What Minnesota state higher ed and a dog have in common

Some interesting imagery and strong sentiment at yesterday's legislative conference committee meeting at the Capitol.

A few quotes --

Ted Tollefson, who teaches psychology at Metropolitan State University, on how cutting higher-education funding ultimately cannibalizes the state's economy:

"You can try feeding your dog his own tail, but after the first bite, it becomes a problem. Because it’s all interdependent."

Tollefson on what he sees as the legislature's unwillingness to tax the state's rich to support higher ed:

"If you think the top 2-3 percent of the state's citizens lack generosity, think again. Look at the names on arenas, libraries (and other college buildings). Many of those people were steeped in the ethic of generosity. Why do you ask so little of them?"

Minnesota State College Faculty Vice President Kevin Lindstrom on how constant cuts to higher ed hurts morale in the long run:

"If you continue to tell someone you devalue who they are and what they do, eventually they’ll believe it."

Inter Faculty Organization President Don Larsson on Minnesota's fall to #28 -- behind 26th-placed Arkansas -- in the per-capita state and local government expenditures for higher education, as of 2007:

"Contrary to what Garrison Keillor says, we’re below average…and falling."

• How Augsburg is going all Mark Twain
• How past U of M presidents view higher-ed today
• Metro State data breach affected 160,000 students