MnSCU board approves 2012 budget

The board of trustees for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system approved a budget for 2012 today.  It contains a tuition increase for students.

For community college students, it's a 3.7 percent increase, on average that's $186 more than this year. Tuition at MnSCU's community and technical colleges now averages $5,171.

At MnSCU's seven universities, tuition will go up 4.8 percent, or $321.  That will put tuition at the state-run U's at about $7,026 a year.

MnSCU put together the $1.97 billion budget without knowing exactly how much money it will get next year from the state. That's because of the current budget impasse at the state Capitol.

If the cuts aren't as severe as expected once Governor Dayton and lawmakers agree to a budget deal, MnSCU will rewrite its budget and bring it back to trustees for another vote.

The budget assumes $76 million dollars less in funding for MnSCU than the system received this year. Colleges in the system have been preparing for a tough 2012 budget over the last 18 months by laying off employees and combining or cutting academic programs.

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