Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan

More Wrong Track on Education Policy

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:49:58 GMT

April 2, 2013/Michigan Future, Inc.

By Lou Glazer

Two important editorials highlight how far off track too many state policy makers are when it comes to education policy. And that the consequence of bad policy is harmful not just to Michigan kids (what matters most) but also to employers and the economy. Both are must reads!

The Detroit News in an editorial entitled Michigan kids deserve a strong educational foundation: Weakening state curriculum would make Michigan students less competitive makes the case against lowering high school graduation requirements. Adoption of those standards seven years ago was one of the signature accomplishments of the Granholm years. They passed with broad bi-partisan and business community support. They represent a major step in educating all Michigan kids for the economy they are going to live in rather than the one their parents and grandparents lived in which is in irreversible decline.

Guest Commentary: Michigan's Economic Future Depends on Greater Funding of Universities

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

March 10, 2013/Detroit Free Press

By Patrick Doyle and Doug Rothwell

Michigan's economy is rebounding faster than most other states', but businesses here won't be able to get the high-skilled workers they need unless we commit to making higher education more affordable for more students.

That's true even though data show that Michigan's public universities, as a group, confer the fifth-highest number of degrees and certificates among all states. Even more impressive, Michigan produces the fourth-highest number of degrees and certificates in critical skills areas, including math, science, engineering and technology -- degrees that are needed to fill the high-paying, in-demand jobs that will help Michigan become a top-10 state for job, economic and personal income growth.

Editorial: Grading Universities Will Improve Performance

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

February 19, 2013/Detroit News

Wide consensus exists that if Michigan is to become a top state for jobs and investment, it must develop a stronger talent pool. That is, we must invest more in our colleges and universities. But along with the increased funding comes an expectation of better performance, and that's something that must be constantly measured.

Gov. Rick Snyder is adding in his latest budget proposal $25 million to the $1.4 billion allocated for higher education.

Editorial: Higher education is Worth Higher Priority

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Feb. 7, 2013/Lansing State Journal

Don't let roads, other areas overshadow

Michigan has more to do to improve its higher education funding.

Gov. Rick Snyder’s 2014 budget proposal will give lawmakers plenty to chew over in weeks ahead. Several of his priority issues will be controversial, not least among them proposals to substantially increase gas taxes and registration fees to help raise some $1.2 billion needed for Michigan roads, an effort the editorial board has previously supported. Unfortunately, a critical area that deserves more attention will likely get too little: Restoring the still anemic funding for higher education

COMMENTARY — State Universities are More Vital Than Ever

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:32:12 GMT

January 28, 2013/Holland Sentinel

By Michael A. Boulus

Is there a higher education bubble in Michigan? The Mackinac Center recently suggested there is, and recommended Michigan scale back spending on higher education even further (state higher education support per student is down 48 percent in the last decade). Consider this: 62 percent of jobs in Michigan will require some form of post-secondary education or training by 2018, according to research by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Today, only 36 percent of Michigan residents have an associate’s degree or more; only 24 percent have a bachelor’s degree or more. We are in the bottom 15 of states in both measures. It’s the biggest reason that we are one of the poorest states in the nation.