On Sunday night, May 18 the Legislative session ended and the Power of YOU received $600,000 for scholarships for Power of YOU. The Governor is expected to sign the big budget deficit bill which includes Power of YOU funding.
Thank you to our donors, alumni, students, faculty and staff for your assistance. Your voices were heard at the Capitol and your support made a significant difference. In three months, we came from no legislation to statutory language for Power of YOU scholarships. There is, however, more work to do next year. The funding we received is not permanent. (This was a later breaking change.)
Other significant issues for MCTC and MnSCU include:
1) MCTC and Metropolitan State University received $13.9M in the bonding bill for a new Co-located Law Enforcement Center.
2) MCTC received planning funding of $400K for Workforce Program and Infrastructure Renovation Design of the T Building on our main campus.
3) MnSCU was cut $8.6 million. Of this, $7.6 million of the cut is base money, with an additional $1 million one-time to be taken from the central reserves in fiscal year 2008. The tails going into the next biennium, FY2010-11, are a biennium total of $15.4 million. The bill includes rider language that says $5 million of the cut is to be taken from technology and the remaining amount is to come from the Office of the Chancellor budget, not affecting campuses. The bill also includes tuition language that says the system is to appropriate $9 million to buy-down tuition to 2 percent at colleges and 3 percent at universities.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is one of six institutions nationwide selected as finalists for the prestigious 2008 MetLife Foundation Community College Excellence Award.
The MetLife Foundation Community College Excellence Award honors institutions that are effective in helping students from underrepresented populations to succeed in postsecondary education. Every two years, the award goes to two colleges that make significant institutional commitments to helping first-time college-goers, new immigrants, working adults, welfare recipients, high school dropouts, and other populations with limited college experience and success prepare for further education or for a family-supporting career.
“We are proud to recognize these community colleges for doing their part to increase college success for underrepresented students,” says MetLife Foundation President and CEO Sibyl Jacobson. “Our nation needs every community college student, particularly those from low-income and minority groups, to succeed in their educational programs. These colleges have set ambitious goals for themselves and their students, and they are making real progress in supporting student success. Their efforts are inspiring.”
In April 2008, at the annual meeting of the American Association of Community Colleges, two colleges will receive the MetLife Foundation Award and $30,000. The winners must demonstrate that they have innovative strategies for improving student outcomes, the ability to carry out those strategies, and the evidence that shows that they are showing results for a significant number of students.
“The goal is to highlight colleges that not only create supportive learning environments on campus, but that are committed to continuous improvement over time in improving student outcomes, particularly for the students who traditionally have the hardest time staying with and succeeding in their chosen educational programs so they can succeed in the economy and in life,” says Marlene Seltzer, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future, which administers the awards. “Since 2002, this award and the achievements of the finalists and winners have inspired other institutions to follow their lead.”
MetLife Foundation, established in 1976 by MetLife, has contributed more than $90 million to education programs that cultivate effective learning environments, including community colleges dedicated to lowering dropout rates, raising enrollment, and fostering the academic accomplishments of all students. For more on MetLife Foundation, go to: http://www.metlife.org
Jobs for the Future is a leading innovator in strategies to improve education and career opportunities for youth and low-skilled workers nationwide. Learn more at: http://www.jff.org
Read more about how MCTC students, staff and volunteers come together to make a difference in our community.
http://savvy.minneapolis.edu/foundation/foundationnews_spring2008.pdf