The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents today
approved a university budget for 2007-08 that includes
significant budget cuts and keeps its tuition and fees
increase to 8 percent.
Tuition by itself will increase 9.5 percent. When
considered in concert with no increase in mandatory fees,
the total cost to students is 8 percent.
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Stroh |
"The budget challenge continues to be the biggest problem
for the state and higher education in Michigan. The state
faces general economic difficulty and increasing unemployment
while higher education faces increasing costs and declining
state appropriations," said Janice M. Stroh, vice president
for business and finance at EMU. "This is a very difficult
situation and there are no easy answers, but EMU is doing
everything it can to maintain its high quality of education
while remaining competitive with other institutions. This
budget is balanced and the University's financial condition
remains stable."
Stroh said EMU's budget plan balances the impact of a
tuition increase with a reduction to the base operating
budget of $5.4 million.
In-state undergraduate students will pay an additional
$557 for tuition and fees this fall, bringing the annual
cost for tuition and fees at EMU to $7,490.
"Many people have worked hard on the budget process at
EMU and they are all committed to creating a budget that
is responsible to our students as well as to the people
of Michigan," Stroh said. "This budget heeds the call of
moderating tuition increases and takes into consideration
the uncertain nature of enrollment and credit hour production."
There are some positives, Stroh said.
While personnel costs continue to increase, those increases
are raising compensation levels, particularly bringing
faculty salaries to market value.
EMU also is demonstrating its commitment to campus safety
and security by making it the highest priority for strategic
funding. In keeping with EMU's 16-point safety and security
strategy, Stroh said budget for facility security enhancements
and training will be increased.
Finally, EMU will increase student financial aid by $1.6
million.
Should the state restore appropriations that have been
delayed, that money would be used to support additional
strategic priorities such as increasing course sections
and strengthening financial reserves, Stroh said.
"EMU is committed to remaining an affordable institution
of access that provides the highest quality education for
its students," Stroh said.
