[In these minutes: Six Year Capitol Plan, HESO information, Approval of the 2000-01 SLC Agenda, Approval of the November Student Senate docket]

STUDENT SENATE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (SSCC) MINUTES

NOVEMBER 2, 2000

[These minutes reflect discussion and debate at a committee of the University of Minnesota Senate or Twin Cities Campus Assembly; none of the comments, conclusions, or actions reported in these minutes represent the views of, nor are they binding on, the Senate or Assembly, the Administration, or the Board of Regents.]

PRESENT: Jason Reed (chair), Sabeen Altaf, Amber Benning, Khaled Dajani, Tim Dunn, Meggan Ellingboe, Paul Enever, YeeLeng Hang, Reid LeBeau, Adam Lyche, Chris Shulstad.

REGRETS: Percy Chaby,

GUESTS: Kari Amstutz, Mike Berthelsen, Richard Pfutzenreuter.

1. SIX YEAR CAPITOL PLAN

Richard Pfutzenreuter distributed the University's Six Year Capitol Plan and made the following comments:

• Plan is updated each year because the state and the Regents require long-range planning efforts
  
• Plan includes $3 billion in projects over six years
  
• When the University asks the state for funding in even years for academic and recreation buildings it is called the capital request
  
• In June a preliminary plan will be forwarded to the state for approval
  
• Regents will formally approve the request in October 2001
  
• Page one describes the projects not on the state request, their cost, and how they will be financed
  
• No housing is included in this plan since the University funds efforts itself or looks for public/private partnerships
  
• 2005 budget contains a placeholder for a West Bank parking ramp for the new art district
  
• HEAPR (Higher Education Asset Preservation and Renewal) is a state supported effort
  
• University funds 1/3 of project costs except for HEAPR
  
• The plan is to increase HEAPR for the many infrastructure needs, especially in the Mall and Knoll areas
  
• University would like $80 million per year in HEAPR but the most received has been $9 million
  
• University wants to focus on renovating existing buildings versus building all new structures
  
• Total cost for projects in 2002 request is $231 million
  
• Plant Growth Facilities is in Phase II for 2002 because Phase 1 was funded in 2000
  
• Projects have a domino effect in that one can not start until another is completed because of space issues
  
• New Technology and Teaching Center is being proposed for IT
  
• Campus has a master plan and now precinct plans for more specification
  
• Humanities District, composed of Scott Hall, Nolte Center, Nicholson Hall, Folwell Hall, and Pillsbury Hall, will be involved in major renovations in the six year plan
  
• Academic Health Center has developed its own solution to building and ground shortages
  
• IT District plans call for new technology and teaching space, a permanent home for the Geology and Geophysics department in Lind Hall, a renovation of the Physics building
  
• English and Composition will be moved to Pillsbury Hall once renovated

A: A Northrop renovation is being proposed over several years. Specifics on every project are provided later in the packet.

Q: Do alcohol sales pay for the renovations? Will alcohol sales continue?

A: Alcohol sales supports Northrop operations and contributes to some improvements. The Regents will review the alcohol sale policy but so far the response has been positive.

Q: Do private gifts affect future requests?

A: The University assumes that it will need to cover 1/3 of the cost for every project, so it raises that amount and tries not to raise more. A big donation could move a project up on the list, but this rarely happens.

Q: What is the order for funding projects on the lists?

A: HEAPR is always funded first. Carry-over projects from previous years or next project phases are then next on the list. The President sets the priority for the current year, but priorities are not set for future plans.

Q: What constitutes "other funding"?

A: Examples of this are funds for renovating Washington Avenue and Light Rail Transit. These are federal and state projects so that University is not expected to contribute.

Q: What will the University do if the legislature does not approve the entire request?

A: The legislature approve funding per line item and the University must spend the funds on the indicated project.

Q: What happens to fundraising dollars on projects that are not approved?

A: Funds are usually donated to a specific item so they are held until the project is fully funded.

