The Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan provides information on a wide variety of public policy and legislative issues pertaining to higher education. Additionally, the Council takes official positions on matters of concern to Michigan's public universities in order to help our members, and the public, stay up-to-date on important issues impacting higher education.
Useful Information
Produced by the Presidents Council, Higher Education in Michigan by the Numbers (March 2013)
Moving Michigan into the Knowledge Economy 2013 (.pdf)
PCSUM Executive Director Michael Boulus testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education on the Governor's 2014 budget proposal.
Moving Michigan Forward (.pdf)
Michael Boulus's presentation on moving Michigan into the knowledge economy
Appropriations Metric
2007 to 2009 changes to state appropriations. Michigan is now ranked 40th.
Michigan House Vote Opens Door to Higher Costs, Duplication and Waste in Community Colleges
The Presidents Council responds to the Michigan House of Representative vote that encourages Michigan's community colleges to duplicate four-year degree programs already available at Michigan's 15 public universities, or programs that the university presidents have said they are prepared to initiate if there is sufficient interest.
2010 House Higher Education Subcommittees presentation (.pdf)
Michael Boulus's presentation on behalf of the Presidents Council to the 2010 House Higher Education Subcommittee.
2010 Senate Higher Education Subcommittees presentation (.pdf)
Michael Boulus's presentation on behalf of the Presidents Council to the 2010 Senate Higher Education Subcommittee.
State Financial Aid for Students Concept Paper (pdf)
The demand for student financial aid in the State of Michigan and throughout the nation is at an all-time high due to the current economic recession. Even before the reductions in the 2009-10 state budget students with financial need did not compare well to those in other mid-western states. The PCSUM financial aid directors committee benchmarked, discussed, and developed a concept paper on state financial aid programs.
2009-10 University Press Releases on Tuition (pdf)
Links to press releases and web sites on university tuition and financial aid
Michigan Economy in the Balance (pdf), The Case for Funding Higher Education
A presentation given by the Presidents Council emphasizing the importance of funding for higher education
Difficult Dialogues, Rewarding Solutions (pdf), Strategies to Expand Postsecondary Opportunities While Controlling Costs
A report from Public Agenda on the 4th Annual Policy Summit of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact
The Ripple Effect of Virginia Tech (pdf), Assessing the Nationwide Impact on Campus Safety and Security Policy and Practice
A report by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact on Campus Safety
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You (pdf), 11 Facts Michigan Citizens Need to Know About Michigan's Fiscal Crisis
A short brochure with facts about the current economy and spending in Michigan
The Art and Science of Running Universities like a Business (pdf), by SVSU President, Eric Gilbertson
Exerpt from Presidents' Perspectives, Commentary by Michigan public university presidents and chancellors on important issues affecting Michigan.
Myth-Busting the State of Michigan Budget (pdf)
A brief overview of the consequences of state policymaker decisions to cut taxes and make spending decisions that have reduced the state's ability to return to prosperity.
Challenges and Implications (pdf), Declining State Support of Michigan Public Higher Education
An overview of how Michigan's public universities' have responded to state funding reductions, and the implications of any further erosion of state support of higher education.
Michigan's Higher Education System: A Guide for State Policymakers (pdf) Courtesy of Ferris State University, 2003
An overview of Michigan's system of public universities and key issues affecting higher education, check out our guide for policymakers.
Gateway to Opportunity Presentation (pdf) , an Overview of Michigan's Public University System
An overview of the history, recent accomplishments, current challenges, and future priorities of Michigan's public universities.