Statewide Meet and Confer Meeting Summary April 24, 2026

MAPE Attendees: Kay Pedretti, Ben Nwachuku, Aaron Pierson, Heidi Vidor, Barb Gosch, Nicole Emerson, Tracy Rahim, Sheri Hutchinson, Frank Cave-LaCoste 

Absent: Sharon Blomgren, Suzie Lundsten 

Minnesota State Attendees: Scott Olson, Eric Davis, Chris Dale, James Jorstad, Satasha Green-Stephens, Bill Maki, Shonda Craft, Jacquelyn Bailey 

Allocation framework proposals 

Bill Maki presented FY2027 allocation framework proposals and future framework discussions, including shared services funding adjustments, leveraged equipment flexibility, PFAS remediation support, demolition funding discussions, enterprise technology investments, rural college adjustments, and stabilization discussions for institutions experiencing financial challenges. 

MAPE representatives discussed concerns regarding institutional budget impacts, staffing reductions and workload impacts related to the proposals. Minnesota State stated that proposals remain under discussion prior to Board consideration. 

Workplace culture 

Nicole led a discussion regarding workplace culture concerns, including communication, consistency, supervisory practices, onboarding, morale, accountability, supervisor training, employee feedback processes and mental health concerns. 

Eric Davis discussed supervisory skill variation and possible future committee or work group discussions. Barb discussed accountability concerns related to leadership and supervisory practices. 

Performance evaluations 

Kay discussed concerns regarding inconsistent completion of performance evaluations across the system and referenced contractual and statutory requirements. 

Eric Davis stated that the Workday performance management module is expected to improve tracking and completion of evaluations. 

Workday 

Jacquelyn Bailey, Eric Davis, Bill Maki, and Satasha Green-Stephens provided updates regarding Workday implementation, stabilization efforts, HCM, finance, reporting, leave accrual issues, Workday Student planning, CRM planning, governance review and cloud migration work. 

Barb discussed workload concerns for HR, finance, IT, HCM and system office employees involved in Workday implementation and operational support. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II digital accessibility 

Aaron submitted written comments regarding ADA Title II digital accessibility implementation, accessibility planning, communication processes and workload considerations. 

Minnesota State leadership stated that accessibility remains an important system priority. 

System procedures and operating instructions 

The following procedures and operating instructions were noted as open for public comment through May 2: 

• System Procedure 1B.1.1 Investigation and Resolution  
• System Procedure 1B.3.1 Response to Sexual Misconduct 
• Operating Instructions 1B.3.1.1 Promoting Nondiscrimination Based on Sex 

Equity 2030 update 

Scott Olson provided an Equity 2030 update, including discussion regarding campus climate assessments, regional convenings, accelerator work and Bias Incident Response Team activities. 

Layoffs, BESIs and workload 

Nicole and Barb discussed layoffs, BESIs, staffing reductions, workload impacts, and employee workload concerns across campuses and the system office. 

Minnesota State leadership shared current reduction-in-force information and discussed continued monitoring of staffing and workload impacts.