Last Thursday, Senator Paul Anderson, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, sent a letter to University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel asking more than a dozen questions about the recent hiring of a House member as a “fellow” to the Energy Transition Lab (ETL) housed in the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. Today, President Gabel responded to those questions and Senator Anderson released the following statement:

“I appreciate President Gabel’s timely, thorough and forthcoming response to our questions about the hiring of a sitting state legislator at the Institute on the Environment. It appears the University is taking the issue seriously and they understand even the appearance of partisanship or conflict of interest can put the reputation of the Institute at risk. 

The Senate Higher Education Committee, in our oversight capacity of the University of Minnesota, will continue to monitor the progress of their promise to “implement additional measures to hold its hiring practices – even for temporary positions – to a higher standard.” 

I share President Gabel’s commitment to higher standards across the board as she begins her term leading the University of Minnesota. My colleagues and I remain committed to making the University a global leader and economic engine for our state.”

Click here to download the response from University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel