Click on some images for further information
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MNSCU (as of 2012) was established in 1995 as a way to coordinate activities of all the public colleges and universities.  While maintaining uniform standards, the new organization met with criticism from some who preferred local autonomy.
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Interior of the Center for Business, 1995.
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MSU vs. Concordia, late 1990s.
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The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra performed on campus as
part of the Performing Arts series.
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Extensive remodeling in the late 1990s permitted the University to incorporate latest technology into classroom instruction -- Hagen Computer lab, with data projector, "smart board," and terminals.
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During the 1997 flood of the Red River, MSU's "Dragon Bagger" provided 175,000 sandbags to protect Moorhead.
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The flood crisis over, Moorhead enjoyed a pleasant summer while MSU celebrated its "Old Fashioned 4th of July" for the 25th time.
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In 1999, fears spread that the nation's computing systems could not properly "reset" to the year 2000 created brief worries that all PCs and servers would shut down (or worse).  Businesses, government and individuals took steps to avoid data chaos. (Click link to read the MSU's Computer Center actions to ensure a smooth transition)
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TIMELINE    (**some linked documents require Adobe software to read)

January, 1995 -- Computer service on campus grinds to a halt in mid-January, when a local man cuts community data lines while attempting to rob an electronics store.

February, 1995 -- Concerned about rumors of layoffs, students rally at the Union to oppose budget cuts.  The "mood was kind of like a lynch-mob," says one student of the gathering.

March, 1995 -- The administration's budget draft envisions layoffs to cover a $3.7 million deficit for fiscal 1996.  President Barden has "doubt" that the state will award greater funding to erase the gap. (Read budget recommendation documents, outlining the changes.)

April, 1995 -- MSU engages a consulting firm to examine ways to increase enrollment and better manage the budget.

May, 1995 -- In the shadow of budgetary stringency and further declines in enrollment, MSU holds commencement and prepares to open the new Center for Business.

September, 1995 -- Classes begin will 6475 students, about 500 fewer than the previous year and 2300 fewer than 1991.  The semester system is now in operation, reducing the number of individual classes a student will take.  The Vice-president of Student Affairs advises that the MSU budget has "no reserve, no cushion for unexpected costs."

September, 1995 -- Layoffs and resignations have reduced the faculty and staff.  The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MNSCU) now coordinates a merged organization of 7 State Universities, 21 Community Colleges and 34 Technical Schools.  Tuition, with fees (including a new computer - use fee), now stand at about $74 a credit for residents, a "shocking" level in the words of the Registrar.  Many challenges lie ahead  (see Student Debt Crisis).

October, 1995 -- With MSU administration reorganizing student recruitment through "tele-recruiting" by seniors and alumni, the bulk of the student body looks forward to the "welcome back" party hosted by the Owls, who have recently been reactivated after a 1-year suspension for conduct violations.

November, 1995 -- MSU football Dragons defeat Wayne State 51-28 for last home game, and will share the NSIC championship with UM-Duluth.

December, 1995 -- In the midst of tight budgets and costly loans, MSU students are happy that off-campus housing costs ($400 a month average) remains lower than state college average.

January, 1996 -- Two MSU theater majors -- Michael Klug and Susan Beaver -- are chosen to compete in the American College Theater Festival national competition in Washington, DC.

February, 1996 -- English professors Tom Tammaro and Mark Vinz honored when their edited volume, Imagining Home: Writing from the Midwest, is nominated for the Minnesota Book Award.

April, 1996 -- With $300,000 investment in personal computers and servers, MSU put 90 percent of University faculty and clerical employees "online."

May, 1996 -- After months of deadlock, a possible strike by State University faculty is averted when a tentative agreement is reached by MNSCU and IFO negotiators.

September, 1996 -- First days of fall semester are made more difficult by "two squirrels" that chew through cables powering the University's e-mail servers.

October, 1996 -- MSU art major files $600 damage claim against university because "Night Watch discarded a dead pigeon I was drying in the [Arts Center] courtyard.  I planned to coat it in bronze.  Now my work is late."

November, 1996 -- MSU Advocate profiles alum Kevin Sorbo, TV star of Hercules series.  "I loved MSU," Sorbo tells paper, "but spent all my time lifting weights and playing basketball in Nemzek, until I decided to try acting."

