Michigan college funds keep growing
March 27, 2009 
Saving plans sound despite bad economy, leaders say
Michigan’s two college savings programs remain sound investments, despite the struggles with the stock market, leaders said Tuesday.
The Michigan Education Trust (MET) and the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) have seen modest growth in the economic downturn — up 1 percent and 10 percent from 2007, respectively, according to the state. And changes in the tax code, for this year only, may make MESP more inviting for families wanting to save early for college.
Families with questions about the Michigan plans are invited to talk with experts Wednesday in a live Web chat. Robin Lott, executive director of MET, and Renee Hill, program manager for MESP, will be available for a Web chats on WXYZ TV’s Web site from noon to 1 p.m. and again from 5- 6 p.m. today.
To participate, go to www.wxyz.com. The experts will provide verbal responses to questions typed into the chat window or called in to (248) 356-0077.
MET is a guaranteed tuition plan that allows parents to pre-purchase tuition at today’s rates for state universities and colleges. MESP is a 529 savings program that is investment-based and where money can be used to pay for tuition, as well as books, supplies, required fees and certain room and board costs at any qualified institution in the nation.
Parents and guardians should consider both when planning for a child’s future to reap the benefits of both, Hill and Lott say.
“With MET you are locking in the cost of tuition today and MESP can help you pay for all the other costs, (such as) room and board and fees and laptops,” Hill said. “There’s an opportunity for parents who have a long investment time frame. And for those who don’t, we still have very conservative options available.”
MET has sold 89,000 contracts; 35,000 have been paid out and a little over 15,000 are being paid out. On average, 3,500 contracts are sold a year, Lott said. The latest annual actuary review of the program in September found that program is sound, Lott said.
“It’s good to see the plan is adapting and responding to the economic crisis,” said Dennis Pace, 58, an advertising director from Dimondale who started an MESP account for his 3-year-old grandson two weeks after he was born.
Tuition on average among Michigan’s public universities increases 7.3 percent a year, Lott said. And if families can buy tuition contracts at today’s prices, the savings can be considerable, Lott said. “I think most folks have realized that tuition in Michigan doesn’t go down,” Lott said of the program’s growth.
For the MESP program, Michiganians have invested $1.65 billion in the program through more than 211,000 accounts, Hill said.
Due to changes in the tax code, investors in the MESP program will be allowed to change investment options two times in 2009, instead of once. This means families with students nearing college age, for example, can move into more conservative investments.
One MESP investment option guarantees the principal plus interest.
The latest investment options might be more helpful for parents of teens, Pace said, but “are great moves. That would make it more appealing for more parents. .. The longer you wait (to save), the more difficult it is.”
The IRS also has increased flexibility in the types of college-related purchases the money can be used for — laptops, most computer software and Internet service are now permissible.
Both plans provide a state tax deduction for Michigan residents and tax-free growth if used for qualified college expenses.
Michigan is encouraging families to consider investing at a time when other states’ 529 plans haven’t fared as well. Alabama’s prepaid tuition plan suffered significant losses and its board froze enrollment Tuesday over fears it wouldn’t be able to pay out tuition in the future.
Pinckney Recreation Area Offers a ‘Paddle to Hell’ April 1
March 26, 2009 
Contact: Jon LaBossiere 734-426-4913
Agency: Natural Resources
March 24, 2009
Pinckney Recreation Area is announcing its spring “GO-Get Oudoors” recreational stimulus package with a “Paddle to Hell” on Wednesday, April 1, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bruin Lake boat launch.
Under the best conditions, this is an easy four-mile paddle through Hell, Michigan. However, this early in the season the water is cold and the weather is unpredictable. This is an all-weather event and will be cancelled only if there is still ice on the lakes.
The cost of the paddle trip is free, but donations are being accepted for picnic table and grill replacements. Participants will need to register at (734) 426-4913. This event is limited to 20 boats, so participants are urged to register soon.
The Bruin Lake boat launch is located at 21237 Kaiser Rd. near Gregory, which is near Hell, Michigan. For more information about the park, this event, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the park supervisor at (734) 426-4913 (or TTY/TDD 711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/pinckney.
