Any Spartan would delight in the idea of finding an extra $6 million laying around when economic times turn tough. But what the average person only can dream has become reality for MSU.
Lucky for us, right?
Well, maybe.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson said increased enrollment and health care savings will help the university offset $6.5 million in budget cuts this year. He also warned the MSU Board of Trustees that MSU's financial luck won't last forever - perhaps not even to next fall.
To heed the warning, trustees are now discussing ways to balance the university's budget while keeping tuition increases stable.
It's nice to know the university's governors have not forgotten MSU's mission as the nation's pioneer land-grant institution - to provide affordable higher education for the people of Michigan.
Of course, it would be helpful if state lawmakers remember that mission, too. MSU has long sat at the short end of state appropriations when compared to Michigan's other state-funded research universities - the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
State-funded universities face a 2-percent cut in appropriations after former Gov. John Engler sliced the state's budget last month to compensate for a multibillion dollar deficit.
In June, the board raised tuition by 8.5 percent after Engler struck a deal with Michigan's 15 public universities that ensured the institutions would not see a decrease in state money so long as they did not increase tuition more than 8.5 percent or $425.
That was the second time in two years the board increased tuition more than 8 percent, having upped the fee 8.9 percent in 2001.
Before those hefty increases, the board operated in accordance with MSU's Tuition Guarantee, which said increases would not exceed the projected rate of inflation.
Tuition increases at MSU average 2.8 percent for seven years prior to 2001.
Unfortunately for Spartans, the Tuition Guarantee proved to be nothing more than lip service as it was quickly abandoned when times got tough.
The only guarantee university officials can really give is they will react to whatever the state gives them when planning tuition costs.
Still, the only real guarantees in America continue to be the rising price of gas and tuition. And we continue to wonder what really "fuels" the economy.
As for MSU officials, it would be wise to remain honest with Spartans when it comes to the future of their tuition bills. If large hikes are coming, tell students as soon as possible.
But don't forget the university's social obligation as a land-grant institution. Find ways to save money and don't pass the whole buck onto students.
Perhaps following in Sparty's footsteps and constructing the world's largest freestanding ceramic piggy bank outside Cowles House might not be a bad idea either.
