In separate forums on Thursday, the MSU Board of Trustees and university officials met in the Kellogg Center auditorium to listen to the community's feelings about a possible relocation of the College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids.
Sessions took place in the morning, afternoon and evening, with at least two of the eight trustees present at each.
In the afternoon session, social work Professor Margaret Nielsen told the board she has a chronic illness and has worked with medical students through the Longitudinal Patient-Centered Experience. The program pairs students with community members who have chronic illnesses, so they understand diseases from the patients' perspective.
"I do not want this program to be torn from its community base," she said. "I don't think it's necessary."
Nielsen said she receives all her medical care for her illness in the area.
"I'm deeply concerned about the impact," she said, adding that she believes health care in Lansing would decrease if the medical school leaves.
"If you move the med school, you threaten my health and possibly my life."
In the evening session, many members of the audience expressed concern about the unclear costs of the relocation. Two weeks ago, a report was released detailing the proposed move to Grand Rapids, but no financial information was included.
One participant's question about what effect the project's cost would have on state-level funding for MSU prompted Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, to tell the audience that many questions about the funding are arriving in the Legislature.
"We also need a clear understanding of what the agreement involves," Whitmer said after the meeting.
Trustee Don Nugent said the board members do have a price range and they must believe that the cost is feasible while they are considering the project.
"Right now, there's a fear that we're spending money that we shouldn't be spending," he said. "If we're going to elevate our school in size and resources, it's going to take time and a real team effort."
Second-year medical student John Moss is concerned about the potential move.
"Yes, I think Grand Rapids needs a med school, but I don't think they need our med school here," Moss said. "It is my goal to say to the board, to urge the board, to keep CHMS here."
Trustee Colleen McNamara said she heard some interesting comments from the participants. McNamara was at the morning and afternoon sessions.
"There were things that I had not considered in the past," she said, singling out "the idea that there are a lot of cross-college cooperations that would be perhaps lost or more inconvenient because of the geographic distance."
President M. Peter McPherson concluded the evening meeting by asking participants to realize that the May 7 decision is not a final decision, and financial information will be sorted out after a decision.
"The is a Michigan State medical college," he said. "It will be run by Michigan State."
