"While we have been very grateful to Governor Engler in past years for his support of Higher Education, this year's 1.5 percent proposed increase is a major disappointment. If Michigan Tech is to continue its history of excellence in education the State needs to play a bigger supporting role.
The Senate Higher Education Subcommittee will begin hearings on February 20. We plan to make our case to them at that time.
I visited legislative leaders recently and found them inclined to an increase in the higher education budget of three to four percent.
Our particular hearing is scheduled for March 2 at Oakland University; we expect to request a six percent increase in Michigan Tech's appropriation to support our unique role as the Upper Midwest's only public technological university with by far the most expensive array of scientific and technological programs of any of the state universities.
It is important for all interested citizens to express directly to our elected representatives their support for adequate increases in the support for Michigan Tech specifically and higher education generally."