MichiganRadio

University Presidents Say They Can Power Michigan's Future Economy--But They Need Money LIVONIA, MI (Michigan Radio) - Presidents of Michigan's three largest research universities testified before a State Senate Subcommittee Monday.

The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University make up the "University Research Corridor."

The schools say by combining forces they can leverage Federal research dollars and power Michigan's future economy. The Corridor brings in almost one-and-a-half billion dollars in research funds a year.

But Michigan's budget troubles mean fewer state dollars for higher education.

Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon says the dwindling funds will inevitably hurt how well the corridor can compete against similar research consortiums across the country.

"The budget translates into people," Simon says. "And so we need to be sure that we have the resources necessary to recruit the best people, wherever they are around the world, to come to Michigan so we can be successful with the corridor."

The university heads say they're struggling to accommodate more students in need of financial aid as state higher education funding continues to decline. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio