An article published Jan. 21 by the Washington Post highlighted four programs in particular that are offering these money-saving courses.

Saylor.org is a nonprofit organization in Washington offering 200 free online courses. Peer-to-Peer University also offers free courses and is backed by Hewlett Foundation and Mozilla.

“(These organizations) represent a challenge to the traditional brick and mortar university,” said Orlando Perez, a professor and chairman of the political science department.

University of the People is a nonprofit organization located in Pasadena, Calif., offering courses for an application fee of $10 to $50, depending on the student’s home nation.

The most expensive of the four choices is StraighterLine. This Baltimore, for-profit company offers more than 30 online courses to its students for a $99 monthly charge.

While some of the content used by these programs is original, they have also borrowed substance from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California-Berkeley, Tufts University and the University of Michigan.

Grandville junior Taylor McCarrick said she would feel apprehensive about a program she didn’t pay for.

“I would feel like they were a scam if I weren’t paying for them, or possibly a waste of time since they’re not from CMU and may not equate to anything at the university level,” she said.

McCarrick said she would be more inclined to take course from these programs in addition to university courses, with the understanding that the university would accept the credits.

While some universities have accepted credits from these organizations, others have declined to do so, questioning the quality of programs, the report stated.

Entrepreneurs in charge of the strictly-online programs are attempting to create credentials for graduates to show employers, rather than needing a university degree.

Saylor.org, for example, uses an electronic portfolio to take the place of a college transcript. Both Saylor.org and P2PU are working on a system of badges that would prove knowledge level and experience for potential employers.

Job prospects

StraighterLine has enrolled 4,000 students over two years, while University of the People has more than 1,000 registered students and P2PU has about 25,000 people who have created accounts, the report stated.

“While these courses tend to reduce the cost of attending college, and provide a service to students who would otherwise not be able to get a university education, there are significant questions regarding the quality of these courses,” Perez said, adding not all students have the self-motivation it would take to succeed in online courses, and that there are other advantages to the physical classroom.

“The value of a traditional university, however, is not just the interaction with professors through face-to-face classes, but the interaction among students and the extracurricular activities and opportunities,” he said.

With the addition of this money-saving resource, Perez said he worries a two-tier system would be created with employers favoring university graduates over graduates of these organizations.

Dan Eversole, senior vice president of human resources at Isabella Bank, said the bank hires for some positions that require a bachelor’s degree and others that do not, though the degree gives a graduate the upper hand.

“That being said, if I see someone who has graduated from college with a degree, I don’t give them a notch up whether it’s online or from a physical classroom,” he said.

Eversole worked at CMU for 15 years in the admissions office and taught a human resources course at Northwood University.

“I don’t look at online versus traditional any differently,” Eversole said. “I’m not going to question whether courses were free, half price or full tuition price — how would I even know how much someone paid?”

Muskegon freshman Felicia McCrary and Shepherd resident Mackenzie Sheahan laugh as they start meeting in small groups on Tuesday night at Mount Pleasant Community Church, 1400 West Broomfield Street, during the ULife college ministry meeting. "We all hang out and just spend life together." McCrary said. (Bethany Walter/Staff Photographer)

With café-style tables, a coffee bar and colorful lighting, the loft of Mount Pleasant Community Church becomes populated every Tuesday night with college students.

They come together for UNite, a program of MPCC’s ULife outreach, and meet in the church for worship and small-group Bible study at 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Shepherd resident and small-group leader MacKenzie Sheahan said the ULife program started about four years ago when she and her husband, Director of College Ministry Mitch Sheahan, began hosting a Bible study for a group of college students at their house.

From left: Lansing freshman Chad Zumbaugh, Saginaw freshman Luke Dehart, Gladwin senior Nathan Goddard, Muskegon freshman Felicia McCrary, and Mount Pleasant sophomore Nick Martin play "Give Me Faith" on Tuesday night at Mount Pleasant Community Church, 1400 West Broomfield Street, during the ULife college ministry meeting. (Bethany Walter/Staff Photographer)

“Eventually we grew enough to start having weekly UNite meetings here in the church,” MacKenzie said.

The attendance at each week’s UNite is now around 60 students, coming from both Central Michigan University and Mid-Michigan Community College.

The night begins with announcements such as the dates for the group’s upcoming spring break trip, as well as ULife’s monthly luncheon. From there, the group moves on to sing several worship songs led by a praise band before splitting off into small groups.

“Small groups are the bread and butter of our program,” Mitch said. “When students come together to share what God’s doing in their lives, big growth happens.”

The small groups usually base their theme around the sermon in church on the previous Sunday and tailor group questions based on each group’s needs, Mitch said.  Right now, the small groups are focusing on the stories of various figures of the Old Testament, such as David, Moses and Eve.

