From the MnSCU online newsletter, December 2006:

Would you like to be more proactive in supporting our colleges and universities? Help us share the good news about the system with state leaders and build public support for one of Minnesota's greatest assets. Become a FAN of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities!

The Government Relations division invites you to sign a petition through the Friends Action Network and help support Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

FAN is a non-partisan grassroots network of faculty, students, staff, alumni and community members committed to building public support for the system's annual legislative requests. FAN is not affiliated with any party but is designed to educate state leaders and those supporting our system on issues affecting the system.

Strong state support for the system translates into a strong workforce and improved quality of life for all Minnesotans, now and for future generations. From the thousands of students we prepare each year to the programs and services that are integral to our state and regional economy, the impact of the state colleges and universities can be felt in every corner of the state.

This from the people who will tell you that a state dollar spent on education returns $10.87 in "economic benefits" without pointing out the contribution paid by students directly or through financial aid. They do at least assume 60% of students who graduated from MnSCU schools would have gotten degrees from other schools in the absence of MnSCU -- meaning that they were subsidized by your tax dollars.