleth, Faribault, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Granite Falls, Hibbing, Hutchinson, International Falls, Inver Grove Heights, Jackson, Mahtomedi, Minneapolis, Moorhead, North Mankato, Owatonna, Pine City, Pipestone, Red Wing, Rochester, Rosemount, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Staples, Thief River Falls, Virginia, Wadena, White Bear Lake, Willmar, Winona, and Worthington; and the state universities located at Bemidji, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Winona, and the seven-county metropolitan area.

136F.11 [Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75]

FOND DU LAC CAMPUS

136F.12 FOND DU LAC CAMPUS.

Subdivision 1.Unique missions.

The Fond du Lac campus has a unique mission among two-year colleges to serve the lower division general education needs in Carlton and south St. Louis Counties, and the education needs of American Indians throughout the state and especially in northern Minnesota. The campus has a further unique mission to provide programs in support of its federal land grant status. Accordingly, while the college is governed by the board, its governance is accomplished in conjunction with the board of directors of Fond du Lac Tribal College.

Subd. 2.Selected programs.

Notwithstanding section 135A.052, subdivision 1, to better meet the education needs of Minnesota's American Indian students, and in furtherance of the unique missions provided in subdivision 1, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College may offer a baccalaureate program in elementary education, as approved by the board, and the board of directors of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Subd. 3.Bargaining unit assignment.

Notwithstanding section 179A.10, subdivision 2, the state university instructional unit shall include faculty who teach upper division courses at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

136F.13

Subdivision 1.

[Repealed, 2003 c 133 art 4 s 9]

CAMPUS MERGER, REORGANIZATION, ESTABLISHMENT, AND CLOSING

136F.14 CAMPUS MERGER OR REORGANIZATION.

The board may merge or reorganize campuses for the purpose of increased efficiency, use of personnel, placement of programs, student access, and other needs as determined by the board. The board shall report its action to the legislature.

136F.16 CAMPUS ESTABLISHMENT.

Subdivision 1.New state colleges and universities.

A new state college or university shall be established only by specific legislation. For the purposes of this subdivision, campuses or centers that are merged or reorganized under section 136F.14 are not new state colleges or universities.

Subd. 2.Campus or center site.

The board may determine the exact location and site for each campus or center.

Subd. 3.Off-campus sites.

The board shall not establish off-campus centers or other permanent sites to provide academic programs, courses, or student services without authorizing legislation. For the purposes of this subdivision, the campus of Metropolitan State University is the seven-county metropolitan area. This section does not apply to sites set up specifically for the delivery of courses and programs through telecommunications.

136F.18 CAMPUS CLOSING.

The board may close a campus under its jurisdiction according to policies adopted by the board. Prior to closing a campus, the board shall hold a public hearing on the issue in the area which would be affected by the closing. At the hearing affected persons shall have an opportunity to present testimony.

POWER OF YOU PROGRAM

136F.19 POWER OF YOU PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.Establishment.

The board shall establish and operate through each campus a power of you program at Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and St. Paul College. The program shall, to the extent of available funding, make grants to eligible students. Each campus shall develop partnerships with high schools and school districts as part of the program. The board may accept and expend private funding for the program.

Subd. 2.Grants.

A campus shall establish procedures to select recipients of grants. A grant award shall be equal to the amount remaining after deducting the student's Pell grant award and state grant award from the institution's tuition and mandatory fee charges.

Subd. 3.Eligible students.

A student is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the student:

(1) is a graduate from a public Minneapolis or St. Paul high school;

(2) is enrolled full time immediately after graduation;

(3) was a participant in a power of you program as a high school student; and

(4) is eligible for a Pell grant or a state grant under section 136A.121.

Subd. 4.Information.

The institutions implementing the power of you program shall disseminate information to all MnSCU institutions about their experience in implementing the program.

STUDENTS

136F.20 STUDENT HEALTH.

Subdivision 1.Health service.

The board shall offer health services for students at each state university and may offer health services for students at each state college. The health services may be offered either on campus or in the nearby community. The board may charge each student a health service fee set by the board. The fees shall be used to maintain the health service and equip and construct facilities. The fee may be used to contract for health, medical, and hospitalization insurance for students. The fees shall be deposited in an activity fund and are annually appropriated to the board for the purposes of this subdivision. Each state college and university shall provide an annual financial accounting of the health service money to the board.

Subd. 2.Health benefits.

The board may contract for hospital benefits coverage and medical benefits coverage for students in the state colleges and universities in the same manner as authorized by section 43A.23 for state employees.

Subd. 3.Mental health services and health insurance information.

(a) The board must contract with one or more independent mental health organizations to provide mental health care, including by use of telehealth, on campus at up to five state colleges. To be eligible to apply for the program, the state college must employ one or more faculty counselors. These grants are designed to build on the current support provided by faculty counselors and are not a replacement for them. Mental health services must be provided without charge to students who are uninsured, who have high co-payments, or whose health insurance does not cover the service provided. A memorandum of understanding shall be developed between the college and the mental health organization outlining the use of space on campus, how the students will be notified of the service, how they will collaborate with faculty counselors, the provision of services, and other items.

(b) A mental health organization providing mental health care under paragraph (a) must also provide information and guidance to students seeking health insurance.

Subd. 4.Mental health awareness program.

(a) The board shall implement a mental health awareness program at each Minnesota state college and university by the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. A mental health awareness program shall include:

(1) a web page at each institution that includes links to existing self-assessment resources, resources connecting students to campus and community-based resources, and emergency contact information and resources;

(2) mandatory mental health first aid training, evidence-based suicide prevention training, or other similar mental health training for faculty, staff, and students, giving priority to those who serve in roles that include increased direct contact with students who are experiencing mental health concerns, such as student housing and campus safety employees. Each college and university shall identify the appropriate faculty, staff, and students to receive training based on college or university structure and available funding;

(3) a session at each student orientation program that includes information about maintaining good mental health, the symptoms of mental health conditions common among college students, and mental health resources and services available to students;

(4) a messaging strategy to send students information on available mental health resources and services at least once per term, and during periods of high academic stress; and

(5) distributing the suicide prevention helpline and text line contact information in a way that increases accessibility and awareness of that information to students.

(b) The board shall create and maintain a mental health community of practice including faculty and staff with subject matter expertise in mental health to identify resources and best practices to inform campus-based strategies to raise awareness of local and state resources and implement appropriate training experiences.

(c) The board shall make grants to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to establish a peer support pilot program designed to assist students with a mental health condition. The program shall utilize student peers to support students living with mental health conditions on campus. The peer support program may be housed within the counseling center, wellness center, or resident assistance programs on campus. The peer support program leaders must be trained to facilitate discussions on mental health, identify students who may be in crisis, and refer students to programs for mental health support.

136F.202 STUDENT SUCCESS BASIC NEEDS BARRIER REDUCTION.

Subdivision 1.Basic needs resources.

(a) Each college and university shall create and maintain a web page that clearly identifies basic needs resources available at the college or university. This web page shall clearly identify at least one staff member, faculty member, or department as a point of contact to whom students may direct questions. Each college and university shall also make the information under this paragraph available on the college or university mobile application, if possible.

(b) The board shall pursue the creation of a centralized basic needs online resource web page that will raise awareness of campus-based resources available at colleges and universities and local, state, and national resources that can assist in addressing basic needs insecurity.

Subd. 2.Basic needs support trigger.

(a) The board shall develop and implement, at each college and university, initiatives or campaigns to raise awareness among all students of potential Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility including targeted communications to students who are likely eligible.

(b) The board shall develop a financial aid resource trigger that utilizes data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applications for state financial aid, or other applicable data to identify students who are likely eligible for assistance or programs that reduce basic needs insecurity such as SNAP. The board shall utilize this resource trigger to provide information and support to students on how to access assistance or programs that reduce basic needs insecurity.

136F.22 STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS.

Subdivision 1.Statewide.

The board shall recognize one statewide student association for the state universities and one for the community and technical colleges. Each campus student association shall be affiliated with its statewide student association and all students enrolled on those campuses shall be members of their respective statewide association.

Subd. 2.Fees.

Each statewide association shall set its fees to be collected by the board and shall submit any changes in its fees to the board for review. The board may revise or reject the fee change. Fees must be collected by each state college and university and shall be credited to each association's account to be spent as determined by that association.

Subd. 3.Consolidation.

Changes may be made to student associations located on community college, state university, technical college, or consolidated colocated campuses with the approval of the students of each affected campus.

136F.23 STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS; PURCHASING AUTHORITY.

Notwithstanding chapter 16A or 16C, the student associations recognized by the board may purchase goods or materials through state purchasing authority for the ordinary day-to-day operations of the associations. The student associations must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in order to qualify for this authority. The Department of Administration may require that the purchase documents be approved by appropriate officials in the board's central office.

136F.24 LEGAL COUNSELING AND SERVICE PROGRAM; FUNDING.

Notwithstanding section 8.06, or any other law or rule to the contrary, the official campus student association at each state college or university may fund a program to provide legal counseling and services to students of the state college or university. The money shall be from an account of the state college and university activity funds allocated to the student associations or other money assigned to them.

136F.245 MS 2020 [Renumbered 135A.137]

136F.25 ABSENCE FOR CHEMICAL ABUSE TREATMENT.

If a student is absent from a state college or university to participate in a chemical abuse treatment program licensed by the state, the student, upon request, shall remain on the roll in the educational program of the state college or university in which the student is enrolled, according to policies adopted by the board.

136F.28 SOUTHWEST ASIA VETERANS; TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

Subdivision 1.Grants.

