First appeared on Detroit News
After what university leaders have sometimes called a
"decade of disinvestment," Michigan's public universities are poised
to get a rare increase in state funding next fiscal year — and it could bring
some tuition relief for students.
The proposed additional state money — 3 percent on average —
comes with strings attached, and some universities would fare better than
others under the recommendations this month from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.
Universities would be expected to keep their tuition increases at or below 4
percent to get some extra money for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.
Students working on the MAT Degree are
troubled by some increases and hope for changes.
Smaller tuition increases would be welcomed by Michigan
university students, who have faced significantly higher bills in large part
because state government reduced taxpayer assistance for general operations
over the past decade.
The average, enrollment-weighted listed price of tuition and
fees at a public university in Michigan climbed from $6,294 in 2004-5 to
$10,837 this academic year for in-state residents, according to The College
Board. There's a wide range of tuition costs among the state's 15 public
universities, but the general trend has been higher costs. Those pursuing a Nursing
Degree are concerned.
"It would be wonderful to see tuition not raised so
much," said Justin Brugman of Marquette, the president of Northern
Michigan University's student government association. "It feels like it's
always on the backs of students to come up with the difference that the state
is no longer funding. Students are taking on second jobs and trying to take out
more loans to pay for it."
University leaders
welcome increase
The Legislature is just starting to review Snyder's budget
proposal, so it's difficult to gauge how the university funding model will look
when a final plan is passed later this year. But a possible 3 percent increase
would be a significant improvement for higher education funding compared to
most of the past decade. State aid for university operations was cut about 15
percent during the current fiscal year and the reductions would have been
steeper if universities hadn't agreed to keep tuition increases limited to
roughly 7 percent or less.
Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon described
the proposed budget as a "significant change in direction from the last
decade of cuts." Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas said
"it's great news to be discussing an increase" connected to the
budget proposal.
About $36 million would be set aside in performance funding,
which includes about $9 million for universities limiting tuition increases.
The rest of the incentive money would be split up based on the growth in the
number of undergraduate degree completions, particularly in critical skill
areas such as science and technology, and the number of undergraduate Pell
Grant recipients on campus. That includes those pursuing a Healthcare
Degree.
The schools that fare the worst under that model would be
the state's main research universities — Wayne State, which would get a 0.9
percent increase not counting the possible tuition incentive, and the
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Michigan State University, which would get
1.4 percent increases. Western Michigan University would get a 1.5 percent
boost. That's partially because the Snyder formula doesn't factor in
postgraduate or advanced degrees and also may tend to hurt universities already
performing at top levels in some areas.
Grand Valley State University, which has significantly
increased its number of graduates over the past decade, would get a 7.6 percent
funding boost under the Snyder plan, not counting the possible tuition
incentive. Ferris State University would get a 6.2 percent increase and Saginaw
Valley State University would get a 4.8 percent increase.
Complicating factors
Business Leaders for Michigan, which includes leaders of
some of the state's most prominent companies, is urging policymakers to invest
more in higher education as part of a strategy to improve the state's economy.
The executives' organization supports using a broader range of performance
measures such as graduation and retention rates, along with consideration of
advanced degrees. The organization also says Michigan universities should be
measured against their national peers rather than against in-state schools that
have different missions and student populations. Those in the Teacher
as Leader program agree.
It's too soon to know if the Snyder proposal would offer
enough increased state aid to keep tuition levels at or below 4 percent, said
Mike Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council — a Lansing-based
organization representing the 15 universities. Complicating factors are the
differences in proposed funding increases and the fact universities still are
dealing with the 15 percent cut on the books for this fiscal year.
"It's going to be hard, because our costs of operation
have gone up," said Haas, the Grand Valley State president. "We're
going to do the best we can to always keep our tuition as low as we can."
State aid for
Michigan universities
Tuition trouble: State support to Michigan’s 15 public
universities has dwindled over the past decade during an economic downturn that
contributed to government budget problems. Universities often raise tuition as
part of their strategy to deal with decreased state aid. Those studying for doctorates like the Doctorate in
Community College Leadership definitely feel the pinch.
Possible boost: Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed a 3 percent
funding increase for universities in the fiscal year that starts in October.
The extra money would be based on performance incentives that include keeping
tuition increases at 4 percent or less.
Next steps: The Legislature is reviewing the Snyder plan. A
final budget isn’t expected until later this year.
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