Grand Valley State University issues accountability report

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- A thorough review of Grand Valley State University's academic and economic performances demonstrates the university's ability to educate successful students with the fewest state dollars of any other public university in Michigan.

Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas decided to issue a thorough accountability report to state and community leaders, students, their families, and all Michigan taxpayers to elevate the discussion about higher education to include much more than the cost of tuition.

“While affordability is important to measure, it’s not a complete look at what a university accomplishes for the state and for individuals,” Haas said. “This one-dimensional discussion adds little to policy decisions and outcomes. What matters most to students are access and the quality and usefulness of their education and degree. What matters most to the state is fueling an economic engine in the new knowledge-based economy.”

Grand Valley’s 2007 Accountability Report outlines five major areas by analyzing outcomes, including the success of the university, the proper use of resources, and the impact of Grand Valley on regional and state economies.

The report also notes the state’s declining support for its public universities and shows Michigan in the bottom five in the nation when it comes to recent higher education investment.

Highlights from the first of what will become an annual Accountability Report by the university are:

Measures of Student Success:

• The profile of incoming freshmen at Grand Valley is outstanding. Their aggregate GPA ranks second in the state, while their median composite ACT score ranks third.  
• Grand Valley’s freshman to sophomore retention rate is third highest. 
• Eight of the 10 programs that have graduates sit for licensure exams show a 92% - 100% pass rate. The remaining two programs show a pass rate in the top six. 
• A new survey shows 97% of recent Grand Valley graduates are employed or in graduate school. Of those employed, 88% work in Michigan.

Access and Affordability Measures:

• Grand Valley’s enrollment has grown nearly 60% in the last decade, while tuition has dropped in rank from 6th to 13th place.
• 94% of Grand Valley's students are Michigan residents.
• Significant increases in financial aid mean the average tuition bill for a full-time student (in 2006-07) was $4,800, nearly $2,200 less than the posted tuition rate of $7,000.

Partnership with the State:

• Michigan’s investment in higher education has been among the lowest in the nation in the last five years.
• Grand Valley receives the lowest appropriation per student of all public universities in the state, and is second-lowest in receipt of state funded classroom buildings. Yet, success measures show Grand Valley as a top performer.

Efficiency Measures:

• Grand Valley has a long history of operational efficiency. It serves its student population with the fourth smallest staff per student, compared to the state’s other public universities.
• Grand Valley has a growing national reputation for economic, social, and environmental sustainability; it serves as a model for other universities, institutions, and municipalities.

Economic Development:

• Grand Valley’s 23,464 students and 2,800 employees made a total estimated impact of more than $524 million in the three-county region surrounding the Allendale Campus. Nearly 9,000 permanent off-campus jobs in the region exist due to the presence of the university’s campuses in those communities.   
• Grand Valley is the only university in Michigan to receive two SmartZone designations by the state. Combined they have created 35 jobs, secured private and public monies totaling $12 million, filed for patents, and have moved ideas from research to market.
• Grand Valley’s growth has been the region’s gain. During the last decade, Grand Valley has spent $494 million on new and remodeled facilities, creating 14,800 trade and construction jobs during the projects.

Conclusion:

Grand Valley State University’s 2007 Accountability Report illustrates efficiency and the superior return on investment that all stakeholders make in supporting the university. Grand Valley has a significant and continuing impact on the state’s economic, environmental, and social well-being. It underscores the most important measure of all - the education of students seeking the tools that will help them shape their lives, their professions, and their societies. 

The full report may be seen beginning October 25, 2007 at www.gvsu.edu/accountability .