Chancellor's view: UMD committed to keeping tuition affordable

During these challenging times, Minnesotans worry about how they can finance the basics, let alone the cost of college. Rising tuition threatens to place higher education beyond the reach of more students every year, so we at the University of Minnesota Duluth are reaffirming our commitment to keep tuition affordable and education accessible to qualified students of all economic backgrounds.

We continue to work closely with University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler and our colleagues to control costs and make UMD more efficient while investing in opportunities that benefit students. At the same time, we’re serving more students and have increased our graduation rates by more than 11 percent in the last seven years. This has occurred amidst inflation, rising utilities costs and a 35 percent drop in state appropriations to the University of Minnesota campuses during the last decade.

President Kaler and the Board of Regents aim to freeze tuition for two years for resident undergraduate students, and I support their efforts. For an average in-state UMD undergraduate, the total tuition burden would be reduced by about $2,500. Similar savings extend to the 1,400 students from the Duluth area enrolled at other University of Minnesota campuses.

As we’ve seen at UMD, state investment in higher education and the cost of tuition share an inverse relationship. That’s why we invite legislators to join us in a partnership that benefits students and their families. To help hold tuition steady and lower student debt, we are asking the state to return funding to the University of Minnesota’s campuses to 2001 levels. In return, the university commits to cutting $28 million in costs and meeting accountability measures while offering significant return on investment for industry and the state’s economy.

Our students, their families and our communities benefit from University of Minnesota research, which advances the state’s most promising industries. The best way to build Minnesota’s economy and prepare our students for success in the global marketplace is to return state investment in higher education to previous levels.

Readers can contact our local lawmakers to ask them to support the University of Minnesota and to keep tuition affordable. Remind them of the university’s positive impact on our vibrant region. Then sign up at supporttheu.umn.edu so we can update you during the legislative session.

Lendley “Lynn” Black is chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth.

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