New MSU Budget Includes Increased Campus Security, Financial Aid
The $3.3 billion budget also greenlights a new 293,000-square-foot student recreation and wellness center.
Photo: Postmodern Studio, Adobe Stock
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan State University’s (MSU) Board of Trustees approved the school’s fiscal year 2023-2024 budget of $3.3 billion, including $8 million in new campus safety initiatives prompted by the February mass shooting that claimed the lives of three students.
The $8 million will also go towards investments in the university’s Title IX office and efforts to improve student, faculty, and staff health and well-being, reports WLNS. The school previously announced safety and security improvements two weeks after the shooting, including the installation of additional security cameras and at least 1,600 new locks on campus doors that can be secured by anyone inside a room and require a key to open from the outside.
The university’s budget also increases pay for faculty and staff and includes a record $224 million in student financial aid — a $16.4 million increase over last year. It also helps lower-income students and families by offsetting the 3% increase in undergraduate tuition, according to campus officials. Students from households with an annual income of less than $75,000 will see no out-of-pocket increase in tuition spending.
“Through the leadership of the board and the administration, we are carrying forward the priorities of our strategic plan to create a safer, healthier, and more affordable university,” said Board Chair Rema Vassar.
The budget also calls for a new 293,000-square-foot student recreation and wellness center which was first authorized in Dec. 2021. Upon completion, the new center will replace IM West, the largest of the school’s four recreational sports and fitness services facilities.
“This new top-tier intramural facility marks a significant stride in enhancing student success by promoting active lifestyles and fostering a sense of belonging,” said Vennie Gore, Senior Vice President for Student Life and Engagement. “Supporting students’ health and well-being ensures they have the tools to flourish academically, personally, and socially, paving the way for a more fulfilling experience on campus and beyond.”
It will feature several gymnasiums, a turf arena, an indoor running track, fitness studios, racket ball courts, and a 50-meter pool. Construction is slated to begin in July and is expected to be complete by Feb. 2026.
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About the Author
Amy Rock, Executive Editor
Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.
Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.
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