A Southwest Asia veteran who enrolls in a technical college program, and who is a Minnesota resident whose entire education has not included completion of at least one technical college program is eligible for a state grant of $500 per year if the veteran has GI Montgomery Bill benefits, or $1,000 per year if the veteran does not have GI Montgomery Bill benefits, until the veteran has completed the lesser of (1) 115 credits in a technical college program, or (2) one technical college program. The grant is based on full-time attendance and shall be prorated if the student is attending less than full time. To be eligible for the tuition relief, a veteran must enroll in a technical college within two years of the date of discharge. All veterans enrolled under this program must maintain a minimum of six credits per quarter. Total grants may not exceed the available appropriation.

Subd. 2.Definitions.

For the purpose of this section, the following terms have the meanings given to them:

(a) "Southwest Asia veteran" means a person who:

(1) served in the active military service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States any time between August 1, 1990, and February 27, 1992;

(2) became eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal as a result of the service;

(3) was a Minnesota resident at the time of induction into the armed forces and for the one year immediately preceding induction; and

(4) has been separated or discharged from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable.

(b) "Technical college" means a technical college or consolidated community technical college under the governance of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

CURRICULUM

136F.30 COURSES AND PROGRAMS.

The board shall review and approve or disapprove campus proposals for adding, deleting, or substantially changing programs of study, including graduate and undergraduate academic programs, training in professional, semiprofessional, and technical fields, and adult education. The board shall avoid duplicate program offerings. The board may initiate activities to close programs. The board shall place a high priority on ensuring the transferability of credit.

136F.301 MAXIMUM CREDIT FOR GRADUATION; WAIVER REPORTING.

The board must annually by October 1 report to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education policy on the board's current policy setting the maximum number of semester credits required for a baccalaureate and an associate of arts degree at 120 and 60 semester credits or their equivalent, respectively, as required by Laws 2007, chapter 144, article 1, section 4, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). The report must specifically identify requests in the previous academic year for waivers from the policy and the requests granted. The specific identification must include, among other things, the program and the campus for which a request was made and for which a waiver was granted.

History:

2008 c 298 s 19

136F.302 REGULATING THE ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO REMEDIAL COURSES.

Subdivision 1.ACT or SAT college ready score; Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment career and college ready benchmarks.

(a) A state college or university must not require an individual to take a remedial, noncredit course in a subject area if the individual has received a college ready ACT or SAT score or met a career and college ready Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment benchmark in that subject area. Only the ACT and SAT scores an individual received and the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment benchmarks an individual met in the previous five years are valid for purposes of this section. Each state college and university must post notice of the exemption from remedial course taking on its website explaining student course placement requirements.

(b) When deciding if an individual is admitted to or if an individual may enroll in a state college or university, the state college or university must consider the individual's scores on the high school Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, in addition to other factors determined relevant by the college or university.

Subd. 1a.Minnesota comprehensive assessment career and college ready benchmarks; remedial education.

(a) A state college or university must not require an individual to take a remedial, noncredit course in a subject area if the individual has received a career and college ready Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment benchmark in that subject area, consistent with benchmarks established by the commissioner of education pursuant to section 120B.305, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

(b) As part of the notification of high school students and their families under section 120B.305, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the commissioner shall include a statement that students who receive a college ready benchmark on the high school MCA are not required to take a remedial, noncredit course at a Minnesota state college or university in the corresponding subject area.

Subd. 2.Testing process for determining if remediating is necessary.

A college or university testing process used to determine whether an individual is placed in a remedial, noncredit course must comply with this subdivision. Prior to taking a test, an individual must be given reasonable time and opportunity to review materials provided by the college or university covering the material to be tested which must include a sample test. An individual who is required to take a remedial, noncredit course as a result of a test given by a college or university must be given an opportunity to retake the test at the earliest time determined by the individual when testing is otherwise offered. The college or university must provide an individual with study materials for the purpose of retaking and passing the test.

136F.303 DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE COMPLETION; REPORT.

Beginning in 2018, the board shall annually by January 15, report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education finance on its activities and achievements related to the goal of improving timely completion of degrees and certificates. The report must, at a minimum, include for the previous academic year:

(1) the percent of students placed in remedial education;

(2) the percent of students who complete remediation within one academic year;

(3) the percent of students who complete college-level gateway courses in one academic year;

(4) the percent of students who complete 30 semester credits per academic year;

(5) the student retention rate;

(6) time to complete a degree or certificate; and

(7) credits earned by those completing a degree or certificate or other program.

The report must disaggregate data for each college and university by race, ethnicity, Pell Grant eligibility, and age and provide aggregate data.

136F.305 Z-DEGREES.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Course" means a single unit of teaching in one subject area led by one or more instructors with a definite start and end date and a fixed roster of students.

(c) "Course materials" means a hard-copy or digital book, printed pages of instructional material, including consumable workbooks, lab manuals, subscriptions, online homework and quizzing platforms, and other required physical and digital content.

(d) "Course section" means an instance of a course.

(e) "Incentive" means anything provided to faculty to identify, review, adapt, author, or adopt open educational resources.

(f) "Open educational resources" means teaching, learning, and research materials that are in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and repurposing by others. Open educational resources include textbooks and curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video, and animation.

(g) "Open textbook" means a type of open educational resource released under an intellectual property license that at a minimum allows a student to obtain, retain, reuse, and redistribute the material at no cost.

(h) "Library-curated materials" means diverse resources purchases by the library at no additional cost to the student for the supplementation or replacement of course materials.

(i) "System office" means the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office.

(j) "Z-Degree" means a complete associate's or bachelor's degree program that exclusively uses course materials that are no cost to students such as open educational resources, open textbooks, and library-curated materials. Students may still incur costs for printing digital materials or for the following: art supplies, calculators, equipment, fees in statute or policy mandated to be charged by all colleges and universities, campus discretionary fees established by the board and adopted by the college, personal property, and service charges or course activities having value outside of the classroom.

Subd. 2.Requirement.

(a) Three additional colleges must offer the opportunity to earn a Z-Degree by academic year 2020-2021. Four additional colleges or universities must offer the opportunity to earn a Z-Degree by academic year 2023-2024. Course offerings in a Z-Degree program must include at least two distinct courses in each transfer curriculum goal area and at least enough credits in each transfer curriculum goal area to complete the transfer curriculum package.

(b) The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall support a continuous process for colleges and universities to implement Z-Degrees, expand Z-Degree courses and sections, and sustain existing Z-Degrees.

Subd. 3.Open educational resource development.

(a) The system office must provide opportunities for faculty to identify, review, adapt, create, share, and adopt open educational resources. The system office must develop incentives to academic departments to identify, review, adapt, author, or adopt open educational resources within their academic programs.

(b) The programs and incentives developed under this subdivision must be implemented pursuant to faculty collective bargaining agreements.

Subd. 4.Report.

Annually by January 15, the board must submit reports to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education. Each report must include (1) the number of courses and course sections transitioned into a new Z-Degree, (2) the total amount of student textbook savings resulting from the transitions, and (3) information on the types of incentives developed and offered to faculty and the corresponding funding for those incentives.

136F.31 CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.

Subdivision 1.Board designation.

The board must designate at least three and up to eight different program centers of excellence. The board must determine the form and required information contained in applications from member institutions.

Subd. 2.Center selection criteria.

The board must select programs based on institutional proposals demonstrating:

(1) the capacity to build multistate regional or national recognition of the program within five years;

(2) a commitment to expanding the influence of the center to improve results in related programs in participating institutions;

(3) the capacity to improve employment placement and income expectations of graduates from the program;

(4) a strong partnership between a four-year and at least one two-year institution that maximizes the leverage of academic and training capacities in each institution;

(5) a comprehensive academic plan that includes a seamless continuum of academic offerings in the program area that supports career development at multiple levels in related employment fields;

(6) a specific development plan that includes a description of how the institution will pursue continuous improvement and accountability;

(7) identified commitments from employers that include measurable financial and programmatic commitment to the center of excellence on the part of employers who will benefit from the development of the center. A center for teacher education must demonstrate support from local school districts;

(8) a commitment from the institution that the new designated funding will not supplant current budgets from related programs;

(9) a strong existing program upon which the proposed center will build; and

(10) a separate fund for donations dedicated for the program within current institutional foundations.

The board may adopt additional criteria that promote general goals of the centers. The board shall give priority to programs that integrate the academic and training outcomes of the center with business clusters that have a significant multiplier effect on the state's economy based on projections of job, income, or general economic growth. The board shall consult with the Department of Employment and Economic Development to identify these clusters and the potential economic impact of developing a center for excellence.

Subd. 3.Advisory committee and reports required.

A center of excellence must create an advisory committee representing local, statewide, and national leaders in the field. By January 15 of each odd-numbered year, each designated center must provide a report to the governor and the chairs of committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher education finance, that includes annual and integrated data on program enrollment, student demographics, student admission data, endowment growth, graduation rates, graduation outcomes, employer involvement, indicators of student or graduate employment success, and other outcomes as determined by the board. After a center has been in existence for three years, the report must include measures of the program's impact on the local economy.

136F.32 DEGREES; DIPLOMAS; CERTIFICATES.

Subdivision 1.Approval.

The board may approve awarding of appropriate certificates, diplomas, or degrees to persons who complete a prescribed curriculum.

Subd. 2.Technical and consolidated technical colleges.

(a) A technical college or consolidated technical community college shall offer students the option of pursuing diplomas or certificates in each technical education program, unless the board determines that a degree is the only acceptable credential for career entry in a specific field. All vocational and technical credits earned for a diploma or certificate shall be applicable toward any available degree in the same program.

(b) Certificates and diplomas are credentials that demonstrate competence in a vocational or technical area and, therefore, may include a general education component only as part of an articulation agreement or to meet occupational requirements as established by the trade or profession, or by the program advisory committee. Students shall be provided with applied training in general studies as necessary for competence in the program area. Students who have earned a certificate or diploma may earn a degree in the same field if they complete the general education and other degree requirements.

