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WMU B
ronco Advocacy Network
April 2
017 Recap
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The Office of Government Affairs works on behalf of WMU to strengthen relationships with state, federal, and local policy makers.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- May 7--Kalamazoo Marathon--WMU sponsor and course host. Info.
- May 17, 24 & 31--WMU college readiness workshops in Detroit and Troy. Info.
- May 18, 9 a.m.--National Science Foundation workshop for junior faculty. Info.
- May 19, 8 a.m.--WMU Bronco Football Media Plan, Kathy Beauregard, Mercantile Bank of Michigan Breakfast Speaker Series. Info.
- May 20, 9 a.m.--Foster Care Awareness Walk hosted by WMU's Seita Scholar Program. Info.
- June 1 and 2--Conference--Innovations on Active Transportation for Livable Communities, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Info.
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Kalamazoo-area special election results
On May 2, Kalamazoo County residents voted down a consolidated emergency dispatch proposal and approved renewal of a 1.5 mill tax to supplement state funds for nine local school districts.
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Increases proposed for higher education budget
The Michigan Legislature has continued its work on the fiscal year 2017-18 budget, as both chambers have advanced their respective versions of spending bills through the full appropriations committees.
As it stands, the overall budget--including the higher education budget--was reduced in both the Senate and House from levels recommended by the executive branch. While Governor Rick Snyder has proposed an overall increase of 2.5 percent for higher education, the House reduced that number to 2.3 percent, and the Senate recommended an increase of 2 percent.
Final passage of the bills will not take place until official revenue statistics have been confirmed at the May Revenue Estimating Conference.
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Transition to knowledge economy key to middle class prosperity
Michigan will not have a middle class again until the state transitions to the knowledge economy that is the path to prosperity in the 21st Century, according to a recently released report from the Michigan Future Inc.
Michigan Future, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with a mission to be a source of new ideas on how Michigan can succeed as a world-class community in a knowledge-driven economy. Its work is funded by Michigan foundations.
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WMU part of statewide sexual assault prevention initiative
Key lawmakers, in collaboration with First Lady Sue Snyder, recently held a press conference in Lansing to address the issue of sexual assault and its prevention.
By raising awareness, the group hopes to combat and reduce the occurrence of sexual assaults
, specifically on college campuses. The Campus Assault Prevention program hopes to establish Michigan as a leader in the fight against sexual assaults. Through awareness, education and a grant program that identifies best practices among institutions, the group hopes to have an impact.
"I'm proud of the work of our state in doing and being a national leader in addressing this difficult, yet important issue," Snyder said at the press conference. "I look forward to continuing our work to keep Michigan students safe on campus."
For more information, visit the
Governor's official site.
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Energy savings earns WMU 'Biggest Loser" title in Michigan competition
WMU's College of Health and Human Services building has brought home the education category's "Biggest Loser" title in the 2016 Michigan Battle of the Buildings energy savings event.
Results of the annual competition were announced April 19 in Grand Rapids at the 2017 Energy Summit. WMU's entry rose to the top out of 64 million square feet of Michigan real estate that competed.
The University demonstrated the greatest percentage-based reduction in energy-use intensity during the 2016 competition, with a 17.4 percent decrease in energy use in the 242,000-square-foot facility it entered. Read more at
WMU News
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Bronco gubernatorial appointments
Congratulations to the following Broncos recently selected for gubernatorial appointments!
New appointments
- Matthew Mingus, of Kalamazoo, WMU public administration professor, appointed to Human Trafficking Commission.
Reappointments
- Jennipher Wiebold, of Kalamazoo, WMU associate professor of rehabilitation counseling, reappointed to Michigan Council For Rehabilitation Services.
- Mike Engle, of Hastings, reappointed to the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System Board.
- Richard Rinvelt, of Wixom, reappointed to the Grape and Wine Industry Council.
- Brian Vilmont, of Grand Rapids, reappointed to the Utility Consumer Participation Board.
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Decades-old alumni friendships honored
with naming of campus facilities
More than 50 years of friendship will be honored with the naming of three Western Michigan University facilities for a trio of men who met on campus as students and went on to become WMU trustees, Detroit business and civic leaders, and champions of young people.
In April, the WMU Board of Trustees approved naming two campus residence halls and a Heritage Hall conference room for the three alumni, who met at WMU in the 1960s. They are:
Ronald E. Hall, a 1965 WMU alumnus, Detroit civic and business leader, and automotive executive who died June 1, 2016, half way into his eight-year term as a WMU Trustee.
Dennis W. Archer, a 1965 WMU alumnus, former Detroit mayor, former member of the Michigan Supreme Court, past president of the American Bar Association, as well as a former WMU trustee.
William F. Pickard, a 1964 alumnus who is a current WMU trustee, longtime Detroit entrepreneur, and founder and chairman of the Global Automotive Alliance.
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Advocate for your favorite university
The
Friends of WMU is a grassroots, bipartisan state political action committee of Broncos helping Broncos, which was established to promote the interests of Western Michigan University. Learn how you can be more engaged as a WMU supporter on the
Friends of WMU website.
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