1976-01-19; Central Michigan Life

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CM LIFE PHOTOS BY RICK MCKAY <
Dollar dilemma!
Tuition hikes, enrollment caps seen for all schools
by PAULA PECK
LIFE News Editor
While, some may look ahead financially with stars in
their   eyes J   .people   associated   with   colleges   and
universities Will be looking; ahead with dollar signs in*,
stead—skinny ones* _ '
Michigan's economic picture, despite _ hopeful
speculations, looks grim, and higher education in par-
ticufartriaybe in deel» trouble. ""*""   '' ";
RE?. GARY OWEN (D-Ypsilanti) has said he will
be very surprised if he doesn't see "large tuition hikes at
every institution across the state next year." He predicts
the hikes will be between 5 and 15 per cent.
When coupled with the fact Gov, William G. Milliken
publicly has announced he will not support increased
taxes, which appears to be the only alternative to bring
more money into college and university general funds,
the higher education picture looks rather bleak.
• "", Owens continued, explaining the general public and
many legislators do hot support higher education in
times of economic stress, and many believe more funds
should be cut from its base figure.
At CMU, money is especially tight. Recently suffering a 2 per cent cut in its state appropriation, the
University's general fund was cut $400,000. Its original
appropriation from the state's general fund was
$21,008,828-its final appropriation stands at
$20,608,828,
What makes Central's position particularily difficult
is CMU is unfunded for some 1,500 students. Capping
enrollment is a Very strong possibility across the State, -
Owens said.
He noted universities do not receive funding
for increased enrollments until the following budget
year, but capped enrollment, tuition increases and
development of alternate funding probably Will have to
be used for institutions to deal with both, increased
enrollments and a tight economy.
Central's main goal now is to draw as much money
as possible from the state's general fund. University
officials are working to reach that goal "by telling CMU's
case across the state," Arthur EUis, vice president for
public affairs, said.
President Harold Abel met with the.vice presidents
shortly before semester break to figure out what could
be done to help CMU in its battle for more funds. Abel
came to the decision he was willing "to make a commitment of time to engage in an external story talking
session," Ellis said.
He added Abel was willing to take himself away
from campus activities for as long as a month in order to.,
tell people what is happening with CMU and to explain
its problems.
A committee, comprised of about 12 persons," will
work to "gather data and present new ideas to alumni
and friends of the University," according to Ellis. The
committee, headed by Andrew Marks, director of grants,
and contracts administration for the Department of
Instruction and Research, will attempt to turn the
funding process more favorably toward CMU.
STRATEGY TOachieve the committee's goal will not
be decided until the end of this month, EUis explained.
However, besides gathering data and presenting new
ideas, speculation is the University will contact students'
parents in an effort to generate an awareness of CMU's
financial difficulties.
Besides Owen's predictions of tuition hikes and
capped enrollment, CMU may not get its extra funding
for its increased enrollment next year. Ellis would not
comment on the school's future,appropriation, however
he did say he "would be very suprised if new money
available to the University exceeds $500,000" next year.
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MOVINrIN-T\ie Art Department
is just getting acquainted with its
new studios on the north end of
campus. See Section C,
Section B—News
Section C— Campus Life
Section D-^Sports
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