Granholm Speaks in Favor of Promise Scholarship Across the State

By: Christian Hokans

Just when students across Michigan had conceded the loss of $4,000 they were “promised” by the Michigan Promise Scholarship, there may be some reason for hope. Governor Granholm embarked on a campaign on Nov. 18 to revive the scholarship, making MSU her first stop on the way. She also stopped off at several other Michigan universities on her whirlwind tour to gain student support for her initiative.

As students filed off to class on a cold Wednesday morning, many turned out to voice their opinion on the matter in front of the Hannah Administration Building. Local news reporters combed the crowd, students carried signs while others distributed symbolic $100 “coupons” to be torn up later. A variety of student groups were represented including ASMSU/COGS, College Republicans and Democrats, Undergraduate Alliance and others.

Some were there in protest to the specific policies that necessitated the removal of the Promise Scholarship including Griffin Sharp, spokesperson for the College Republicans.

“Govorner Granholm’s failure to cut spending has led us to cut vital services like higher education,” Griffin Sharp, spokesman for College Republicans, said. “We believe that the Promise scholarship would still exist if Granholm and Cherry did not tax everyone out of Michigan starting seven years ago.”

Others were present merely to support the Governor’s efforts, including Mitchell Rivard President of the College Democrats.

“We are here to stand in solidarity with the Governor in her fight to bring back the Promise Scholarship,” Rivard said.

After other figures including President Simon spoke, Granholm took the podium. She too stressed the importance of the Promise Scholarship to the future of Michigan. Granholm went further, though, stressing the need for students to get involved in bringing back the scholarship. The Governor called for students to “make their voices heard” by writing their representatives in Lansing.

“A promise is not a promise if you have to rip it up,” Granholm said. “I am encouraging you to engage in democracy, I stand with you.”

The Governor’s campaign brought her to Saginaw Valley State University next where she met with larger crowds. At her stop at Central Michigan University, though, the Governor was criticized by student groups inquiring as to how she would find the money needed to fund the scholarship.

A CMU student editorial later said, “all she did was highlight the benefits of the Michigan Promise without giving a clear solution on how to bring it back.”

Later in the week, however, Granholm visited Eastern Michigan University with a plan in hand. She explained how allocating funds from the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit will provide the necessary funds. The MEITC is intended to award money to working class families throughout Michigan struggling to provide for themselves amidst tough economic times.

Throughout the campaign, though, the necessity of student involvement was the Governor’s overarching message. The Governor consistently called for students to contact their legislators and ask them to support the reinstatement of the Scholarship. But as next semester’s tuition bills come calling, thousands of Michigan students are left wondering if the Governor’s efforts are too little too late.