University presidents disavow letter supporting cuts only budget

A letter from Business Leaders for Michigan which encouraged state lawmakers to support the budget framework agreement between Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township) and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), has some Michigan university president’s running for political cover.

The letter was sent Oct. 6 by the group’s CEO and President Doug Rothwell. And while the letter was penned by Rothwell, it features the names of the group’s board of directions which includes Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon, University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman and Wayne State University President Jerry Jay Noren. The letter is written in the collective third person, with declarative statements of “we believe.”

The budget framework agreement between Dillon and Bishop would eliminate nearly $1.3 billion in state spending, including more than $100 million for the Michigan Promise scholarship. The scholarship was created in 2006 and rewards students who performed well on state standardized tests.

The letter was uncovered by Mitchell Rivard and the Michigan State University College Democrats. Rivard says it is hypocritical for Simon to publicly support the Michigan Promise Scholarship, while her name appears on a document supporting the elimination of the scholarship.

But MSU spokesman Terry Denbow says Simon supports the scholarship.

“President Simon (whose name, like those of Mary Sue Coleman, Jay Noren, [Oakland University] Gary Russi, and others is on the letterhead) has never seen the letter,” Denbow wrote in an e-mail to Michigan Messenger. “We yesterday received assurances from Rothwell’s office that in the future no such political positioning will be done in a way that allows folks to conclude that names on the letterhead necessarily share content of letters.”

Denbow said Simon spoke with Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday and restated her support for closing the funding gap between universities in the state, as well as keeping the Michigan Promise Scholarship.

University of Michigan spokesman Richard Fitzgerald tells Michigan Messenger that Coleman was unaware of the letter and its contents before it was sent to legislators.

He then issued the following statement from Coleman regarding the situation:

“I belong to dozens of organizations where the membership isn’t always in full alignment on all issues, and this is no exception. The issues surrounding this year’s budget are very serious, and they will continue to be so next year and beyond. It is in the best interests of the state to look to the long term and focus on the highest priorities—including higher education—as we lay the groundwork for the future.”

Rivard says Simon, Coleman and others should resign their posts with the Business Leaders of Michigan group.

Denbow said Simon had no intention of resigning because it was important for her voice to be heard “even when she does not agree” with a group, particularly when discussing redeveloping Michigan’s battered economy. Fitzgerald had no comment.