Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) released the following statement on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s FY2027 executive budget recommendation. The statement can be attributed to MASU Chief Executive Officer Daniel Hurley:

“Recognizing the financial challenges facing our state in the year ahead, MASU appreciates the governor’s recommendation for continuation funding for our 15 public universities, as well as a modest allocation to support campus infrastructure needs. Continued investment in the Michigan Achievement Scholarship (MAS) will help achieve Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal of having 60% of working adults with a degree or skills certificate by 2030. 

“We commend the governor’s proposal to shift additional School Aid Fund (SAF) dollars to support state financial aid programs that improve affordability and access to higher education for families across Michigan. We note again that the Michigan Constitution explicitly authorizes SAF funds to be spent on higher education.

“As the budget process moves forward, MASU and its members look forward to working with the administration and lawmakers to advocate for a more robust state investment in operations support for the state’s public universities that recognizes and strengthens the sector’s collective $45 billion annual impact on Michigan’s economy, which reflects a 28x return on investment for every dollar appropriated to our 15 public universities.”