Subd. 3.Assessment.

To reduce barriers to enrollment and to train a skilled workforce, students may be assessed for skills necessary for competency in a technical or vocational field as part of their program. The results of standardized assessment tests shall not prohibit enrollment in a student's certificate or diploma program.

136F.36 TECHNICAL COLLEGE CARPENTRY PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY.

Subdivision 1.Authority to acquire, develop, and sell real property for instructional purposes.

For the purpose of instructional construction by technical colleges, the board may build, sell, or transfer personal property and may purchase or otherwise acquire real property that it does not intend to use as a permanent educational site. The board may, upon the terms and conditions it sets, develop, sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of real property acquired under this section. A sale, transfer, or other disposition must be at fair market value. For purposes of this section, a sale price resulting from public bidding, public auction, or negotiations between unrelated parties acting in their self-interest is fair market value. Where real property acquired under this section cannot be sold, the board may lease the real property under the terms and conditions it sets. The board may also contract for the use of real property it does not own. Where the board makes improvements to real property it does not own, the landowner may compensate the board for the fair market value, nominal consideration, or without consideration as may be agreed on between the parties, of the board's contribution to the improvements. No other authorizing legislation or legislative approval is required for an acquisition, improvement, or sale under this section. Proceeds from the sale, lease, or improvement of real property under this section are appropriated to the board.

Subd. 2.Exemptions.

The sale requirements of chapters 92 and 94 do not apply to this section. The board shall develop policies for leasing requirements and construction supervision. The board will normally competitively bid contracts related to instructional construction but may negotiate contracts without competitive bidding where it deems appropriate.

Subd. 3.Warranties.

The board may, in its discretion, offer the warranties contained in chapter 327A, less extensive warranties or no warranties.

Subd. 4.Storage and retention of documents.

Notwithstanding section 16A.58, the board may store and retain at the respective technical college original documents from carpentry program transactions, including but not limited to deeds, abstracts of title, and certificates of title.

Subd. 5.State employee purchase.

Notwithstanding section 15.054, personal or real property resulting from instructional construction by technical colleges may be sold to a state employee under the following conditions:

(1) there is reasonable public notice of the sale;

(2) the sale is by public auction, sealed bid, or listing with a licensed real estate broker;

(3) the state employee offers the highest price; and

(4) the state employee was not involved in the development of the property or the award of the sale.

136F.361 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE.

(a) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, consistent with section 122A.09, subdivision 10, paragraph (e), must provide an alternative preparation program allowing individuals to be certified as a career and technical education instructor able to teach career and technical education courses offered by a school district or charter school. The Board of Trustees may locate the first program in the seven-county metropolitan area.

(b) Consistent with paragraph (a), the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, in consultation with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, must develop the standards, pedagogy, and curriculum for an alternative preparation program to prepare qualified individuals: to attain certification as a career and technical education instructor under section 122A.09, subdivision 10, paragraph (e), during the 2016-2017 through 2018-2019 school years; and to attain either certification or licensure as a career and technical education instructor or teacher to teach career and technical education courses offered by a school district or charter school in the 2019-2020 school year and later.

136F.37 JOB PLACEMENT IMPACT ON PROGRAM REVIEW; INFORMATION TO STUDENTS.

Subdivision 1.Colleges; technical occupational program.

The board must assess labor market data when conducting college program reviews. Colleges must provide prospective students with the job placement rate for graduates of technical and occupational programs offered at the colleges.

Subd. 2.DEED labor market survey; MnSCU usage and disclosure.

The data assessed under subdivision 1 must include labor market data compiled by the Department of Employment and Economic Development under section 116J.4011. The board and its colleges and universities must use this market data when deciding upon course and program offerings. The board must provide a link to this labor market data on its Internet portal.

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

136F.38 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

Subdivision 1.Program established.

The board shall develop a scholarship program to incentivize new students and students returning from the workforce to enter high-demand occupations upon graduation.

Subd. 2.Scholarship awards.

The program shall award scholarships at the beginning of an academic term, in the amount of $2,500, to be distributed evenly between two terms.

Subd. 3.Program eligibility.

(a) Scholarships shall be awarded only to a student eligible for resident tuition, as defined in section 135A.043, who is enrolled in any of the following programs of study or certification: (1) advanced manufacturing; (2) agriculture; (3) health care services; (4) information technology; (5) early childhood; (6) transportation; (7) construction; (8) education; (9) public safety; (10) energy; or (11) a program of study under paragraph (b).

(b) Each institution may add one additional area of study or certification, based on a workforce shortage for full-time employment requiring postsecondary education that is unique to the institution's specific region, as reported in the most recent Department of Employment and Economic Development job vacancy survey data for the economic development region in which the institution is located. A workforce shortage area is one in which the job vacancy rate for full-time employment in a specific occupation in a region is higher than the state average vacancy rate for that same occupation. The institution may change the area of study or certification based on new data once every two years.

(c) The student must be enrolled for at least nine credits in a two-year college in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to be eligible for first- and second-year scholarships.

(d) The student is eligible for a one-year transfer scholarship if the student transfers from a two-year college after two or more terms, and the student is enrolled for at least nine credits in a four-year university in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Subd. 4.Renewal; cap.

A student who has received a scholarship may apply again but total lifetime awards are not to exceed $7,500 per student. Students may only be awarded a second scholarship upon completion of two academic terms. Students may be awarded a third scholarship if the student transfers to a corresponding program at a Minnesota state university.

Subd. 5.Administration.

(a) The board shall establish an application process and other guidelines for implementing this program.

(b) The board shall give preference to students in financial need.

Subd. 5a.Local business partnerships.

Beginning in 2020, and each year thereafter, the board shall withhold ten percent of the appropriation. The withheld funds must be distributed in the following year to institutions that successfully leverage private matching funds from local businesses, resulting in additional scholarships by partnering with the local business community.

Subd. 6.Report required.

The board must submit an annual report by February 1 of each year about the scholarship awards to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy. The first report is due no later than February 1, 2019. The annual report shall describe the following:

(1) the number of students receiving a scholarship at each two-year college and each university during the previous fiscal year;

(2) the number of scholarships awarded for each program of study or certification described in subdivision 3, paragraph (a);

(3) the number of scholarship recipients who completed a program of study or certification described in subdivision 3, paragraph (a);

(4) the number of scholarship recipients who secured employment by their graduation date and those who secured employment within three months of their graduation date;

(5) a list of the institutions that received funding under subdivision 5a, the amount of funding each institution received, and whether all withheld funds were distributed;

(6) a list of occupations scholarship recipients are entering; and

(7) the number of students who were denied a scholarship.

HUMAN RESOURCES

136F.40 APPOINTMENT OF PERSONNEL.

Subdivision 1.Appointment procedure.

The board shall appoint all presidents, teachers, and other necessary employees and shall prescribe their duties consistent with chapter 43A. Salaries and benefits of employees must be determined according to chapters 43A and 179A and other applicable provisions.

Subd. 2.Contracts.

(a) The board may enter into a contract with the chancellor, a vice-chancellor, or a president, containing terms and conditions of employment. The terms of the contract must be authorized under a plan approved under section 43A.18, subdivision 3a.

(b) Notwithstanding section 43A.17, subdivision 11, or other law to the contrary, a contract under this section may provide a liquidated salary amount or other compensation if a contract is terminated by the board prior to its expiration.

(c) Notwithstanding section 356.24 or other law to the contrary, a contract under this section may contain a deferred compensation plan made in conformance with section 457(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the plan approved under section 43A.18, subdivision 3a, a contract under this section must not authorize or otherwise provide for a discretionary or mandatory bonus or other performance-based incentive payment.

136F.41 ASSIGNMENT TO BARGAINING UNITS.

Actions by the board to merge or redesignate institutions or to promote collaborative efforts between institutions must not unilaterally change faculty assignments to bargaining units provided in section 179A.10, subdivision 2.

136F.42 PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.

Subdivision 1.Time reporting.

As provided in Executive Order 96-2, the board, in consultation with the commissioner of management and budget, may develop policies to allow system office or campus employees on salaries, as defined in section 43A.17, subdivision 1, to use negative time reporting in which employees report only that time for which leave is taken.

Subd. 2.Travel policies.

The board may adopt policies for colleges and universities to approve and administer travel arrangements, other than reimbursement, for employees on campus, and for the system office to provide the same services for employees in that office.

136F.43 EXTENDED LEAVES OF ABSENCE.

Subdivision 1.Definition.

As used in this section, "teacher" means a person on the instructional or administrative staff of the state colleges and universities who is a member of the Teachers Retirement Association under chapter 354, who is a member of a teachers retirement fund association under chapter 354A, or who is covered by the Unclassified Employees Plan under chapter 352D or Individual Retirement Account Plan under chapter 354B. It shall not include a chancellor, deputy chancellor, or vice-chancellor.

Subd. 2.Granting authority.

The board may grant an extended leave of absence without salary to a full-time teacher who has been employed by the board for at least five years and has at least ten years of allowable service in one or a combination of the retirement plans specified in subdivision 1. The maximum duration of an extended leave of absence pursuant to this section shall be determined by mutual agreement of the board and the teacher at the time the leave is granted and shall be at least three but no more than five years. An extended leave of absence under this section shall be taken by mutual consent of the board and the teacher. No teacher may receive more than one leave of absence under this section.

Subd. 3.Reinstatement.

A teacher on an extended leave of absence under this section shall have the right to be reinstated to the same position or a similar position within the department or program from which the leave was granted at the beginning of the school year which immediately follows a year of extended leave of absence, unless the teacher is discharged or placed on retrenchment or on layoff or the teacher's contract is terminated while the teacher is on the extended leave. The board shall not be obligated to reinstate a teacher who is on an extended leave of absence under this section unless the teacher advises the board of an intention to return before February 1 in the school year preceding the school year in which the teacher wishes to return.

