Sample Letter
(Date)
The Honorable (First Name/Last Name)
Michigan State House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Representative (Last Name):
—OR—
The Honorable (First Name/Last Name)
Michigan State Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Senator (Last Name):
As an informed Michigan resident and a friend of Central Michigan University, I am concerned about the future of higher education in the state. I realize that higher education is critical to improving the state economy because a college degree means greater lifetime earning power, a higher quality of life, and the ability to reinvest in the state. But the current state budget deficit is so dismal that I fear there might be limited funding available for higher education. We need to defend the level of higher education funding and even attempt to increase it.
My alma mater made me aware of the governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2008-09 and the inherent challenges facing CMU in such a bill. I am not concerned by the idea of a higher education funding formula, but I question a specific formula that does not include an enrollment growth component that could lead to a more equitable per-student funding model in Michigan.
To make higher education accessible to all qualified students, Michigan’s 15 public universities need equitable state financial support on a per-student basis. Under the current system, CMU—the fourth largest university in the state with the fourth highest graduation rate—receives the third lowest appropriation per student. The state can strengthen Michigan’s diverse higher education landscape and ensure an educational path catered to the interests and talents of each student by investing equally in all Michigan students. I hope you will consider these ideas in your deliberations.
On a more positive note, thank you for supporting one higher education funding bill for fiscal year 2007-08. Your support sent a very clear message to all 15 public four-year institutions in Michigan that they should—and need—to work together to protect Michigan’s very strong and diverse system of higher education.
I realize the decisions that you must make are very difficult. I hope you will consider the value of higher education—especially that provided by Central Michigan University—and will work to protect equitable state support of public higher education in Michigan.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)