Tom Devine chosen as regent to replace Steve Sviggum
A Chanhassen insurance executive will replace former legislator Steve Sviggum as University of Minnesota regent.
Legislators voted 110-75 choosing Tom Devine over banker Robert Vogel of Elko New Market.
He said he will start his term immediately.
Devine is the parent of both a university freshman and a high-school senior.
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He said student issues, including education costs and the shortage of student housing, are foremost on his mind. He also acknowledged concerns among legislators and the public over high executive pay packages at the university.
"We all know that if you live on campus the statistical likelihood of graduating faster, staying within the four year boundary improves significantly," Devine said.
Devine has also served on the executive committee of the U of M's Greek Village student housing project.
Sviggum resigned last month over concerns that his GOP staff job created a conflict of interest.