Officials at a health center in Grand Rapids say they need more details about the possible move of MSU's College of Human Medicine to their side of the state before they make any agreements.
The Spectrum Health Board of Trustees met Tuesday night and discussed the school's move, but did not vote on the issue.
"Everybody is in a voting frenzy," Spectrum Health spokesman Bruce Rossman said. "It was never on the agenda to even vote one way or the other, it was only on the agenda for discussion."
During the discussion, the trustees said they still were interested in bringing the school to their side of the state, but they'd first need to know more about funding.
Richard Breon, president and CEO of Spectrum Health, said despite the need for more figures, he's still looking forward to a possible partnership with MSU.
"We continue to believe that the community would benefit from having a medical school in Grand Rapids," Breon said in a statement. "However, the board has concerns that the plan, as it has been presented, has significant financial and operational issues that need to be resolved. We need more details before any decisions can be made."
Rossman said he expects a resolution no later than the end of this year, but the MSU Board of Trustees will vote on the idea to expand and move the medical school on May 7.
"I consider this progress," MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said, adding that even though MSU's trustees will vote on the issues, they, too, need more information. "More details will be expected for it by everyone. But the fact that (Spectrum's) as optimistic as we are about the proposal is promising."
MSU officials released the Bowersox Report about two weeks ago, which outlined the expansion and move to Grand Rapids, but neglects to state any financial figures.
Don Bowersox, a supply chain management professor, led the study, which reports that the College of Human Medicine would move all but about 25 first- and second-year students to Grand Rapids. The College of Osteopathic Medicine would, however, increase its yearly class size by about 80 students and remain in East Lansing.
