Hello how are you doing today? The reason that I am writing to you is to let you know a couple of things about the MNSCU system and how it effects every body. The Minnesota State College and University System provides thousands of educated workers every year. In fact every year there are about 27,000 Students that Graduate from MNSCU institutions annually. 1 in 5 workers in the State of Minnesota is a MNSCU Graduate. Think about this for a minuet the MNSCU system provides the state with 86% of its nurses, 50% of its teachers, 90% of its law enforcement offers, and 54% of its informational technology workers. In additition,MNSCU provided customized training for about 240,000 people between 1999-2000. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CUT FUNDING FOR THE MNSCU SYSTEM? As I can tell you because I pay for my tuition it is getting more and more difficult for young students to pay for there education. Tuition at Minnesota's State colleges has increased significantly in the recent years it is getting more and more difficult for young students to go to a community college. Or any higher education for that matter. More and more young students cannot afford to pursue higher education without shouldering staggering amounts of student loan debt. A good way to educatate the citizens of Minnesota and to train a new workforce I think is to make it financially feasible for people to go to college. It is very important that all of the citizens who whish to purse education beyond high school have the opportunity to do so. THE BEST WAY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION IS TO MAKE TUITION AFFORDABLE.
INVESTING IN BUILDING PROJECTS HELPS THE MINNESOTA ECONOMY. More than half of the money MNSCU has requested is for projects that can be started before the end of 2002. Implementation of these projects, which are scattered through out the state could provide many jobs to Minnesotans at a time when jobs are hard to find. Providing more jobs would have the effect of an immediate infusion of money into the economy.WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CUT FUNDING TO HIGHER EDUCATION? The Threat to Public Higher Education As you already know or maybe you don't In November, The Minnesota Department of Finance announced a projected a $2 billion shortfall in revenue. Minnesota's state colleges and universities have already been asked to determine ways to cut their budgets by millions dollars. Cuts to the states higher education budget could also jeopardize important financial aid programs that are vital for many students to attend college. A 10% cut in the financial aid budget could mean that MORE THAN 9,000 STUDENTS COULD LOSE THEIR STATE GRANT AID, AND MORE THAN 2,000 STUDENTS COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE STATE WORK STUDY PROGRAM. I would like you to know that I do have a work study job. It helps me pay for college. Work study jobs help students with organization. It helps students know what it is like to have a job while they are taking classes. Why would some one want to take that oppturnaty away from students. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CUT FUNDING TO HIGHER EDUCATION? Higher Education: the Catalyst to Fuel Minnesota's Economy. During times of economic downturn, many people pursue high education to upgrade there skills or change there direction. The state's public college and Universities must be able to provide the education and training necessary for citizens to enter the job market with the skills that are needed by the state's employers. An college education will enable the students to earn more money, thereby stimulating the Minnesota's economy. Please keep these things in mind when you vote on the state budget.Please keep this in mind. We need help from you to help us get through this tough economic time. Thanks for your time and you will here from me again very shortly. Steven Mac.Donald Froemming 5437 Pleasant Ave So. Mpls,MN 55419-1846 63A 11-6 Windom _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
