Gov. John Engler has announced an agreement that shields state universities from budget cuts, in exchange for keeping tuition affordable for students.
This agreement is great news for Michigan's 275,000 students and their parents, and it's good news for universities that keep tuition increases affordable, Engler said during a February 1 announcement at Loosemore Auditorium in the DeVos Center. This agreement maintains my commitment to a world-class higher education system in Michigan, while recognizing the budget challenges universities face from rising costs. It protects universities from budget cuts and puts in place incentives for controlling tuition.
Grand Valley President Mark A. Murray, on behalf of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan, played a key role in the negotiation of the agreement.
This is a welcome and generous offer, Murray said. We are extremely grateful that the state recognizes the importance of higher education.
Under the agreement, state higher education funding will remain at fiscal year 2002 levels for universities that keep tuition increases at 8.5 percent or $425 (whichever is greater), averting predicted cuts in the higher education appropriation that could have ranged from 5 to 10 percent.
William Sederburg, Ferris State University president, credited Murray for seizing the opportunity to galvanize university leaders behind this plan.
