Updates from the Fall GA
During our General Assembly the 75 students in attendance had the opportunity to vote on several updates including LeadMN’s bylaws, a new regional breakdown, elections voting policy, and our fiscal year 2025 budget. All of these updates and changes passed. They also voted on our Governing Council candidates. We will announce the voting results for that soon.
Bylaws
It has been a while since our bylaws were updated and we need to make some considerable adjustments to be cognizant of current student capacities, as well as how people are gathering and getting involved. A few highlights include:
- Changing the voting population at General Assemblies to any member of LeadMN (which means any student with 1 or more credits attending a General Assembly can vote on issues brought forward)
- Including the work of the eliminated platform committee into the GC
- Changing quorum at GAs to a majority of regions
- More clearly detailing the roles and responsibilities of our Cabinet members
- Allowing for virtual meetings
- Institutes that all Cabinet members complete a transition document at the end of their term to best support their successor
LeadMN Regional Update
Upon review of our current regional breakdown, there is a considerable inequity across student populations. The region with the smallest student population is about 4,800, whereas the region with the largest student population is close to 32,000.
In an effort to balance those populations and achieve equity in voting representation on the Governing Council, the following decision was supported by the majority of current Governing Council members and confirmed by students who attended the GA:
- Move from 9 regions to 7 regions
- The student populations of those seven regions range from 16,600 students to 23,000 students
- A sheet with the detailed changes of this new regional breakdown is included in your Election Packet
- The grouping of which campuses are in each region are also outlined in the ballot you will receive at the end of these presentations
Elections Policy
In order to allow for online and extended voting periods for Governing Council members as well as other matters that come before the General Assembly, we have drafted an updated Elections and Voting Policy. A few highlights of the new policy include:
- Allowing for online voting
- Allowing for extended voting periods
- Allowing for elections throughout the year at statewide gatherings as needed
To view it electronically, use this link.
FY 2025 Budget
With the great news of the settlement with MinnState, LeadMN has an adjusted student fee, which resulted in the need for a new FY25 budget. A few highlights of the updated budget include:
- Increased student fee income based on the adjusted per credit fee
- A one time increased “General / Administrative” cost due to the settlement payout
- An increase in “Building / Facility” expenses due to the need to catch up on much deferred maintenance
Missed the Fall GA?
Find the keynote video and information from our breakout sessions
Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout:
Keynote from Dr. Carla Chugani of Mantra Health
Dr. Carla Chugani of Mantra Health, a Whole Campus Care partnership available at every college and university in Minnesota State, helps students gain some practical knowledge and skills for reducing stress, avoiding burnout, and being proactive about their mental health. Students can also learn how to interact with the Mantra Whole Campus Care, and how to help peers using this comprehensive resource that complements the services available on campus. This video was made by LeadMN. Information and content provide with permission from Minnesota State System of Colleges and Universities and Mantra Health.
