"New University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler starts school next week with a host of voices in his head." That fits every "leader" of public funds to a tee. They all think they know something better than the public does. How about interacting with the public and quit talking only in "think-tanks"? These people are so far out of touch with reality that they have no idea they are running the wrong way.

Let's hope he doesn't have the same voices that Bruinicks had....raise tuition....focus on money losing sports and research....treat undergrads like a revenue stream...

I sure would like my kids to graduate from my alma mater, but at half the cost they're going to Wisconsin for just as good an education. Until Walker guts the education budget there as any good Republican would do.

"There aren't many places where you have a major state university located in the near-downtown of a major metro area." Correct. Think of the implications of that.

Let all liberal arts classes meet graduation requirements so students aren't forced to take activist based classes such as ones that feature friends of the instructor. Make student groups pay for themselves and everyone pay the same tuition, unless they have an outside funding source.

Fairly clear that Senator Robling doesn't have the U's best interests at heart. Lower expectations and dumb it down, that's what she has to conjure up when asked for ideas.

Notice that all the comments in the article are self-serving. As any good CEO knows, you ask for input, listen to those ideas and then you make the decision and implement. As Bud Grant used to say when some idiot sportswriter questioned a Viking play or strategy, "it seemed like the best thing to do at the time", Bud would respond. It's what CEO's do. Strong CEO's (like Bud) make more right decisions than the average. Good luck Kaler. We're pulling for you to be an excellent decision-maker. It's why we pay you the big bucks.

Fire Maturi and Save $ 345,000 a year!

I could not believe the strategy the former University President formulated.....have higher tuition, and increased student aid. That is about the stupidest thing I have EVER heard from someone in that position. The tuition should be as low as possible, and if a student can get financial aid then that is a good thing. A student needs to know exactly what the maximum cost will be, and any aid should be regarded as a bonus that enables the truly unfortunate to have hope that they too can get a College education. If Kaler doesn't strike down Brunick's warped plans as his first priority, then he is just another idiot in a suit.

Claire Robling demonstrates that GOP "Can't Do" spirit! We can't afford to strive for educational excellence... but we CAN strive to pander to the ultra-wealthy!