A chat with the chancellor
By Torleif Sorenson
Published February 2010
Metropolitan State University is one of the seven state universities in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) system, which also is the parent organization of the state’s 25 community and technical colleges. James H. McCormick, Ph.D., b0came the third chancellor of the MnSCU system in July 2001 and is responsible for 54 campuses and 10 attached centers and service sites. None of the MnSCU institutions are affiliated with the four campuses of the University of Minnesota system.
Dr. McCormick, your duties as chancellor cover all 25 of Minnesota’s two-year state colleges and all seven four-year state universities. How much and how often does your work cause you to be on the road at over 50 locations?
Last year, I drove nearly 17,000 miles visiting campuses. I believe that an important part of my job is visiting campuses and talking directly with students, faculty, staff, local business leaders...
Metropolitan State University is one of the seven state universities in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) system, which also is the parent organization of the state’s 25 community and technical colleges. James H. McCormick, Ph.D., became the third chancellor of the MnSCU system in July 2001 and is responsible for 54 campuses and 10 attached centers and service sites. None of the MnSCU institutions are affiliated with the four campuses of the University of Minnesota system.
The Metropolitan interviewed the chancellor via e-mail in January.
Dr. McCormick, your duties as chancellor cover all 25 of Minnesota’s two-year state colleges and all seven four-year state universities. How much and how often does your work cause you to be on the road at over 50 locations?
Last year, I drove nearly 17,000 miles visiting campuses. I believe that an important part of my job is visiting campuses and talking directly with students, faculty, staff, local business leaders and other members of the communities where our colleges and universities are located. I also represent the system in various capacities at national meetings of higher education groups.
Here at Metropolitan State University we have problems ranging from a broken elevator (ironically, near the Disability Services office) to understaffing real problem during enrollment periods. Are funding problems widespread across the system, or are some schools faring better than others?
We are in challenging times with funding. There is no doubt about that. The financial situation at each college or university is dependent on many factors, although every institution must balance its budget. This, of course, requires presidents to make tough decisions. I have a great deal of confidence in Metropolitan State University President Sue Hammersmith’s leadership.
Does the governor have line-item veto power over individual university projects, such as replacement of the old hospital structure between St. John’s Hall and New Main?
Yes, governors in Minnesota have line-item veto power when it comes to individual projects approved by the Legislature. I would encourage everyone to support the system’s bonding request, which includes two Metropolitan State University projects on the St. Paul campus. The Classroom Center project would rebuild a condemned, unused and unsafe structure and bring much-needed classrooms to the university. The Science Education Center project would provide funds for designing and acquiring property for a building devoted to science.
To be supportive, you could join the FAN network by going to www.govtrelations.Mnscu.edu. Once you join you will get e-mail updates and information on contacting legislators in your area so you can express your views. Also, don’t forget to complete your census forms. You have a very active group at Metropolitan State to answer your questions.
Metropolitan State’s three campuses are in both downtowns with the Midway campus in-between, but over 2.3 million people live across the seven-county Twin Cities area. Might we see a Metropolitan State campus near the Mall of America or the west metro, or more co-locations with the two-year colleges? We expect that we will need to expand the system’s capacity for baccalaureate and graduate degrees in the metropolitan area because of the projected population growth. All our colleges and universities have master plans for their facilities that they periodically update. Metropolitan State University, for example, is in the midst of updating its plan. Most likely, we will meet the growing demand in the Twin Cities area in various ways. We will be looking for solutions that provide the most benefit for the most students, are cost effective and make the best use of all of our facilities.
Should we at Metropolitan State be concerned about Minnesota State University, Mankato establishing that classroom space in Edina?
I do not believe that you should be concerned. Consider that Metropolitan State had nearly a six percent enrollment growth this fall the largest percentage increase of any of the seven state universities. Enrollment among underrepresented students also grew nearly eight percent at Metropolitan State. Those are substantial gains. Under the dynamic leadership of President Hammersmith, I believe the University is poised to become an even more significant institution for the Twin Cities area. At the same time, we will need at least some other state universities to offer baccalaureate and advanced degree programs in the Twin Cities. The first strategic direction of the Board of Trustees is increasing access to higher education.
Almost nobody is clamoring for collegiate athletics at Metropolitan State, but three other MnSCU schools have high-profile men’s and women’s NCAA Division I hockey programs. Bemidji State and St. Cloud State men’s teams are ranked 10th and 15th in the nation, respectively, and the Beavers played in last year’s Frozen Four. How do you personally view the impact of these Division I programs?
I am very proud of our athletic teams. They have produced some impressive results as athletes and as scholars. I believe they are having a positive impact both locally and across the country.
In your 8 and one-half years as chancellor, obviously you’ve seen growing enrollment across the system, but what are the other striking changes and improvements you’ve seen since you began your term?
I am proud of the gains in underrepresented students that our colleges and universities have made in recent years. This fall, the state colleges and universities system enrolled 7,300 new underrepresented students. In addition, 8,000 more underrepresented students returned to the system’s institutions, a 15 percent increase over a year ago. The total number of underrepresented students this fall is 94,302, an increase of 18 percent.
I am also happy to see more adult learners enter or return to higher education. Metropolitan State University draws significantly more students ages 25 and above than any other state university. The increases in underrepresented and older students are important to help maintain the high quality of life for which Minnesota is known. Minnesota needs more students from these groups to complete postsecondary programs so they will have fulfilling lives and the state will prosper.
We both know that the economy, the job market and high taxes can wreak havoc on long-term planning. What do you want to say about growth and expansion of Metropolitan State University?
I see a bright future for Metropolitan State. I know these times are challenging but I am confident that President Hammersmith, the administrators, faculty and staff will continue to build strong academic programs and services for the benefit of the Twin Cities area and our state.
You “have the floor” here: what other things do you want Metropolitan State students to know about yourself?
At the end of every day, I ask myself: What have I done for students today? Some days, I am not satisfied with the answer, but I can always start the next day with a renewed focus. Whenever I speak with students, I am inspired by their determination to complete their programs and their generosity in contributing to others. I know many of our students must juggle jobs and classroom. Some also have families. It is thinking about these students that drives me to work as hard as I can for them and the people of Minnesota.
It’s not every day that we have a chance to hear you “unfiltered” thanks for your time.
Thank you for this opportunity.