Subd. 4.Seniority rights.

A teacher who is reinstated to the same or similar position after an extended leave under this section shall not lose tenure or credit for previous seniority in the employing state college or university. A teacher shall not accrue seniority credit during the time of a leave of absence under this section, except that a teacher at a state college or university may accrue seniority credit during the leave, consistent with the conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.

Subd. 5.Salary.

The years spent by a teacher on an extended leave of absence under this section shall not be included in the determination of the teacher's salary upon reinstatement to the same or similar position by the board. The credits earned by a teacher on an extended leave of absence under this section shall not be included in the determination of the teacher's salary upon reinstatement to the same or similar position by the board for a period of time equal to the time of the extended leave of absence.

Subd. 6.Alternate leave.

The board may grant a teacher a leave of absence which is not subject to the provisions of this section and either section 354.094 or 354A.091.

136F.44 ADMINISTRATIVE INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS.

Subdivision 1.System and campus administrators.

As part of their annual goal setting activity, all unrepresented system and campus academic administrators are encouraged to substantially increase their interaction with students through activities such as teaching a regularly scheduled course or serving as an academic advisor. Actions to increase the interaction of students and administrators under this section shall not displace permanent faculty or staff.

Subd. 2.

[Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75]

136F.45 ANNUITIES.

Subdivision 1.Purchase.

(a) At the request of an employee, the board may negotiate and purchase an individual custodial account under section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, for an employee for retirement or other purposes from a company licensed to do business in Minnesota, and may allocate a portion of the compensation otherwise payable to the employee as salary for the purpose of paying the entire contribution due or to become due under the account. The allocation shall be made in a manner that will qualify the custodial account contributions, or portions thereof, for the benefit afforded under section 403(b)(7) of the current federal Internal Revenue Code or any equivalent provision of subsequent federal income tax law. The employee shall own the account and the employee's rights thereunder shall be nonforfeitable except for failure to pay contributions.

(b) At its discretion, and in the same manner provided in paragraph (a), the board may negotiate and purchase individual custodial accounts under section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, for employees of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education as defined in section 136A.03. Participation under this paragraph must be in accordance with any applicable federal law.

Subd. 1a.Subsequent vendor contracts.

(a) The board may limit the number of vendors under subdivision 1.

(b) In addition to any other tax-sheltered annuity program investment options, the board may offer as an investment option the Minnesota supplemental investment fund administered by the State Board of Investment under section 11A.17.

(c) The board shall actively solicit participation of and shall include as vendors lower expense and "no-load" mutual funds or equivalent investment products as those terms are defined by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. To the extent that offering a lower expense "no-load" product increases the total necessary and reasonable expenses of the program and if the board is unable to negotiate a rebate of fees from the mutual fund or equivalent investment product providers, the board may charge the participants utilizing the lower expense "no-load" mutual fund products a fee to cover those expenses. The participant fee may not exceed one percent of the participant's annual contributions or $20 per participant per year, whichever is greater. Any excess fee revenue generated under this subdivision must be reimbursed to participant accounts in the manner provided in subdivision 3a.

Subd. 2.Deposits; payment.

All amounts so allocated shall be deposited in an account established by the board. Payment of custodial account contributions shall be made when due or in accordance with the salary agreement entered into between the employee and the board. The money in the account is not subject to the budget, allotment, and incumbrance system provided for in chapter 16A.

Subd. 3.

[Repealed, 1998 c 390 art 2 s 21]

Subd. 3a.Sharing fees.

(a) For purposes of this subdivision, a gross fee amount is defined as the fees, commissions, and other charges which an annuity investment provider or vendor would charge a typical consumer of those services for identical or similar products. A net fee amount is an amount below the gross fee amount reflecting a negotiated reduction below gross fees.

(b) To offset the board's necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under subdivisions 1 and 2, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is authorized to negotiate with an annuity investment provider or vendor to establish a net fee amount.

(c) Under the negotiated arrangements, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is authorized to either make arrangements to recapture the difference between gross and net fee amounts through a rebate from the annuity investment provider or vendor, or deduct those amounts prior to transmitting the contributions or premiums.

(d) The revenues collected or retained under these negotiated arrangements must be used to offset the board's necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under this section. Any excess above the necessary and reasonable expenses must be allocated annually to the accounts of the participants.

Subd. 4.Periodic review.

If the board so chooses, it may solicit bids or proposals for options under subdivision 1. The board may retain consulting services to assist it in soliciting and evaluating bids or proposals and in the periodic review of companies offering options under subdivision 1. The board may annually establish a budget for its costs in the soliciting, evaluating, and periodic review processes. The board may charge a proportional share of all costs related to the periodic review to each company currently under contract and may charge a proportional share of all costs related to soliciting and evaluating bids or proposals to each company selected by the board. Contracts must provide that all options in subdivision 1 must: (1) be presented in an unbiased manner, (2) be reported on a periodic basis to all employees participating in the tax-sheltered annuity program, and (3) not be the subject of unreasonable solicitation of state employees to participate in the program. The contract may not permit any person to jeopardize the tax-deferred status of money invested by state employees under this section. All costs or fees in relation to the bid solicitation and evaluation process for the options provided under subdivision 1 must be paid by the underwriting companies ultimately selected by the board.

136F.46 NONPROFIT FOUNDATION PAYROLL DEDUCTION.

Subdivision 1.Request; payment.

The commissioner of management and budget, upon the written request of an employee of the board, may deduct from an employee's salary or wages the amount requested for payment to a nonprofit state college or university foundation meeting the requirements in subdivision 2. The commissioner shall issue a payment for the deducted amount to the nonprofit foundation. The Penny Fellowship and the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Program of the Minnesota State University Student Association shall be considered nonprofit state college and university foundations for purposes of this section.

Subd. 2.Foundation application; approval.

A nonprofit state college or university foundation that desires to receive contributions through payroll deductions shall apply to the board for approval to participate in the payroll deduction plan. The board may approve the application for participation if the foundation:

(1) is tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(2) qualifies for tax-deductible contributions under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(3) secures funding solely for distribution to a state college or university or for distribution to students in the form of scholarships; and

(4) has been incorporated according to chapter 317A for at least one calendar year before the date it applies to the board for approval.

Subd. 3.Solicitation.

Efforts to secure payroll deductions authorized in subdivision 1 may not interfere with, require a modification of, nor be conducted during the period of a payroll deduction fund drive for employees authorized by section 43A.50.

136F.47 PENSION PLAN.

The board shall assume the administrative responsibility for the individual retirement account plans in chapters 354B and 354C formerly administered separately by the State University Board and the Community College Board. The separate plans and the former plan administration must be merged into a single individual retirement account plan and plan administration covering eligible employees of the board, eligible employees of system institutions, and other eligible employee groups who are covered by the plan under section 354B.211.

136F.48 EMPLOYER-PAID HEALTH INSURANCE.

(a) This section applies to a person who:

(1) retires from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system with at least ten years of combined service credit in a system under the jurisdiction of the board;

(2) was employed on a full-time basis immediately preceding retirement as a faculty member or as an unclassified administrator in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system;

(3) begins drawing a retirement benefit from the Individual Retirement Account Plan or an annuity from the Teachers Retirement Association, from the General State Employees Retirement Plan or the Unclassified State Employees Retirement Program of the Minnesota State Retirement System, or from a first class city teacher retirement plan; and

(4) returns to work on not less than a one-third time basis and not more than a two-thirds time basis in the system from which the person retired under an agreement.

(b) Initial participation, the amount of time worked, and the duration of participation under this section must be mutually agreed upon by the president of the institution where the person returns to work and the employee. The president may require up to one-year notice of intent to participate in the program as a condition of participation under this section. The president shall determine the time of year the employee shall work. The employer or the president may not require a person to waive any rights under a collective bargaining agreement as a condition of participation under this section.

(c) For a person eligible under paragraphs (a) and (b), the employing board shall make the same employer contribution for hospital, medical, and dental benefits as would be made if the person were employed full time.

(d) For work under paragraph (a), a person must receive a percentage of the person's salary at the time of retirement that is equal to the percentage of time the person works compared to full-time work.

(e) If a collective bargaining agreement covering a person provides for an early retirement incentive that is based on age, the incentive provided to the person must be based on the person's age at the time employment under this section ends. However, the salary used to determine the amount of the incentive must be the salary that would have been paid if the person had been employed full time for the year immediately preceding the time employment under this section ends.

(f) A person who returns to work under this section is a member of the appropriate bargaining unit and is covered by the appropriate collective bargaining contract. Except as provided in this section, the person's coverage is subject to any part of the contract limiting rights of part-time employees.

136F.481 EARLY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the board may offer a targeted early separation incentive program for its employees.

(b) The early separation incentive program may include one or both of the following:

(1) cash incentives, not to exceed one year of base salary; or

(2) employer contributions to the postretirement health care savings plan established under section 352.98.

(c) To be eligible to receive an incentive, an employee must be at least age 55 and must have at least five years of employment by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. The board shall establish and periodically revise the eligibility requirements for system employees to receive an incentive. The board shall file a copy of its proposed revised eligibility requirements with the chairs and ranking members of the senate committee with higher education within its jurisdiction and the senate finance division with higher education within its jurisdiction and with the chair and ranking members of the committee in the house of representatives with higher education within its jurisdiction and of the house of representatives Committee on Ways and Means, at least 30 days before the final adoption of the proposed revised eligibility requirements by the board, shall post the same document on the system website at the same time, and shall hold a public hearing on the proposed eligibility requirements. The type and any additional amount of the incentive to be offered may vary by employee classification, as specified by the board.

(d) The president of a college or university, consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c), may designate:

(1) specific departments or programs at the college or university whose employees are eligible to be offered the incentive program; or

(2) positions at the college or university eligible to be offered the incentive program.