Muskegon freshman Felicia McCrary, who sings in ULife’s praise band, said she chose the church and its programs after researching area churches online last semester.

“Church is a big part of my life and it was important for me to make the right decision,” McCrary said. “Having such a multigenerational church is what got me to stay.”

Onsted freshman Lyndsey Griffin learned about MPCC and the ULife program through her older brother, but she said it was the church’s friendly atmosphere that convinced her to continue attending.

“Everyone just reaches out to you,” Griffin said. “It’s like family.”

In November, Mount Pleasant residents filled the meeting room at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway St., to support establishing an all-inclusive law intended to prevent discriminatory acts against other residents. Currently, Mount Pleasant is the only city in the state that is home to a large public university and does not already have such a law.

Norma Bailey, spokeswoman for the movement and a professor of teacher education and professional development at Central Michigan University, had asked commissioners to review an ordinance for the city that has already been drafted. She said members of the movement’s steering committee will be in attendance on Monday, should they be needed.

“We have understood that what they’re concerned about is cost — the amount of work it’s going to cost the city and the amount of money — as well as any, what they consider, ‘unintended consequences,’” Bailey said. “We want to make sure we have somebody there who is legally sound and knowledgeable to answer any questions that they might have.”

City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said the primary focus of Monday’s work session is the deliberate with the city’s attorney, who will “provide some information” about the drafted ordinance given to commissioners last year.

At this month’s second City Commission meeting, on Feb. 27, Bailey and others involved will formally present on the subject. Before anything is approved, Grinzinger said commissioners may choose to amend language in the ordinance and will hold a public hearing on the mater.

Once the ordinance is approved, there is a 30-day waiting period, during which members of the community may file a referendum. Otherwise, Grinzinger said the law would go into effect after the 30 days.

“It’s going exactly as it should, where people bring an idea to the commission and the commission begins its discussion,” she said. “I expect it will follow the process through the charter.”

Down the road

Bailey said the Feb. 27 meeting will do a number of things, but especially demonstrate the broad range of support the ordinance has gained. That has been a primary focus since November, she said.

She said support includes more than 30 businesses that have agreed to sign on, which is up from the original 10 businesses that signed a letter of support given to the commissioners last year.

She said they have also created a list of people “who have influence” in the community, whether it be through politics or business, to additionally seek support.

Since their first appearance at a commission meeting, the proposed ordinance has been made available to the public online. Bailey said people involved have begun to collect signatures in support of its passing via postcards and an Internet petition, which can be found at www.mpwelcome.org.

As of Wednesday afternoon, she said more than 400 signatures had been collected with the online petition and 50 to 60 postcards had been collected.

Last year, commissioners had acknowledged the potential need for an anti-discrimination ordinance. Commissioner Sharon Tilmann said one would have to “be living in a cave” not to have heard of an instance of discrimination in Mount Pleasant.

“What I do think (is) the commission will be very open-minded …” she told Central Michigan Life Nov. 29. “It works very diligently to do the homework and listen to what the citizens want.”

In general, Bailey said the ordinance would be a “welcoming statement” to people in and outside the community; that it shows good business and involves a diverse body of residents.

Gov. Rick Snyder

The funding, which will amount to $36.2 million, will allocate a 3 percent increase to state university funding and would be based on performance. Snyder emphasized education as one of the state’s budgeting priorities as funds, along with health and human services spending, accounted for more than 75 percent of the budget.

The amounts allocated to the different state universities would be based on compliance with tuition restraint, growth of undergraduate degrees, the amount of undergraduate degrees in critical skills areas and the number of students to receive federal Pell Grants.

In addition to the increase in state university spending, an additional $8.5 million is being devoted to Michigan community colleges in 2013 and more than $306 million is being added to the K-12 school system.

Though the increase in higher education funding won’t offset the previous budget’s 15 percent reduction, Snyder said the state’s economic stability was the priority in previous budgets.

“This proposed 2013 budget strategically invests in priorities such as education, our infrastructure, public safety, health and human services environment, and information technology while setting aside rainy day reserves and addressing legacy costs,” Snyder wrote in the executive budget. “Our focus is shifting from major policy reforms to one that is centered on good government and building for our future.”

CMU’s $2.5 million puts the university slightly above the middle of the pack for increased budget allocations and will receive the fifth-largest monetary increase. Grand Valley State University received the most additional funding, a 7.6 percent increase that amounted to nearly $4 million, and Wayne State University received the lowest percentage increase resulting in more than $1.6 million.

Kathy Wilbur, vice president for development and external relations, said she views the additional funding as restoration for severe cuts in educational budgeting in years past. Wilbur said the university received most of the $2.5 million because of growth in undergraduate degrees, though the $70.6 million is still far below the $90 million CMU received in previous years.

