Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) has announced several key decisions following the Board of Control’s regular meeting on Monday, June 17. Among the notable approvals is the general fund operating budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which includes a tuition hike for students. The tuition fee will rise to $431 per credit hour, reflecting a 5.6% increase from the previous year.
For Michigan undergraduate students taking 30 credits in the upcoming academic year, this translates to a total annual tuition of $12,930, up by $690 from the prior year’s cost. SVSU President George Grant Jr. emphasized that this budget will support continued investments in student safety, well-being, and career preparedness, underscoring the institution’s commitment to enhancing the overall student experience.
In addition to the budget approval, the Board ratified a new three-year labor contract with the SVSU Support Staff Association (MEA/NEA). This agreement includes a variety of wage increases for current employees, averaging around 4.3% in the first year, with those having the longest tenure receiving the largest boosts due to the addition of an extra pay step. Newly hired employees will benefit from pay increases ranging between 6% and 11% in their first year, depending on their classification. Over the next two years, members of the collective bargaining unit will see wage hikes of 2.5% in the second year and 2% in the third year. Additionally, the university will increase its contributions toward health insurance premiums.
The SVSU Support Staff Association represents 156 employees working in various secretarial, clerical, and facilities/maintenance roles. The Association members ratified the agreement on Wednesday, June 12.
The Board also approved several significant capital expenditures. They authorized up to $4.025 million to renovate the residence halls Great Lakes A-C, part of the First Year Suites complex. This move continues SVSU’s streak of being recognized for having the “best dorms” among all public universities in the U.S. for five consecutive years, according to Niche.
In a further effort to enhance campus infrastructure, the Board approved $600,000 for a transit gateway project to improve public transportation connectivity within the Great Lakes Bay Region. This project includes $500,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, $400,000 has been earmarked for upgrading the university’s storage area network for Information Technology Services.
The meeting also saw the approval of promotions for 14 faculty members, effective July 1. Those promoted to professor are:
- Prashanth Anekal, management
- Cal Borden, biology
- Kylie Jaber, economics
- Julie Lynch, psychology
- James McEvoy, biology
- David Nichols, philosophy
- Travis Pashak, psychology
- Jennifer Stinson, history
The faculty members elevated to associate professor are:
- Zachary Cohle, economics
- Babak Lotfaliei, finance
- Peggy Jones, mechanical engineering
- Brian Maricle, biology
- Aos Mulahuwaish, computer science and information systems
- Kavindya Senanayake, physics
Kathleen Schachman has been reappointed as the H.R. Wickes Endowed Professor of Nursing, and Peter Rose-Barry will continue as the Finkbeiner Endowed Professor of Ethics.
Finally, the Board confirmed appointments to previously authorized public school academies, continuing its support for education in the wider community.
These decisions reflect SVSU’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and improving the quality of campus life for its students and staff.
