Riverland Community College officials are relieved that the longest state government shutdown in recent history has ended but have deep-seated concerns about the four-year trend to cut public education.
Like all Minnesota State College and Universities schools, Riverland began its fiscal year July 1 using tuition revenues and cash reserves to operate through the summer and fall semesters. In other words, despite the government shutdown, Riverland attempted to concentrate on business as usual. Working with reserves was a temporary fix during the shutdown; however, now that it has ended and the ink is drying on the higher education bill, Riverland officials are still speculating on how the shutdown and budget cuts will affect its students and its enrollment.