“We’re obviously pleased, but I do think it’s important in the language not to call it an increase,” Wilbur said. “This is just the beginning of the restoration of all the cuts we have received in the past few years now. There was easily $30 million that was cut from the higher education budgets.”

According to a news release from the Isabella County Prosecuting Office, after a seven-hour deliberation from the Isabella County Jury, Rodeney Lee Corton, 53, was convicted of intent to deliver more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, possession of cocaine and conspiracy to possess or deliver.

The investigation that started in 2011 gathered Corton traveled to Texas in September 2011 to get the cocaine, and then came back to Isabella County. Charges were filed in August 2011 by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Deapartment, and the verdict was concluded by Judge Mark H. Duthie.

The habitual offender’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 28, and the conviction could result life in prison. His numerous prior felony convictions spanned back from the late ’70s. Corton remains incarcerated at the Isabella County Jail.

City Manager Kathie Grinzinger

City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said her new appointment to serve on a board of trustees will not interfere with her duties in Mount Pleasant.

Grinzinger joined five other local government officials last month with an appointment to Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees.

The league is an advocacy nonprofit that provides services in public policy and legislative endeavors to cities and villages statewide. Grinzinger teams up with 13 officials who already voluntarily sit on the board, which is responsible for overseeing the league’s operations.

“It’s an important time to be on the board of trustees because Michigan is at a crossroads,” said Bill Mathewson, general counsel for the MML.

“There has been a lot of cutting over the last decade and the last couple of years,” he added. “And the question is now, what sort of investments can be made in the local community, so the state can regain some of its prominence moving forward?”

Grinzinger said she is filling in for the remainder of a three-year term, which ends in December, for another local official.

Her first notification of a possible appointment, she said, came in December when nominations were made. Mathewson said she attended her first meeting in January.

“I haven’t received a tremendous amount of feedback from the community,” Grinzinger said. “Prior to the nomination, I did check with the elected City Commission officials.”

She said commissioners were supportive.

Still going through her orientation, Grinzinger said it’s most appropriate she spends a few months getting a handle on the board’s priorities and “where I can be the most help.” However, she said she thinks it will be an opportunity to lobby for the health of local government.

Grinzinger was out of town last week at a conference in Lansing when the league issued a news release on her appointment. According to the release, the other five officials appointed to the board are Kingsley Village Manager Adam Umbrasas, Battle Creek Mayor Susan Baldwin, Rogers City Mayor Pro-Tem Debra Greene, East Lansing Mayor Pro-Tem Nathan Triplett and Jackson City Councilman Daniel Greer.

Potential issues

Though the city manager on Monday didn’t speculate any particular state issues she’ll be coming into, Mathewson said there were three subjects trustees will likely cross paths with.

One, he said, could be articulating components for the league’s 201c3 agenda, a set of eight measures aimed at promoting “place-making” and success in areas such as economic development in 21st century communities.

Mathewson said a second focal point for the board could be transportation funding, particularly where new sources of revenue will come from as existing roads and bridges crumble amid an increasing need for additional infrastructure.

Finally, he said the possibility of personal property taxes being reduced or eliminated could be an issue.

“That’s going to be important because a great deal of them receive (revenue) through the personal property tax,” Mathewson said. “We will be active [in addressing it], and I think the trustees will be active in the effort.”

Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum is offering a train excursion from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday beginning at Mountain Town Station, 506 W. Broadway St.

Train enthusiast Sam Staples is lending his train car to the cause for the day.

“All of the proceeds will go to the children’s Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum,” Staples said.

Three train cars have seating available for 250 passengers, he said.

Staples said there will be a few Valentine’s Day decorations for endless love tailored to the theme.

“It’s a way for local people to raise capital to build a museum,” said Jennifer Fields, co-founder and member of the board of directors.

Fields said she wants to encourage as much involvement from Central Michigan University as possible.

A double-decker will seat up to 125 passengers for $25 per adult and $5 per child 12 and under, with a limit of three children per adult.

Those looking for a Valentine’s Day experience can purchase a $40 ticket for the Dome car, which will serve alcohol and hors d’oeuvres.

The business car, $35 a ticket, will serve alcohol and hors d’oeuvres, but in a less romantic setting, seating four to six passengers.

Fields said the museum is always offering ways for people to marry their love of the community and the museum.

“We need their support or we won’t open,” Fields said.

The proceeds will help build the exhibits inside the museum. The sooner the necessary funds are raised, Fields said, the sooner the MPDM can open.

Tickets can be purchased at Art Reach of Mid Michigan, 111 E. Broadway St., Commerce Center Phone Book Office, 711 W. Pickard St., and Gingko Tree Inn and River Bluff Bistro, 309 N. Main St.

As of Thursday 35 tickets were still available for the children’s car, which will feature family friendly snacks from GreenTree Cooperative Grocery.

Approximately 20 are left on the premier car, which will have hors d’oeuvres provided by Gingko Tree Inn and Riverbluff Bistro.

