A Minot lawmaker is proposing an interim study to look at the potential privatization of Minot State University, as well as two other unnamed state colleges.
"All it is is a study," said Rep. Scott Louser (R-Minot). "It's not a bill to do anything else."
Louser said he does not have any preconceived notions on which direction that study should go.
"I would like to see what that would do for the University, for the University System, for the students and for the community, if it was partially or fully privatized," Louser said. "I really don't know what that would mean."
Louser said other issues would include time frames, costs and the ability of Minot State to fundraise, as well as the capacity of the community to support that.
"I don't know, but I would like to get input," Louser said.
The measure itself says one option for resolving some of the budget issues in higher education could be a “partial or complete privatization” of Minot State and two other schools that are not “research universities.”