![]() Maki told trustees that schools are unlikely to charge that rate and that, if schools want to increase their fees by more than 2% or 3%, they have to get approval from students in a referendum. LeadMN estimates that if a school were to increase fees to all the new, proposed maximums, students could be charged an extra $243 per year. Trustees are also allowing schools to charge a new fee to cover projects promoting environmental sustainability. The discretionary category comprises multiple types of fees, including ones aimed at covering the cost of student clubs, health care, athletics and technology. Tuition and fees at system colleges average about $6,100 per year, including about $650 in discretionary fees, compared to about $9,900 at system universities, including roughly $1,215 in discretionary fees. Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities Bill Maki said the system calls the fees discretionary because each university or college can decide whether it wants to charge them but once administrators have signed off on the fees, it's generally considered mandatory for students to pay them. The policy change increases the amount that system schools can charge in fees that it labels discretionary. ![]() "To do so violates the state law and breaks the trust of the Legislature." "The legislative language is clear that Minn State can not raise any mandatory student fees," John Runningen, president of LeadMN, which represents college students, told trustees in a public meeting Tuesday. System administrators and an organization representing students at the system's seven universities argue increased fees could provide crucial funding to help cover student needs, which changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.īut an organization representing students at its 26 two-year colleges argues an increase could prove burdensome for students and sour the system's relationship with state lawmakers. Minnesota State trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to change system policy to allow schools to raise some fees. Tim Walz, whose office says he will likely sign it next week. The bill is awaiting a signature from Gov. ![]() The funding is included in a package that provides an additional $650 million for higher education programs across the state, including money to cover free tuition for some students. The bill requires the system to freeze tuition for most undergraduate students and says that freeze "may not be offset by increases in mandatory fees, charges, or other assessments to the student." The DFL-led House and Senate passed a bill last week that would give the system $1.87 billion in funding over the next two years, a $293 million increase. The Minnesota State system will allow its colleges and universities to raise student fees even as it prepares to freeze tuition. ![]()
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