Grand Valley's Accountability Report shows positive return for state and students

At a time when measuring performance and results of higher education are dominating discussion, Grand Valley State University’s annual Accountability Report shows the university is excelling in key areas. The university released the report at its November 2 Board of Trustees meeting.

The annual report presents facts from external sources that show Grand Valley is a solid return on investment for students, their families and those living in the state of Michigan. It’s been cited as a national example of how universities can prove their value with quantifiable results.

Here are some highlights from this year’s report:

-- When compared to all other public universities in Michigan, Grand Valley ranks in the top five for retention; the top four for graduation rates and is in the top two for administrative efficiency and productivity.

-- Of recent graduates who are employed, 84% are working and giving back in Michigan.

-- Grand Valley’s tuition remains in the bottom half of all Michigan public universities.

-- Grand Valley receives the lowest state funding per student of any of Michigan’s public universities.

-- The economic impact of Grand Valley on Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties is $732 million.

“We are student focused and deliver results with efficiency,” President Thomas J. Haas said. “It’s our responsibility to be accountable for the money invested in Grand Valley, and the data compiled for this report consistently shows that Grand Valley delivers. Helping students receive their degrees in a timely way and begin their next steps is at the core of our mission.”

Other news from the Board of Trustees meeting included:

- Grand Valley’s endowment is the highest in the university’s history, exceeding $80 million for the first time.

- The university purchased seven more parcels near its Center for Health Sciences on the Medical Mile in downtown Grand Rapids after being approached by the owners. The $1.2 million purchase adds approximately one acre to the parcels purchased in November 2011. The property, in the Lafayette-Hastings block, will allow the university to do a much needed expansion of its health-related programs. Plans for that expansion are still in the preliminary stages of development with no target date set at this time.