By: Mark Bullion, Lauren Scott, Dan Waun
During its June public meeting, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved the university’s $3.69 billion fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget, which includes tuition and fee rates for the upcoming academic year.
“MSU’s enduring strength lies in our vibrant community of students, faculty and staff, who drive our mission to advance knowledge and transform lives,” said President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “This budget strategically supports academic excellence, student success and our 2030 strategic plan priorities while addressing fiscal challenges through a difficult yet thoughtful budget reduction process that ensures we continue our traditions as a proudly public institution.”
The approved budget includes a 4.5 percent tuition adjustment of $399 per semester, or $798 per year, for full-time undergraduate, master of business administration and professional students, including those working to obtain their doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathic medicine, juris doctorate or doctor of veterinary medicine degrees. This adjustment applies to all undergraduate students, including residents, nonresidents and international students. Students who are enrolled part-time will see an increase in tuition reflective of the new per-credit hour rate. Graduate student tuition rates, assessed per credit hour, will increase by $44.25 per credit hour, equivalent to the increase for undergraduates enrolled in a typical full-time load.
In recent years, the Michigan Legislature has included a cap on tuition increases as part of the state budget. The Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget and Tuition & Fee Rates resolution includes language to account for and comply with a potential state tuition cap that is lower than what was approved by the Board of Trustees.
“The Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring Michigan State University is best positioned to deliver exceptional academic programs that equip students for success now and in the future,” said MSU Board of Trustees Chair Kelly Tebay. “The board thoroughly evaluated the administration’s proposed budget to be sure we achieve a balanced approach that thoughtfully addresses structural budget issues, makes critical investments across campus to support growth, and prioritizes an outstanding, affordable education for students.”
MSU remains committed to reducing student loan burdens and promoting financial stability for graduates. The FY 2025-26 budget allocates an incremental $9 million to student financial aid in addition to permanently funding $12.5 million in prior year commitments.
To address a budget deficit and navigate financial headwinds, MSU has implemented a 9% general fund reduction across all units over two years.
The approved budget focuses on academic and research excellence, faculty and staff success, student achievement, and investments in physical and financial sustainability. As with any sound budget plan, the need to restructure is balanced with the commitment to invest modestly to ensure continued growth. Accordingly, the budget prioritizes investments necessary to support MSU’s mission and strategic priorities within the anticipated available resources and directed reduction.
University leadership appointments
President Guskiewicz recently announced Laura Lee McIntyre as MSU’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Today, the board formally approved McIntyre’s appointment to the role. McIntyre brings a wealth of academic knowledge and experience from the University of Oregon, where she currently serves as dean of the College of Education and the Castle-McIntosh-Knight Professor in school psychology. McIntyre begins on Aug. 4.
The board also approved J Batt as the university’s new vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. Previously, Batt served as vice president and director of athletics at Georgia Tech. He brings with him an impressive record at several Power Five schools and an impeccable reputation as a strong and innovative leader. Batt begins the week of June 16.
In addition, Matthew Daum was appointed dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, or CANR, and associate provost. Daum has provided interim leadership to CANR since July 1, 2024. Daum has shown steadfast leadership in working to develop aligned capital campaign priorities for Advancement in support of graduate student and faculty investment, aspirational infrastructure projects, undergraduate experiential learning, and community engagement. Daum begins his role as dean, effective today.
The university is also welcoming Thomas Stubblefield as dean of the College of Arts and Letters, or CAL. Stubblefield currently serves as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, interim director of the Harrington School of Communication and Media, and professor of art and art history at the University of Rhode Island. There, he has led strategic planning initiatives, spearheaded interdisciplinary curriculum development, facilitated faculty research, worked closely with alumni and advisory councils, and built partnerships to enhance student success and institutional impact. Stubblefield begins his role July 1.
Residential College in the Arts and Humanities
The Board of Trustees also took action to authorize the merger of MSU’s Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, or RCAH, with the College of Arts and Letters. Merging RCAH and CAL will create a more stable and efficient administrative structure, allowing for strategic resource alignment and enabling deeper collaboration across academic programs. MSU is committed to preserving RCAH’s pedagogical model and culture, supporting its academic and social value and ensuring its growth within the larger CAL context.
First-Gen Center
As one of President Guskiewicz’s initiatives highlighted during his investiture, the First-Gen Center will enhance the visibility of, and support for, MSU’s first-generation college students. First-generation college students have a parent or parents who did not earn a bachelor’s degree. With more than one in five MSU students identifying as first-generation, the center will provide a highly visible and welcoming physical space where vital support programs and resources are available to all students to create opportunities for connection and success. During today’s board meeting, trustees authorized the university to begin planning for the center, which will include renovations to the first floor of the Hannah Administration Building where the center will be located.
Research presentation
Trustees received a research presentation from Joan Rose, Nowlin Chair in Water Research and director of the MSU Water Alliance titled “Preserving our Most Essential Resource: Water.” Her research focuses on the application of new molecular methods, pathogen surveillance, microbial source tracking, removal of pathogens by water and wastewater treatment, and leading interdisciplinary efforts to solve significant water problems. The MSU Water Alliance, comprised of more than 235 world-class scientists, specialists and educators across multiple disciplines, began in 2023 with a focus on water research, education and engagement.
Other agenda items
The board approved several other requests during the meeting, including:
- purchase of land at 16745 Lamphere, Detroit;
- authorization to plan for IM West facility demolition or refurbishment, in coordination with completion of the university’s new Student Recreation and Wellness Center;
- update to Ordinance 50, a University Zoning Ordinance.
The next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting is Oct. 31.
