Michigan Tech Not Affected by Governor's Budget Cuts

The Michigan House and Senate Appropriations Committees have approved Governor Jennifer Granholm's executive order cutting more than $300 million from the State of Michigan's current year budget. The cuts do not affect the base budgets of the 15 state universities, including Michigan Tech.

The cuts appear to impact only one higher education program, the Michigan Promise Scholarships. However, Michigan Tech students who receive Michigan Promise Scholarships will not see a decrease in their aid this year, because the $5-million cut involves only funds that were budgeted but not spent.

"We are aware that our legislators made many tough decisions, and we are grateful to them for the priority they have placed on education," said President Glenn Mroz. "Their actions speak volumes about the priorities of Michigan and the importance of preparing our students to succeed in the future."

Next year's budget has not yet been passed by the Legislature, but federal stimulus funds may enable the public universities to replace any funding lost to budget cuts then. Michigan Tech's new fiscal year begins July 1, but the state's fiscal year doesn't begin until Oct. 1.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.