<p>bookiemom, go here for details: <a href="http://www.msu.edu/%7Eacadgov/documents/NewResidentialCollegeFinalReport10-15-04.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.msu.edu/~acadgov/documents/NewResidentialCollegeFinalReport10-15-04.pdf</a></p>
<p>It will focus on liberal and creative arts</p>
<p>Very interesting...but odd that they got rid of Justin Morrill (residential college in liberal arts) some years ago and now are starting up another with similar focus. I was always sorry I did not look into Justin Morrill prior to attending MSU. I didn't know about it till I got there, but I think it would have been a good fit for me. I was a little lost in some ways in such a huge college.</p>
<p>Morril was cut during a time of horrendous budget cuts at MSU. It was a miracle that LBC and Madison survived. </p>
<p>Now, higher ed has changed - much less dependent on the state budget process etc.</p>
<p>Thanks newmassdad for the link. I hadn't found that one. It will be interesting to find out if my S gets admitted or not (to that program). And more importantly if he does will he stay in Michigan. Now shhh don't go tellin' everyone and his chances will increase!</p>
<p>As much as I'd like to agree, newmassdad, I'm not sure I do. Although top public Us like MSU now have $billion endowments states, now carrying the greater burden for other basic services passed on from the feds, are cutting higher ed funding across the board and across the land; and with the auto industry hit so hard, Michigan is really struggling. I do think MSU is much wiser about programs that are unique and add to its prestige -- like James Madison -- so that it will never be threatened again. Indeed, Madison has its own endowment...</p>
<p>... btw, here's a more up-to-date link to the new Residential College for the Arts & Humanities (RCAH), which will be accepting students next fall.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rcah.msu.edu/life.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.rcah.msu.edu/life.html</a></p>
<p>Quincy4, </p>
<p>Because of the inconsistencies in state budgeting year to year, political interference and so forth, flagship public universities all over the country have been loosening the ties to their states. U. VA has even cut the ties completely for its business school. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the alternative to state support is often higher student fees. That, coupled with flatline federal support (scholarship and loan programs mostly) has put a real squeeze on a lot of us folks, and led to circumstances where private colleges, with their tuition discounting (financial aid..) can be cheaper than state U. </p>
<p>An interesting example is that school just down the road on I96 and US 23 (U Mich for you easterners). They've raised out of state tuition to the point where it is almost as expensive as an elite private college. More commonly, the state U's cut costs by faculty attrition, more use of adjuncts, larger classes and so forth, all resulting in a tougher time for graduation in 4 years. But most higher ed folks would say these things are better than the alternative of dealing with the legislatures, and being forced to dump valuable programs like Justin Morrill college in a lean year.</p>
<p>Are you referring to the University of Michigan? 96 and 23 would put us in Brighton! </p>
<p>I don't think public Universities see the weakening state connection as an option they've chosen. It's just a fact of life as state support declines. It's not as if they could take an opposite path (a cosier relationship with the legislature) and see any kind of meaningful change in support. The money simply isn't there for the state to give, and I don't think the public currently has the will or the interest to change that.</p>
<p>hoedown, </p>
<p>You take 96 to 23, then drive south a few more miles.</p>
<p>Michigan memories...I drove this route for eighteen months, commuting from Lansing to Ann Arbor to get my master's degree at UMich. That included getting to an 8:00 my final semester, Jan. to May. Now that was fun! Many mornings during the commute I would suddenly wonder just where I was and if I had remembered to get on 23 or if I was headed into Detroit. I still can't believe I commuted to Ann Arbor through two Michigan winters.</p>
<p>I know how to get here, LOL--I'm on campus five days a week. But I see now what you meant.</p>
<p>hoedown,</p>
<p>The <em>nice</em> way to drive between Lansing and Ann Arbor. You can even drive though Hell to get there. Check your map. Hint: SW of Pinckney.</p>
<p>I kind of favor the I-94 & 127 route, myself.</p>