A June 4 Deadline Drives the Push

Michigan voters could lose their ability to elect trustees at the state's three flagship universities. A bipartisan constitutional amendment filed in the state Senate and House would replace elections with gubernatorial appointments.

The measure targets Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. Those three institutions are the only public universities in Michigan with voter-elected boards.

The legislature must pass the amendment by June 4 to place it on the August 4 primary ballot. If voters approve it, the new board structure would take effect in early January 2027.

Who Is Behind the Proposal

State Sen. Ed McBroom, a Republican from Waucedah Township, is one of the primary sponsors. He introduced Senate Joint Resolution I alongside House Joint Resolution U.

McBroom said the current election process produces dysfunction rather than good governance.

"Right now, nominees for the universities are mainly those who throw the best tailgate parties and often have a lot of personal wealth, not those most qualified to administer a huge university," McBroom said.

The House side of the effort is led by Rep. Joe Tate, a Democrat from Detroit and former speaker of the House. Rep. Greg Markkanen, a Republican from Hancock, also sponsors the House resolution.

Tate said internal board conflict has harmed Michigan State University.

"As a proud Spartan, I've been disappointed by the fractured relationships playing out publicly on the current board," Tate said. "Too much time has been spent on internal board disagreements and distrust for one another, and it does not benefit the university or students."

Former governors Jim Blanchard (Democrat) and John Engler (Republican) also back the change, according to WILX.

What the Amendment Would Change

Under the proposed constitutional amendment, the following changes would take place:

  • Board members at MSU, U of M, and Wayne State would be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate
  • A ninth board member would be added to each university's governing body
  • The ninth member would be chosen from names submitted by each university's alumni associations
  • No more than five members on any board could be affiliated with the same political party
  • Term limits and new ethics requirements would be imposed on board members
  • Michigan State University's board would be required to include one member with an agricultural background, reflecting its status as a land-grant institution

Markkanen said the appointed boards at Michigan's other 12 public universities operate with more collaboration.

"I think our three great research universities would benefit from a more diverse membership," Markkanen said. "Geographically, all 24 members serving at the three universities reside in just six of our 83 counties."

How It Connects to MSU's Turmoil

The proposal follows weeks of turmoil at Michigan State University. MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz announced his departure for Clemson University in South Carolina this week.

Earlier in May, three MSU trustees refused to sign a new board ethics policy, citing First Amendment concerns. Trustees Rema Vassar and Mike Balow had their credentials to attend the Mackinac Policy Conference revoked after declining to sign, according to The State News.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer responded to the chaos by endorsing the bipartisan proposal.

"This is disappointing, but also nobody should be surprised by this outcome given some of the antics we've seen from a handful of board members," Whitmer said. "The way we've selected board members needs to change. The bipartisan proposal to appoint university board members would help ensure institutions have the leadership and expertise to get things back on track."

A Skeptical View

Paul Rozycki, a retired political science professor at Mott Community College, said the turmoil at MSU likely motivated the push. But he questioned whether appointments would produce better results.

"I'm not sure it would change an awful lot because I think you'll see, a Democratic governor appoints Democrats. Republican governors appoint Republicans," Rozycki said.

Rozycki noted that university board races currently receive very little voter attention.

"Very often a lot of folks don't even vote on those issues," he said. "A lot of voters will simply skip it because they don't know who these people are."

What Happens Next

The constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the legislature. If it passes by June 4, it will appear on the August 4 primary ballot alongside other state measures.

The amendment would also change how Michigan selects its attorney general and secretary of state. Instead of party conventions nominating candidates, those offices would use primary elections to narrow the field, McBroom said.

University responses have been limited. An MSU spokesperson said the university would review the proposed legislation. The University of Michigan and Wayne State did not respond to requests for comment, according to ABC12.

For Saginaw residents and voters across Mid-Michigan, the question on the ballot in August will be simple: should the governor pick university leaders, or should voters keep that power?