Funding for Wayne State University and Northern Michigan University wasn\'t cut as deeply as once feared when lawmakers finalized a spending plan for higher education Thursday. \"We are wiping the brow of our head and saying, \'Sheesh,\'\" said Harvey Hollins, vice president for government and community affairs at Wayne State . The funding plan, which gives five out of the state\'s 15 public universities more money than what was appropriated this time last year, comes after all the universities raised tuition substantially this summer -- ranging from 7 percent to 19 percent -- citing three consecutive years of state funding cuts and worries they would again be hard-hit this year. Instead of receiving $203 million in state funds as originally proposed -- a $10 million decrease from the previous year -- Wayne State will get $214 million under a conference committee agreement reached in Lansing .