Metropolitan State Announces New Education Center for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

July 29, 2009

Details of the $18 Million, Shovel-Ready Campus Will Be Unveiled at a Ceremony at 3 pm on July 29, with Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson as a Keynote Speaker. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metropolitan State University: WHO: Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and Hennepin Technical College are partnering on a 65,000-square-foot Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center on the Brooklyn Park campus of Hennepin Technical College. WHAT: Details of a new, $18 million Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center will be announced by representatives of the three participating universities, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system chancellor, and Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. WHEN: Wednesday, July 29, from 3 to 4 pm. WHERE: The Brooklyn Park campus of Hennepin Technical College, 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (952-995-1300) WHY: "Crime and public safety continue to be important issues for this region," said Ginny Lane, Executive Director, Metropolitan State University School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. "The interest in law enforcement careers saw an increase after 9/11 and remains strong today. The new education center will help students emerge better equipped to deal with the complex law enforcement and criminal justice challenges of today, which often include a combination of analytical and communication skills." BACKGROUND: The new center will include 12 "smart" or digital classrooms, a forensic lab, scenario-based training and simulation areas, two indoor target ranges and an outdoor tactical area. $14 million in funding has been received from the state of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities bonding appropriation. An additional $2 million was funded by Metropolitan State University and MCTC. A fundraising campaign will seek additional contributions when the center is complete in the fall of 2010. Metropolitan State University, a member of MnSCU, provides high-quality, affordable academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

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