The change in power on the MSU Board of Trustees on Tuesday has raised questions about how closely intertwined board actions are with politics.
Many officials and university administrators shrug off the relationship, saying the two never meet.
In recent years, very few board decisions have gone along party lines. But Democrats did use their majority to approve domestic-partner benefits in 1997.
The appointment of Ann Arbor Republican Randall Pittman to replace Democratic Trustee Robert Weiss has given Republicans a 5-3 majority.
Weiss left to take a judgeship in Genesee County Probate Court as result of an appointment by Gov. John Engler.
The board had been politically balanced since Republican Scott Romney was appointed by Engler in August 2000.
There has been speculation that Engler may be appointing Republicans to MSU’s board to clear the way for an eventual bid at becoming president of the university.
Engler denied such reports when asked by reporters Wednesday.
Republican Trustee Dee Cook said politics do not play a significant role in board decisions. She said a Republican majority will not change the dynamics of the board.
“When we sit at the table we make Michigan State decisions,” Cook said.
“I’m very proud of that fact. We’re elected to do what’s best for the university. We’re not elected to represent the philosophies or the wishes of our respective parties.”
The University of Michigan, Wayne State University and MSU are the only three public universities in Michigan whose governing boards are elected.
Of those, MSU’s is the only board with a Republican majority. The U-M Board of Regents is balanced 4-4 and Democrats hold a 5-3 majority at Wayne State.
The other 12 boards are appointed by Engler.
“I haven’t encountered a situation where I’ve felt that someone’s judgment or position on a matter is driven by pure politics,” said U-M Regent David Brandon. “I think we have a board who’s made up of people who deeply care about the University of Michigan and they try to do what they think is right.”
Brandon, a Republican, said there are days when he agrees with Democrats and disagrees with members of his own party.
“I don’t think it’s about politics,” he said. “It’s about individuals stating their beliefs and arguing their minds.”
But Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of the Lansing-based newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, said there are some issues that could bring politics into play.
“When it gets into negotiating contracts with union employees on campus, it can make a difference there because of the Democrats’ historic allegiance to the labor unions,” Ballenger said.
MSU is in the process of negotiating a contract with the more than 1,000 teaching assistants represented by the Graduate Employees Union.
Peter Cunningham, vice president of the union, said he doesn’t expect the Republican majority to affect negotiations.
“The union is very aware of the composition of the Board of Trustees, and over the past couple of months we have met with several trustees to discuss our concerns,” the anthropology graduate student said.
The union is asking for increased health care and wages. Cunningham said the change on the board doesn’t change the union’s cause.
“Graduate employees are planning to do everything it takes to ensure that we get the best possible contract for ourselves, regardless of the composition of the Board of Trustees,” he said.
Even Weiss, whose departure led to the Republican majority, isn’t worried about how the board will be affected.
“I can’t think of a vote in the last seven years that has been a political vote,” he said. “If I thought that was an issue I would not be leaving the board.”
Ed Ronco can be reached at roncoedw@msu.edu.