All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.
Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks this year. Activities are planned throughout the year. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.
The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.
Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Outdoors
DNR is holding town hall meetings
March 24, 2009 
TRAVERSE CITY — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a series of town hall meetings to discuss the state’s and agency’s conservation priorities.
DNR Director Rebecca Humphries will lead the sessions, while the public can ask questions and make comments.
Humphries is expected to speak about natural resource management, land management, recruitment of outdoor enthusiasts, priorities for the future and what citizens value most about outdoor activities in Michigan, among other topics.
One of the meetings will be on April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the meeting room at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, 1213 W. Civic Center Dr. in Traverse City.
Other meetings will be held in Grand Rapids, Midland, Marquette and Novi.
Those with disabilities who need special accommodations should call (517) 373-6919 at least five days in advance.
Ferris State University Hosts Second Michigan Energy Conference
BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University continues to be at the forefront of teaching and meeting the needs of its students and community by hosting the second Michigan Energy Conference April 16 and 17. This year’s conference will focus on energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint.
The outcome of the conference is for participants to leave with an understanding of the carbon footprint; along with the opportunities and challenges with Michigan’s renewable portfolio and realizing sustainability through renewable resources. This includes the transmission and distribution of energy, alternative energy, energy efficiencies and solutions.
Bringing industry, government and educational leaders together to discuss our energy challenges puts Ferris in line with the State’s recent commitment to have Michigan a leader in renewable energy, said Ron McKean, associate dean of Ferris’ College of Engineering Technology. “The Energy Conference provides a forum to discuss important energy issues and foster ideas that will result in opportunities for Michigan,” McKean added.
Conference events are open to the public as well as students, teachers and faculty; and begin Thursday, April 16, with workshops during the day that include energy auditing for business owners, becoming a home energy rater, HVAC commissioning and understanding alternative fuels for transportation. The evening wraps up at Ferris’ G. Mennen Williams Auditorium with presentations by Paul Proudfoot from the Michigan Public Service Commission on Michigan’s new energy laws and initiatives, Jeff Goody from Vestas Blades of America sharing wind energy solutions and Bill Harper from Chevron Energy Solutions on responding to our energy challenges. Student poster contest awards will also be presented.
The conference starts in earnest on Friday with keynote speakers Michelle Buckler from Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber introducing carbon footprint and Stephen Hamstra from GMB Architects discussing reducing carbon footprint. The rest of the day will focus on break-out sessions covering topics on creating and delivering renewable energy, alternative energy — site solutions, and energy efficiency solutions in business and industry. There will also be special guest speaker, Stanley Pruss, director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, during lunch on Friday.
The Michigan Energy Conference participation and support includes: The Association of Energy Engineers; ASHRAE; Cascade Engineering; Consumers Energy; DTE Energy, Greater Grand Rapids The Right Place, Inc./Innovation Works; Green Mechanical Council; NextEnergy; Viessmann; West Michigan Environmental Action Council; and West Michigan Strategic Alliance, among others.
Ferris has built upon some of these partnerships and is working closely with them on other efforts, including the recent award of a grant designed to build community partnerships promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use. Ferris’ Director of Corporate and Professional Development Tom Crandell said, “This is a countywide effort that ties into sustainability efforts at Ferris to become known as the energy efficiency center of Michigan. By hosting this conference we are providing a forum for the public to understand solutions for renewable energy and offer workshops targeted at industry professionals.
The first Michigan Energy Conference held in 2008 had more than 200 business and community leaders, faculty and students; and was highlighted with a speech from Grand Rapids businessman Dick DeVos. “We are planning for even larger attendance this year,” said Debra Fisher, Michigan Energy Conference committee member.
For more information, admission pricing, or to register for the second annual Michigan Energy Conference, visit www.ferris.edu/mec. If you are interested in sponsoring please visit the Web site and request information before March 31, 2009.
Ferris State University Selects Architecture Firm for New Optometry Facility
BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University has selected Neumann/Smith Architecture of Southfield, Mich., to design and build the new facility for the Michigan College of Optometry/Center for Collaborative Health Education, for which construction is slated to begin in May 2009.