Other business

Alpha Phi Omega will hold a Texas hold ‘em tournament from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 16 to benefit MPDM.

Early registration is $10, or $15 at the door. All proceeds of the tournament will benefit MPDM.

President and CEO of Middle Michigan Development Corporation Brain Anderson said the elimination of the MBT is both negative and positive, depending on who it’s affecting.

The transition would equal a $1.8 billion tax cut, affecting around 95,000 companies that pay taxes through their personal income tax return. These small businesses will no longer have to pay business taxes.

The new plan is thought to energize the economy and create jobs, according to a report from michigan.gov.

“For Class-C businesses, shifting to a flat tax is a tax increase in a lot of situations,” Anderson said.  “There’s a little bit of negative feedback.”

But on the other side, a flat tax makes it easier for credit situations, he said, and it may be a higher cost, but it’s more simplistic.

For Class-S businesses, things are more cut and dry for a flat tax. The small businesses that fall under the class will have a tax break, he said.

“It is a simple, straight-forward tax,” he said. “It’s going to help people because they will have much more time to operate, instead of trying to figure out their taxes.”

Even though it’s much more simplistic in the long-run, people always have a hard time adjusting to change, he said.

“People need to realize change could be a good thing.  If anything, it may be a short-term pain of learning the new system,” he said. “We need to embrace change.”

Anderson said the new flat tax puts Michigan in the lowest tax bracket sales in America. When companies are deciding where to locate, there is a lower cost of doing business in the state.

“From what I’m hearing, people are embracing the new tax system and are actually looking forward to it,” he said.

Some businesses are unaware of the change and whether it applies specifically to them.

“There’s a lot of media around it,” he said. “They will know once they start doing taxes.”

Thomas Raymond, owner of Tom’s Professional Accounting Services, 504 N. Main St., said the shift to a 6-percent corporate flat tax will be fairer than the MBT.

“Whatever business brings in, whether self-employed or a corporation, everybody is getting taxed instead of just the big companies,” Raymond said.

Previously, the MBT only targeted businesses that made more than a $350,000 net profit per year, he said.  Now, everyone gets taxed.

“If we are looking at it from a business point, everyone should be taxed,” he said. “They do it at the federal level, so they should do it at state.”

This item was in the 2012 budget and will be split evenly between the water and sewer fund.

The original truck was traded in at a value of $12,934 from Krapohl Ford as opposed to the $12,500 that would have been received with the Gateway Chrysler Dodge bid. These were the only two bids received.

After the trade in, the price for the 2008 Ford F250 pickup truck was $10,000.

“There is no manufacturer that has created a hybrid truck, (but) eventually this is the path we would like to go down,” said Township Supervisor John Barker.

Barker also talked about how a few different organizations in Mount Pleasant and Isabella County are trying to get a  liquid natural gas conversion. However, that is expensive, he said.

Barker said there were some grants that could be used for liquid natural gas conversion, but they have been cut back.

“We have one truck that would be liquid natural gas convertible,” Barker said.

Other Business

Also at the meeting, a Brine Contract with Isabella County Road Commission was approved by an 8-1 vote.

The approved contract is for three applications of brine at 2,000 gallons per mile, totaling a cost of $13,436.64.

“There are 21 miles of gravel roads in our township” said Trustee Phil Mikus.

Last year the township paid $12,227.04 for the brine applications. The new contract is an increase of 9.89 percent from 2011.

The increase was the result of a 1 cent per gallon increase in the cost of the brine itself.

There will be three applications of the brine; one in mid-May, mid-July and mid-August.

Dean of the College of Medicine Ernest Yoder talks briefly to the Board of Trustees about the College's latest progress in the President's Conference Room in the Bovee University Center. (Photo by Kaitlin Thoresen/Assistant Photo Editor)

The College of Medicine moved one step further toward the goal of opening in 2013.

Central Michigan University officials said Wednesday the Liaison Committee on Medical Education has granted preliminary accreditation to CMED.

“We remain committed to our goal of welcoming our first class in the summer of next year and now look forward to beginning the student recruitment process,” said CMED Dean Ernest Yoder in a press release. “At the same time, we continue to recruit outstanding faculty and develop our curriculum in accordance with LCME requirements.”

An LCME team came in mid-November to discuss plans for CMED. They met with CMU officials and some faculty members, who expressed concern with the current plans.

The press release said the LCME looks for five items while at CMU: governance and administration, curriculum, medical students, faculty and resources.

“We are very pleased that the LCME has granted preliminary accreditation to our medical school,” said University President George Ross.  “This is a significant milestone as we strive to create an innovative and highly successful program to help fill imminent needs for physicians and medical education opportunities in our state.”

Stay tuned to cm-life.com for more updates as this breaking news develops.