Each two-volume book contains four major sections: . - Introduction and Overview: Provides forewords by notables in the field and an outline of the book. - Essays: Features eight to 10 essays on topics such as workplace issues, financial aid, diversity, and more. - Directory: Contains descriptions and contact information for hundreds of organizations, schools, and associations, arranged by topic. - Further Resources/Indexes: Includes glossaries, appendixes, further reading, and indexes

Introduction -- [ch.] 1. MnSCU overview -- Mission and Institutions-- Governance -- Funding -- Enrollment -- System-wide admnistrative spending -- [ch.] 2. System office spending and staffing -- Background -- Staffing and spending trends -- Factors affecting system office expenditures -- Possible changes in system office size -- Discussion and recommendations -- [ch.] 3. Key governance and system oversight issues -- Providing system direction -- Monitoring progress toward system goals -- System officials' key relationships -- Possible changes in system office services and oversight -- Funding allocation and system office charges for services -- [ch.] 4. Academic and student affairs issues -- General comments -- Credit transfer -- Student services -- Program development and approval -- Professional development for faculty -- Minnesota online -- Customized training and continuing education -- College faculty credentialing -- Fire/EMS center -- [ch.] 5. Information technology services issues -- Status of recent projects -- Planning process for technology investments -- Project management -- Discussion and recommendations -- [ch.] 6. Other system office issues -- Fiance and Facilities Division -- Human Resources Division -- Office of General Counsel -- Development Division -- Diversity and Multiculturalism Division -- Public Affairs Division -- Government Relations Division -- Office of Internal Auditing -- List of recommendations -- appendix A. Results from survey of MNSCU Presidents -- appendix B. System office spending and staffing, fiscal years 2005 and 2009 -- Agency response -- Recent program evaluations.

Introduction -- [ch.] 1. Background -- Creation of MnSCU -- The MnSCU system -- [ch.] 2. Academic affairs -- Credit transfer -- Program oversight -- [ch.] 3. Finance and administration -- General financial management -- Management information system -- Budgeting -- Administrative consolidation and cooperation -- Labor relations -- [ch.] 4. Strategic direction and key relationships -- Progress toward the goals of the merger -- System direction -- Internal support -- Relationships among the board, central office, the presidents -- Support by the legislature and governor -- appendix A. Board of Trustees, fiscal year 2000 -- appendix B. Summary of presidents survey -- Agency response.