By Houghton Daily

Mining Gazette staff

​​HOUGHTON — The Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees approved next year’s general fund budget and tuition rates Friday.

The preliminary budget has operating expenses of $227.5 million, up 4.1% from the 2023 fiscal year. History and enrollment trends were considered when preparing the budget, said Trustee Andrea Dickson.

“We are happy to say that we again are sort of defying the trends of some other universities … professors are doing a great job, students want to come here, we have a strong research apparatus, and our alum are supporting us,” she said. “So all parts that we need to be fiscally sound are in place for the coming budget too.”

Operating revenues are projected to increase 5.2%, including a 5.6% increase in revenue from student tuition and fees.

Tuition and fees will increase by an average of 4.43%.

Michigan freshman and sophomores will pay $9,037 per semester, versus $20,511 for non-residents.

Upper-division tuition is divided into three tiers, corresponding to majors. Residents will pay between $9,995 and $10,974. Non-residents will pay between $20,511 and $22,916.

For graduate students, the standard per-credit rate will be $1,458 for engineering or computer science; other degrees will be $1,228.

In other action, the board:

≤ Approved a pre-development agreement for a project to expand on-campus student housing. The board named RISE Development, LLC as developer for the project.

≤ Approved a resolution allowing tenure to be granted to retired faculty members who have served the university with distinction, not just those with tenure.

≤ Approved the firm Plant & Moran to conduct audit work for the fiscal year ending June 30.

≤ Approved promotions from assistant professor without tenure to associate professor with tenure: Smitha Rao Hatti, Biomedical Engineering; Hassan Masoud, Mechanical Engineering — Engineering Mechanics; Trisha Sain, Mechanical Engineering — Engineering Mechanics; Xiaohu “Mark” Tang, Biological Sciences; Kathryn Perrine, Chemistry; Shan Zhou, Social Sciences; Adam Meckler, Visual and Performing Arts.

≤ Approved a promotion from associate professor without tenure to associate professor with tenure: Iakov “Yakov” Nekritch, Computer Science.

≤ Approved promotions from associate professor with tenure to professor with tenure: Dukka KC, Computer Science; Pasi Lautala Civil, Environmental, & Geospatial Engineering; Pengfei Xue, Civil, Environmental, & Geospatial Engineering; Evan Kane College of Forest Resources & Environmental Science; Thomas Werner, Biological Sciences; Christo Christov, Chemistry; Ashutosh Tiwari, Chemistry; Zhiying Shan, Kinesiology & Integrative Physiology; Donald Lafreniere, Social Sciences; Chelsea Schelly, Social Sciences.

≤ Approved emeritus appointments: Dr. Brian Fick, Professor Emeritus, Department of Physics; Dr. Sarah Green, Professor Emerita, Department of Chemistry; Dr. Chandrashekhar Joshi, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences; Dr. Thomas Merz, Professor Emeritus, College of Business; Dr. Jennifer Slack, Professor Emerita, Department of Humanities; Dr. Bryan Suits, Professor Emeritus, Department of Physics.