MnSCU: Overhaul plan getting a show of support

Leaders of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU system) are responding to criticism over their "Charting the Future" overhaul plan by emphasizing the input they're receiving on campuses around the state.

In a news release Thursday, MnSCU spokesman Doug Anderson writes that more than 1,200 faculty, staff, students, and members of the public have attended five days of "Gallery Walks" or feedback sessions on the plan.

He writes:

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The initial success of the Gallery Walks is in contrast to recent university faculty votes of “no confidence.”

He adds that system leaders said in a recent statement:

“We are disappointed that the faculty union leaders are employing this tactic to further their goal of stopping the critical conversations that make up Charting the Future, and we encourage everyone to attend one of the Gallery Walks taking place throughout the state that showcase the outstanding work of our campus-based implementation teams. We will continue to seek broad input on the ideas produced over the last two years and welcome the faculty back to the table any time they chose to return.”

Anderson writes that other unions "remain engaged in the process, and says the plan has the backing of both the Board of Trustees and the system's 30 campus presidents.