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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: WMU President Says MAC "Not Going to Indiana"

WMUK

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the spokesperson for Save Old Colony Farm Orchard. His name is Douglas Keto, not Steve Keto

Western Michigan University President John Dunn says the Mid-American Conference has taken a strong stand by refusing to hold future events in Indiana following that state's approval of a new "religious freedom" law. 

Dunn leads the conference's presidents' council. The MAC announced on Tuesday that it would not hold future events in the state in response to the controversial law, which critics say gives businesses and organizations a license to discriminate against LGBT people. 

Dunn was interviewed by WMUK's Gordon Evans and Kalamazoo GazetteReporter Emily Monacelli for WMUK's WestSouthwest. Dunn says he spoke to MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher on Sunday, and urged him to take a strong position. The conference says it will not hold future championships or the annual president's meeting in the state. It has traditionally been held in Indianapolis. Dunn says he's surprised that Indiana approved the law, and he hopes Michigan does not follow suit. Western's President says "there's a basic need to recognize the humanity in every person." 

The interview touched on a wide range of other topics. A summary.

Expansion of the Business Technology and Research Park

Western officials have indicated that they would like to use land known as the Old Colony Farm Orchard for growth of the university's Business Technology and Research Park. Dunn says the BTR Park is at capacity, and additional space is needed. But he says the university is committed to maintaining the nearby Asylum Lake property.

(UPDATE: Douglas Keto of the group Save Old Colony Farm Orchard says it now opposes any attempt to develop the property.)

A group has formed to oppose any development of the Old Colony Farm Orchard. They have launched a change.org petition to withdraw any development plans. One member of the group says while they would prefer no development, they will advocate for sustainable use of the land. Dunn says the university is committed to sustainable development, and he says the current BTR Park is a good example. Dunn says plans for expansion are still in the early stages. 

Changes to his Contract

Western's Board of Trustees recently approved changes to Dunn's contract, including details of duties as "President Emeritus" if he should retire as president of the university. Dunn says people should not read too much into the changes. He says Western has succession plans in place in case of an emergency. But otherwise Dunn says a university president should give trustees ample time to conduct a search. But in his case Dunn says "that's not imminent." 

Tuition

Dunn says the administration has not decided on tuition for next school year. He says Western is keeping its eye on outside factors such as state funding. Governor Rick Snyder's budget includes more money for higher education, but with a cap of 2.8% on tuition increases. Dunn says the problem with a flat cap for all universities is that it increases the funding gap between schools. And he says it punishes universities that have done a better job of holding down tuition increases in past years. 

Community Colleges

Western now has reverse transfer agreements with all of Michigan's community colleges. Dunn says the agreements make it easier for students to get a bachelor's degree at Western or an associate's degree from the community college. Dunn says all schools should have the best interest of the student in mind, and make it easy for them to transfer between institutions. 

johndunn040115_web.mp3
Interview with WMU President John Dunn - web version

Other Topics

In the web version of the interview, Dunn also discusses the university's fundraising, the growth of part-time instructors and complaints about transparency. 

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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