Gov. Rick Snyder’s fiscal year 2017 executive budget released Wednesday includes an overall appropriations increase of 4.3 percent, or $61.2 million, for Michigan’s public universities. The tuition cap required to qualify for “performance funding” also has increased to 4.8 percent, compared with 3.2 percent last year. Under the governor’s plan, Northern Michigan University would receive a 3.9 percent increase: $45.1 million for operations and $1.8 million in performance funding. 

“This is only the first step in the state’s budget cycle, but we are encouraged by the governor’s proposed investment in higher education,” said Gavin Leach, NMU vice president for finance and administration. “With other budgetary issues and priorities to address in the state, we appreciate the governor’s commitment to Michigan’s universities and his recognition that they can drive positive change.”

Funding increases for individual universities within the governor’s executive budget range from 3.5 percent for Wayne State University to 6.8 percent for Grand Valley State University.

NMU President Fritz Erickson and other university presidents will testify in Lansing later this month before a joint hearing of Senate and House higher education appropriations subcommittees. The Senate and House will then draft their own state budget proposals.