(e) The chancellor, consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c), may designate:

(1) system office divisions whose employees are eligible to be offered the incentive program; or

(2) positions at the system office eligible to be offered the incentive program.

(f) Acceptance of the offered incentive must be voluntary on the part of the employee and must be in writing. The incentive may only be offered at the sole discretion of the president of the applicable college or university.

(g) A decision by the president of a college or university or by the chancellor not to offer an incentive may not be challenged.

(h) The cost of the incentive is payable by the college or university on whose behalf the president offered the incentive or from the system office budget if the chancellor offered the incentive. If a college or university is merged, the remaining cost of any early separation incentive must be borne by the successor institution. If a college or university is closed, the remaining cost of any early separation incentive must be borne by the board.

(i) Annually, the chancellor and the president of each college or university must report on the number and types of early separation incentives which were offered and utilized under this section. The report must be filed annually with the board and with the Legislative Reference Library on or before September 1.

136F.482 MS 2012 [Repealed, 2009 c 169 art 6 s 2]
136F.49 [Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75]

ADMINISTRATION

136F.50 COOPERATION OR PROMOTION OF A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.

The board, system office, and the campuses may cooperate by contractual arrangement or otherwise with responsible persons, firms, corporations, associations, or governmental agencies to promote short courses, research, and other programs and activities in the state colleges and universities as in the judgment of the board, system office, or the campus contribute to the development of the state colleges and universities and the welfare of their students.

136F.52 LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

Subdivision 1.Appointment.

The president may appoint a local advisory committee for each campus. Committee members must be qualified people who have knowledge of and interest in the campus. The board shall define the role and authority of the advisory committees and establish procedures for the appointment, terms, and termination of members. The president or an appointee of the president shall regularly meet and consult with the local advisory committee.

Subd. 2.Compensation.

Advisory committee members shall serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses.

136F.526 AUDITS.

Each college and university shall be audited as provided by board policy. The policy shall be designed to ensure financial integrity, necessary internal controls, and appropriate accordance between board policies and campus expenditures. The college or university may arrange for any additional audits it desires by contracting with the legislative auditor or a private certified public accountant. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the legislative auditor to perform selected scope audits or other duties of the office as provided under section 3.971.

History:

1996 c 398 s 43

136F.53 PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATION.

Subdivision 1.Campus parking authority.

Notwithstanding section 169.966, a state college or university may adopt and enforce policies, regulations, or ordinances for the regulation of traffic and parking in parking facilities and on private roads and roadways situated on property owned, leased, occupied, or operated by the state college or university.

Subd. 2.Fines; fees.

A state college or university may collect a fine and a towing fee for a violation. Money collected under this section by a state college or university is annually appropriated to the state college or university for parking lot maintenance, improvement, and policy enforcement.

Subd. 3.Disputes.

A state college or university shall establish procedures to resolve a dispute arising from enforcement of a policy.

Subd. 4.Procedure.

Chapter 14 does not apply to this section.

Subd. 5.Enforcement.

Every sheriff, police officer, or other peace officer shall have authority to enforce all policies and ordinances adopted pursuant to this section and shall have authority to arrest and prosecute offenders for violations of law.

136F.54 STUDENT HOUSING MANAGEMENT.

The board may contract with student housing facility owners or on-site management firms to assist in the operation, control, and management of the facility.

136F.56 [Repealed, 2003 c 133 art 4 s 9]

136F.58 BOOKSTORES; COURSE MATERIAL ACQUISITION.

Subdivision 1.Authorization.

A state college or university may operate a bookstore in a state college or university building, or may allocate space in a state college or university building and permit a person or corporation to operate a bookstore without rent at the campus' pleasure and on such conditions as the board may impose. The board may provide insurance, at no cost to the state, for the inventory of a bookstore a state college or university conducts in its building.

Subd. 2.Course material.

(a) An instructor shall attempt to provide adequate notice to a bookstore of the intention to order required or recommended course material so that the bookstore can provide information for the instructor's consideration prior to placing an order for the course material.

(b) A bookstore must make reasonable efforts to obtain from publishers or other sources, prior to the time an instructor requests the bookstore to order course material, the following information, including, but not limited to:

(1) the title, edition, author, and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) of the course material;

(2) the price for the course material;

(3) whether the course material is bundled with optional material, whether it can be unbundled, and the price for each bundled and unbundled component;

(4) whether the material is available in an alternative format and the cost for the alternatively formatted material;

(5) the availability of the course material currently and in the future;

(6) changes to the course material from the previous edition, the revision date, availability, and cost for that edition, if available; and

(7) any known plans for future revisions of the course material.

(c) An instructor ordering course material through a bookstore shall consider the information received from the bookstore prior to placing the final order.

Subd. 2a.Course schedule and material list.

(a) Each state college and university shall compile a course schedule indicating each course offered by the state college or university for each term and shall include with the course schedule a list of the required and recommended course materials that specifies, to the extent practicable, the information required in subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(b) At the time required by subdivision 3, paragraph (c), a state college or university shall publish course schedules and course material lists on the state college's or university's website.

Subd. 3.Notice to purchase.

(a) An instructor or department shall notify a college or university bookstore of the final order for required and recommended course material at least 45 days prior to the commencement of the term.

(b) An instructor or department must notify the bookstore, as required in paragraph (a), if a previous edition of the textbook is acceptable as a substitute textbook for the course.

(c) The bookstore must make reasonable efforts to notify students of the following information concerning the required and recommended course material at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the term for which the course material is required including, but not limited to:

(1) the title, edition, author, and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) of the course material;

(2) the retail price charged in the college or university bookstore for the course material, including custom textbooks;

(3) if applicable, whether a previous edition of the textbook is acceptable as required under this subdivision;

(4) whether the material is available in an alternative format and the cost for the alternatively formatted material; and

(5) the most recent copyright date of the printed course material and the copyright date of the most recent prior edition of the course material, if that prior edition is acceptable for class use.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "custom textbooks" means course materials that are compiled by a publisher at the direction of a faculty member or, if applicable, the other adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials for courses taught at a state college or university. Custom textbooks may include items such as selections from original instructor materials, previously copyrighted publisher materials, copyrighted third-party works, or elements unique to a specific state college or university.

Subd. 4.System responsibility.

The board shall, to the extent it considers necessary, adopt uniform forms for bookstores to request information under subdivision 2. The board shall encourage faculty to utilize the information received under subdivision 2 to achieve the lowest cost to students for course materials consistent with the academic freedom and choice of the faculty member.

136F.581 PURCHASES AND CONTRACTS.

Subdivision 1.Authority for purchases and contracts.

The board and the colleges and universities are subject to the provisions of section 471.345. In addition to the contracting authority under this chapter, the board may utilize any contracting options available to the commissioner of administration under chapter 16A, 16B, or 16C.

Subd. 2.Policies and procedures.

The board shall develop policies for purchases and contracts that are consistent with the authority granted in subdivision 1. The policies and procedures shall be developed through the system and campus labor management committees and shall include provisions requiring the system and campuses to determine that they cannot use available staff before contracting with additional outside consultants or services. In addition, each college and university, in consultation with the office of the chancellor, shall develop procedures for those purchases and contracts that can be accomplished by a college and university without board approval. The board policies must allow each college and university the local authority to enter into contracts for construction projects of up to $250,000 and to make other purchases of up to $50,000, without receiving board approval. The board may allow a college or university local authority to make purchases over $50,000 without receiving board approval.

Subd. 3.Procurement from designated businesses.

The policies and procedures must include provisions for procurement, including construction, from small targeted group businesses and businesses from economically disadvantaged areas designated under section 16C.16. The board, colleges, and universities shall use the methods contained in section 471.345, subdivision 8, for such purchasing, or may develop additional methods in which the cost percentage preferences are consistent with the provision of section 16C.16, subdivisions 6, paragraph (a), and 7, or consistent with the provisions of the University of Minnesota's targeted group business purchasing program.

Subd. 4.Professional or technical services.

(a) The board shall develop policies for entering into contracts for professional or technical services, other than instructional services. The policies must allow each college and university the authority to enter into contracts for professional or technical services up to $15,000 without board approval. The board may allow a college or university authority to enter into contracts for professional or technical services over $15,000 without receiving board approval.

(b) Each college and university, in consultation with the system office, shall develop procedures to enter into contracts for professional or technical services.

(c) The policies and procedures developed by the board and by each college and university for professional or technical service contracts must be done in consultation with employees and their exclusive bargaining representatives and must address topics such as employee protections, information availability and reporting, conflict of interest, and renewal restrictions.

Subd. 5.Food products grown in state.

Colleges and universities must make a reasonable attempt to identify and purchase food products that are grown within the state.

136F.582 [Repealed, 2003 c 133 art 4 s 9]

136F.59 TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT.

Subdivision 1.

[Repealed, 1996 c 398 s 66]

Subd. 2.

[Repealed, 2003 c 133 art 4 s 9]

Subd. 3.Department of Information Technology Services.

The Office of the Chancellor and the campuses shall cooperate with the Department of Information Technology Services in its responsibility to coordinate information and communications technology development throughout the state.

136F.595 STATEWIDE ELECTRONIC INFRASTRUCTURE; PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS.

Subdivision 1.Collaborative infrastructure.

(a) The Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Department of Education, the Office of Higher Education, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall collaborate to implement an electronic infrastructure to support academic and workforce success statewide. The infrastructure shall first utilize existing assets, tools, and services, including but not limited to efolioMinnesota and GPS LifePlan. To facilitate implementation of this section, the board shall support efolioMinnesota and GPS LifePlan until at least June 30, 2015.

(b) To the extent possible, the basic electronic infrastructure shall be available at no charge to all state residents and to all students attending Minnesota educational institutions.

