CMU Board adopts budget that invests in academic program growth

The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees voted Thursday to adopt a new $462.4 million operating budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 that focuses on meeting students’ needs, growing outstanding academic programs, and supporting the successful, sustainable future of CMU.

New budget invests in growth opportunities

During discussion of CMU’s 2025-2026 fiscal year operating budget, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Mary Hill said the plan was designed to ensure continued excellence and strategic growth in academic programs, student support and services, and campus life.

Hill said the budget provides additional funding for staffing and resources in areas including the CMU Cares team, academic advising, the Career Development Center and the Student Food Pantry.

The adopted budget also includes investments in high-demand academic programs including those in health professions, counseling and teacher certification, and provides room to identify and add new online offerings.

Trustee Jeff Stoutenburg thanked the president and university budgeting team for aligning resources with strategic priorities and initiatives.

“To see a budget that invests in our values is refreshing, and it doesn’t happen without strong leadership from the top,” he said.

Hill noted that this is the first time in seven years that there were no budget reductions or reallocations, something she credits to faculty, staff, and leaders working creatively and collaboratively to do more with less over the last several years.

Tuition rate change

As part of the budget discussion, Trustees approved tuition rates that remain highly competitive with CMU’s peer institutions and within the tuition restraint caps proposed by state leaders. Tuition will increase $22 per credit hour for domestic lower-level undergraduate tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year. Rates will also increase for upper-level undergraduate, graduate and doctoral, and international students.

To help students and their families better plan financially for the year ahead, Hill said estimated tuition increases had already been built into the financial aid package students received from CMU.

Trustees did not raise any student fees or parking rates.

Even with necessary tuition increases, she said CMU remains an outstanding value for students and their families, and she anticipates CMU tuition will remain below the state average of Michigan’s 15 public universities

“We do a very good job of keeping higher education affordable,” Hill said. “The value is high for the amount that we are charging.”

Enrollment and retention update

During Wednesday’s meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, chaired by Trustee Sharon Heath, Vice President of Student Recruitment and Retention Jennifer DeHaemers presented the enrollment outlook for fall.

DeHaemers said key indicators suggest slightly lower total enrollment for the upcoming academic year, due in part to recent challenges for international students seeking visa appointments. She said the Admissions team is working on additional outreach and engagement efforts to encourage admitted students to choose CMU.

And, to fuel future enrollment growth, CMU is engaged in creating a Strategic Enrollment Management plan. DeHaemers said the plan’s four strategic priorities involve increasing market share, distinctive positioning, student success and new online programs.

Teams on campus are working with consultants throughout the summer to develop strategies that will be used to create the new Strategic Enrollment Management plan.

President’s report

CMU President Neil MacKinnon gave a report to trustees at the opening of Thursday’s formal session. He began by welcoming newly appointed Trustee David McGhee, who MacKinnon said will enrich the Board with a fresh and valuable perspective.

After detailing some of the events at CMU since May Commencement, MacKinnon congratulated students who won prestigious national awards, allowing them to study internationally. They include two Fulbright awards and seven Gilman scholarships for international study.

President MacKinnon said CMU is now nationally recognized as providing an education that is accessible, affordable and impactful with the Carnegie classification as an Opportunity University. The Carnegie designation is based on access to a quality education and successful career outcomes for graduates. MacKinnon said with tuition rates that are among the lowest of public universities in Michigan, and a Career Outcomes Rate of nearly 95%, CMU offers a great value.

“Being recognized by Carnegie as the highest scoring Opportunity University in Michigan shows that when students invest in their future at CMU, there is a tremendous return on that investment after they graduate,” MacKinnon said.

MacKinnon also shared that CMU and the CMU Research Corporation recently launched a Translational Accelerator that uses partnerships between researchers and industry to support scientific research. He said he is excited to see how the accelerator, and a newly formed group of faculty Innovation Ambassadors, will make an impact.

“The Translational Accelerator strengthens our research endeavor by creating more hands-on learning opportunities for students, supporting our faculty in their innovative pursuits, and ensuring that CMU research continues to make an impact well beyond campus,” he said.

