Gov. Jennifer Granholm to discuss eliminated Michigan Promise program at Eastern Michigan University
Gov. Jennifer Granholm will visit Eastern Michigan University Monday in an attempt to drum up support for the now slashed Michigan Promise scholarship program.
The stop is one of several speaking engagements at colleges throughout the state, beginning this week. Today, she's speaking at Michigan State University and Saginaw Valley State University.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm talks about school funding cuts as state treasurer Robert Kleine, right, stands by during an Oct. 22 press conference in Lansing. On Oct. 30, Granholm signed a higher education bill that didn't include the Michigan Promise scholarship program and blamed the Senate for the cuts. Now, she's touring colleges campuses around Michigan to revive support for the scholarship.
AP Photo |Â Al Goldis
At EMU, she'll first meet with student leaders, give a speech, and then host a press briefing, university spokesman Geoff Larcom said.
More than 8,000 Washtenaw County college students lost out on tuition cash they expected after the popular statewide merit-based scholarship program met its demise Oct. 30 when Granholm signed the higher education bill.
The move saved $140 million from the state budget, which was in dire straits. Scholarships had offered 96,000 in-state students up to $4,000 for college.
After signing the budget bill, Jennifer Granholm blamed Senate leaders for failing to compromise to find ways to fund the program. She urged Michigan residents to write their senators and demand action.
The press conference and student reception will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the EMU Student Center, 900 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti.
At the University of Michigan, 6,096 students lost out on Promise money; at Eastern Michigan University, 1,662 students; at Washtenaw Community College, 660 students; and at Concordia University Ann Arbor, 75 students.
Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
JT
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 9:46 a.m.
@Rusty, I would like to understand the economics behind your thought that educated citizens automatically creates more jobs. That is similar to our government's philosophy that forcing automakers to build fuel efficient vehicles will automatically result in higher sales of those vehicles. Our universities have been churning out graduates for years and that has not translated into more jobs in the state. First, we must create demand in the state for an educated workforce by attracting/starting new businesses. Then we subsidize the supply by granting $4k scholarships. Until then, we are subsidizing the educated workforce for other states.
Seth H.
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
Let me get this straight. 1. Raise taxes so we can send kids to college with $4,000 2. Those tax hikes take money away from employers / individuals, which forces them to look elsewhere for a home. 3. Require students to stay in Michigan while they conduct a year or two of job searching (remember in point #2 - employers can't hire more workers because they can't afford to). 4. (and this is ongoing) - Blame people who would rather keep some of the income they work for. Just checking. Thanks. oh and... What happened to student taking out loans, going to college and getting an education, and then paying off those loans with money from a paycheck? I couldn't afford college out of high school. However, I took out loans and I am now paying those back. Can I get some free money for my hard work and a job well done? oh, and @dadling - When she said, "You're all going to be blown away," I am pretty sure she meant we would be looking for work in other states.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
Hint: Parents with young children, move to Kalamazoo. Perhaps there are potential benefactors in our area, maybe they can at least set up a number of scholarships for needy students who really do not have access to money.
David Briegel
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 8:18 p.m.
Republicans and promises? Another oxymoron!? Just cut taxes for billionaires and it will all just "trickle down". Fairy Tale or Mythology? A rising tide lifts all yachts! More legacy admits! They pay out of state tuition. Woman in Ypsilanti, keep up the good, honest work!
Open Mic
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.
In response to louisa I think that the fact that you and your family were able to put your child through college, debt free is wonderful and definitely something to be proud about but for you to show so much disparage really speaks to your level of understanding, knowledge of the people that share this country with you, and the ignorance that is obviously still cycling through present generations. 'Hand outs' as you so eloquently put, are not what the Michigan Promise Scholarship represents. Students allover Michigan did their part in meeting the requirements to EARN the $4,000. Biases against students that are suffering from the 'state contracted promise' is unjustified.
JT
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 6:17 p.m.
There seems to be a bit of chicken & egg in this issue. The Gov wants to fund the program b/c you need educated people in order to grow the economy. However, you need a growing economy in order for those graduates to find jobs here b/c most will not start their own business upon graduation. I say we prioritize attracting new businesses and making Michigan a great place to live (i.e. great K-12 schools, well funded public safety, etc). I do understand the point regarding students already enrolled that were planning on the scholarship, that is unfortunate.
louisa
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 6:14 p.m.