Subd. 2.Goals; programs.

The board may enhance the efolioMinnesota platform to allow, at a minimum, implementation of:

(1) a portfolio-based individual learning plan solution that includes comprehensive academic and life planning instruments, to support student transitions to postsecondary school or to work; and

(2) a student-owned proficiency portfolio solution to support student transitions to the workplace and employers seeking first-day-work-ready employees.

Subd. 3.Resources; accountability reports.

(a) The board may seek and accept contributions from individuals, businesses, and other organizations to support the goals required by this section. The parties listed in subdivision 1 are not required to contribute. All contributions received are appropriated to the board and shall be administered as directed by the board.

(b) The board shall submit, no later than January 15 of each year, a report to the governor and legislature on the progress of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's activities related to implementation of this section.

FACILITIES

136F.60 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY SITES; ACQUISITION.

Subdivision 1.Purchase of neighboring property.

The board may purchase property adjacent to or in the vicinity of the campuses as necessary for the development of a state college or university. Before taking action, the board shall consult with the chairs of the senate Finance Committee and the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee about the proposed action. The board shall explain the need to acquire property, specify the property to be acquired, and indicate the source and amount of money needed for the acquisition. The funds needed may be spent from sums previously appropriated for purposes of the state colleges and universities, including, but not limited to, general fund appropriations for instructional or noninstructional expenditures, general fund appropriations carried forward, or state college and university activity fund appropriations. The board may pay relocation costs, at its discretion, when acquiring property.

Subd. 2.Methods of acquisition and real property transactions.

(a) If money has been appropriated to the board to acquire lands or sites for public buildings or real estate, the acquisition may be by gift, purchase, or condemnation proceedings. Condemnation proceedings must be under chapter 117.

(b) The board may accept gifts to improve or acquire facilities as provided in this paragraph:

(1) for remodeling existing facilities if the remodeling does not materially increase the square footage of the facility;

(2) for the acquisition, construction, or remodeling costs of facilities for which state capital appropriations have been made and whose use will not be substantially changed; or

(3) for capital projects not authorized by the legislature if the board first certifies that project revenues, other gifts or grants, or other sources of capital funds are available for project costs and that no tuition revenues or state or federal appropriations are used for the capital or operating costs, including all program costs, salaries, and benefits, of the facility.

(c) The board may convey or lease real property under the board's control, with or without monetary consideration, to provide a facility for the primary benefit of a state college or university or its students if the board certifies that project revenues, other gifts or grants, or other sources of funds are available for project costs and that no tuition revenues or state or federal appropriations are used for the capital cost of the facility. Agreements under this paragraph must demonstrate to the board's satisfaction the financial viability of the proposed project, including all proposed financial and contractual obligations, and operating costs, including all program costs, salaries and benefits, and other costs reasonably expected to be incurred or binding upon the college or university. Siting and design of the facility must be consistent with the campus master plan and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities building standards. Agreements under this paragraph to convey, or to lease for a term not to exceed 30 years, subject to section 16A.695, may be made following requests for proposal or by direct negotiation. Conveyances by the board under this paragraph must be by quitclaim deed in a form approved by the attorney general. Land conveyed by the board must revert to the state if it is no longer used for the primary benefit of a state college or university or its students.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "facility" includes student unions, recreational centers and athletic centers, or facilities for which state capital appropriations have been made and the use of which will not be substantially changed. "Facility" also includes self-supporting student housing.

(e) The board must report in a timely manner to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance, capital investment, and ways and means any capital project under paragraphs (b) or (c) with a cost of $3,000,000 or more.

Subd. 3.Easements.

(a) The board may grant permanent or temporary easements over, under, or across any land under its jurisdiction for reasonable purposes determined by the board as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).

(b) The board may grant a revocable easement or permit under this paragraph. An easement or permit is revocable by written notice given by the board if at any time its continuance will conflict with a public use of the land over, under, or upon which it is granted, or for any other reason. The notice must be in writing and is effective 90 days after the notice is sent by certified mail to the last known address of the holder of record of the easement. If the address of the holder of the easement or permit is not known, it expires 90 days after the notice is recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the land is located. Upon revocation of an easement or permit, the board may allow a reasonable time to vacate the premises affected.

(c) State land subject to an easement or permit granted by the board remains subject to sale or lease, and the sale or lease does not revoke the permit or easement granted.

Subd. 4.Transfer of state college or university-owned improvements.

The board may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of an improvement located on state-owned lands, the compensation for which shall be determined by the board. The sale, transfer, or disposition must be accomplished by a bill of sale describing the improvement transferred and the terms and conditions of the sale or transfer. Proceeds from the sale, transfer, or disposition must be retained by the board unless otherwise provided by section 16A.695 or other law.

Subd. 5.Disposition of surplus property.

(a) The board may declare state lands or improvements under its control that are no longer needed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to be surplus and may offer them for public sale in a manner consistent with the procedures set forth in sections 16B.282 to 16B.286 for disposition of state lands by the commissioner of administration. The parcels must not be exchanged or transferred for no or nominal consideration.

(b) Proceeds from the sale or disposition of land or improvements under this subdivision, after paying all expenses incurred in selling or disposing of the land and then paying any amounts due under section 16A.695, are appropriated to the board for use for capital projects at the institution that was responsible for management of the land or improvements.

136F.61 STATE BUILDING CODE.

All Minnesota state college and university facilities are subject to the provisions of the State Building Code under chapter 326B and the State Fire Code under chapter 299F.

136F.64 CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, AND REPAIR OF FACILITIES.

Subdivision 1.General authority; construction; improvements.

(a) Specific legislative authority is not required for repairs or minor capital projects financed with operating appropriation or institutional receipts that:

(1) are undertaken for asset preservation or code compliance purposes; or

(2) do not materially increase the net square footage of the institution; and

(3) do not materially increase the costs of instructional programs.

For any project under this section with a cost in excess of $1,500,000, unless the board determines that an emergency exists, the board must notify the chair of the Finance Committee of the senate, and the chairs of the Ways and Means Committee and the Capital Investment Committee of the house of representatives in writing before incurring any contractual obligations.

(b) The board shall supervise and control the preparation of plans and specifications for the construction, alteration, repair, or enlargement of state college and university buildings, structures, and improvements for which appropriations are made to the board. The board shall advertise for bids and award contracts in connection with the improvements, supervise and inspect the work, approve necessary changes in the plans and specifications, approve estimates for payment, and accept the improvements when completed according to the plans and specifications.

Subd. 2.Plans.

Plans and specifications must be accompanied by a detailed statement of the cost, quality, and description of all material and labor required for the completion of the work. No plan may be adopted, and no improvement made or building constructed, that contemplates the expenditure for its completion of more money than the appropriation for it, unless otherwise provided by law.

Subd. 3.Dispute resolution.

In contracting for projects, the board must not restrict its access to litigation or limit its methods of redress to arbitration or other nonjudicial procedures.

136F.65 ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL MONEY.

The board is hereby designated the state agency empowered to accept any and all money provided for or made available to this state by the United States of America or any department or agency thereof for the construction and equipping of any building under the control of the board in accordance with the provisions of federal law and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder and are further authorized to do any and all things required of this state by such federal law and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder in order to obtain such federal money.

136F.66 CAPITAL PROJECTS BIDDING PROCEDURES.

In awarding contracts for capital projects under section 136F.64, the board shall consider the documentation provided by the bidders regarding their qualifications, including evidence of having successfully completed similar work, or delivering services or products comparable to that being requested. The board shall set procedures to administer this section, which must include practices that will assist in the economic development of small businesses, small targeted group businesses, and businesses in economically disadvantaged areas designated under section 16C.16.

136F.67 FINANCING OF CHILD CARE; PARKING.

Subdivision 1.Authorization.

A technical college or a community college must not seek financing for child care facilities or parking facilities through the Higher Education Facilities Authority, as provided in section 136A.28, subdivision 7, without the explicit authorization of the board.

Subd. 2.Parking.

State appropriations for repair or construction of parking facilities must not be used for more than two-thirds of the repair or construction cost of a parking facility at any technical college or community college campus. The campus must provide the remaining costs through local revenue.

History:

1996 c 398 s 50

136F.68 STATE PROPERTY AGREEMENTS.

Notwithstanding section 16B.24, or other law to the contrary, the board may enter into an agreement with an intermediate school district for the cooperative use of state property for any period of time specified in the agreement.

FINANCE

136F.70 TUITION; FEES; ACTIVITIES FUNDS.

Subdivision 1.Tuition.

The board shall set rates of tuition for the various instructional programs. The board may waive tuition for certain persons, courses, and programs.

Subd. 2.Fees.

The board may prescribe fees to be charged students for student unions, state college and university activities, functions, and purposes.

Subd. 3.Refunds.

The board may make refunds to students for tuition, activity fees, union fees, and any other fees from imprest cash funds. The imprest cash fund shall be reimbursed periodically by payments issued from the funds and accounts to which the refund should ultimately be charged. The amounts necessary to pay the refunds are appropriated from the funds and accounts to which they are charged.

136F.701 REFUND OF TUITION.

(a) Any student who is a resident of the state, has enrolled in the state colleges and universities and paid tuition for the course, and who, prior to the termination of the school year for which the tuition was paid, enlisted or has been inducted into the military service of the United States, either voluntarily or pursuant to the present selective service law, is entitled to the refund of all tuition paid for which credit cannot properly be given.

(b) The administrative officers of the state colleges and universities shall refund to the students any tuition so paid. Any student making application for refund of any paid tuition must furnish to the administrative officers of the state colleges and universities a certificate from the proper officers reciting the fact of the enlistment or the induction of the student into the military service of the United States.

136F.705 UNDERGRADUATE TUITION GUARANTEE PLAN.

