[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6654360,"mediaKeyId","5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9","parentId",5749390,"title","Student and faculty representatives urge caution on tuition increases, AI use and PSEO pressures","audioSeconds",1793,"startMs",2053000,"endMs",3846000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9&start=2053&end=3846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9/thumbnail_2053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6654360/Minnesota/Student-and-faculty-representatives-urge-caution-on-tuition-increases-AI-use-and-PSEO-pressures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654360-b0f9e450bc89ca370bb1208714e2c9ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053142&Signature=c0PkbtsBCqP3cWlH7VQU6LOva6zbI7VYdddgEKmF6zgD-hpMHPwpCnN~GLdtp~X-K4Cwep0Gi7n6xmkZs39MZIV78CqZape0Ruic6IJHUCzZypoZ7PfbURDEeC644iE3NT7F3f0zAp1m~jIVK~JMEO3IWZr3qzOHgji3dP7--RLpO9irYeZEPYE6mfylGHsa0HI6of0aUR-9y4VFtmVx2DUw4zPWM1TYqhXbYHO6UhcXkAGBRSNzddhBAuxENN0V-dZIoE6rzU7QHRVg~HFL50kypUnA6-XcBTDJLo-CgrzLgNDM5vQD5A95RrYEc5MCx5JnJE-m-W5DaOpskOv5IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota State Board of Trustees","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of Minnesota State faculty and student organizations used public-comment time to press trustees on tuition, the use of artificial intelligence, and pressures around postsecondary enrollment options (PSEO).

Alex Sondevi, a Metro State library faculty member and IFO treasurer, urged caution about overreliance on generative AI in teaching and research, noting librarians’ experience distinguishing AI-generated or hallucinated citations and calling for guidance for students. Sondevi also urged flexibility for campuses to set tuition to reflect local circumstances, and asked trustees to continue revisiting the allocation framework and model.

Kevin Lundstrom (president/representative role) and other campus staff highlighted structural differences in the allocation model that advantage larger institutions because of economies of scale (for example, section-level enrollment differences for composition courses), and asked the board to avoid shifting fiscal burdens to campuses or accepting a “race to the bottom” on pricing and credential standards in PSEO arrangements.

Student leaders also spoke at length. Kevin Broder (LeadMN) described student association activity, including a campaign opposing cuts to Pell, TRIO and GEAR UP programs and internal governance steps around student pay. Sarah Reiger, state chair of Students United, presented a multi-page set of student consultation findings: she said student leaders generally had been persuaded to approve recent tuition increases after campus consultations but warned that recurring reliance on tuition to close budget gaps is unsustainable. Students United asked the board to press the legislature to honor statute language (cited in testimony as chapter 135A.01) that frames state responsibility for stable funding and a shared cost model between state and students.

Speakers asked trustees to review student consultation letters and consider student affordability when weighing tuition proposals. Trustees asked for timely student input because the board must set tuition for the coming year at or before the June meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Minnesota State Board of Trustees meetings - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Faculty, staff and student representatives asked trustees to protect student affordability and campus autonomy, urging caution about tuition increases, the academic use of AI, and a potential race to lower PSEO prices and credential standards.","taxTitle","Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Public Universities Board of Trustees Meeting, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",80593,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6654374,"Committee forwards two presidential appointments to full board; Linda Kingston recommended for Lake Superior, Paku Yang named Normandale interim",4778,1553000,6331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9&start=1553&end=6331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9/thumbnail_1553000.jpg","/articles/6654374/Minnesota/Committee-forwards-two-presidential-appointments-to-full-board-Linda-Kingston-recommended-for-Lake-Superior-Paku-Yang-named-Normandale-interim","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654374-3988c8d80d191672ae65d0cf67084fa3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053142&Signature=kbvGcnt4gUoKaTj9Nq15NYSVNkbZWJKav5Ya~xahGR896k1HRAiDVupUydpDUYcbGH3NWmF4jMWUNZCnJ9eS02z-lsnRJTAsjry2Jb2SEPVF-eVMScfIRwyJfaqu~2Q2-J8RViH6ejn5tS-SRIys7pM9G5vEPmapqWzL9DBHJrJPJp2pidi76~Rs~ZakzTkSZ5k2iUiTmsCq~KWflSXAbbnZC7ac3z-7FgobTIhxsKxuBNDPJsDcpg1iIstgceogeJAw7l3rTBCJnwEEjzFf18RBcOjOCmPmMTXjeFWglOVRJZRMOoQxeC7Ow5QajfSNAbm6roS2dwSSR9ck7hGqaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Workforce and Organizational Effectiveness Committee voted unanimously to forward two personnel recommendations to the full Minnesota State Board of Trustees: the appointment of Linda Kingston as president of Lake Superior College and the appointment of Dr. Paku Yang as interim president of Normandale Community College.

