‘U’ receives awaited funding in House higher education budget

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Tweet LANSING - The state House approved the $1.66 billion higher education budget Tuesday to fund Michigan’s 15 public universities for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 -�MSU will receive $321 million.

The budget, which is on its way to Gov. John Engler’s desk for his signature, completes the $9.6 billion state budget for the 2000 fiscal year. When restricted and federal funds are included, the total state budget exceeds $36 billion.

Engler plans to sign the higher education budget, spokesman John Truscott said.

Before the House approved the budget 95-13, several lawmakers spoke out against the bill that uses a five-tier system intended to give each university within a tier the same amount of money per student.

The passing of the bill and the amount MSU received were both expected, said Steve Webster, vice president of governmental affairs for MSU.

“It isn’t a surprise,” Webster said. “The amount is as expected for the current year, but we’re always hoping to make progress toward the funding levels enjoyed by other research universities in the state.”

MSU President M. Peter McPherson could not be reached for comment.

Democratic Rep. Paul Tesanovich of L’Anse and state Rep. Jon Jellema, R-Grand Haven, asked members to vote against the budget.

Jellema said the budget fails to fully fund universities to their tier levels. Both MSU, which will receive $8,097 per student, and Grand Valley State University, which got a 10 percent increase in funding to $4,328 per student, fall below their respective tier bases.

Sandy Caul, House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee chairwoman, said she understood legislators’ frustration with the funding levels, but added that 13 of the state’s 15 public universities are fully funded to their respective levels.

“We are working to provide access and affordability for students,” said Caul, R-Mount Pleasant.

State lawmakers left for their summer recess in June with the college funding bill left undone, after budget negotiations broke down among House and Senate conference committee members.

The House approved the budget on its first day back in session after a two-month recess. House members will be in session for two weeks before returning to the campaign trail for the Nov. 7 election.

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

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