Taking care of our facilities is taking care of our students

By Dr. Marsha Danielson, President
Minnesota State College Southeast

At Minnesota State College Southeast, we are called to an ideal of stewardship. Our students deserve the very best learning environment we can provide. That is why we are urging you to join us in supporting the Minnesota State legislative agenda this spring. 

Every year Minnesota State prepares a legislative request for its campus maintenance projects through HEAPER (Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement) funds. 2024 is a bonding year, which is when larger scale capital investment projects are requested. If these requests are not funded, maintenance may be delayed or funds may need to be diverted from other critical college needs, including student support.

Adequate funding will ensure that the 26 colleges, seven universities, and 54 campuses of Minnesota State are able to maintain and upgrade their facilities, improving teaching and learning environments ― and ultimately, student outcomes.

HEAPR helps with fixing roof in Winona

Recent state HEAPR allocations have helped meet our needs to upgrade and maintain our facilities. For example, the roof of our Winona campus has been in urgent need of repair and replacement for quite some time. Last summer we had water damage inside the school auditorium and several other interior areas because of the leaking roof. 

Fortunately, HEAPR funding has finally been allocated to replace the roof in Winona. The pre-design phase has been completed and construction will soon be underway. Thank you to our state legislators for supporting Minnesota State's HEAPR request!

Bonding bill requested to renovate Winona campus

Minnesota State College Southeast last received major bonding support in 2005/2006 ― almost 20 years ago. This year, we are putting forward a $14.575 million capital improvement request for long-delayed renovation and renewal of our Winona campus, including plans to remodel 38,000 square feet of the main building to better serve our students.

If funded, our capital improvement request for the Winona campus will make it possible for the college to renovate outdated spaces, increase capacity to address workforce needs in high-wage, high-demand fields, and reduce maintenance and operations expenses.

Our top priorities include creating a student one-stop center that consolidates and streamlines all student services in one area; relocating and renovating our cosmetology lab; and upgrading our health sciences area to create a modern facility that aligns with industry standards.

In addition, we are concerned with student safety issues in our parking areas; updating mechanical, electrical, and restrooms; and renovating the Winona Student Commons and auditorium.

These major improvements to the Winona campus will directly improve the student experience:

• At our Student One-Stop, students will be welcomed and assisted through every step of the enrollment and registration process in one convenient area.
• Our popular Cosmetology program will be able meet increasing enrollment demands.
• High demand health care programs like nursing and radiography will be housed in state-of-the-art, modern facilities that will give students hands-on experience and graduate ready to meet today's workforce needs.
• Improving the Student Commons will provide a dedicated space for student engagement, collaboration, basic needs support, and student life activities.

Major updates on Red Wing campus

In Red Wing, HEAPR funding has made it possible to install a new HVAC system in the 100 Wing of the building and replace outdated fluorescent lighting systems with LED lighting. Not only are these improvements more cost effective, but they also provide greatly improved learning environments for our students and a better working environment for our employees.

Throughout the past year, Phase I of a major project in Red Wing has been underway to convert part of the 100 Wing to a health sciences center. The space is designed to replicate a state of the art, modern hospital unit that mirrors what our nursing students will experience in patient care settings once they graduate.

Federal congressionally directed spending and state HEAPR funds made it possible for us to complete Phase I of the project, which will open this spring. If funded, Phase II will continue with additional improvements to the entire health science wing, including potential new health sciences program space, upgraded restroom facilities, and updates to the certified nursing assistant training area. 

To help fund Phase II, we are providing opportunities for individuals and institutional benefactors to invest in the next generation of nursing and health sciences education through facility naming opportunities. Benefactors may "name" the entire wing or an individual room within the wing. Please reach out to me if you are interested.

There is much work to be done to meet the needs of our students! They expect and deserve up-to-date facilities, modern labs, and buildings that are safe and secure. We encourage your support of the Minnesota State legislative agenda to help Southeast receive the capital improvement and HEAPR funds we need to support our students.