Tuition is going up just over 4% at Western Michigan University this fall. The Board of Trustees approved the increase at their meeting Wednesday morning.
Western President John Dunn says the 4.19% increase means an in-state freshman or sophomore at Western will pay $11,493 for the next academic year. That's $464 more than last year. The increase keeps Western just under the cap of 4.2% set by the state Legislature. Universities that increase tuition by more than that amount risk forfeiting “performance funding” and future money for capital projects.
New Budget
Western Michigan University has a budget for the coming fiscal year. The $397-million spending plan was approved by the board of Trustees during their meeting Thursday. Western’s Vice President for Business and Finance Jan Vader Kley says the budget represents a 2.43% increase over the current fiscal year. The state budget approved by Michigan lawmakers, and signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, includes a 3% increase in funding for Western.
New Labor Contracts
Western Michigan University has new contracts with the unions representing its power plant employees and part-time faculty. Trustees approved both agreements during their meeting Thursday. A new three year contract with the Michigan State Employees Association covers 17 employees at Western’s Robert M. Beam Power Plant. It includes a 3% pay raise this year. The board also approved a five year contract with the Professional Instructors Organization for non-tenure track faculty.