Lawmaker proposes privatizing School of Mines

Air Date:01/14/2011

By Jackelyn Severin

A South Dakota lawmaker is proposing to privatize the School of Mines and Technology. 
 
House Majority Leader David Lust of Rapid City says the issue of funding six public universities in South Dakota has been frequently debated among lawmakers in Pierre. He says rather than closing down a university his bill allows the School of Mines to convert to a private institution. 
 
"To do this the School of Mines is really going to have to step up on the financial side," says Lust, "I have no illusions that its going to be a simple road and that’s why there will be bench marks and procedures that will have to be pursued and proven by the School of Mines that can be satisfied before it would be able to pursue that option."
 
Lust says his legislation doesn’t mandate or force the School of Mines to become a private university. Rather he says the bill allows the Board of Regents and the School of Mines to explore the option on their own. 
 
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