Legislative Briefing, 02/28/03

Dear Colleague,

We're completing the review of the impact of the Governor's budget recommendations on the University.  As we do, it's become quite clear that the breadth and depth of the cuts will fundamentally change the work we will do in the future.

The President has stated repeatedly that we will meet this challenge as a University by following principles that maintain and implement our academic priorities, improve our productivity, and build and maintain an infrastructure that will enhance academic excellence and accountability while providing students with an excellent education.  Our U-wide strategies include academic investments with differential, targeted reallocation; reduction of administrative and operating costs; targeted elimination, reduction, and consolidation of programs; and enhanced revenue streams. 

But now we will need everyone's involvement to convince the legislature to reduce the size of these cuts. That means calls, visits, and advocacy.

First, I want to say that, having spoken with Governor Pawlenty, I know he is balancing the state's deficit in the manner he believes is supported by the majority of Minnesotans.  Current polls would support that belief.  We understand that we will have to do our part in solving the state's deficit, but we are concerned about the size of the cut for the University and its impact.

This is what we know to be true - significant cuts in programs of the schools of the AHC mean there will be fewer doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, veterinarians, and public health professionals to serve Minnesota communities and families. 

That may seem a rather stark statement  but there's no other conclusion.  Here's what we know:

• Cutting programs mean there will be fewer slots for Minnesotans to train in Minnesota.  If we don't train professionals in Minnesota, they won't stay in Minnesota.

• Rising tuition has had a direct impact on the number of Minnesotans applying to our medical and pharmacy schools.  As tuition increases, the numbers applying are down. Again, if Minnesotans don't attend professional schools in Minnesota, they're less likely to practice here.
  
  Replacement of the tobacco endowment funding is critical or

• the nursing program in Rochester,

• the pharmacy program in Duluth, and

• the dental training clinic in Hibbing,
  are all at risk of delay or worse, being shut down. And, we may need to delay or scale back the number of physician scientists we are recruiting to fill open positions in the Medical School.

The time is now to engage your legislators, your friends, your colleagues, anyone who supports the importance of health professional education in the state of Minnesota.  We need collective action over the next three months to support the value of preparing health professionals in Minnesota for Minnesota families and children.

I hope that you will join me to discuss these matters on Tuesday, March 4, at noon. The location will be announced Monday.

Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
cerra001@umn.edu