University of Minnesota: Strengthening Ties with the Business Community
Recognizing the vital role that the University of Minnesota plays in our state, the Partnership has actively sought to strengthen the ties between the University and the business community. University President Robert Bruininks became the first public-sector member of the MBP in 2004 and now sits on the Partnership's Executive Committee. This relationship generated multiple discussions among University leaders and MBP members on a variety of issues. In 2005, the Partnership and its members supported Dr. Bruininks’ strategic plan to focus the University on becoming a top-tier research facility. And in 2008, the Partnership supported passage of the University's biomedical sciences research initiative, which will add five major biomedical science research facilities to the University campus over the next decade.

Performance data collection
To improve the transition of high school graduates into higher education, Minnesota should extend the K-12 student identification system into postsecondary education. This would enable educators and policymakers to better align the two systems, reducing inefficiencies (i.e. the number of post-secondary students taking remedial courses), and improve the overall outcomes (i.e. the number of post-secondary students completing their education on time.)