Executive Order Spares Education

Michigan’s educational institutions—from K-12 schools to universities—will not face operational funding cuts in the $134 million Executive Order Gov. Jennifer Granholm is scheduled to present next week to legislative committees.

“We are grateful that the governor and legislature recognize the value of education in the state and the major role the state's colleges and universities play in revitalizing the economy," said Gavin Leach (Finance and Administration). “But we will continue to proceed conservatively, recognizing that challenges remain in the state's economy."

President Les Wong echoed that sentiment in a campus-wide e-mail this week. He called the news from Lansing an advance “gift” for the holidays, but urged employees to be cautiously optimistic, particularly because the outlook for 2010 “is not good.”