Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a Campus Closure and Consolidation Commission responsible for evaluating campuses within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. It will recommend to the legislature which campuses should be closed or consolidated based on specific criteria.

Main Provisions

• Commission Creation: The commission is composed of eight members appointed by the governor by August 1, 2025. It aims for geographic and population balance between metropolitan and rural areas.
• Membership Criteria: Members should have expertise in postsecondary education, demographic research, capital construction, or public finance. Current public officials and employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities are not eligible.
• Leadership: The commission will elect a chair, vice-chair, and other necessary officers from its appointed members.
• Evaluation Criteria: The commission will consider operating costs, capital expenses, enrollment trends, job placement rates, graduation rates, and program reputation when evaluating campuses.
• Input Gathering: Input from faculty and staff collective bargaining units will be considered regarding campus closures or consolidations.

Significant Changes

• The commission will present a report by December 1, 2026, with recommendations for campus closures or consolidations, reasoning behind these recommendations, and draft legislation.
• The governor has until December 31, 2026, to approve or disapprove the recommendations. Approved recommendations will be included in the biennial budget, and legislative committees must hold a public hearing on them.
• The bill provides for administrative support and outlines compensation rules for commission members.
• The provision will sunset on October 1, 2026, meaning it will be repealed unless further action is taken.

Relevant Terms

• Campus Closure
• Campus Consolidation
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU)
• Postsecondary Education
• Enrollment Trends
• Job Placement Rates
• Graduation Rates
• Public Finance
• Capital Maintenance