Governor and Legislature agree on fixes to balance FY19-20 budget
A collaborative agreement between the Michigan Executive and Legislative branches last week has officially closed the 2019-20 state budget—the first to be impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak that prompted an emergency state-wide shutdown.
Facing a $2.2 billion deficit, the final agreement included a number of reductions in state spending and allocated federal Coronavirus Relief Funds and Michigan Budget Stabilization Funds to impacted budget areas. "This agreement didn't happen overnight and wasn't dominated by one party," said Michigan Budget Director Chris Kolb.
The higher education budget was reduced 11%--a $164 million cut to base appropriations.The cuts were back-filled with one-time federal funds that are restricted to COVID-related expenses. Historically, cuts to the higher education budget are drastic and have immediate effect. Recovery, on the other hand, is typically slow and incremental.
"We can now see a pattern where catastrophic events impact Michigan's budget every decade," said Jeff Breneman, vice president, Government Relations. "Higher education funding always takes a hit; funding is slowly restored but never reaches previous levels before the next catastrophic event. Unfortunately, it is necessary for us to be mindful of this trend for University budget planning."
The graph below shows WMU’s state appropriation from 1993 to the current year and highlights the impacts of state support. Reductions from the last major economic downturn have only recently been recaptured.
Negotiations on the FY 2020-21 budget—typically complete by July—will now extend into September as the Executive and Legislative branches face another multi-billion-dollar deficit. It is expected that another round of state cuts--potentially combined with a lack of federal dollars to supplement--will negatively impact a variety of state services, higher education and WMU included. At a minimum, the WMU appropriation will be reduced $12.4 million from pre-COVID levels, with larger cuts expected.
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Mask on for a safe return to campus
As the University looks forward to reopening for fall semester, know that the health and safety of the entire WMU community is our first priority. We have charted a course through the COVID-19 pandemic in the
WMU Safe Return Plan
that continues WMU’s high-quality educational experience.
Development of the plan was inclusive, consultative and informed by experts and facts. Faculty, staff, students and parents have been engaged through committees, town halls and emails, as well as formal and informal meetings. Planners listened to scientists and local, state and national public health officials. The University will track case numbers and gain an evolving understanding of the disease. These informed decisions are designed to mitigate risk and engage with all of our communities to promote wellness.
Classes will begin Sept. 2; student-facing services will resume in-person operations on Aug. 17
. Each unit's daily office hours and general operations may differ from previous semesters. Please check each office's website or call for details; phone numbers are included on the homepage of all departmental websites.
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Primary time to make your mark
Michigan will hold a state primary election on
Tuesday, Aug. 4
to determine candidates at the local, state and federal levels for the general election on Nov. 3.
Voters are encouraged to vote from home with an absentee ballot, which can be picked up at
their local clerk’s office anytime before 4 p.m. on Aug. 3. In-person voting will be available in every jurisdiction on Aug. 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find poll and ballot information by your address at
Michigan.gov/vote
.
Campus-focused voter information initiatives and events are hosted by
WMU We Vote
, a team of students, faculty and staff committed to promoting informed, responsible engagement with government. The group strives to register all eligible students to vote, educate students and the campus community about candidates and ballot initiatives, increase voter turnout, and to encourage voting as a lifelong habit.
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WMU professor takes the helm at state board
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Congratulations to
Dr. Ola Smith
, chair and professor in WMU's Department of Accountancy, who has been elected chair of the Michigan State Board of Accountancy, one of the highest oversight posts in the field of accountancy. She has served six years as a board member and will serve a one-year term as chair.
The board is responsible for the certification, licensure and regulation of certified public accountants and public accounting firms. The CPA is the most significant licensure for accountants in the United States.
"I'm proud to represent the educational community, and I'm looking forward to working with the Board of Accountancy, the State of Michigan and accounting professionals to successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," says Smith. Read more at
WMU News
.
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Lean in to state service, become an influencer
Michigan’s Office of the Governor oversees more than
200 boards and commissions
that offer the citizens who serve on them a stronger voice in how the state is governed and to influence decisions that shape the quality of life for its residents. Issue areas include a broad range of academic disciplines, industries and professions. These citizen-based groups support the advancement of their fields through development of accreditation/certification/licensing requirements and testing, safety protocols, etc.
The Appointments Division within the governor’s office is responsible for seeking qualified candidates to fulfill these responsibilities. Applicants can apply for a specific board or commission, or indicate openness to being placed where most needed.
Interested applicants can complete the online application
HERE
; full consideration is given to all applicants. The Office of Government Relations is here to support members of the WMU community interested in applying.
Contact us
.
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Rise up for higher education through CARES
Broncos—it’s time to put your advocacy skills to work! We need your help to raise our our collective voices to ensure college students and higher education receives a fair share of COVID-19 relief funding.
The initial CARES Act federal funding provided universities, state and local governments, families, and unemployed workers critical financial assistance to help support viability during the pandemic. To date, CARES funding at WMU has provided over $6 million directly to our Bronco students to help them buy food, laptops or cover other emergency costs as a result of the pandemic. Institutional relief will be used to obtain PPE, testing equipment and help cover the costs of cleaning crews and technology upgrades required to safely return to campus.
As Congress considers an additional round of much needed relief, we encourage you to reach out to
Senator Debbie Stabenow
,
Senator Gary Peters
and
Congressman Fred Upton
to thank them for supporting WMU during these difficult days. Their offices have been regularly engaged with President Montgomery and the Government Relations team. Please ask for their support to ensure higher education relief funding is available to students and the institutions that serve them. Your call or email will help make the case, and your elected officials will welcome your feedback.
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"Black Lives, Black Words" returns to Kalamazoo
"Do Black lives matter?" That’s the question local artists aim to answer in the ongoing three-part series "Black Lives, Black Words." Part of an international movement started by renowned playwright
Reginald Edmund
, the event is a partnership between WMU’s Department of Theatre and the Black Arts and Cultural Center’s Face Off Theatre Company.
Next up in the series is a live-streamed panel discussion at
7 p.m. on Friday, July 31
about the Black Lives Matter movement in Kalamazoo and efforts to address systemic racism.
In 2018, WMU was just the second university in the nation to join the movement. Two years later, amid nationwide protests and outcry to end racial injustice, the project is particularly relevant. Read more at
WMU News
.
The Office of Government Relations has been actively engaged with our internal and external stakeholders on these topics over the last few months. WMU has expertise that can assist our policymakers as they address social justice, police reforms and systemic racism legislation. Our amazing student leaders in the
Western Student Association
,
Graduate Student Association
and others have worked with our team to lift their voices at every level of government. We appreciate their passion and commitment to change!
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SRC virtual programming keeps
Broncos on the move
If you're looking for opportunities to jazz up your physical fitness routines, consider tuning in to the virtual fitness classes offered daily by the WMU Student Recreation Center. A very talented group of student instructors lead a broad range of workouts over the lunch hour and after work that are easy to follow at home.
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The Western Michigan University Office of Government Relations will ethically
operate with transparency, civility, bipartisanship and inclusivity to support public
higher education. We advocate for and advance public policy and partnerships
benefiting Western Michigan University and the communities we serve.
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