(a) The board is encouraged to offer entering students a plan providing stable tuition for students pursuing two-year or four-year degrees that can provide students a tuition option designed to meet the goals in this section.

(b) A Minnesota resident student who first enrolls in a degree program at a state college or university beginning in the spring of 2012 or later is guaranteed a stable tuition for up to four consecutive academic years.

(c) For an undergraduate student enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at a state university, the tuition charged to the student for each semester of enrollment during a four-year period, beginning with the first semester of enrollment, must not exceed the amount of tuition that the student was charged for the first semester of enrollment. For a student who continues to be enrolled after four consecutive academic years, the tuition rate for each semester in excess of four years is equal to the tuition rate paid by new enrollees at the state university.

(d) For an undergraduate student enrolled in an associate degree program at a college, the tuition charged to the student for each semester of enrollment during a two-year period, beginning with the first semester of enrollment, must not exceed the amount of tuition that the student was charged for the first semester of enrollment. For a student who continues to be enrolled after two consecutive academic years, the tuition rate for each semester in excess of two years is equal to the tuition rate for new enrollees at the college.

(e) Time limits for the stable tuition plan under this section do not apply to a student in the military while the student is on active military duty.

136F.71 RECEIPTS.

Subdivision 1.Appropriation of receipts.

All receipts of every kind, nature, and description, including student tuition and fees, all federal receipts, aids, contributions, and reimbursements, but not including receipts attributable to state colleges and universities activity funds, in all the state colleges and universities are appropriated to the board, but are subject to budgetary control to be exercised by the commissioner of management and budget. The balance in these funds shall not cancel on June 30, but shall be available in the next fiscal year.

Subd. 2.Activity funds.

All receipts attributable to the state colleges and universities activity funds are appropriated to the board and are not subject to budgetary control as exercised by the commissioner of management and budget.

Subd. 3.Interest income.

Interest income attributable to general fund dedicated receipts of the board is appropriated to the board. The board shall allocate the income proportionately among the colleges and universities. The board shall report this income separately in its biennial budget requests.

Subd. 4.Banking services.

Notwithstanding section 16A.27, the board shall have authority to control the amount and manner of deposit of all receipts described in this section in depositories selected by the board. The board's authority shall include specifying the considerations, financial activities, and conditions required from the depository, including the requirement of collateral security or a corporate surety bond as described in section 118A.03. The board may compensate the depository, including paying a reasonable charge to the depository, maintaining appropriate compensating balances with the depository, or purchasing non-interest-bearing certificates of deposit from the depository for performing depository-related services.

Subd. 5.Continued operation.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, to the extent that the board has receipts under this section sufficient to continue operations, the commissioner of management and budget shall provide the board with statewide systems services under section 16A.1286 and access to its funds as deemed necessary by the board to continue its operations. The board shall pay for the services received in accordance with section 16A.1286, including any administrative services necessary for the commissioner of management and budget to provide the statewide systems services. In addition, the board shall pay for treasury operations services provided by the commissioner of management and budget. Payments received by the commissioner of management and budget under this subdivision are appropriated to the Department of Management and Budget for the purposes of providing those services. The commissioner of management and budget may transfer payments received under this subdivision to the chief information officer and the commissioner of administration, if necessary.

136F.72 FUNDS.

Subdivision 1.Activity funds.

The board may establish in each state college and university a fund to be known as the activity fund. The purpose of these funds shall be to provide for the administration of state college and university activities designed for student recreational, social, welfare, and educational pursuits supplemental to the regular curricular offerings. The activity funds shall encompass accounts for student activities, student health services authorized college and university agencies, authorized auxiliary enterprises, federal, state, and private student financial aid, gifts and endowments, and other accounts as the board may prescribe.

Subd. 2.Administrative fund and accounts.

The board may establish a fund within the board office for management of employee retirement funds. The board may establish an administrative fund at each state college and university or within the board office for the administration of contracts, student equipment purchases, and receipt and transfer of foreign program money.

Subd. 3.Administration.

Each college and university, independent of other authority and notwithstanding chapters 16A, 16B, and 16C, shall administer its activity funds. The board, independent of other authority and notwithstanding chapters 16A, 16B, and 16C, shall administer the administrative fund established in the system office. All activity fund money collected shall be administered under the policies of the board subject to audit of the legislative auditor.

Subd. 4.Imprest cash funds.

The board may establish an imprest cash fund in each of its state colleges and universities.

136F.73 CASH OVER AND SHORT ACCOUNT OF IMPREST CASH FUND.

The board may establish a cash over and short account within the imprest cash fund for each state college and university. This account shall be used to record on a daily basis overages and shortages of cash receipts. At the end of each fiscal year, the board shall credit or debit the overage or shortage from each state college or university to the board maintenance and equipment appropriation account. In the instance of a debit balance remaining in any cash over and short accounts, the board may transfer from the maintenance and equipment appropriation account money sufficient to offset such debit balance. The commissioner of management and budget shall make the appropriate adjustments and entries on the general books of account of the state.

136F.74 CARRYOVER AUTHORITY.

The board may carry over any unexpended balance from its appropriation from the first year of a biennium into the second year of the biennium. The board may carry over any unexpended balance into the following biennium. The amounts carried over must not be taken into account in determining state appropriations and must not be deducted from a later appropriation.

136F.76 LITIGATION AWARDS.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board may keep money received from successful litigation by or against the board. Awards made to the state or the board resulting from litigation against or by the board must be kept by the board to the credit of the account from which the litigation was originally funded. An award that exceeds the costs incurred in the litigation shall be used by the board for repair or replacement projects.

136F.77 EQUITY INVESTMENTS.

Subdivision 1.Powers of board.

The board may acquire an interest in a product or a private business entity for the purpose of developing and providing educational materials and related programs or services to further the mission of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and foster the economic growth of the state. The board may enter into joint venture agreements with private corporations to develop educational materials and related programs or services. Any proceeds from the investments or ventures are appropriated to the board. The state is not liable for any obligations or liabilities that arise from investments under this section. The board must report annually by September 1 to the legislature regarding its earnings from partnerships and the disposition of those earnings.

Subd. 2.Consultation required.

Prior to entering into a joint venture agreement under this section, the board shall consult with appropriate exclusive bargaining representatives and must address topics such as employee protections, instructional services, information availability, and reporting conflicts of interest.

Subd. 3.No abrogation.

Nothing in this section shall abrogate the provisions of sections 43A.047 and 136F.581.

136F.79 SOLE STATE AGENCY.

The board is the sole state agency to receive and disburse federal funds authorized by the Vocational Education Act of 1963, as amended in the education amendments of 1976, Public Law 94-482, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, part 400. The board shall develop and submit the state plan for vocational technical education. The board shall develop the state plan according to terms of agreement with the state Board of Education.

GRANTS AND GIFTS

136F.80 GRANTS; GIFTS; BEQUESTS; DEVISES; ENDOWMENTS.

Subdivision 1.Receipt and acceptance.

The board may apply for, receive, and accept on behalf of the state and for the benefit of any state college or university any grant, gift, bequest, devise, or endowment that any person, firm, corporation, foundation, or association may make to the board for the purposes of the state colleges and universities, or any federal, state, or private money made available for the purpose of providing student financial aid at the state colleges and universities. The board may use any money given to it or to any of the state colleges and universities consistent with the terms and conditions under which the money was received and for the purposes stated. All moneys under this subdivision are appropriated to the board for use in the colleges and universities and shall be administered within the college and university activity funds. These moneys shall not be taken into account in determining appropriations or allocations. All taxes and special assessments constituting a lien on any real property received and accepted by the board under this section shall be paid in full before title is transferred to the state.

Subd. 2.Deposit of money.

The board shall provide by policy, in accordance with provisions of chapter 118A, for the deposit of all money received or referred to under this section. Whenever the board shall by resolution determine that there are moneys in the state college or university funds not currently needed, the board may by resolution authorize and direct the president of the college or university to invest a specified amount in securities as are duly authorized as legal investments for savings banks and trust companies. Securities so purchased shall be deposited and held for the board by any bank or trust company authorized to do a banking business in this state. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 118A, the State Board of Investment may invest assets of the board, colleges, and universities when requested by the board, college, or university.

136F.81 TRANSFER OF GIFTS.

A college or university that receives a gift or bequest that is intended for purposes performed by a foundation approved under section 136F.46 may transfer the money to its foundation, provided the money is used only for public purposes.

BONDS

136F.90 BOARD OF TRUSTEES DUTIES.

Subdivision 1.Duties.

For state colleges and universities, the board may:

(1) acquire by purchase or otherwise, construct, complete, remodel, equip, operate, control, and manage residence halls, dormitories, dining halls, student union buildings, parking facilities, and any other similar revenue-producing buildings of such type and character as the board finds necessary for the good and benefit of state colleges and universities, and may acquire property whether real, personal, or mixed, by gift, purchase, or otherwise; provided that no contract for the construction of any building shall be entered into until financing has been approved by the legislature;

(2) maintain and operate any buildings or structures and charge for their use, and conduct any activities that are commonly conducted in connection with the buildings or structures;

(3) enter into contracts for the purposes of sections 136F.90 to 136F.98;

(4) acquire building sites and buildings or structures by gift, purchase, or otherwise and pledge the revenues from them for the payment of any bonds issued for that purpose as provided in sections 136F.90 to 136F.98;

(5) borrow money and issue and sell bonds in an amount or amounts the legislature authorizes for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, completing, remodeling, or equipping any buildings or structures, and acquiring sites, and refund and refinance the bonds by the issuance and sale of refunding bonds when the board finds that it is in the public interest. The bonds shall be sold and issued by the board in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by chapter 475, except as otherwise provided in this section. The bonds are payable only from and secured by an irrevocable pledge of the revenues to be derived from the operation of any buildings or structures acquired, constructed, completed, remodeled, or equipped in whole or in part with the proceeds of the bonds and from other income and revenues described in section 136F.92, clause (1), the board by resolution specifies, and notwithstanding this limitation all bonds issued under sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 shall have the qualities of negotiable instruments under the laws of this state. The legislature shall not appropriate money from the general fund to pay for these bonds.

