MnSCU board may bring new scrutiny on contracts

Trustees of Minnesota's state-run regional campuses could soon approve all contracts above $1 million, instead of the current level of $3 million.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system board would leave the $3 million threshold for agreements with government agencies, and it would not apply to construction projects already overseen by the board. Trustees are expected to discuss the recommendations again in November.

The proposed change comes after recent concerns over a $2 million consulting contract signed without board approval.

"Sometimes a contract comes up that is out of the ordinary, and someone says, 'Well, it wasn't a $3 million contract, but perhaps it was unique enough that we should have had board approval,'" said Thomas Renier, chairman of the MnSCU board.

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