Administrators from Gustavus Adolphus College joined representatives from Minnesota’s 17 private colleges and universities April 17 at the Capitol for Presidents’ and Parents’ Day to advocate for higher education funding.
Gustavus was represented by President Jim Peterson, Trustee Barbara Krig, Vice President for College Relations Gwen Freed, and student Mike Marcotte, President-elect of the Minnesota Association of Private College Students (MAPCS).
The event provided a forum for discussion among college and university officials and legislators on crucial issues surrounding higher education funding. Those present included Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller (DFL), House Majority Leader Tony Sertich (DFL), and Commissioner of the Office of Higher Education Susan Heegaard.
Later in the day participants broke off into smaller groups for meetings with Representative and Chair of the House Higher Education Committee Tom Rukavina (DFL), Senator and Chair of the Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Committee Sandy Pappas (DFL), and Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Chief-of-Staff Matt Kramer.
“It was a good chance for all parties involved to share opinions, raise concerns, and get a feel for the hurdles that lie ahead when it comes to adequate funding of higher education in the state of Minnesota,” President Peterson said.
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