Budget deal will likely ease financial pain at U, MnSCU

The budget agreement between Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican leaders appears to ease funding cuts to the state's public colleges.

The University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system had planned for $70 million in cuts to their funding over the next two years.

The budget deal being discussed adds $60 million to higher education funding. Officials at the University of Minnesota said the university will get $50 million, and that they expect the remainder will go to MnSCU. MnSCU officials said they're not prepared to discuss the breakdown until it's been agreed to by lawmakers.

Despite the extra money, funding for both systems will be about 15 percent less than they were forecast to receive.

The university and MnSCU are relying on program cuts, tuition increases and lay offs to make up for the decrease.

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