Thank you for being strong advocates for WMU. Many of you have sent emails, made phone calls, or sent letters to legislators in Lansing expressing your support for WMU.  

You are part of our team that has made it possible for us to have a successful agenda in the state's Capitol. Simply put, we could not have accomplished what we have in the last 18 months without your help.  

We've all been made skeptics of our political process, but the truth is, when voices are raised they are heard. In this special edition of our newsletter we want to share with you some of our victories in Lansing that you helped make possible.

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The current legislative session started in January 2011 as a new governor and legislature were sworn into office. With Republicans holding significant majorities in both chambers of the legislature and a Republican governor setting an aggressive agenda, it has been a busy session. So here are just some of the issues we tackled and initiatives you helped moved forward during this session for WMU:

• State funding of $30 million was secured for the "new" Sangren Hall in the middle of WMU's campus. This building, when it opens this fall, will be the most heavily used classroom facility at WMU and will provide a 21st century learning experience for our students.

• WMU's Geosciences program gained its rightful recognition with legislation to transfer the state's geological survey program from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to WMU.

• When legislation was being passed to replace the state's historic tax credits with a new grant program, we worked to get an amendment to the bill that places a priority on redeveloping properties like WMU's historic east campus.

• We worked with legislative work groups and committees on policies and practices that are most helpful for returning veterans to be successful in college. WMU is now recognized in the state Capitol as the undisputed leader in assisting veterans with their college experience.

• In the 2012 state budget, we worked with the legislature to receive $200,000 to support WMU's economic development efforts at our Business Technology and Research Park in Kalamazoo. Known locally as the BTR, it is the most successful Smartzone in Michigan.

• Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley singled out WMU for our efforts in helping pass legislation requiring insurance coverage for autism. Bringing WMU's nationally recognized research in developing effective scientific based treatment strategies to the forefront was an important part of the debate.

• In the legislative deliberations on the 2013 state budget, we worked collaboratively with legislators from both chambers to increase WMU's appropriation by $711,800 over what was originally recommended by the Governor.

• In addition, we worked with legislative leaders to have an appropriation of $750,000 for WMU's unique and nationally recognized Seita Scholars program that provides an opportunity for students leaving the foster care system to attend and be successful in college.

Our achievements are significant and you've played a major role in making them happen. But we still have some big challenges; state support for WMU is still not where it should be. And where there are challenges there are also opportunities, and we know you will be there to help us.

Later this summer we will share an agenda of new and exciting possibilities to expand the footprint of WMU in Lansing and how you can help. Your advocacy gives us a larger voice in Lansing.  

Thank you , for being such a strong partner with us at the state Capitol.

GO BRONCOS!!!