(Feb. 26, 2008) The Minnesota Biomedical Research Program hearing by the House Capital Investments Committee will take place Thursday, February 28, 2:15-4 p.m., at the State Office Building, Room 5. This hearing was originally planned for last week, but needed to be rescheduled because of the transportation bill.

With support for the Minnesota Biomedical Research Program, the University would construct four new research buildings—including a Cancer Biomedical Research Building—over the next five years. These four new research buildings will allow the University to house approximately 120 new faculty researchers, 480 research assistants and additional staff, attracting $100 million in new research dollars each year.

A strong demonstration of support is needed at this key hearing. Cancer Center members whose schedules permit are invited to join University and Academic Heath Center leaders attending the meeting to show their support.

Coach bus transportation will be provided to the hearing. Anyone who wishes to take the bus needs to reserve a seat by e-mailing Mary Lawson at mlawson@umn.edu.

Bus pick-up locations and schedule

1:45 p.m.: Pick up behind Coffman Union on Delaware St.

1:50 p.m.: Pick up in front of the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) building on 6th St. (North of the Maroon parking lot and the stadium construction)

The bus will return to campus between 3:30 and 4 p.m. (The Biomedical Research Program request is first on the agenda and we anticipate this part of the hearing will end by 3:15 p.m.)