A proposed amendment to the Michigan constitution introduced in
the state’s House of Representatives last week would change
how the state’s public universities receive and spend
state-allocated funds.

Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R-Kalamazoo), who proposed the legislation,
said controversies over rising tuition costs, affirmative action
and the University’s “How to be Gay: Male Homosexuality
and Initiation” class have made it necessary for legislators
to carefully examine how state tax dollars are being spent.

Hoogendyk said he is only concerned with how universities are
spending state money, and that universities could still use their
tuition revenue as they see fit.

“It is incumbent upon me as a state representative to
scrutinize every dollar the universities spend,” Hoogendyk
said.

One provision of the legislation, which would need a two-thirds
majority in both the Senate and the House and voter approval to
pass, would give lawmakers greater power in determining how state
money will be spent, a responsibility currently reserved to each
university’s governing board.

This amendment could be used to forbid the University from using
state money for the “How to be Gay” class, Hoogendyk
said, adding that the scope of the restrictions would be up for
debate after the amendment passed.

“This amendment undermines the constitutional autonomy
that our universities have come to enjoy. The autonomy gives the
flexibility to make budget decisions and academic decisions based
on each (university),” said Mike Boulus, executive director
of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.

“I am not sure the Legislature wants to get into the
business of checking every single class offering,” he
added.

“We believe the constitutional autonomy that this state
granted to public higher education nearly 200 years ago has been
the key to the strength and breadth of Michigan
universities,” University President Mary Sue Coleman said in
a written statement. “It would be a mistake to turn away from
a model that has worked so well.”

Boulus said monetary decisions should be left to each
university’s board, which can make the best decisions for its
own school.

Rep. Ruth Ann Jamnick (D-Ypsilanti) echoed those concerns,
adding that if legislators have a problem with course offerings,
they should voice their complaints to the regents before taking any
other action.

“I don’t think it’s an issue we need to get
into. I think we have a lot of pressing issues before the state of
Michigan,” Jamnick added.

The legislation also proposes appropriating higher education
funding to the 15 state universities “equitably” on a
per-pupil basis, counting only in-state students.

This change could reduce funding to the University, which has a
high proportion of out-of-state students compared to other Michigan
public universities.

Hoogendyk cited what he believes are discrepancies in higher
education funding. He said he does not see the logic of Wayne State
University receiving $9,610 in per-pupil state funds while Central
Michigan University receives about $4,100. The University gets
$8,611 per pupil.

“We need a policy that makes sense, that’s
equitable, that treats everyone from the same perspective,”
Hoogendyk said.

“Right now, (the money) goes to who has the most power and
the most votes in the appropriations committee.”

Hoogendyk added he does not know exactly how a fairer balance of
money would be attained, but he said if the amendment passed, many
legislators would step up with proposals.

Boulus said he does not really understand what the language used
in the proposed amendment would mean, specifically the word
“equitable.”

“I think equitable is a term of art that is subjective.
… It’s a very dangerous term to put in the Michigan
Constitution. Equity is in the eyes of the beholder,” Boulus
said.