After years of lobbying efforts by Ferris and the Michigan Optometric Association, the state of Michigan has committed the funds for the new facility, which has a total projected cost of $26.9 million, with the state of Michigan providing 75 percent of that cost, or $20,175,000. Ferris is responsible for raising the remaining 25 percent, or $6,725,000. To date, more than $1,356,000 has been pledged to or raised by the university for the new facility, including a $1 million gift from the Dow Foundation.
“The new facility will be a tremendous asset in meeting MCO’s goal of educating students to become successful optometrists,” said David Eisler, president of Ferris. “Not only will a modern facility attract the best and brightest students and faculty from across the U.S., but it will provide patients with a more comfortable health-care environment,” added Eisler.
Specifically, the new facility will feature a ground-floor eye and vision care clinic offering clinical training for optometry interns and optometric/medical eye care to area residents; optical and contact lens dispensary where student interns receive practical hands-on training in the fitting of optical devices; a laser surgery room for staff ophthalmologists allowing student interns to gain experience on campus in the handling of pre- and post-operative care of patients undergoing eye surgery; classrooms, laboratories and faculty/administrative offices; distance-learning facilities; teaching auditorium; research laboratories; and an Optometric Center for Lifelong Learning and Competency for the continuing education of MCO/FSU graduates.
“The MCO family has dreamed of a new building for more than 15 years,” said Dr. Nancy Peterson-Klein, interim dean of the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris. “We are extremely grateful to all those who have helped us secure funding for our building, and we look forward to our continued success in realizing our vision of gradating outstanding healthcare providers of tomorrow.”
Neumann/Smith plans to build the estimated 91,000-square-foot modern health-care facility on the proposed site at the corner of State Street and Ferris Drive, next to the College of Allied Health Sciences, creating an educational synergy within the health sciences complex of Optometry, Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences at Ferris.
The architecture firm is no stranger to the Ferris campus. The firm most recently designed the Interdisciplinary Resource Center connector, and they also designed the Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education, and the Timme Center for Student Services.
Neumann/Smith’s design and management capabilities are complemented by the construction management firm Clark Construction Co. of Lansing and Petoskey; the medical expertise of Medical Design International (MDI); mechanical and electrical engineers from DiClemente Siegel Design, Inc.; technology specialists from The Sextant Group; site/civil engineers and landscape architects from Hubbell, Roth and Clark; and structural engineers from Desai/Nasr Consulting Engineers. Collectively the team offers extraordinary expertise and experience to complete the new Michigan College of Optometry facility at Ferris State University.
District putting finishing touches on Summer School program
The Northville School District is in the process of finalizing the details for the 2009 Summer School program. This is to provide information regarding dates for the Northville Public Schools Summer Connections program, along with an overview of the anticipated course offerings. Course offerings will be finalized over the next several weeks. A follow up ListServ communication will be sent to families as soon as the Summer Connections brochures are finalized and posted on the District website.
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NPS continues to offer a Summer Connections program which includes enrichment opportunities along with credit recovery options for students, as well as to give high school and incoming high school students the opportunity to fulfill some of the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements over the summer. This summer program opportunity provides students with greater flexibility in their schedules in order to explore elective courses and/or to take additional higher level courses.
The majority of classes will be held from June 22-July 23 for high school and middle school students, and from June 22-July 22 for elementary school students. All classes will be held at Northville High School, unless otherwise noted.
HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS
A variety of credit classes will be offered to high school students including English Nine and English Ten, Algebra I, Biology, Earth Science Essentials, U.S. History, Civics, International Issues, Economics, Physical Education, and Seminar. New to the schedule this year will be an Algebra I Concepts & Skills class, Geometry, and Health.
Summer Connections will also offer Michigan Virtual School Student Direct courses for high school students in Algebra I, Geometry, English 9 and English 10, Civics, U.S. History, Biology and Chemistry. The online courses are an additional credit recovery option for students who have previously taken the course as part of their regular academic schedule and need to recover credit. These classes are student-directed, self-paced and entirely online with some support from a mentor teacher.