Subd. 2.Form.

The bonds may:

(1) bear the date or dates;

(2) mature serially at a time or times not exceeding 40 years from their date or dates;

(3) be in the form;

(4) carry the registration privileges;

(5) be payable at a place or places;

(6) be subject to terms of redemption prior to maturity with or without premium;

(7) be delivered to the purchasers at times and places; and

(8) contain terms and covenants, consistent with section 136F.98, all as may be provided by resolution of the board authorizing the issuance of the bonds.

Subd. 3.Execution.

The bonds must be executed by the officers of the board designated by the board to execute them, in the manner authorized by section 475.55.

Subd. 4.Bond statement; registration.

Each bond shall state upon its face that it is payable solely from and secured by an irrevocable pledge of the revenues derived from the operation of any buildings or structures acquired, constructed, completed, remodeled, or equipped in whole or in part with the proceeds of the sale of the bonds and from other income and revenues described in section 136F.92, clause (1), as specified in the resolution providing for its issue, and that it does not constitute a debt or obligation of the state of Minnesota within the meaning or application of any constitutional or statutory limitation or provision. A copy of the proceedings taken by the board in the issuance of the bonds shall be filed with the commissioner of management and budget.

Subd. 5.Bond securities.

If the board by resolution determines that its treasurer possesses money not currently needed, or that is set aside in a reserve, the board in the resolution may direct the treasurer to invest a specified amount of the money in securities of the types described in section 118A.04. The securities must be deposited with and held for the board by the treasurer. If the invested money is needed by the board it shall direct the treasurer to sell all or a designated amount of the securities. Money collected from the investment by the treasurer, as principal, interest, or proceeds of sales, must be credited to and made a part of the fund and account for which the investment is made.

Subd. 6.

[Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75]

136F.91 BONDS, INVESTMENTS.

The state, including the State Board of Investment, and all counties, cities, towns and other municipal corporations, political subdivisions and political bodies, and public officers of any of the public entities listed in this section, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks, and institutions, savings associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies, insurance associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, and all executors, administrators, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds issued pursuant to sections 136F.90 to 136F.98. The purpose of this section is to authorize the investment in bonds of all sinking, insurance, retirement, compensation, pension and trust funds, whether owned or controlled by private or public persons or officers. Nothing in this section may be construed as relieving any person, firm or corporation from any duty of exercising due care in selecting securities for purchase or investment. The bonds are constituted "authorized securities" within the meaning and for the purposes of section 50.14, notwithstanding the restrictions in section 50.14, subdivision 4, clause (c).

136F.92 RESOLUTION OF BOARD.

Upon the determination by the board or its successor to acquire, construct, complete, remodel, or equip any student residence halls, dormitories, dining halls, student union buildings, parking facilities, or other similar revenue-producing building or buildings, the board or its successor shall adopt a resolution describing generally the contemplated project, the estimated cost, including legal, engineering and financial expenses and interest on the bonds during the period of constructing the project and for six months thereafter, fixing the amount of the bonds, the maturity or maturities, the interest rate, and all details in respect of the bonds. The resolution shall contain covenants as may be determined by the board or its successor as to:

(1) the pledging of all or any portion of the proceeds of any fees imposed upon students for student activities, student facilities, or for other purposes, and the net revenues from other buildings or facilities heretofore or hereafter constructed or acquired at any state university as additional security for the payment of the bonds;

(2) the regulation as to the use of the buildings or structures to assure maximum use or occupancy;

(3) the amount and kind of insurance to be carried, including use and occupancy insurance, the cost of which shall be payable only from the revenues to be derived from the buildings or structures;

(4) the operation, maintenance, management, accounting and auditing, and the keeping of records, reports and audits of the buildings or structures;

(5) the obligation of the board or its successor to maintain the buildings or structures in good condition and to operate them in an economical and efficient manner;

(6) the amendment or modification of the resolution authorizing the issuance of any bonds, and the manner, terms and conditions, and the amount or percentage of assenting bonds necessary to effectuate the amendment or modification; and

(7) other covenants as may be deemed necessary or desirable to assure the prompt and punctual payment of all bonds issued under sections 136F.90 to 136F.98.

136F.93 STUDENT ACTIVITIES, FEES CHARGED.

Whenever bonds are issued as provided in sections 136F.90 to 136F.98, it shall be the duty of the board to establish charges or fees, including without limitation fees for student activities and fees for student facilities, for the use of any buildings or structures sufficient at all times to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and to create and maintain suitable reserves for them and the necessary expenses of their operation and maintenance. All revenues derived from their operation shall be set aside in a separate fund and accounts and be irrevocably pledged for and used only to pay the principal of and interest upon the bonds issued for the purpose or purposes set forth and described in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds, and the necessary expenses of the operation and maintenance of the buildings and structures; and the charges and fees shall be sufficient at all times for these purposes.

136F.94 SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.

(a) The gross total income derived from the sale of bonds, and receipts and income derived from charges or fees, rentals, and all other revenue established for the use and service of any buildings or structures shall, within three days after their receipt, be paid to and held by the treasurer of the board as a special fund known as, "The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Revenue Fund." The treasurer shall be custodian of the special fund, which fund shall be held and disbursed for the purposes provided in sections 136F.90 to 136F.98. The special fund shall be protected by a corporate surety bond executed by the treasurer of the board with a surety authorized to do business under the laws of the state of Minnesota. The amount of the bond shall be fixed by resolution of the board or its successor and may be increased or diminished at any time. The premiums of the bonds shall be payable from "The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Revenue Fund" and charged as an item of maintenance expense.

(b) A certified copy of each resolution providing for the issuance of bonds under sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 shall be filed with the treasurer of the board, and it shall be the duty of the treasurer to keep and maintain separate accounts in the special fund for each bond issue in accordance with the covenants and the directions set out in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds and to disburse funds from the proper account for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds in accordance with the directions and covenants of the resolution authorizing the issue. All disbursements for maintenance and operation costs shall be made from the proper maintenance and operation account by order of the board or its successor in accordance with the covenants set out in the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds. All disbursements for construction costs shall be made from a separate account in the special fund by order of the board or its successor in accordance with the covenants set out in the resolution authorizing the bonds.

136F.95 ALLOCATION OF RECEIPTS.

All moneys in the board revenue fund and all income from the operation of residence halls, dormitories, dining halls, student union buildings, parking facilities and other revenue producing buildings and structures are appropriated first to the payment of expenses of the operation of the facilities from which the revenues so appropriated are derived and second to the payment of the obligations authorized by sections 136F.90 to 136F.98.

136F.96 ADMINISTRATION.

The administration of sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 shall be under the board independent of other authority and notwithstanding chapters 16A, 16B, and 16C.

136F.97 CONTRACTS OF BOARD, PERFORMANCE COMPELLED.

(a) The provisions of sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 and of any resolution or other proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds shall constitute a contract with the holders of the bonds and the provisions shall be enforceable either in law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce or compel the performance of any duties required by sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 and any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds, including the establishment of sufficient charges or fees for use of any buildings or structures and the application of the income and revenue from them; and it shall be the duty of the board or its successor upon the issuance of any bonds under sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 to establish by resolution from time to time the fees or charges to be made for the use of any buildings or structures, which fees or charges shall be adjusted from time to time in order to always provide sufficient income for payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds issued as provided for in sections 136F.90 to 136F.98, and for the necessary expenses of operation and maintenance.

(b) If the board is abolished, all contracts made by the board and all things done or actions taken by the board under sections 136F.90 to 136F.98 shall be deemed to be contracts of, actions taken and things done by its successor and the successor shall be bound by all contracts, actions taken and things done by the board and subject to all the obligations and duties of the board under sections 136F.90 to 136F.98.

136F.98 REVENUE BONDS, ISSUANCE; FEDERAL TAX.

Subdivision 1.Issuance of bonds.

The board or a successor may issue revenue bonds under sections 136F.90 to 136F.97 whose aggregate principal amount at any time may not exceed $405,000,000, and payable from the revenue appropriated to the fund established by section 136F.94, and use the proceeds together with other public or private money that may otherwise become available to acquire land, and to acquire, construct, complete, remodel, and equip structures or portions thereof to be used for dormitory, residence hall, student union, food service, parking purposes, or for any other similar revenue-producing building or buildings of such type and character as the board finds desirable for the good and benefit of the state colleges and universities. Before issuing the bonds or any part of them, the board shall consult with and obtain the advisory recommendations of the chairs of the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee and the senate Finance Committee about the facilities to be financed by the bonds.

Subd. 2.Federal tax on interest.

The bonds authorized by this section may be issued without regard to whether the interest to be paid on them is includable in gross income for federal tax purposes. However, if it is intended that the interest on the bonds be exempt from federal income taxes, an officer of the board shall certify for the board on the date of issue the facts, estimates, and circumstances that lead the officer reasonably to expect that the proceeds of the bonds and the facilities financed by them will not be used to cause the interest on the bonds to be subject to federal income taxes; the board may covenant and agree with the holders of the bonds that it will comply with the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code now or hereafter enacted that do or may apply to the bonds and that establish conditions under which the interest to be paid on the bonds will not be subject to federal income taxes; and the officers of the board shall take the actions or refrain from taking the actions necessary to comply with the covenants. Money required to be spent to comply may be appropriated by the board from the fund established by section 136F.94.

Subd. 3.Successor.

For the purposes of this section, the board is the successor to the State University Board.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes