The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents today
unanimously approved a University general fund budget for
fiscal year 2009-2010 of $267.7 million with a 3.8 percent
increase in tuition and fees. The budget includes an 8
percent ($1.9 million) increase in University-sponsored
financial aid to $25.6 million.
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EDUCATION FIRST: Eastern Michigan
University
students, like the one
pictured above, will see
a 3.82
percent increase in their tuition for
2009-2010.
Thus far, the rate
increase is the smallest of
Michigan's
public universities that have passed
tuition rates for the fall. |
"The economic and financial challenges for students, their
families and the state are severe and unprecedented. Our
students come from Michigan, graduate and stay in Michigan.
Particularly in this economic environment, we felt it was
essential to keep tuition as low as possible and to increase
student financial aid," said Susan Martin, president of
Eastern Michigan University. "We're pleased that Eastern
will increase financial aid by almost $2 million and believe
the relatively modest tuition and fee increases will strengthen
EMU's position as one of the best educational values in
the State. We hope that the State of Michigan will
not reduce financial aid to our students."
The $267.7 million budget for 2009-2010 represents a 1.9
percent increase over the approved 2008-09 budget.
"Containing our costs while reinvesting more than $81
million in our campus facilities and infrastructure would
not be possible without sacrifice on the part of our employees
and continuing efficiency improvements," Martin said. "EMU
is committed to increasing the number of college graduates
in Michigan through an affordable and accessible education."
At press time, EMU had the lowest tuition rate increase
of 10 state public universities who have announced tuition
increases for the fall. Central Michigan, Grand Valley
State. Michigan Technological, Northern Michigan and Oakland
universities have not yet decided their tuition rates
for 2009-2010.
The 2009-2010 budget reflects personnel and non-personnel
cost containment actions which mitigate the required tuition
and fee increases. They include: a pay freeze for the 100
highest compensated staff members; deferral of merit increases
for administrative and professional staff (APs); and the
implementation of a voluntary furlough program.
"We're not taking any of these sacrifices lightly," said
John Lumm, EMU's interim vice president for business and
finance.
For the second year, the budget was developed with input
from the EMU Budget Council, a 25-member group made up
of student, faculty and staff representatives.
The amount of state appropriations is uncertain at this
time. The budget was based on an assumption of a 3 percent
appropriation reduction (from $78.6 million in 2008-09
to $76.2 million in 2009-10).
With the 3.8 percent tuition increase, in-state undergraduate
students will pay an additional $308 for tuition and fees,
bringing the annual cost of tuition and fees at EMU to
$8,377.
"While we certainly recognize any tuition and fee increase
is difficult for families, we believe, at this level, we
will be on the lower end among public universities," Lumm
said. "This will enhance our standing in the state for
value in public universities. We ensured financial aid
would grow 8 percent. That's an increase on top of the
10 percent increase (in financial aid) we have in last
year's budget."
"EMU remains a very attractive educational option for
students, offering an outstanding education at costs below
most of Michigan's 15 state universities," said Martin.
Possible purchase of Fletcher School
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Fletcher School |
In other action, the Board authorized President Martin
to negotiate and purchase the Fletcher School and property
from the Ypsilanti Public Schools subject to approval of
final terms by the Board's Executive Committee.
The Fletcher School property consists of 11.5 acres and
a 39,200-square-foot, one-story building located at 1055
Cornell St.
If successfully purchased, "Fletcher School would house
(EMU's) Autism Clinic and the Children's Institute," Lumm
said. "If (Fletcher School is) purchased, the University-owned
Cooper Building could be sold."
The Cooper site — consisting of 2.3 acres and
a 10,800-square-foot, one-story office building at 2000
Huron River Drive — was
originally envisioned as the site for EMU's Autism Clinic.
Fletcher School, however, represents a more suitable site
for the clinic and Fletcher's larger size enables the relocation
of the Children's Institute from its current Rackham Hall
location as well as potentially housing University classes.
Capital expenditure projects
During his budget report, Lumm reviewed EMU's capital
expenditure projects, noting EMU has capital expenditures
in excess of $175 million planned over the next three years.
Approximately 75 percent of the funding will go toward
academic facility enhancements, primarily Mark Jefferson
and Pray-Harrold. Other investments include housing facilities,
an indoor athletic practice facility, energy savings actions
and ongoing asset preservation.
"One-hundred seventy-five million in capital spending
will provide a lot of jobs in Washtenaw County," said Regent
Tom Sidlik.
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BUILDING BLOCKS: An outline of the foundation
for the science complex addition to Mark Jefferson
is taking shape. As part of EMU's 2009-2010 $81.6
million capital expenditure budget, approximately
$40.7 million is going toward the Mark Jefferson
project. |
"This will help improve our public message about what
we're doing for the region," Martin said.
For 2009-2010, the recommended capital expenditure budget
of $81.6 million includes $40.7 million for
Mark Jefferson, $10.5 million for Pray-Harrold, $7.1 million
in housing facility renovations, as well as necessary investments
in information technology and other campus infrastructure.
But it was the indoor athletic facility or "dome," as
it was referred to, that received the most discussion among
the regents.
John Donegan, associate vice president for business and
finance, told Regents the physical plant has talked to
five dome manufacturers and two turf manufacturers about
cost and construction options. Based on Regents' desire
to reduce the project's cost from $3 million to roughly
$2.8 million, Donegan said the facility would include the
dome itself, a practice turf, restrooms, a small welcome
area and a option of a covered walkway. In addition to
providing a practice facility for EMU's football, women's
soccer, baseball, softball, and men's and women's golf
teams, Donegan said the facility's operating costs would
be offset by revenues generated from renting the facility
to area soccer teams.
"This is obviously a sensitive issue," said Regent Tom
Sidlik, who cautioned that EMU must follow the parameters
for construction projects under the state's Joint
Capital Outlay Subcommittee (JCOS).
A Use and Finance Statement is required by the state on
all projects exceeding $3 million, said Todd Ohmer, executive
assistant to the chief financial officer. Such projects
go before JCOS for approval. Any projects built at a cost
between $1 million and $3 million must be reported biannually
to JCOS, Ohmer said.
Sidlik warned that EMU can't
have a situation where the indoor athletic facility costs
$2.8 million, but then come back and say another $1.2 million
is needed for parking.
"You have to assure us it's under $3 million, not something
well over $3 million," Sidlik said.
Donegan said no parking is planned for the facility.
"I hope we don't compromise the scope of the project.
We only get one shot at this," said Regent Roy Wilbanks. "I
hope we don't have to compromise on the scoreboard project."
A new stadium scoreboard, pegged at a projected $550,000,
is targeted to be ready for the Eagles' home opener Sept.
5 against Army. However, Donegan cautioned it may not be
ready in time in which case Daktronics, the contractor, would
provide a temporary scoreboard until a permanent one was
ready.
"Our goal is to get the greatest bang for our buck," Donegan
said.
Campus housing report
Bernice Lindke, vice president for student affairs and
enrollment management, reported that, as of May 29, Housing
has 1,859 signed contracts from students to live in campus
housing. This number is up from the 1,711 housing contracts
at the same time last year.
"Our goal of 3,025 living in the residence halls is up
from the 2,900 last year," Lindke said.
Board meeting schedule
The Board approved a revised meeting schedule for the
remainder of 2009. Meetings will take place Sept. 22, Oct.
20 and Dec. 17. The July 28 and Nov. 17 meeting dates were
canceled.
