U of Minn. students rally at Capitol

Several hundred students from the University of Minnesota were at the state Capitol Tuesday, sking lawmakers to preserve funding for the state's colleges and universities.

Officials with the university say they're concerned that deep cuts in state funding could increase tuition and mean layoffs. Nick Saab, a senior at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus, told students at an afternoon rally that they need to tell lawmakers that funding is important.

"What this day is about is organizing students at the Capitol for a day of support at the university, and shouting to the Legislature that they need to fund one of the largest economic drivers in the state of Minnesota," said Saab.

Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a 6 percent cut in state funding for the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Dayton says officials told him that the cut won't force higher tuition at either system. The state is facing a $6.2 billion projected budget deficit.