FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 7, 2003
Contact: Ward Mullens
734.487.4400
ward.mullens@emich.edu

Eastern Michigan University to offer degree programs in Brighton

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University will open an off-campus location in Brighton this fall, becoming the first four-year public institution to offer full degree programs completely within Livingston County.

The University has signed a five-year lease with RBS Companies Inc. to open EMU-Brighton, an 8,328 square foot facility in the Genoa Business Park on Grand River Ave.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring a number of excellent academic programs into Livingston County," said Dr. Paul Schollaert, provost and vice president for academic affairs at EMU. "Eastern Michigan has long served the students and teachers of the county and we look forward to providing a broad set of offerings that meet other community needs."

EMU-Brighton, scheduled to open August 2003, will initially offer graduate programs from the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services, and undergraduate programs from the College of Technology, according to Dawn Malone, assistant dean of Continuing Education.

"Livingston County is the fastest growing area in the state," said Dr. David Clifford, interim associate vice president of extended programs at EMU. "Continuing Education will coordinate operations and programming for EMU-Brighton. The need and demand for educational opportunities close to home are clear. We are excited to be the first four-year public university to open a regional center there."

The lease for EMU-Brighton will cost $150,000 during its first year, funded from tuition revenue. Continuing Education is a self-funded unit of the University and does not receive general fund allocations. Last year, Continuing Education generated 10 percent (56,000 credit hours) of the University's total credit hours. More than 11,000 students took both credit and non-credit courses offered by Continuing Education during 2002. Continuing Education offered more than 1,500 courses through off-campus sites, on-line and EMU's Weekend University.

In addition to the new Brighton location, Continuing Education offers courses in Flint, Jackson, Monroe and Traverse City; and maintains sites in Livonia and Detroit.

Eastern Michigan University (www.emich.edu) is a public comprehensive, metropolitan university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions. EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences to succeed in their careers and lives, and to be better citizens.

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