UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Administrative

Targeted Business, Urban Community Economic Development, and Small Business Programs
Administrative
Adopted: November 8, 1996

Section I. Purpose.

Subd. 1. Targeted Businesses. The Board of Regents strongly believes that the purchasing power of the University should enhance equal employment and business opportunities for minorities, women, and disabled persons. Consistent with the Board of Regents long-standing policies and achievements in advancing diversity, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action, the University should continue to act aggressively both to promote the utilization of businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, and disabled persons ("targeted businesses"), and to prevent discriminatory practices against such businesses.

Subd. 2. Public Service Mission. Moreover, the University's outreach and public service mission mandates that it foster economic growth in the urban communities of which it is a part. Reduction of poverty and unemployment in our urban community is of vital interest to the University. The University should take advantage of opportunities, presented by its construction projects and its contracts for goods and services, to promote the training and employment of urban community residents in skilled trades and professions.

Section II. Continuation of Programs.

Subd. 1. Charge. Accordingly, the Board of Regents directs the Vice President for Finance and Operations to establish and implement (or continue, as applicable) the programs described in subdivisions 2-5.

Subd. 2. Targeted Business Program. Targeted Business Program which requires that a contractor, as a condition of bidding on any construction contract where the aggregate project sum exceeds $100,000, present objective evidence demonstrating:

(1) its past record and continuing commitment to achieve meaningful levels of participation of targeted businesses as subcontractors and suppliers; and

(2) its commitment to achieve meaningful levels of employment of minorities, women and disabled persons.

Subd. 3. Urban Community Economic Development Program. Urban Community Economic Development program which requires, as a condition of any construction contract where the aggregate project sum exceeds $100,000, that the contractor:

(1) employ meaningful numbers of residents of our urban communities, such communities designated by the appropriate administrative officer based upon levels of poverty and unemployment; and

(2) collaborate with the University in the development, funding and implementation of programs designed to train residents of such urban communities and to increase the number of such urban residents who are skilled and union-certified in building trades to participate in construction projects at the University and elsewhere.

Subd. 4. Non-construction Contracts. Programs designed to annually achieve meaningful levels of participation for targeted businesses in non-construction contracts for the purchase of goods and services.

Subd. 5. Outreach. Programs designed to continue and strengthen outreach to small businesses to implement the provisions of Minn. Stat. §137.31, as amended.

Section III. OVERSIGHT.

Subd. 1. Monitoring. The Board of Regents further directs that the appropriate administrative officers aggressively monitor, and take all reasonable actions necessary to ensure, compliance with the above-stated policy and programs.

Subd. 2. Reporting. The president shall report to the Board of Regents annually regarding the implementation of this policy, and shall recommend additional actions which may be necessary to achieve its purposes.