MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees approved an operating budget of close to 131 million dollars, which includes $2.6 million in new investments.
The university was able to maintain a balanced budget due to higher enrollment and a state appropriation boost of 1.6%.
The 2024-2025 budget is an increase of nearly $5.8 million from the previous fiscal year. NMU’S total enrollment is up nearly 3%.
NMU Vice President for Finance and Administration, Gavin Leach says the university is in good financial shape and looking forward to further expansion.
“We’re in a good spot as a university. We’re making key investments to grow in the future. We’re making key investments to help students succeed, and we’re creating really great atmosphere for academics as well as a living environment on campus, which I think will prepare us for a great future here,” said Leach.
Leach says another priority is to increase student housing units in residence halls and student apartments.
“400 new beds as our residence halls were pretty full, as well as our apartments, and we’re looking to continue to grow that population,” said Leach.
The budget also included a sizable investment in faculty and staff, the school’s wellness programs, and a new college of business.
“We received state capital outlay authorization,” explained Leach. “We’re working on plans to get the construction authorization to move forward on that program. Construction probably be about a year out from that, from the approval, which we expect sometime this fall.”
Leach is confident that NMU will continue to grow with facilities that are best in class.