In support of the university’s strategic plan, MacKinnon said the Go Grant initiative is moving forward with the speed and clarity he imagined when he announced the program in February. Twenty-seven Go Grants totaling $575,000 were awarded to faculty, staff and students to fund initiatives that will advance progress on meeting the goals of the strategic plan.

“It is an exciting time for CMU, and I am grateful to be leading the effort to energize this institution for increased growth and success,” MacKinnon said.

Student Food Pantry upgrade

Wednesday’s meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee included a presentation from Symantha Dattilo, interim director of the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center, updating trustees on the Student Food Pantry. She said demand continues to rise, with a 40% increase in visits over the last year.

The pantry moved into a new temporary campus location in Robinson Hall on June 3, and Dattilo said they already had 800 visits since opening.

“This move has been a true cross-campus collaboration that has allowed the pantry to improve upon flow, access, safety, hygiene and more,” she said.

Dattilo thanked Trustees for adopting a budget that includes funding for the pantry for the first time, having operated entirely on donations since 2018.

Trustee Sharon Heath, who visited the new pantry, said it was very well done.

“The care and love — you could really feel that when you walked into the pantry,” she said. “To do something like what you all have done, there is a sense of passion and love there.”

In his final committee meeting before retiring for a second time, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Stan Shingles said the pantry is another way CMU is making a positive impact.

“Together, we can continue to uphold the values of integrity, respect, compassion, inclusiveness, equity and social responsibility that defines Central Michigan University,” Shingles said.

Academic Affairs update

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee welcomed faculty member Matt Johnson to offer an update on the work of the Academic Senate’s Multicultural, Diversity and Education Council and their Hearing Diverse Voices student panel discussions initiative.

Johnson said the MDEC identified several findings as a result of the discussions with minority, marginalized and non-traditional student populations. These include:

• The necessity for information about support services to be everywhere and that students appreciate ongoing reminders.
• Students benefit greatly from class and deadline flexibility from faculty.
• Students see their peers as their most common support systems, with registered student organizations providing important places to be heard and find support.

Johnson said panel discussions also have resulted in campus initiatives that benefit students who are caregivers and others, like the family study room created in Park Library.

“We have learned there is tremendous power in student voices and student stories,” Johnson said. “If we just pause and make space to listen to those and amplify those, tremendous things can happen.”

Campus improvements

The Finance and Facilities Committee, chaired by Trustee Edward Plawecki, received an update from Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Jonathan Webb. Webb outlined proposed capital projects and additional facilities projects that will enhance living, learning and working on campus.

The proposed capital improvement plan will allow for more effective and efficient use of space, eliminate leased space, and retire expensive and outdated facilities. Webb said the multi-year plan would include renovations to several academic and administrative buildings, including the Combined Services Building, Powers Hall, Grawn Hall, Sloan Hall and Ronan Hall.

The plan also includes new construction projects aligned with the CMU master and capital plans. Webb said a steering committee would be formed to explore construction of a new campus welcome facility to accommodate Admissions, Advancement and Alumni Relations.

Under the proposed plan, Smith Hall, Carlin Alumni House and the North Community Residence halls are slated for retirement. Webb said proposed demolitions would reduce deferred maintenance costs by over $45 million.

Additional projects included in the facilities update were the donor-funded women’s and men’s golf facility set to start construction in September, and the addition of access controls to campus buildings, which stands at 64% completion.

Additional Board actions

Trustees adopted a proposed change to CMU’s Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures to comply with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act. The new language clarifies the definitions of bullying, harassment and hazing and simplifies the required reporting process.

The CMU Board of Trustees also approved several other items Thursday, including:

• Emeritus rank for five faculty and staff members.
• Faculty promotions and professor salary adjustments.
• Traffic control orders and amendments and 2025-2026 campus map.
• Public school academy activities.
• Lease agreements for WCMU Public Media tower space.
• Lease negotiation for Innovation and Online Grand Rapids location.
• Office of Research and Graduate Studies quarterly report.
• Advancement Private Support report.
• Naming of a campus area as the Otteman Memorial Greenspace.
• New endowments, awards and scholarships.
• Internal Audit Department charter.
• New director appointment to the CMU Research Corporation board.

An electronic copy of the president’s report will soon be available on the Office of the President web page, and meeting minutes will be added to the Board of Trustees webpage following their approval at the next meeting.