Q: What happens with cost over-runs?

A: The University reviews costs after each stage of design and implementation and only adds additional funds to fix design problems. Each project has a deduct/alternate list and a 10% contingency fund for these situations. The University will always avoid going back to the state for additional funding because it takes away from future requests.

Q: Is the legislature more willing to fund coordinate campus projects?

A: The legislature looks for geographical balance but that does not always guarantee that a project will be approved.

2. REPORTS

CHAIR
Jason Reed reported that he has been working on having the Six Year Capitol plan presentation and the fall grade due date issue.

CROOKSTON
Chris Shulstad reported that there will be a faculty meeting this Friday at which time new classes will be proposed. The CSA has arranged for buses to transport faculty, staff, and students to the polls on election day.

DULUTH
Amber Benning noted that the Regents meeting will be in Duluth next week and the UMDSA will be having a safe walk on campus to check for lighting problems and a get out to vote event.

MORRIS
Tim Dunn reported that Morris is working on voting, regulating night tests, and a two-day fall break next year.

MSA
Jason Reed reported that the fees process and voting have been MSA's focus.

GAPSA
Paul Enever reported that GAPSA will be meeting next Monday. A new legislative liaison has been elected. Committees for diversity issues in graduate studies and for professional student issues are being developed. GAPSA's President will be making sure the fees process progresses smoothly and on time. Other issues include getting out to vote, Boynton refunds for graduate assistants, and health care in COGS.

3. HESO INFORMATION

Materials from the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (HESO) was distributed. Jason Reed noted that this office distributes financial aid and grants for the state. HESO is governed by a nine member council with one student representative. Aaron Street, former SSCC member, is the student representative. HESO also prepares a biennial budget for the state. If there are any questions about HESO or its budget, please contact Aaron Street.

4. APPROVAL OF 2000-01 STUDENT LEGISLATIVE COALITION (SLC) AGENDA

The legislative agenda was distributed, but Percy Chaby, SLC Chair, could not be in attend to answer any questions.

Jason Reed then distributed a legislative agenda from MnSCU's student government, noting that MnSCU proposes to work on more items, details how this will be done, and notes the research that it has conducted on the issues.

Kari Amstutz, an SLC member from Duluth, noted that the legislative agenda was supposed to have been discussed by SLC the previous week, but was then tabled. When SLC realized that something needed to be submitted, this version was drafted and approved. SLC's plan for this year is to support the University's legislative request and work on a long-term solution to rising tuition costs.

Q: What percentage increase is SLC proposing as acceptable for students?

A: SLC only supports 1 - 2 % above inflation. If the University does not receive its request but continues with all its plans, tuition would need to increase 12%.

Q: What will SLC be doing at the legislature?

A: SLC will be strongly lobbying for the entire University request and internally working with the administration to keep tuition low.

Q: Has SLC hired staff yet?

A: Interviews were conducted at the last meeting, but she was not sure where the process is at now.

Q: Has any research been done on the issues?

A: She was not sure. The University will progress with all its plans regardless of full funding from the state. Therefore, SLC has chosen to focus on big issues this year instead of many smaller ones.

Committee members then made the following comments:

• SSCC cannot approve the agenda with only half the information needed
  
• Specific plans and alternatives are needed
  
• SLC should be given one week to answer our questions and revise the agenda if appropriate
  
• SSCC needs to ask SLC for specifics
  
• SLC needs to work on other issues
  
• Tuition cap is a license for increases each year
  
• SLC might not be able to fight many battles, so concentration in a few areas might be the most effective strategy
  
• Long-term goals are needed
  
• Student interest on each budget item should be noted
  
• What does SLC envision for a tuition fix?

5. APPROVE NOVEMBER 16 STUDENT SENATE DOCKET

The Student Senate docket was approved with a notation that the SLC agenda would be available at the Student Senate meeting.

With no further business, Jason Reed thanked all members for attending and adjourned the meeting.

Becky Hippert
University Senate