The Great Recession was an economic downturn that ranged from December 2007 to June 2009 and was caused by the global financial crisis and the downturn of the U.S. housing market. In this collection, explore how politics and the economy affected higher education in Minnesota and national. Through this curated archival audio, listen to MPR News reporters as they travel to various higher education institutions to talk to college students about how they feel about the economy, meet with families to discuss their financial hardships, and report on what politicians, including President Barack Obama, had to say about the matter.
(This collection was curated by Shandi Burrows, 2023-2024 Archives Fellow)
January 15, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
January 23, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minnesota.
January 29, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
February 12, 2009 - As part of a weekly NewsCut focus, MPR’s Bob Collins embarks on a set of college tours to see how the tough economy is impacting young people. In this segment, Collins visits the Worthington Campus of Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Worthington, Minnesota.
February 18, 2009 - MPR’s Kerri miller interviews Lori Montgomery, a financial reporter for the Washington Post, and Cheryl Peterson, the manager of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity foreclosure counseling service in Minneapolis.
February 18, 2009 - In its latest effort to stem the financial crisis, the Obama administration announced the details of a $75 billion plan to help struggling homeowners. The plan is more ambitious than initially expected - and more expensive. It aims to aid borrowers who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are currently worth, and borrowers who are on the verge of foreclosure. Afterwards, Ben Bernanke speaks at the National Press Club live here on Midday with Gary Eichten
March 26, 2009 - MPR’s Tim Post interviews various students, college administrators, and politicians on how they feel about attendees of private for-profit institutions being restricted from the State Grant Program. such institutions include business schools, truck driving schools, and barber colleges.
April 6, 2009 - Many private colleges are admitting more students in 2009 fearing that fewer students will be able to pay tuition to attend their school. MPR’s Kerri Miller finds out what this means to students applying for either a "reach" school or a "safety" school.
April 17, 2009 - MPR’s Tim Post reports on application numbers going up at the University of Minnesota and state colleges and universities; however, application numbers are down somewhat at private colleges in the state for fall 2009.
April 23, 2009 - MPR’s Tim Post speaks to parents and students about a decision that will need to make soon. He also met with college students and university faculty about how they interact with possible new students.