The Wayne State University Board of Governors approved a 2007 General Fund Budget of $489.2 million at its regular meeting July 26. The budget includes state appropriations of $214.2 million and a 5.8 percent increase in tuition and fees for all students. Also included in the proposed budget is a $2.1 million increase in student financial aid to offset tuition differences for students in need.

“We are grateful this year to receive our first increase in state appropriations since 2001 – an action on the part of Governor Granholm and the state Legislature which will hopefully continue,” said Nancy Barrett, Wayne State University provost and senior vice president. “Although we appreciate the increase in our appropriation after four consecutive years of decline, the proposed increase of 2.5 percent is the lowest allocated to any of Michigan’s public universities.”

“During a cycle of declining state appropriations, totaling nearly $40 million over the last four years, the university has been focused on trimming the budget – a process that has required deep cuts in operating costs, staff programs and part-time faculty, impacting several areas campus wide,” Barrett added. “The university has pressing needs for new faculty, research support, enhanced student services and funds for deferred maintenance. These needs have persisted too long and we are feeling their impact.”

For the academic year 2006-07, the new tuition rates amount to an increase in the per-credit-hour rate for Michigan resident freshmen and sophomores from $189.40 to $200.40. For resident juniors, seniors and post-bachelor’s, tuition will increase from $223.30 to $ 236.30 and graduate students from $337.60 to $357.20.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.