NEWS | January 2010

Each month NEWS delivers stories about our colleges and higher education research, trends and policies Read full articles on one page or go to the NEWS archive
	Preparing for a new job in a new economy Minnesota's Private Colleges are playing a role in helping people get back on their feet — or stay on them — during a sour economy. Read examples and student stories from three of our member institutions.

	Fact you can use No student should rule out one of Minnesota's Private Colleges without first checking with the institution about financial aid options. Nine out of 10 of our students receive grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back. The bulk of that aid comes from the institutions themselves; over eight years institutional aid has grown 129%.

	Deficit to dominate 2010 legislative session A sizable state deficit will dominate the next legislative session, which begins Feb. 4. In this environment, even existing programs with strong track records will be at risk. College students and their advocates will be concerned about the impact on the State Grant program. Read more about the session.

	Working to make ends meet To afford college and have spending money, many students hold on- or off-campus jobs. Students at private colleges work about 20 hours per week — the same amount as those attending public colleges. Read more about students who work.

	Briefs Stop by the Private College Scholars at the Capitol event on Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to review poster displays and discuss our undergraduate scholars’ findings. You’ll learn something new and help our state recognize these students’ accomplishments. Five MPCC institutions appeared on Kiplinger's 2010 list of 50 best values in liberal arts colleges. Our schools also ranked well on the U.S. News & World Report listings for best liberal arts colleges and high school counselor rankings of liberal arts colleges. The Chronicle of Higher Education article, Less Politics, More Poetry: China's Colleges Eye the Liberal Arts highlights United International College in China — with which the Minnesota Private College Council has a partnership agreement. The article includes quotes from Bethany Lutheran College Professor Thomas Kuster. The Minnesota Private College Research Foundation report Degrees Earned 2008-09 shows that our 17 members provide nearly a third of all baccalaureate degrees produced in the state and more than a fifth of master’s degrees. Member institutions also award nearly 30% of all bachelor degrees earned by students of color. The Minnesota Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair will be at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Feb. 16-17. Students will have the opportunity to network with 150+ employers. Bethel University hosts a Black History Month Collaboration Project on Feb. 3 with a presentation and program by activist and author Eware X. Osayande, a spoken word performance by Shá Cage and music from a multi-college/community gospel choir. This event is free and open to the public. A reception begins at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m.