At its June 13 meeting held in Traverse City, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved a number of major leadership appointments and voted to raise tuition for the 2025-26 academic year. The trustees also backed a study that will assess the future of the aging IM West building, and heard heated public comment surrounding a controversial academic merger.

Tuition increase could shift depending on state budget

MSU students will pay more in tuition this fall, but how much more still remains unclear. Trustees voted to raise tuition by 4.5% across the board, though university officials emphasized that the figure could decrease depending on what the state of Michigan sets as its tuition cap for public universities.

If the legislature imposes a lower cap to maintain eligibility for state funding, MSU says the university will adjust accordingly.

Sandy Pierce, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Committee on Budget and Finance, clarified during the meeting that “if this 4.5% increase goes through, it’s about $10 to $12 million and a third of that will be allocated to financial aid.”

Some trustees also emphasized their focus on affordability for students. Trustee Mike Balow noted, “There’s other metrics that could be looked at to figure out what the real burden is on our families,” referencing that the average loan debt for in-state undergraduates who borrow is around $26,000.

Laura Lee McIntyre confirmed as new Provost

The board officially confirmed Laura Lee McIntyre as MSU’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. McIntyre, the current dean of the College of Education at the University of Oregon, will begin her new role on August 4.

President Kevin Guskiewicz said McIntyre brings “palpable energy” and highlighted her experience in “early childhood autism, family-centered interventions and family-school partnerships for children with disabilities.”

Guskiewicz also thanked Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko for his leadership and announced that he will receive the title of Provost Emeritus.

New deans named for two MSU colleges

Trustees also approved two new dean appointments. Thomas Stubblefield was confirmed as the new dean of the College of Arts and Letters. Matthew Daum, who had served as interim dean, will now officially lead the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Guskiewicz praised both incoming deans, calling Daum’s leadership of MSU’s packaging program “nationally acclaimed” and noting Stubblefield’s prior work as associate dean at the University of Rhode Island.

IM West study receives green light

The board unanimously approved a planning study to determine the future of IM West, a longstanding recreation facility on campus. The study will explore whether the building can be renovated or whether it should be demolished.

IM West is currently the largest recreational sports facility on campus containing 7,000 square feet dedicated to free weights as well as an indoor pool and a multipurpose gym that seats 650. The building also houses a variety of kinesiology and group fitness classes. 

The study comes after months of deliberations over the future of IM West. If demolished, the space is set to become additional parking and green space on campus.

The topic is expected to return in future meetings once the study is complete.

Board approves merger despite student opposition

The board also approved a motion to merge the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) with the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), a decision that drew strong criticism from student leaders and alumni.

Kathryn Harding, the incoming ASMSU president, voiced strong opposition to the merger, telling trustees that undergraduate students had been repeatedly excluded from the decision-making process. 

“ASMSU has expressed time and time again the lack of student voices in the process,” she said, referencing three bills and two public statements released in opposition. “Let me be clear, this is not something that the undergraduate students wanted.”

Harding said the effects of the merger would likely be gradual, but warned that one of the most immediate impacts would be reduced representation of the Arts and Humanities in shared governance spaces across campus. 

Going forward, she said, the integration of RCAH into CAL must be “done by genuinely listening to student and faculty feedback… rather than rushing and asking the wrong questions.”

Abigail Rodriguez, an alumna speaker joining via Zoom, delivered an emotional statement opposing the merger.

“I’m honestly done being polite, I’m furious, I’m heartbroken,” she said.

Tabor Vits, an alumnus of both RCAH and the College of Arts and Letters, echoed Rodriguez’s sentiments and said the process lacked transparency from the start.

“The merger has felt like a foregone conclusion since the very beginning,” he said. “The committee work felt like checking a box before moving forward, which unfortunately sours my perception of my alma mater.”

Balow acknowledged the concerns raised during the meeting.

“The commitments that were made to the board were that the experience will remain the same for students who were in that college,” he said. “Now the proof will be in the execution of that.”

Balow said he supported the merger due in part to budgetary pressures, but added that “our committee on academic affairs (should) keep this on their radar screen … to ensure that the concerns of the students are understood and can be dealt with, and that they’re visible and that things are explained.”

Possible future agendas

Although not formally added to future agendas — more topics mentioned in the meeting could resurface in the coming months. Trustee Dennis Denno briefly discussed potential follow-up on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and ASMSU representatives raised concerns about unionization efforts and the university’s approach to artificial intelligence policies. While no formal motions were made, these issues may prompt further conversation at later meetings.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration announced this week that Pennsylvania is investing nearly $10 million to purchase development rights for 2,672 acres on 35 farms in 18 counties — protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

These joint investments by state and local government ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue feeding families and supporting jobs and communities in the future, the governor’s adminstration said.

Since the Shapiro administration began, Pennsylvania has invested $125.2 million to preserve 415 new farms and 35,177 prime acres of farmland across the state.

