October 17, 2025

News from MASU

Please join MASU in congratulating Dr. Chris Olsen, announced this week as the 19th president of Northern Michigan University! President-designate Olsen begins his presidency on January 1, 2026. See related stories below under Leadership Transitions.

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Last week, MASU was pleased to host student artists from across the public universities for our annual Arts in the Legislature program. This program honors the talented students at the fifteen institutions by selecting art to hang in the legislative office buildings for the next year. Congratulations to all the selected artists! Below is a picture in Heritage Hall with Senate Business Office Director Todd Cook, MASU CEO Daniel Hurley, and many of the student artists.

In the News

College Access & Affordability

Metro Detroit seniors get on-the-spot college acceptances at special recruitment event [MSU, OU, UM]

WXYZ TV (Oct. 14)


The Metro: Wayne State’s new program to enroll more Detroit students

WDET TV (Oct. 14)


Economic Benefits of Higher Education

Colleges are fighting to prove their return on investment [MSU]

Associated Press (Oct. 16)


Economic Development

GVSU, local leaders, celebrate Battle Creek Innovation Hub as central to regional transformation

Second Wave Media (Oct. 10)


Facilities Planning & Campus Improvement

Michigan Technological University cuts a ribbon welcoming students to East Hall

Keweenaw Report (Oct. 13)


University of Michigan to invest $3.5M in lease improvements for Ann Arbor office space

MLive (Oct. 14)


University of Michigan to demolish 96-year-old mess hall in Wyoming

MLive (Oct. 14)


WMU is listening to its tree committee on the Oaklands project, a member says

WMUK FM (Oct. 14)


University of Michigan considers $9M facilities expansion in Washington, D.C.

MLive (Oct. 15)


Lansing Mayor and MSU President unveil refreshed Red Cedar River pathway

WLNS TV (Oct. 17)


University of Michigan approves $3.5M renovation of Ann Arbor office space

MLive (Oct. 17)


Federal Policy

Faculty Senate rejects Trump admin 'compact' [MSU]

The State News (Oct. 15)


Deciphering Trump’s Compact Invitation to All of Higher Ed

Inside Higher Ed (Oct. 15)


Governance & Speech

Student groups report free speech access at EMU despite 'F' rating

Eastern Echo (Oct. 10)


University of Michigan students can once again appeal discipline to board

MLive (Oct. 16)


Higher Education Finance – Federal Funding & Financial Aid

NIH continues funding cancer and dementia research at EMU

WEMU FM (Oct. 10)


Higher Education Finance — Institutional Dynamics

Michigan Regents blast private equity deal for Big Ten as ‘bailout’

The Detroit News (Oct. 16)


Higher Education Finance — State Operating Support

$24.1 billion Michigan education budget signed at Flint's Potter Elementary

WJRT TV (Oct. 13)


Institutional Leadership

Ferris State President Bill Pink named one of West Michigan's 200 Most Influential Leaders by Crain's Grand Rapids Business [GVSU, WMU]

WYBR FM (Oct. 16)


Leadership Transitions

4th & final candidate for NMU President visits campus

WLUC TV (Oct. 9)


Northern Michigan University names Indiana State provost as next president

The Detroit News (Oct. 16)


Chris Olsen named 19th president of NMU

The North Wind (Oct. 16)


Northern Michigan University taps Indiana State provost as next president

MLive (Oct. 16)


Christopher Olson announced as new NMU president

The Mining Journal (Oct. 17)


Program Delivery

Exploring the World with Oakland University

The Oakland Post (Oct. 15)


GVSU and Fifth Third team up for financial literacy

WOOD TV (Oct. 15)


Recognitions & Awards

2 Michigan universities rank in top 105 in the world, Times Higher Education says

MLive (Oct. 11)


MSU ranked 10th best higher education institution in Michigan, report says [MTU, UM, UM-D]

WLNS TV (Oct. 13)


9 Michigan colleges rank in top 300 nationally, WalletHub says

MLive (Oct. 15)


Safety & Health

MSU publicly releases data on sexual harassment, training on new website

Lansing State Journal (Oct. 14)


WMU hosts active shooter response drill with local law enforcement at Knauss Hall

WWMT TV (Oct. 15)


Student Success

LSSU to revamp gateway courses to boost student success

Soo Leader (Oct. 14)


Tuition

After years of quietly falling, college tuition is on the rise again [UM]

The Hechinger Report (Oct. 13)


University Accountability

Conservative group asks to dismiss its racial bias lawsuit against UM, Law Review

The Detroit News (Oct. 13)

Commentaries

What Trump’s Compact Means for College Finances [MSU]

The Chronicle of Higher Education (Oct. 15)

State and National Reports

Michigan in Context

Report on Tuition and Fees 2025-2026 [PDF]

MASU (October 2025)


2025 State Opportunity Index

Strada (October 2025)

According to this new report, 73% of baccalaureate graduates of Michigan higher education institutions have a positive return on investment from attending college across all sectors, tying the national average of 73%.

The Dean's List

The Lighter Side of the News

17th century book found in MSU donation bin

WLNS TV (Oct. 12)