Chancellor Olsen told the committee that the Lake Superior College search was a national process with 56 applicants; four finalists were invited to campus and extensive campus feedback favored Kingston. The chancellor recommended Kingston, noting her 32 years in higher education and 25 years in the Minnesota State system, her current role as vice president for academic and student affairs at Lake Superior College, and experience leading the college’s HLC site visit and securing an Inclusive Higher Education grant (a renewable grant described in the recommendation as up to $1,400,000 for an inclusive program).

The committee’s recommendation to the full board read: the board, upon the chancellor’s recommendation, appoint Linda Kingston as president of Lake Superior College with an anticipated effective date of July 1, 2025, subject to completion of an employment agreement. The resolution also authorized the chancellor, in consultation with committee and board leadership, to negotiate and execute the employment agreement in accordance with Minnesota State personnel procedures.

On Normandale, the chancellor described an expedited internal search for an interim president after President Joyce Esther accepted another presidency. He said ten applications were received and four candidates interviewed; he recommended Dr. Paku Yang, currently vice president for academic and student affairs at Century College, citing Yang’s two decades in the system, pandemic leadership, work on P-20 and college readiness initiatives, and awards for leadership and teaching. The committee recommended appointing Yang as interim president effective June 4, 2025, subject to an employment agreement. The chancellor and trustees clarified that interim appointees are not prohibited from applying for the permanent position unless policy states otherwise (the board previously removed that restriction).

Both committee recommendations were moved and seconded and recorded as approved by roll call. The committee minutes and the chancellor’s comments indicated unanimous approval and that the items would be forwarded to the full board for final action.

Votes at a glance: the committee reported unanimous approval of the recommendation to forward each appointment to the board; the board later recorded unanimous “aye” votes on committee motions during the meeting.

Context: The committee described an extensive campus and trustee engagement process for the Lake Superior search and an internal, accelerated process for the Normandale interim, consistent with board policy for interim appointments. The Lake Superior recommendation highlighted campus support, community partnerships and prior leadership in strategic planning and program development. The Normandale interim appointment emphasizes continuity and operational leadership for the coming year.

Next steps: Both recommendations will appear before the full Board of Trustees for final action; each appointment is subject to completion of an employment agreement and further board-level approval, per the chancellor’s recommendation language.

","The Workforce and Organizational Effectiveness Committee voted unanimously to forward the chancellor’s recommendations to the full Minnesota State Board of Trustees to appoint Linda Kingston as president of Lake Superior College and Dr. Paku Yang as interim president of Normandale Community College.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6654369,"Committee hears first readings of employee-evaluation and misconduct policy updates; 30-day comment period announced",130,86000,216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9&start=86&end=216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6654369/Minnesota/Committee-hears-first-readings-of-employee-evaluation-and-misconduct-policy-updates-30-day-comment-period-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654369-4a0b12c4e4fbae98c8f757a5c0efdd81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053142&Signature=Q4CfYNVFJhkXtesWkWBNvBEKJnl~5hTsqcmq-c1EsNv15PE6ax1e~hzbxByYs~xNm5SDBbc0U1cVU6Bl1hjB3UBGDBmAk7n-ZFqcRrQYHXtBI3HHMi~0gAK7t4lG5~3DRc5p~Bm480l37nT4wveG5e9RGrInT3WpyZy8qJwBafOheTzvjcUE3FKsrvYHZcz0I2nQ5DIrDvcJK0pxj0Rn8fiL5V4Gxx3qed58dwOV~sFDD5~tsg1VVDyeV7UgLcnEitNmuLoz8O~GwDL49afSOw5FfdPJeX7Inl41nsWqwwlIvXRaZqaEwjklb4p3Z-~AYWSztQSqdwcu470k7JNRUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Workforce and Organizational Effectiveness Committee received first readings of two board policy revisions during its meeting: a five-year review and technical edits to Board Policy 4.9 (employee evaluation), and amendments clarifying prohibited conduct definitions across related policies.

Vice Chancellor Davis introduced Ashley Atterberry, associate compliance officer, and said the employee-evaluation policy (Board Policy 4.9) was undergoing a routine five-year review. Staff described the recommended changes as largely technical: updated formatting and language to delete outdated wording and to align with statutory and collective-bargaining requirements. The presentation noted that Minnesota Statutes require annual evaluations and that collective bargaining agreements include evaluation provisions; Davis and staff said compliance with the evaluation requirement has been inconsistent across the system and that the policy revision is intended to renew attention to that obligation.

