LANSING - On an already delayed schedule, state legislators say they hope to present a plan for state university funding next week.
In their final stages of meetings, the state house higher education appropriations subcommittee began yesterday to finalize its budget recommendations for state universities for fiscal year 1998.
The subcommittee reviewed Gov. John Engler's proposed changes to the structure of appropriations yesterday. Although the committee has been meeting weekly, it has not yet set a recommended increase.
"It will be our intent to come to a concurrence on a bill next week," said Rep. Lynne Martinez (D-Lansing), the subcommittee vice-chair.
Some followers of the subcommittee are hopeful that it will recommend a higher increase in the budget than Engler, who proposed a 2.5-percent increase.
"There has been a general interest in increasing the percentage recommended by the governor," said Associate Vice President for University Relations Cynthia Wilbanks, the University's Lansing lobbyist. "Most of the committee members want to make a difference."
Martinez said she cannot state an exact proposed percentage increase, but she thinks the subcommittee will recommend an increase between 3.5 percent and 4.5 percent, although she said it might be higher or lower.
"2.5 percent is a pretty tight budget for universities to go by," Martinez said.
Maureen McNulty, press secretary for Engler's budget office, said the house appropriations committee is not progressing as quickly as in past sessions because of the inexperience of many members.
"The House is off to a slower budget start this session," McNulty said. "Ten of 12 of the appropriations members are new."
The Democrat-led subcommittee had some disagreements with Engler's budget changes. There was partisan disagreement among the members of the subcommittee regarding Engler's removal of a $2,300-maximum cap on tuition grants.
"The cap could affect the neediest students," said Rep. Donald Gilmer (R-Augusta), who supports Engler's decision to remove the maximum grant.
Martinez said there are many advantages to having a tuition grant cap.
"If we have no cap, there is incentive to distribute more dollars to fewer students," Martinez said.
The subcommittee agreed with Engler's decision to remove a clause that allows people to pay in-state tuition if their parents were forced to move to Michigan because of a plant closing.
"There are reciprocal conditions that cause people to move to other states," said Rep. Morris Hood (D-Detroit), the chair of the subcommittee.
Martinez said she agreed with the removal because it is the "legislative position that universities set their own standards for residency."
The subcommittee did not come to a consensus on a clause deleted by Engler that states, "Michigan residents shall compromise a substantial majority of each university's undergraduate population."
Wilbanks said there is a lot to be said for diversity at the University.
"We have not been supportive of a specific percentage of in-state and out-of-state students," Wilbanks said.
Also at yesterday's meeting, Glenn Stevens, the director of the Japan Center for Michigan Universities, spoke before the subcommittee to request an increase in funding. The Japan Center for Michigan Universities is a consortium of all of Michigan's universities that sends students to study in Japan.
"Our students enter a world where they must compete on a very international basis," Stevens said. "It's also the only academic program where Michigan universities all work together.
Jordan Pollack, of the Office of International Programs, said that since 1989, about 35 University students have participated in the program.
"It's a very rewarding program," Pollack said.
| Points still under consideration: |
|---|
| -- Overall percentage in funding increases |
| -- Maximum caps on tuition grants of $2,300 |
| -- A "substantial majority" of students at state universities must be Michigan residents |
| -- University may implement an affirmative action policy without going through the civil rights commission |
| -- Unused funds from the tuition tax credit program may not extend into the next year |
| -- Funds directed to the Detroit College of Law-Michigan State University alliance may be indirectly or directly used for the school |
| -- State funds may not be used by a university in conjunction with another university to increase the amount of law students |