December, 1996 -- With increasingly harsh winters in the late '90s, MNSCU mandates a new policy -- "the MNSCU offices in St. Paul will determine when a campus is closed for poor weather."

January, 1997 -- MSU receives $270,000 in grants from state and private foundations for technology upgrades, the First Year Instruction program and the Speech Therapy Center.

February, 1997 -- As a cost-saving issue, MSU announces that it plans to discontinue commencement exercises in August.  With "only 76 graduates" in August 1996, "it's simply too expensive." August graduates may choose to attend commencement in December. 

March, 1997 -- MSU announces that beginning in the coming fall term, grading practices will allow the "plus and minus" system, rather than straight letter grades for each class.

April, 1997 -- U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone (Minnesota) visits MSU to ask for student support for a bill he is pushing in Congress.  "We need more aid for affordable higher education," he stresses, "as this means the best for our national future."

May, 1997 -- Classes are cancelled for 2 days in early May as students and faculty fill 175,000 sandbags (using 6 million pounds of sand) to fight the Red River flooding.  "Our effort helped to save Moorhead," President Barden notes, as the Red River crests just below 40 feet before receding.

September, 1997 -- Biology professors Mark Wallert and Chris Chastain, together with chemistry professor Shawn Dunkirk, receive grants to initiate a biotechnology research program at MSU.

October, 1997 -- Thanks to vigorous recruiting and a "gateway" program with local junior colleges, MSU has its first increase in enrollment in seven years.

November, 1997 -- Due to improving national economy and the findings of the National Association of Colleges that 1998 will be the "best job market in a decade," students attend the annual Tri-College Career in record numbers.

January, 1998 -- The State's announced bonding proposals (funds for construction and repairs) earmark $2.6 million to MSU for roof replacements, building repairs, upgraded athletic faculties and new interactive classrooms for distance education.

February, 1998 -- New Federal and State tax credit legislation offers the hope of additional tuition help for college students, a sign of hope for the over 70% of MSU students who rely on loans and/or scholarships to continue going to college.

March, 1998 -- With computing, business, communications, and education as the fields that are most likely to lead to jobs, university counselors urge faculty to stress writing, communications skills, and leadership skills in every class.

April, 1998 -- Greg Duke, graduating senior and basketball star, is named the season's Most Valuable Player, closing his college career with 1689 points, the fifth highest total in school history.

September, 1998 -- MSU's 111th year of classes begin as students win a petition drive to get the college to reroute its drainage system in a way that preserves 50 campus trees.

October, 1998 -- In response to Mankato State being renamed Minnesota State University Mankato, MSU administration begins consideration of renaming its own campus.

November, 1998 -- University's Music Department adds jazz music as an emphasis in its performance degree program.

December, 1998 -- Construction engineers carefully examine school's largest dorm, Neumaier Hall, because concrete support columns extending into the soil are not "settling uniformly."

January, 1999 -- Because of warnings from experts, President Barden orders Neumaier Hall closed -- "we would just rather be overcautious than not cautious enough."  The move requires relocation of 305 residents.

February, 1999 -- Louise Erdrich, author of award-winning novels Love Medicine and The Beet Queen, reads on the campus's McGrath Visiting Writers Series. 

March, 1999 -- Controversy follows the decision not to renew the contract of popular MSU basketball coach Dave Schellhase after five losing seasons.

April, 1999 -- Affinity Plus Credit Union opens branch in Comstock Memorial Union to provide more banking services to students and staff.

May, 1999 -- Although some 60% of students oppose any renaming of the university, MSU still studies name change to "expand our image in new markets."

September, 1999 -- MSU football team opens season with 44-7 defeat of Concordia College at the first Power Bowl (formerly Crystal Bowl).

October, 1999 -- With enrollment over 7000, women students hold large "Take Back the Night" rally to ask for greater security on "our more crowded campus."

November, 1999 -- Political Science Professor Andrew Conteh is named Minnesota Professor of the Year by Carnegie Foundation.

December, 1999 -- Administration announces that it will lengthen holiday break in order to secure campus technology against potential "Y2k complications."