H.F.A.: UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT UP OVER FIVE YEARS; FUNDING DOWN

Nearly all of the state's 15 public universities received more appropriations in the 2002-03 fiscal year than they did in 2006-07, while at the same time fiscal-year-equated students (FYES) increased, according to an analysis by the House Fiscal Agency.

Total FYES in 2006-07 were 253,346, while that count was 246,205 five years earlier.   Universities enrolled slightly fewer non-resident students in 2006-07 than they did in 2002-03, 640, but increased resident student enrollment in every year except 2006-07 where there were 103 fewer students compared to the year prior.

While the state spent $1.57 billion on higher education in 2002-03, it spent $1.44 billion five years later.   All universities save Grand Valley State University, Oakland University and Saginaw Valley State University received less funding in 2002-03 than they did in 2006-07.

The report showed that except for Lake Superior State University in 2004-05, every school collected more tuition and fee revenue as the years went on.

Results on full-time equivalent faculty were mixed during those five years.   Schools adding faculty overall were Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland, SVSU, University of Michigan-Dearborn and University of Michigan-Flint.   The other universities reduced their faculty levels.

Overall, there were 356 fewer faculty members in 2006-07 than there were five years earlier.   However, faculty compensation rose every year during that period.