I'm glad the Michigan promise program has been eliminated. How about parents paying for college for their children by planning, making sacrifices and living within their means, like I did for my children to save for college. My husband and I paid for everything for out sons college years. He graduated from college with no loans and no debt. I'm proud to say I did that for him. People get enough hand outs in this state.
Eric64
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 5:49 p.m.
Granholm needs to be impeached for pretending to be a person who cares. She gets paid anyway.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 5:48 p.m.
Dear top cat, I dont think there are as many disincentives to starting a business in Michigan as you might think. I know lots of people who have started businesses in Michigan. I also dont buy it that is impossible for recent graduates to find jobs in Michigan. Now maybe I am out of touch with the current generation but in my day, there also existed better opportunities outside of Michigan jobwise and many of my peers left immediately after college. But it was only in part because of the employment climate. Mostly people left because they wanted to live in places that had things like good public transportation and a lot of other young people and fun things to do and maybe better weather or a place more tolerant towards homosexuals or whatever. I cant imagine that the kids today are that much different. I also know a lot of college educated people who have been laid off in the past couple of years. Every single one of them was able to find another job. Most were able to find one in Michigan although a few did choose to leave. Some decided to start their own businesses instead and as far as I know they didnt have to jump through more hoops here than they would have had to in another state. I think it is perfectly fair that in exchange for the $4k/yr, the student should be required to stay in Michigan or pay it back. No biggie. If they really cant find a job in Michigan, then they should take a job in another state and pay back the $16k.
Tom Teague
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 4:09 p.m.
Edward - Here's a headline from AnnArbor.com a few hours ago: "University of Michigan regents to consider $18M Museum of Zoology project." Possibly this is the source of the statement about a zoo, which is a very different thing with a very different price tag.
bruceae
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.
Michigan State is doing the right thing and picking up the cost for their students. I guess Michigan spent all their money on a stadium/"zoo" project and isn't worried about struggling students.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 3:38 p.m.
I just love Gov Granholm. I have to admit that I didnt vote for her the first time she ran. I thought she would be terrible. But she has turned out to be my favorite Michigan governor ever. I am behind her on these scholarships 100% (I am not against a requirement for students to either stay in Michigan for a time after they graduate or to pay it back though)
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 2:50 p.m.
@Edward Vielmetti, could that $140mil zoo be the "big house"?!? doh!
Martin Church
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 2:01 p.m.
And she is holding the confernce when students should be in classes and the rest of us are working. If I could attend for my Daughter who is attending EMU for her first year and was awarded the promise scholarship, My question for the govenor would be where am I suppose to get the money for the program. I am already paying 40% of my income to state federal and local governments. I took a 30% pay cut to keep my job and lost all of my benefits. Where do I get this additional money. Why are we not slashing funds to the Unversities to pay for the students. After all UofM is now looking at spending 140million on a zoo. If they have that money they could cut the tutition.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 1:16 p.m.
drumming up support for a slashed program...yep, that'll be a well attended event. yes, i am an emu student. btw...i'm still waiting to be blown away.
Paul the Malcontent
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 1 p.m.
@JT: I agree for the most part with what you've written, however I'd like to add a couple points. First, currently enrolled students had planned on receiving these funds, which were then cut after the school year began; that seems unfair to me, and getting additional loans may not be possible for some of these students. Second, I agree that a requirement for recipients to remain in-state for some period of time upon graduation would be reasonable, however the current state of Michigan's economy often means that there are no jobs available here, so leaving is the only option for these graduates.
Paul the Malcontent
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 12:46 p.m.
Mr. Larcom should be identified as "EMU spokesman" for clarity.
JT
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 12:42 p.m.
What ever happened to working your way through college and getting student loans like me and most of the people I went to school with? I would fully support this program if the state wasn't in this condition but to me this is a nice to have. I can't see $4k for many people being the difference between going to college and entering the low paid work force. Further, how about bringing it back but requiring graduates to stay in Michigan or pay the money back?
Ignatz
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 12:20 p.m.
What? A story with Gov. Granholm in it and there's not a ton of negative comments from the haters? Is there a power outage? I'm glad she's bringing to light the failure of the legislature to keep this program going.