A curious thing happened on the way to criticizing the governor's
proposed cut to higher education; one of the possible criticizers
refused to play the game.
Ever since Gov. Rick Snyder suggested a hefty 15% slice in state
support for the state's 15 universities, some have been unhappy. Some
say the figure is closer to 22% and that will mean the hefty cut will
produce hefty tuition hikes.
"I think this is a drastic cut. I think it's too extreme,"
complains Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing). She has a little school near
her called MSU.
Gov. Snyder has a little school near his house, too, but the
University of Michigan president refused to join in the chorus of boos.
"I think we're well prepared," to deal with the reduction a rather
sanguine Dr. Mary Sue Coleman opined.
She spoke just before appearing before the house budget
subcommittee on higher education and was asked,"So you are not going in
there to beg for money?"
Hardly. She exuded, "I'm going in there to talk about how great
the University of Michigan is."
Other university heads were not on the same page…to say the least.
President Tom Haas, who runs Grand Valley U says, "I'm not happy
with what the state has had as a policy of moving the obligation from
the taxpayer to the students."
Here's why he's unhappy: Years ago, when the state had the cash,
it stashed about 70% into tuition costs. The figure is closer to 30%
now.
The state budget director concedes the cuts are "tough and it
hurts" but he's telling the complainers to hang tough for one year and
then next year when the economy turns around, "This will be the last
time we have to go to that well" to cut the schools.
And U of M's prez is buying that, too. "We take the governor at
his word." What would you expect her to say since the governor is one
of her alums?