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A Michigan House committee moved forward a higher-education budget bill May 5 that would leave overall funding flat but radically change how the state supports its 15 public universities.

Under this new approach, the state appropriation for the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus would be cut by nearly $40 million in the next fiscal year, a move that U-M leaders say would further transfer financial responsibility for the cost of education to students and their families. The university received $322.9 million from the state during the current fiscal year.

The proposal calls for the implementation of a simplified per-in-state-student funding model that would phase in over three years. Historically, discussions about state funding for public universities have considered each school’s unique mission and capacities, not just the number of students. Lawmakers did not consult with higher education leaders before introducing this new approach to funding the state’s public universities.

The result would be a redistribution of millions of dollars from the state’s research universities to several of its other public universities without any additional state support, putting at risk the university’s long-held commitment to ensuring that in-state students from all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to a world-class education.

In a letter written this week to House Appropriations Chair Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, President Mark Schlissel called the proposal a “drastic move” that “does little to advance our state’s goals around improved postsecondary education and meeting the workforce needs of an evolving state economy.”

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The University of Michigan Office of Government Relations has nominated four student works for the 2021-2022 Art in the Legislature.

The Art in the Legislature Program displays and celebrates the work of excellent student artists from Michigan’s 15 public universities each year, and their respective works are displayed in the Anderson House Office Building, or the Binsfeld Senate Building, for one year.

State Relations Officers, university art department representatives, student-artists, their families, and the public at large are invited to attend the reception, at which time the new pieces of art will be unveiled and the students will be recognized.

Portrait of a Necklace

by Mikaylyn Beebee

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This piece is based on the fable of the crow and the serpent. The tale begins with a serpent eating a crow’s family; the crow takes vengeance by stealing the princess’ necklace and dropping it into the serpent’s lair. The royal guards then search for the necklace, find it in the lair, and gut the serpent. It’s a short story that tells that a little wit can win anything. I was drawn to this story because I saw it as a chance to tell a narrative through portraiture, and I love the way all of these characters are connected by the necklace – it killed the serpent, adorned the princess, and allowed the crow to move on. I chose to focus and illustrate all of their relationships to the necklace by having the dead serpent around the princess’ neck, and the crow flying away, shielding her eyes with its clever venture.

Panic

by Lindsay Farb

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Our world is currently in grave danger due to the worsening effects of the climate crisis. If we, the human population, do not make a significant change right now, before we know it, we will all cease to exist. I cannot help but feel uneasy and panicked when confronted with such alarming information regarding the severity of the situation at hand. My piece, titled Panic, is a visual depiction of chaos and the feeling of panic that pumps through the veins of many due to our current and ongoing climate crisis. The composition consists of jagged and irregularly cut black paper where negative and positive space work in harmony creating an upward motion of energy cutting through the page to mimic piercing and fleeting thoughts. The texture of the individual and overlapping shapes add to the provoked feeling of frenzy, and the sharp, chaotic composition aids in this description of panic in response to our impending doom.

Infrared

by Kyler Luna

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My piece is meant to shine light on the ongoing racial injustice in America faced by black Americans. As a white-Hispanic, I recognize the privilege I have with just the color of my skin. I do not have to worry about racial bias within the justice system influencing my right to a fair trial, but neither should anyone else. While this painting is one of the more prominent additions to my portfolio, the name “Infrared” alludes to something a bit more intricate: the colors of the boy’s face are blue and yellow watercolor while the background features acrylic strokes of orange and red. Each of these colors are seen when you view someone under an infrared scanner, reinforcing the overall message that no matter the color of your skin, we all look the same underneath.

Wear Your Mask

by Jacob Yu

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Covid-19 has affected so many people, and masks became part of our daily lives. Through this work, I wanted to show how daily lives have changed through the time of pandemic. The drawing shows a commute in the year 2020. Masks are on, and the train is almost empty. Because 2020 has been a very difficult year, I wanted to capture this feeling of isolation.