Bailey schedules 'Town Hall' meeting on budget
Nov. 6, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University President Judith I. Bailey will conduct a "Town Hall" meeting for students to discuss the continuing budget deficit in Michigan and to hear comments and concerns about its impact on WMU. The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the North Ballroom of the Bernhard Center.
WMU's state funding was reduced by $12.5 million at the beginning of the fiscal year, prompting budget cuts, employee layoffs and a 12.4 percent increase in tuition at the University.
Michigan's looming $898 million deficit makes further cuts in state funding to higher education likely, because universities and community colleges together account for 22 percent of the state's general fund budget.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to issue an executive order later this month dictating which areas of the state budget will be cut and by how much.
Media contact: Matt Kurz, 269 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu