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The Michigan State University Board of Trustees held its regularly scheduled June public meeting in Benton Harbor this year as part of its annual community outreach efforts and approved the university’s $3.8 billion fiscal year 2026–27 operating budget, which includes tuition and fee rates for the upcoming academic year. The approved budget reflects MSU’s commitment to disciplined financial stewardship — addressing near-term budget pressures while investing in long-term sustainability, operational excellence and continued growth.
“Michigan State continues to thrive as an innovative, globally engaged public research university that delivers an outstanding higher education to those in Michigan and around the world,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “In the face of challenges across the greater higher education landscape, MSU’s budget seeks to balance access and affordability for our students and their families while also maintaining our forward momentum as a world-class university for Spartans today and for generations to come.”
The approved budget includes a tuition adjustment of $370 per semester, or $740 per year, for full-time undergraduate, master of business administration and professional students. This adjustment applies to all undergraduate students, including residents, nonresidents and international students. Students who are enrolled part-time will see an increase in tuition reflective of the new per-credit hour rate. Graduate student tuition rates, assessed per credit hour, will increase by $41 per credit hour, equivalent to the increase for undergraduates enrolled in a typical full-time load.
In recent years, the Michigan Legislature has included a cap on tuition adjustments as part of the state budget. The Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget and Tuition and Fee Rates resolution includes language to account for and comply with a potential state tuition cap.
“The success of our students, faculty and staff hinges on a robust, fiscally prudent operating budget that reflects our land-grant mission, strategic priorities and unwavering commitment to student success,” said MSU Board Chair Brianna Scott. “The Board of Trustees has thoroughly evaluated and approved the administration’s proposed budget, which positions Michigan State to continue its tradition of academic and research excellence, support our students, serve the people of Michigan and expand our impact across the globe.”
To help ensure the university’s long-term fiscal health, MSU is currently navigating its second year of a two-year 9% general fund reduction plan across all units. Additionally, a university-wide review of all hiring requests will also remain in place this fiscal year to support responsible financial stewardship.
“We have a shared responsibility to steward the resources entrusted to our institution and ensure that Michigan’s state university grows stronger each day,” said MSU Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Lisa Frace. “In alignment with MSU’s 2030 strategic plan, the FY27 budget prioritizes the long-term sustainability of MSU by maintaining resource alignment with our mission, investing in strategic priorities that support continued momentum. The budget also reflects a disciplined approach to strengthening our financial foundation and ensuring the university remains resilient and well-positioned for the future.”
Trustees received a research presentation titled “The Spartan Science Behind the World Cup” from MSU turfgrass researcher John “Trey” Rogers III. Rogers and his team of researchers have been responsible for preparing the natural grass surfaces for the FIFA World Cup 2026, spanning 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Rogers is no stranger to turfgrass research. His work began more than 30 years ago, having prepped the Pontiac Silverdome turfgrass for the 1994 World Cup. Since that time, Rogers has continued his work in engineering high-performance playing surfaces that provide the same footing, ball movement and durability for athletes at every stadium across a wide spectrum of climates and venues. Additional information is available on MSU’s turfgrass website.
During Friday’s meeting, trustees approved the recommendation of John Papapolymerou as dean of the College of Engineering, effective June 1, 2026. Papapolymerou is an MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the MSU Space Electronics Initiative, a college collaboration with MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Prior to serving as interim dean, he served as chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for nine years.
The Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Kirk and Celeste Faber Lobby inside the newly constructed Plant and Environmental Sciences Building, recognizing a $3 million gift from Kirkwood Faber. A 1969 alumnus of the College of Natural Science, Faber has been a passionate advocate and philanthropic leader for Michigan State University, generously supporting scholarships, athletics, and the College of Natural Science.
The board also approved the naming of the former MSU Federal Credit Union building at 195 Crescent Road in East Lansing the Rosenberg Center, which will serve as the MSU Research Foundation headquarters, as well as a multi-tenant innovation hub for startups, corporate partners and MSU-affiliated organizations.
Trustees voted Friday to publicly censure Trustees Mike Balow and Rema Vassar for failing to sign the board’s revised Code of Ethics and Conduct which was approved during a special meeting on May 17. Under Section 15 of the code, trustees are required to sign a Statement of Acknowledgement and Agreement by 5 p.m. on the seventh calendar day after adopting the resolution. The revised Code of Ethics and Conduct policy provides that board members who fail to comply with this requirement may be subject to sanctions, including public censure.
The board approved several other requests during the meeting, including:
Sale of property at 242 Howard Ave., Holland, Michigan (bioeconomic facility)
Sale of property at 20682 Marcellus Highway, Decatur, Michigan (Newton House)
The next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting will be held Sept. 11.
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