Campus leaders outline priorities for enrollment and financial sustainability

Increasing pressure on traditional revenue requires new approaches within the U of M system

The chancellors of the University of Minnesota’s four Greater Minnesota campuses joined the Board of Regents this morning for a broad discussion about enrollment strategies and other key strategic initiatives at each campus.

“State funding and tuition have always been essential to university operating budgets, but decades of stagnant state support for our public universities have significantly increased the pressure to enroll more tuition-paying students,” said Board Chair Janie Mayeron. “That, combined with known demographic changes, means new and system-wide approaches are needed to build sustainable and balanced budgets. Our focus should be not only on recruiting and retaining students, but also on carefully examining how we can best serve our students and mission. The depth of today’s discussion demonstrates the investments our university leaders have in solving these challenges.”

Enrollment trends at the U of M are consistent with those of many large public university systems across the country. Flagship campuses have generally seen enrollment returns to or even exceed pre-pandemic levels, while many regional campuses have experienced continued challenges despite the many high-quality learning, research and outreach opportunities that these campuses are uniquely suited to to offer their students.

A combination of factors create relatively specific conditions that challenge U of M campuses. The chancellors’ presentations specifically cited statistics from Minnesota and the Upper Midwest showing that age trends are changing, that the number of high school students is declining and that fewer high school students are choosing to attend college.

Each of the four campus leaders who participated in Friday’s discussion – Mary Holz-Clause of Crookston, David McMillan of Duluth, Janet Ericksen of Morris and Lori Carrell of Rochester – provided a snapshot of enrollment trends on their campuses in recent years, as well as prospects for the coming years.

Amid optimism about aspects of recent results and future plans, all recognized that these campuses face important decisions regarding long-term financial sustainability – decisions that go beyond enrollment management. As state disinvestments in recent decades put increasing pressure on stabilizing enrollment numbers — and demographic challenges and lingering pandemic effects exacerbate these pressures — leaders noted that overcoming budget challenges will require innovative solutions. Redefining academic offerings and further streamlining campus operations were examples of critical choices that current and future plans must address.

The leaders also illustrated the unique competitiveness of each campus where students can earn a University of Minnesota degree. Each highlighted the areas in which their campus has distinguished itself in its service to students and the state of Minnesota, and the efforts they have made to further define and differentiate what they offer students, faculty and their surrounding communities.

The board continues to welcome public feedback through a virtual forum

The Board of Directors on Friday accepted private public comments on the President’s recommended annual operating budget for fiscal year 2025. In addition, the Council continues to welcome public comment on the recommended budget and other U of M topics through the Virtual forum of the board, which is available online at any time. Submitted comments on the budget recommendation will become part of the public record if submitted by Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

The board also:

• Discussed the strategic planning of the health sciences with the deans of the university’s six health sciences schools.
• Approved recommendations for promotion and tenure and other academic appointments.
• Reviewed proposed changes to Board of Regents policy: Tuition and fees.
• Reviewed the recommended FY25 operations and capital improvement budgets with Interim President Jeff Ettinger.
• Reviewed the annual workforce and HR strategy report.
• Approved the appointment of Charles Nies as chancellor of the Duluth campus.
• Recognized distinguished students, faculty and staff.
• Discussion of a resolution regarding the revocation of the honorary title of Nicholson Hall on the Twin Cities campus.
• We have received an update on the workforce reinvestment decision.

The Board of Regents will meet on June 13 and 14. Visit regents.umn.edu For more information.