The committee also reviewed proposed amendments that broadened the framing for misconduct (moving beyond language limited to specific forms of violence), clarified definitions and application of policy (including online conduct and property), and aligned certain definitions with the 1B.1 student-conduct policy. The revisions add and clarify prohibited conduct definitions — including exploitation, sharing of sexual images/deepfakes, and Title IX harassment — and add retaliation as a defined prohibited act. Staff said the changes were intended to reflect recent state and federal regulatory changes and to improve readability (example: converting a long affirmative-consent paragraph into bullet points).

Trustees asked how the policy changes would reach students and staff; the committee asked Atterberry to provide a brief explanation at the second reading in June of how highly read policies are made visible and accessible to students. Vice Chancellor Davis and the presidents present (referred to as president liaisons) said campuses took part in the review and supported clearer, more readable wording.

No action was taken; the revisions were announced as first readings and subject to a 30-day public comment period before returning to the committee for a second reading.

","Vice Chancellor Davis and compliance staff presented first readings of two policy revisions: technical updates to Board Policy 4.9 (employee evaluation) and amendments to prohibited-conduct definitions; both will return for a second reading after a 30-day comment period.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6654364,"Chancellor warns of system office budget shortfall tied to longstanding appropriation cap; plans for efficiency and possible Besties",173,4084000,4257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9&start=4084&end=4257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5749390-45d173768e6e88fd5da1e50d9738afe9/thumbnail_4084000.jpg","/articles/6654364/Minnesota/Chancellor-warns-of-system-office-budget-shortfall-tied-to-longstanding-appropriation-cap-plans-for-efficiency-and-possible-Besties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654364-d57bbc728138aca94a89e0ed2bc0db32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771053142&Signature=BirQLkdXAz4RgaYgE8UGxXxqenbx1fY4PfJzMUC4rLuNSm9m8t6Ne2c5O5HeCJrAPXh8xHCxD17CxwCgekpeo7bvPQQuF1OQhRKi263k5HqGgqrylMFoljONqUFT0a27QAqHqFcweLucRsfJ1NdyzHimXMnsCoPaJAD1UdF7H5F23~IRFTJgVS9ZsAi0p1StCKaq2Nn0ftQo26UjKu~U91H0-Yu33jOiG5ahDWsqRpiSbNKajOjvuv~9J6iyAobReIwPyP1nxEoprf~-~5HuxeBv0rNRkh-XkpqeYv2E9TNo-WLC0ZgBCW4ahGfb~7RZ8P3SxGunMVirye33~cVidw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chancellor Olsen told trustees that a statutory dollar cap on the Minnesota State system office appropriation, unchanged in real terms for roughly 15 years, is creating a structural budget shortfall. He said the current cap has been adjusted over time from a prior figure up to $36,000,000 and that ongoing salary and cost increases have eroded purchasing power. That erosion, he said, will create an estimated shortfall of a little over $6,000,000—about 17% of the capped appropriation—by the end of the forecast horizon discussed in committee.

Olsen described steps the system office is taking: a review of operations, identification of “must do” system functions (examples given included general counsel, internal audit, and centralized labor relations), submission of employee-sourced ideas for efficiencies, and a future-state exercise this summer to identify shared-service and other redesign options across campuses and regions. He said the office has engaged Baker Tilly to assist in structuring conversations and that two-thirds of the system office budget is personnel costs.

The chancellor said the office will consider voluntary separation incentives (referred to in the discussion as \"bestie\" — board early separation incentive) as one tool, along with other personnel and operational changes, and that the administration intends to follow labor contracts and treat employees respectfully. He emphasized a preference to reorganize and find efficiencies internally rather than shifting costs to campuses. The chancellor also noted that any future reductions in state higher-education appropriations would worsen the projected shortfall.

Trustees asked about centralization versus regional shared-service approaches; Olsen responded that some services (for example NextGen and legal counsel) function as systemwide responsibilities while other services could be organized collaboratively campus-to-campus.

Olsen said system leadership has collected dozens of ideas from employees about potential efficiencies and that the leadership team will return to the board with proposals, including potential labor- and contract-related options, over the summer and possibly present a further update in June.

","Chancellor Olsen told trustees the system office faces a structural funding cap on its appropriation that has not kept pace with costs. The cap (described in remarks as the current cap of $36 million) and projected payroll and cost increases create a projected shortfall of roughly $6 million (about 17%) in a future fiscal year, prompting a system","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Student and faculty representatives urge caution on tuition increases, AI use and PSEO pressures

Committee forwards two presidential appointments to full board; Linda Kingston recommended for Lake Superior, Paku Yang named Normandale interim

Committee hears first readings of employee-evaluation and misconduct policy updates; 30-day comment period announced

Chancellor warns of system office budget shortfall tied to longstanding appropriation cap; plans for efficiency and possible Besties