Although Michigan\'s universities are working together more than ever, there\'s no need to consolidate them into one statewide system, the presidents of the state\'s biggest three said Tuesday at the Detroit Economic Club. The comments came as a new bill started working its way through the state Legislature to establish a new commission to look at restructuring the university system. The commission would be tasked with analyzing the current governing system and then making recommendations, which could include consolidating some universities. The university presidents said keeping the universities autonomous would be best for the state. WSU President Allan Gilmour said he does not think there is much clamor for consolidation. \"The alternative (to autonomous universities) is a czar, a commission in Lansing,\" he said, adding he did not think any of the business leaders in the audience would want politicians running their companies. Regarding the University Research Corridor, the three presidents said the corridor is devoted to bringing university resources to bear on Michigan\'s problems, particularly in terms of economic development and in developing entrepreneurship. \"Entrepreneurship isn\'t just high-tech companies,\" Gilmour said. \"It\'s also things like retail.\" A photo of the presidents is included.

http://www.freep.com/article/20111005/NEWS06/110050408/University-presidents-say-statewide-system-not-necessary
http://www.wnem.com/story/15619983/heads-of-3-mich-schools-consolidation-not-needed
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/cdd84ec762d74c629ba4d3e22daf3d31/MI--University-Presidents-Michigan/
http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2011/10/heads-3-mich-schools-consolidation-not-needed