While the state budget is not yet finalized, it looks increasingly likely that the Legislature will not be able provide adequate funding for Michigan’s 15 public universities. This, of course, will have serious implications for our finances, and ASMSU has been advised tuition could go up by a significantly greater amount than in past years and the tuition guarantee may be suspended.

While this is clearly a bad thing for students, and particularly those students who are already struggling to pay for school, it is important to fully understand the implications of this year’s budget and the choices our administration has had in shaping it. Given a low level of state funding, the university really only has two options: raise tuition or make cuts in the budget.

Such choices always require a balance, but it has been our position that maintaining and improving the quality of education MSU students receive is the most important responsibility the university has.

No one likes raising tuition, and certainly this administration and this board do not. Unfortunately, they have been dealt a bad hand by the Legislature. The good news is it’s not too late for the Legislature and the governor’s office to soften the blow.

By repealing the tuition tax credit, the state can add another 1.5 percent increase to the higher education budget. This would mean the university would be able to forego 2 percent of this year’s tuition increase. Because it is unlikely MSU will qualify for the credit this year, this is a great deal for students.

On behalf of ASMSU I encourage you to call or write your state representative and senator to encourage them to take this step toward providing high-quality higher education.

Jeff Ziarko
political economy senior, ASMSU director of university,
governmental and budgetary affairs