Presidents Haas and Schlissel discuss access and affordability

President Thomas J. Haas and Mark Schlissel, president of the University of Michigan, will be on WGVU Public Media's "Newsmakers" show May 20 with host Patrick Center. 

The television program airs at 8:30 a.m on WGVU-Life and will re-air May 22 at 10:30 a.m. on WGVU-HD.

The presidents will discuss access and affordability for higher education, how the declining population in Michigan is impacting universities, and state appropriations and performance measures. 

"We have seen a disinvestment from the state, a lack of priority," said Haas. "We are trying to do more with less, but that can only last so long. We need a better political understanding of the importance for additional funding from the state."

Schlissel said he is trying to keep operating costs down at U of M to protect teaching and research. "We rely on philanthropy and the generosity of our donors," he said. "The fastest part of our budget growth is in financial aid."

Both presidents said the message that education after high school is valuable, important and a public good needs to be reinforced. They said it is important for all state institutions of higher education to thrive so students have choices.

Haas and Schlissel will also talk about the impact of online learning for Michigan's 15 public universities and future goals for Grand Valley and U of M.