MSU's already severely troubled financial times are likely to get worse thanks to one of its most distinguished alumni. But at least it won't be alone in its plight; all of Michigan is set to suffer.
Gov. John Engler is expected to sign an executive order cutting state appropriations for the current fiscal year to Michigan's 15 public universities. The order is expected to be issued after lawmakers' return from a Thanksgiving recess.
In doing so, the governor, along with state legislators, will break the promise they made to maintain last year's state funding levels in exchange for a pledge from all of Michigan's 15 public universities to keep tuition increases at or below 8.5 percent or $425, whichever is greater.
In June, MSU's Board of Trustees voted to raise tuition rates by 8.5 percent for the 2002-03 academic year. MSU administrators now are being forced to hastily prepare for a major unexpected dent in the university's wallet.
On Monday, Provost Lou Anna Simon said university departments have proposing contingency plans to implement 3 to 7 percent cuts for the current and next fiscal years, and have been asked to review current budget plans.
Engler is going to make a bad situation worse by cutting into the higher-learning institutions he was seemingly attempting to assist and bring into a brighter future.
Without a doubt, the state's universities certainly do not need a swipe at their funds in these days of tight budgets and strained resources. Engler's order will hurt thousands of students as well as faculty members at every public university in the state of Michigan.
It is not fair for the governor to claim indifference and establish an executive order on his way out of office. This is simply irresponsible.
Engler's one-time fixes have helped create Michigan's financial disaster. He has spent 12 years building a positive image of himself and state economic stability despite being outrageously irresponsible in finances and budget.
His record of short and frivolous solutions to balancing the budget have only proved disastrous. His fiscal irresponsibility has finally come to task and the state stands to suffer.
The probable reductions in higher-education appropriations are in response to an anticipated 2002-03 state budget shortfall. According to the state House Fiscal Agency, the shortfall could range from $400 million to $600 million. And, coincidentally, the Senate Fiscal Agency reported state revenue for the 2001-02 fiscal year was somehow overestimated by $100 million.
Michigan's financial blunders and pitfalls of recent years have become ridiculous. The state "rainy day" fund was supposed to guarantee help for the state in time of trouble. But that money has quickly dried up after being used to plug leaks.
Engler's legacy as Michigan chief executive seems to be that of a financially ignorant leader who has passed the buck to his successor without batting an eye.
The governor's looming order will document a broken promise that will come as a kick in the knees to Michigan's universities. Institutions of higher education are in serious danger of having to choose which programs, departments or faculty members they can afford and which should be terminated to keep in line with a rigid budget.
Thanks to Engler's leadership, contingency plans might not be enough to save valuable academic resources at MSU. He might not have to worry about losing an election, but, because of his leadership, Michiganians stand to lose educational opportunities.
