Trustees to be announced within week, Ross discusses budget in Lansing with governor
The two vacancies on the board of trustees will be filled within the week, a source from Gov. Rick Snyder’s office told Central Michigan Life today.
The nominees will replace former board members Stephanie Comai and Gail Torreano, whose terms expired Dec. 31.
Kathy Wilbur, vice president of government relations and public affairs, said she cannot confirm or deny when the trustee-nominees will be named, or who they are.
“Those are for the governor to announce,” Wilbur said.
Ross visits Lansing University President George Ross met in Lansing Wednesday with Snyder; John Nixon, the state’s budget director; and the President’s Council of the State Universities of Michigan, an organization of the 15 public university presidents.
Wilbur said higher education funding was discussed at the meeting held in the Governor's Conference Room.
“It is very clear higher education will be in for a cut in the governor’s budget recommendation,” Wilbur said.
State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant, said it is necessary to adequately fund and protect higher education. However, before he supports or rejects the governor's budget, he will need to see what is proposed.
"Every single budget will be looked to for cuts, and we’ll look to see what efficiencies (are available)," Cotter said. "It would be very short sighted to bring about cuts to higher education."
Wilbur said the governor is committed to having his recommended budget announced by mid-February because they want the legislature to reach an agreement quickly.
She also said Snyder plans on creating a biannual budget as opposed to the traditional annual budgetary format.
“They are quite determined to wrap the budget process by July 1,” Wilbur said. “We are pleased to hear things will be concluded by July 1 because that’s when our university budget begins.”
Wilbur said the administration recognizes higher education is a very big part of the general fund they had an honest discussion of what the university should expect during the meeting.
“The president felt very good about progress with the governor,” Wilbur said.
Though the budget was the primary topic of the meeting, Wilbur said the governor also discussed conclusion of board of trustee appointments throughout the state.
