Local News

GVSU keeps value despite state neglect

By Jeff Mc George GVL Staff Writer
10/28/2009

With state unemployment at its highest level since the Great Depression, tuition increases and dwindling state funds, Grand Valley State University students have reason to be nervous about the future.

Alternatively, there is some new data that shows students at GVSU are getting their money's worth.

GVSU is still a great value compared to other public universities in Michigan according to the university's recent accountability report.

"Grand Valley students pay about $3,600 less than a student who attends a university of comparable quality," said Matt McLogan, vice president of University Relations. McLogan is a member of the executive cabinet and budget committee at GVSU.

The 44-page report, issued on Oct. 16, is the third annual review of GVSU's academic and fiscal performance.

It was created in 2007 by university President Thomas J. Haas and uses impartially researched data funded by the state.

McLogan said the accountability report puts GVSU at the top for affordability and accessibility.

The report shows GVSU's tuition as just under the state average and well below that of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University.

McLogan said this is particularly important given the financial situation in Michigan.

"It's no secret that the state is broke." McLogan said.

He added the state has not increased funds for universities for increased enrollment or performance in more than a decade.

This has put GVSU dead last for state appropriation per student at a public university.

GVSU received $3,026 per student from the state in 2007-08 compared to $8,875 at Wayne State and $7,871 at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

McLogan said this is because state money allocation is based on a system derived from what existed in the '70s.

"The amount is essentially fixed," he said. "And lately all we've got is deductions, not increases."

On the other hand, McLogan said accessibility is a goal of GVSU's administration, so enrollment increases have been implemented even though state funding does not increase with them. McLogan added GVSU has been able to keep tuition down by efficiency measures. Last year GVSU cut or rearranged $7 million to keep tuition affordable.

The accountability report shows GVSU at the fifth lowest for tuition increases compared to other state universities.

GVSU also rates third highest in the state for freshman retention, with 86 percent, as well as third highest for the amount of Merit Awards given.

With the fourth highest ACT average of new students and 97 percent of those students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, GVSU outshines more expensive schools.

The university also rates fourth in the state in graduation rate for students in five years at a rate of 48.6 percent.

However, the figure does not include transfer students and some other non-traditional students.

Ninety-six percent of 2007-08 GVSU graduates are employed or in graduate school and 94 percent work in Michigan.

President Thomas J. Haas, quoted in a press release, was positive despite the negative consequences of minimal state support.

"Reductions in support from the state for its public universities continue again this year, and Michigan is at the very bottom when it comes to recent investment in higher education," Haas said. "Despite these challenges, Grand Valley shows an excellent return on investment for our students and their families."

jmcgeorge@lanthorn.com

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