Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Tyler Despins as a Student Member of the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) System.   

Despins, of Winona, is a student at Winona State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree.  He also attended Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) from 1999-2001.  He has served as State Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Minnesota State University Student Association.  He also served as both President and Vice President of the Student Senate at RCTC.  Despins is appointed to the position for a State University student.  He will serve a two-year term ending June 30, 2005.  He replaces Michael Redlinger as the State University student member of the board. 

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) System is comprised of 6 community colleges, 9 technical colleges, 12 combined community and technical colleges and 7 state universities.  The system is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor.  The Board has broad policy responsibility for system planning, academic programs, fiscal management, personnel, admissions requirements, tuition and fees, and policies and procedures.