“Preserving Pennsylvania farmland is an investment in the future of our economy and farm families,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “When that land is lost to development, we lose one of our most valuable economic assets.”

More than 48,800 farms across Pennsylvania contribute $132.5 billion to our economy and support almost 600,000 jobs, making agriculture a key driver of Pennsylvania’s economy.

To continue Pennsylvania’s national legacy as an agriculture leader, Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposes:

• An additional $13 million investment in the historic Ag Innovation Grant to help build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania.

• Investing $2 million to keep Pennsylvania’s new animal diagnostic laboratory in the western part of the state operational, providing critical testing services for farmers to ensure their livestock remain healthy and viable for continued farming operations.

• A $4 million funding increase to connect Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System.

• An additional $4 million funding increase to the State Food Purchase Program to provide emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland. Since 1988, Pennsylvania has protected 6,564 farms and 654,551 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing nearly $1.76 billion in state, county, and local funds.

Farms preserved at the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board meeting include:

• Luzerne County — total investment, $555,160, state only.

• Raymond H. and Corrine A. Barchik, 115-acre crop and livestock farm, Fairmount Township.

• Joseph A. Disabella Sr. and Deborah A. Disabella, 54-acre crop farm, Sugarloaf Township.

Bill to move DOE office to Pittsburgh introduced

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, this week introduced S. 2044 — which would move the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh.

“For far too long, federal agencies in Washington have been physically removed from the workers and industries they regulate,” McCormick said. “I’m proud to partner with Sen. Fetterman on this legislation to bring a critical Energy Department office to Pittsburgh near the heart of the Marcellus.”

“With its rich history of energy production, top-tier universities, and state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure, Pittsburgh is uniquely qualified to be the home of the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management,” Fetterman said. “I’m proud to join Sen. McCormick to introduce legislation calling for this move while protecting the union way of life. FECM is an important agency that supports lower-carbon fuels like natural gas while addressing and lowering carbon emissions. Housing federal agencies in the communities they impact is a no brainer.”

Last year, McCormick proposed moving DOE operations to Pittsburgh to place agency officials closer to the industry they regulate and work with every day. Pennsylvania is the second largest producer of natural gas in America, with most of that production happening in western Pennsylvania.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (OFECM) is made up of about 750 federal employees — scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative staff. The Office is responsible for research, development, and demonstration on advanced power generation; power plant efficiency; carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies; emission control technologies; and so much more. It is responsible for the technological solutions for the development of our unconventional oil and gas domestic resources and also manages the Nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.

The OFECM also manages the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). This is the lead field center for research and program development. Through this laboratory there are nearly 700 federal sponsored projects that are conducted through private sector research partners.

The bill would require the Department of Energy to move the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (OFECM) within the DOE to Pittsburgh one year after passage. It would also require the Secretary of Energy to provide a report to Congress on employment changes and any impacts to collective bargaining rights.

The OFECM houses the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which is already based in Pittsburgh and does a significant amount of OFECM’s functional work. The impact on staffing would be minimal and provide more jobs to Pennsylvania while having a federal office housed in the Commonwealth.

Recommendations to help gun violence victims

The importance of supporting the basic needs of gun violence victims — including housing, transportation, food — and providing tailored supports for youth were some of the key findings released this week by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), following a statewide needs assessment conducted at the request of PCCD Chair Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.

“The people closest to the pain should be closest to the power — and that’s exactly what this initiative is all about,” Davis said. “By gathering insights directly from survivors, families, and providers, these reports highlight critical gaps that too often stand in the way of individuals’ healing process after experiencing gun violence. We’re not just working to reduce gun violence; we’re ensuring that victims and the professionals who serve them receive the support they need and deserve.”

From Fall 2024 to Spring 2025, PCCD contracted with ICF to conduct a needs assessment to better understand resources available to support individuals exposed to or who have experienced gun violence.

Statewide needs assessment takeaways

Key findings:

• Meeting basic needs is critical: Housing, transportation, and food insecurity remain major barriers. Survivors often can’t access support services when their basic survival is at stake.

• Local trust matters: Individuals affected by gun violence prefer hyper-local, culturally relevant providers who understand their communities. Many learn about services through friends, family or trusted community leaders — not official channels.

• Youth need tailored supports: Youth exposed to violence feel isolated and misunderstood. They emphasized the need for connection through food, creative outlets, and social media, as well as education on gun safety and conflict resolution.

• Long-term care is lacking: Many survivors feel overwhelmed by offers of services immediately after a violent event but struggle to find help when they’re ready. Services must be available beyond the crisis period.

Recommendations:

• Develop hyper-local communications to build awareness and trust in services.

• Provide trauma-informed training to service providers and journalists.

• Expand gun safety education and access to secure firearms storage devices.

• Make services available long term, beyond the initial crisis period.