A reminder from U of M officials: We won't close if there's a shutdown
I reported on this a few weeks back, but the University of Minnesota sent out a news release today to let everyone know it will remain open in the event of a government shutdown (the news also went out in an email to faculty and staff). That means classes will continue and the university's hospitals and clinics will still see patients.
The U receives a fairly small amount of its funding from the state, about 17 percent, so it can weather a shutdown without many problems. If a shutdown lingers into the fall however, that's when things would get challenging for the U.
For its part, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system has an agreement with the state that will allow it to stay open during a shutdown. Colleges will have access to their tuition revenue and fund reserves which reside in accounts managed by the state.
Here's the release:
U of M to remain open in the event of a state government shutdown
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (06/23/2011) —The University of Minnesota will remain open in the event of a state government shutdown. Medical and dental clinics will remain open to treat patients, while summer classes, new student orientation, student services and other activities will continue as usual. Buildings and offices will also remain open during regular hours.
“The loss of state support, either temporarily or permanently, will be a challenge to the University of Minnesota,” says U of M Chief Financial Officer Richard Pfutzenreuter. “However, like any large and complex organization, the university is prepared to fiscally manage fluctuations in our cash flow. We can weather a short-term disruption in the flow of next year’s state appropriation to the university.”
The university’s goal in planning for a government shutdown is to minimize disruption to students, faculty, staff, patients and research.
U officials will closely monitor the situation at the Capitol and continue developing contingency plans in case the shutdown should stretch into late summer.
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