Regents approve 'U' budget plan

Hoping for a repeat of this year's generous state appropriations, the University Board of Regents at its meeting Friday unanimously approved University President Lee Bollinger's request for a 5 percent, nearly $17 million, increase in funding from the state of Michigan.

University Provost Nancy Cantor said if the state legislature approves the request next year, "it would again allow us to keep tuition restrained."

Because the University received a 4.8 percent increase in state appropriations this year, tuition was raised 2.8 percent, the lowest hike in 10 years.

Gov. John Engler's proposed state budget for fiscal year 2001 is set to be announced in February.

At the meeting, Cantor noted increases in faculty and staff salaries as a challenge to the University's budget.

In her report, Cantor said the national average for faculty salary increases was 4.8 percent for last year. The University's 4 percent to 5 percent increases in the last year are "just keeping up with the competition" the report noted.

Regent Andrea Fischer-Newman (R-Ann Arbor) expressed an interest in a more detailed history of University salary increases.

"Every year we are briefed that we ... need to increase salaries," Newman said.

Compiling a report on faculty salary increases from the last four to five years would help put the issue into context, Newman said.

Cantor said the renewal of union contracts for staffs, including the Public Safety and Building Trades, the need of funds to hire more information technology staff and to wire the University for future advancements in technology creates "a challenge and pressure" to the budget.

Also at the meeting Michigan Student Assembly representatives presented the regents with an initial report concerning the development of a Club Sports Endowment.

MSA Vice President Andy Colouris said because club sports have high dues in comparison to other University student groups the endowment would help to ensure opportunity for students to play on the teams regardless of the cost.

"We want students to be able to do what they love," said Coulouris, an LSA senior.

MSA President Bram Elias told the regents about a proposal to raise student fees a $0.25 each semester to raise $18,000 toward the endowment which was voted on during last week's MSA election. The proposal passed with more than 60 percent of the vote. Elias said the proposal was to "gauge depth of student support."

Some regents expressed concern that other student groups needing financial resources were being overlooked.

The raise cannot be executed without regental approval.

11-22-99