June 23, 2017

Wayne State University board approves 2018 budget; authorizes action on several projects

Wayne State University's Board of Governors unanimously approved a general fund operating budget for fiscal year 2018 on June 23 that calls for a tuition increase of 3.75 percent for undergraduate students and 4 percent for graduate students. The increase is below the state's tuition restraint cap.

The overall operating budget includes a 3.75 percent increase in financial aid, bringing Wayne State’s institutionally funded financial aid to $74.2 million –— an increase of more than 150 percent since 2007. More than 13 percent of Wayne State students have their tuition and fees fully funded through financial aid. That number is expected to grow through the Wayne Access Award that launched in December for incoming freshmen and provides additional financial assistance to the most needy students.

"We do everything we possibly can to limit tuition increases because we know that our students will feel the effects of the increase," said Board of Governors Chair Sandy Hughes O'Brien. "It is incumbent upon us to balance the need to maintain quality, despite the state's continued disinvestment in higher education, to make the cost of attendance as affordable and accessible as possible for all students. This budget will allow us to sustain the excellence of Wayne State and maintain this board's commitment to keep the increase below the state's tuition restraint cap."

Despite the recent Michigan House-Senate conference committee’s decision to give the state's 15 public universities an average 2 percent increase, funding for Wayne State remains below 2011 levels.

Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson added, “In recent years we have worked hard to identify new efficiencies and ways to streamline our operations to try and avoid or minimize tuition increases. We have cut millions of dollars from operations over the past decade, and are currently in the process of changing our budgeting process and financial systems to build in even greater discipline and accountability. This is critical to ensuring we continue to offer a top-notch education at a good value in one of the most exciting and resurgent cities in the nation.”

Also approved in the budget was a significant discount for student semester parking passes starting next fall. Students who buy parking passes can realize a savings of 25 percent, which will help them with their overall attendance costs, and encourage greater presence on campus for both academic and non-academic activities. The overall goal is to provide every opportunity to enhance student success, and enable students to be more engaged in the campus community, activities and organizations.

Other board actions include:

  • Authorization to award contracts for design activities and eventual physical relocations necessary for construction of the STEM Innovation Center not to exceed $2 million. The project is contingent on a $14.75 million capital outlay appropriation from the State of Michigan as a 50 percent funding match to university funds. The project calls for renovation of the Science and Engineering Library.

     
  • Authorization to proceed with project expenses not to exceed $3.52 million associated with the sale and development of the Criminal Justice Building at 6001 Cass Avenue and Lot #11 at 445 York. Redevelopment of the properties calls for approximately 69 residential units, 19,000 square feet of retail space, and a WSU Art Gallery. Planned expenditures include $2.4 million for design and construction of the WSU Art Gallery.

     
  • Authorization to solicit proposals and award contracts for design phase activities for the construction and relocation of the Campus Health Center. The center is currently located in the DeRoy Apartment Building, which is scheduled to be demolished in the summer of 2019. The Campus Health Center will eventually be relocated to the first floor of the Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments, currently under construction.

     
  • Approve the change in name of the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) to the School of Information Sciences, effective fall 2017.

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