GVSU considering tuition decrease of 5 percent for fall
Another state university may not increase tuition for the fall.
Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas testified to the House Higher Education Appropriations Committee on Tuesday and said if the state sets the minimum funding for GVSU at $3,775 per student, he will recommend tuition at the university be reduced 5 percent for next year.
“When I was a graduate student at The University of Michigan, the state provided Grand Valley with 75 percent of its operating budget,” he said. “Today, that number is 20 percent.”
Matt McLogan, vice president of University Relations for GVSU, said the school receives about $2,900 per student. McLogan said the minimum amount was set by the state, not the university. He attributed the decrease in funding to two sources: decreases in state appropriations the last eight years and rapid enrollment.
“We’re the least funded per student of the 15 state universities,” he said.
Last week, Eastern Michigan University Regents voted to not increase tuition or room and board, the first time since 1986 a Michigan public university has not raised tuition.
Last week, David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, told Central Michigan Life that EMU’s decision to freeze tuition would not affect CMU’s decision.
The Board of Trustees will decide CMU’s undergraduate tuition at its July 15 meeting.
Lawrence Sych, associate professor of political science, said the decisions made by EMU and GVSU will not have much of an impact on the state budget for higher education.
“It makes no sense to restrain tuition unless the state increases its aid to higher education,” Sych said. “I can’t see them getting a balanced budget this year without them having to take some cuts on the higher education.”
Higher education is one of the few programs in the general budget that can be cut and still function, he said.
“The attitude is, ‘If we cut colleges and universities, they can increase tuition,’” he said.
McLogan said the decision to possibly cut tuition was not affected by EMU’s decision last week.
“Given our unique rank in last place, we don’t have the flexibility of other schools,” he said.
Walter Kraft, vice president of Communications for EMU, said EMU had its students in mind when it planned a zero percent tuition increase.
EMU did not intentionally set a precedent for other universities to follow, he said.
“We are focused on EMU and what’s right for our students,” he said. “We can’t really speak as to what other institutions are doing and what their plans are.”
However, Kraft said he is pleased that GVSU is considering cutting tuition.
“We know this is making a difference. We’re pleased to see the focus and attention on affordability and accessibility,” he said. “We think that goes a long way.”
