Bill Text: MI SR0076 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to recognize September 15-21, 2019, as Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities Week.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-09-18 - Adopted [SR0076 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-SR0076-Enrolled.html
As adopted by
Senate, September 18, 2019
senate resolution no.76
Senator Stamas, Bayer, Brinks, McMorrow and Moss offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Michigan is home to 25 independent colleges and universities that serve over 120,000 students; and
Whereas, While our state's student population has declined overall, enrollment at Michigan independent colleges and universities has increased by 30 percent in the last 16 years; and
Whereas, Michigan independent colleges and universities experienced a 21 percent growth in United States military veteran undergraduate enrollment from 2014-2015 as well as a 33 percent enrollment increase for United States military veterans in graduate programs; and
Whereas, In our state, 39 percent of United States military veterans pursuing an undergraduate degree do so at a Michigan independent college or university; and
Whereas, One of the most important factors in collegiate student success is affordability; and
Whereas, In our state, 89 percent of students who attend an independent college or university receive some form of financial aid through an institutional scholarship or grant, with the amount of scholarships and grants provided directly by institutions increasing by over $246 million between 2005 and 2015. This is a 99 percent increase in ten years; and
Whereas, Access to quality higher education is important for low-income students, women, minorities, and veterans; and
Whereas, Half of undergraduate students at Michigan independent colleges and universities receive need-based Pell grants as well; and
Whereas, Students at independent colleges and universities in Michigan earned 20,293 diplomas in 2015; and
Whereas, Over 80 percent of graduates from Michigan independent colleges and universities chose to live and work in our state after graduation; and
Whereas, Smaller colleges and universities, like many Michigan independent colleges and universities, provide individualized support that a large institution cannot, both in the classroom and within the administration; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize September 15-21, 2019, as Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities Week.
