As president of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, I am extremely concerned about Governor Pawlenty’s proposed 2006-2007 budget recommendation for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) System. The Governor’s proposed budget fails to adequately fund the student enrollment growth experienced in the last three years by the MnSCU System and specifically Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

The legislature funds public colleges on a two-year delay. State law requires that the budget be adjusted every two years according to fluctuations in enrollment. When our enrollment drops, our budget is reduced. Likewise, when enrollment grows, as it has in the past three years, funding is supposed to be adjusted upward.

Three out of the last four budget cycles, the state colleges and universities have reimbursed the state’s general fund because the system’s enrollment fell short of projections. This year however, and after five consecutive years of significant enrollment growth, the colleges and universities are due a budget adjustment of $130.8 million.

Based on fall enrollment figures, Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s enrollment has increased 20.9% since Fall 1999. One contributing factor for the rising headcount is ARCC’s effort to keep access to higher education affordable. The college’s tuition and fees are the lowest of any public college or university in Minnesota, all while offering a wide range of high-quality, liberal arts, transfer and career-focused academic programs.

This year, a Minnesota resident who enrolls for 30 semester credits at Anoka-Ramsey Community College pays $3,456 in tuition and fees for the year. In comparison, within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, the average 2004-05 annual tuition and fees are $4,020.

It is a balancing act to hold tuition down and still provide high quality programs, services and facilities. Keeping tuition low is difficult in an era when all colleges and universities have needed to repeatedly increase tuition to balance their budgets. To maintain quality programs and facilities, the average MnSCU institution has increased tuition 58.5% over the past five years. ARCC raised its tuition, too, but at a smaller rate. From fiscal year 2001 to fiscal year 2005, ARCC’s annual tuition and fees have increased 26 percent. (From $91.25 per credit to $115.20 per credit.)

If approved, the $130.8 million would be used at ARCC for educational programs and student services for the additional students attending our two campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids of Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

The difference between the Governor’s proposed budget and the enrollment adjustment amounts to a cut of $23.3 million to the budgets of the state colleges and universities, including Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

We are seeking public support for our state colleges and universities. Please contact your local legislator and encourage him/her to support the funding level due to MnSCU and Anoka-Ramsey Community College because of enrollment growth.

This money is critically needed to educate the additional students that our colleges and universities are serving. Withholding these funds breaks the promise that the state made to support public higher education, especially during periods of growth.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick M. Johns
President of Anoka-Ramsey Community College