In 1851, seven years before Minnesota became a state, the Territorial Legislature established the Board of Regents for the purpose of building the University of Minnesota ‘at or near the Falls of St. Anthony. Today University of Minnesota is one of top 10 largest in the country and budget bigger than some small countries.

The twelve-member Board of Regents is the governing body of the University of Minnesota. The legislature elects one regent from each of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts and four from the state at large (Minnesota Statute 137.0246). One of the four at-large regents must be a University student at the time of election. Regents serve without pay for six-year terms. Terms are staggered, with one-third of the board up for election every two years.

This week new members were elected which are Steve Sviggum, former House Speaker, longtime Republican state representative, former state labor commissioner, and a farmer from Kenyon; Laura Brod, a former Republican state representative from New Prague; and David McMillan, an attorney and executive with Minnesota Power from Duluth as new members. David Larson, a retired Cargill executive from Wayzata, was re-elected.  (This board had less than three African Americans in their history.  Now there is a Hispanic and a Asian woman on the board)
Laura Brod elected now was one of the representatives that helped Somali autism parents last session which we are grateful for and congratulate her now.

The RCAC council was created by the Legislature in 1988 and is responsible to recruit, screen, and recommend regent candidates to the State Legislature. State law requires that a minimum of two and a maximum of four names be forwarded for each open position. The council’s 24 members are appointed by the Legislature.  This year 46 applied (one minority – didn’t make to the finalist) 16 were recommened to the joint committee and 4 were picked.  There are no persons of color or minority in the council now. The council consists of twenty-four members appointed to six-year terms.

There is no law stating minority recruitment and inclusion now on RCAC or the Board of Regents – only consideration.

Why does this matter to us and to Minnesota.

1. Well, University of Minnesota is the biggest and should reflect its citizens.

2. If the seed in this case RCAC reflects us then the board will reflect us.

3. The board hires the president of the university.

4. The president is responsible for the faculty who is responsible for the staff and a more diverse University will have more diverse students and will do more research that reflects minority problems such as AUTISM.  At least this is why it matters to us autism parents.  Not to mention a diverse university will be more inclusive, understanding and will produce more Minnesota citizens that are prosperous and successful.

5. Minnesota has one of the best health care systems in the country yet it has one of the worst health disparities among MINORITIES.  It has one of the best education yet its failing schools serve mostly minority children.

Hence we must change our seeds so that the fruits reflect all of us and benefits all of us – this is the best way to tackle disparities in health, education and business.

According to U.S Census, Minnesota has a population of about a little over 5 million people

4.7% Blacks  and black owned business is 1.8%

4.3% Hispanics  and hispanic owned business is 0.9%

3/8% Asians  and asian owned business is 1.7%

Foreign born 5.3%

Women 52% and women owned business is 27.9%

I hope we all pay a little attention to this and take part of the next process of selecting RCAC and Board of Regents.  We must be part of the process and solution.

Thanks so much and as always may God Bless you and all children with autism!

Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom
www.saafmn.org

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