Bruininks to present at Capitol and U

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks will spend Wednesday talking about the University and its budget woes.

First, Bruininks will head to the State Capitol to testify before the Minnesota Senate Higher Education Committee at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Then, Bruininks will speak to a group of students, faculty and alumni at the University’s 2011 Legislative Briefing.

More than 500 attendees are expected to gather at McNamara Alumni Center at 5:30 p.m. to listen to Bruininks speak about the school’s priorities in the legislature.

At the top of that list is the battle for funding. Faced with a $6.2 billion deficit, the state will likely cut a significant amount of it's projected aid to the University for 2012-2013.

A recent proposal from the Republican-controlled state Legislature would leave University funding at its current level rather than add automatic spending increases, equating to a $89.2 million cut during the next biennium.

Online registration for the McNamara event closed Jan. 11, but limited standing room remains available for walk-in attendees. The event is free.