Members of the Student Legislative Coalition, University President Mark Yudof and other college leaders will rally today at the St. Paul Student Center Theatre to drum up support for the University’s biennial budget request.
Gov. Jesse Ventura has proposed funding $56.6 million of the University’s $221.5 million request, prompting criticism from University officials.
Organizers said they expect about 100 people to attend the event at noon. President Yudof; Charles Muscoplat, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and vice president for agricultural policy; Bob Elde, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, and students will speak at the hour-long event.
Andy Moore, a College of Liberal Arts junior and a grass-roots organizer with the Student Legislative Coalition, said rally organizers also plan to promote the University student lobbying day at the state Capitol Feb. 20.
Moore said Ventura’s proposal is discouraging.
“Governor Ventura’s proposal shows an extreme lack of vision for the state and an extreme lack of support for students at the U of M,” Moore said.
— Sarah McKenzie