The M State Detroit Lakes Campus. (M State)
Detroit Lakes, MN – Following years of discussion and evaluation, M State and the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities have decided to move forward with plans to close the M State Detroit Lakes campus.
“This was not an easy decision, and it was not made lightly,” says M State President Carrie Brimhall. “The Detroit Lakes campus has been part of the community for generations, and we recognize that this news may be disappointing or upsetting for many students, employees, alumni and community members. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure M State remains strong and well-positioned to serve students across the college for years to come.”
M State says the Detroit Lakes campus is large, aging, and serves far fewer students today than it did in the past.
M State spent years exploring different options to better align the campus with enrollment levels and long-term educational needs, engaging community and workforce stakeholders in those conversations. Ultimately, none of those options adequately addressed the underlying challenges. The college determined that closing the campus was the most responsible path forward to strengthen its long-term sustainability.
This decision does not mean immediate closure of the Detroit Lakes campus. M State anticipates the campus will remain open and operational until at least summer 2028.
The recommendation to close the campus must still move through the Minnesota State governance process, including review and approval by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees.
M State will host a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, to provide information and answer questions. Additional details on that meeting will be shared as plans are finalized.
M State as a whole – including the college’s three other campuses in Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena, as well as its online programming—remains financially strong. This decision is not being made because the college is experiencing financial trouble. Rather, it reflects a proactive effort to better align facilities with enrollment and keep resources focused on students and academic programs collegewide.
Closing the Detroit Lakes campus will save a projected $1 million annually in operating expenses, and is expected to avoid more than $18 million in future capital investment needs associated with the facility. Savings come from reduced utilities, maintenance, insurance, technology infrastructure and other ongoing costs.
While separate from Minnesota State’s recently announced systemwide strategic alignment initiative, this decision aligns closely with the goals of that work. The Minnesota State Board of Trustees has called on colleges and universities across the system to evaluate how facilities, programs and resources can best support long-term sustainability and student success.
The nursing and radiologic technology programs currently offered at the Detroit Lakes campus will continue at M State. The radiologic technology program is expected to transition to the Moorhead campus, and M State is pursuing a lease agreement with a local partner to support the future of the nursing program in Detroit Lakes. These relocations would be implemented through a phased approach beginning in fall 2027, with the goal of minimizing disruption for students. M State says that current students will continue to have a path to complete their programs and will receive support throughout the transition.
In addition, M State will work to minimize employee impacts wherever possible. Affected employees will be directly and promptly informed as decisions are made, and will be supported throughout the process.
While M State’s presence in Detroit Lakes may change, the college says its commitment to the Detroit Lakes community remains. The college will continue working with employers, healthcare providers, schools and community organizations to meet education and workforce needs and support student success throughout the region.
Future use of the Detroit Lakes campus facility has not yet been determined. M State will continue to honor existing leases and agreements while working with the Minnesota State system and community partners to evaluate future options.
Story courtesy of M State.
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