In a bid to expand instructional space on its Napier Avenue Campus while preserving educational opportunities for students interested in advancing with Western Michigan University, the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees today voted to acquire the long term lease agreement with the State of Michigan for Western’s Southwest Campus building on the Napier Avenue property.
While the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees also agreed to move the proposal forward at their own meeting today, the plan still has to pass muster with the state.
The $2.7-million deal has to be blessed by state approval before it can be finalized, but most consider that to be a formality going forward.
By acquiring the facility LMC projects they will save at least $3.5 million on its planned campus renovations and provide an alternative space to maintain operations during the construction phase. In fact, the savings will free up additional resources to make updates on all three LMC campuses.
For Western Michigan University, the agreement would allow the University to redirect the $2.7 million paid to them by LMC into a planned and needed expansion of its College of Aviation facilities.
LMC President Dr Trevor Kubatzke calls it a win-win for everyone, explaining, “Local students maintain access to high quality, affordable higher education close to home, while our institutions work together to maximize resources and use our existing spaces more efficiently.”
The agreement will not affect students’ ability to continue attending WMU classes on LMC’s Napier Avenue Campus in Benton Harbor, inasmuch as arrangements have been made for a 10-year, no-cost lease agreement for WMU’s continued use of classrooms and office space on the Benton Harbor campus, with an option to extend for another five years.
Jan Van Der Kley is Vice President for Business & Finance at Western Michigan University. Van Der Kley says, “WMU offers and will continue to offer both graduate and undergraduate degree programs through the combination of online and in-person formats that have become the norm. LMC will gain the physical space it needs to grow and renovate its campus.”
In 2015, LMC began planning updates to all three of its campuses, which are located in Benton Harbor, South Haven, and Niles. These updates are funded by private donations, a $7.9 million state grant and a 10-year capital millage proposal approved by district voters in November of 2016.
Plans are still being finalized, but LMC envisions the newly acquired facility would house a dedicated space for students in LMC’s business and computing programs as well as provide additional space for student receptions and public events.
Dr. Kubatzke says, “The rationale behind this decision was first and foremost what is best for area students who rely on both of our institutions, but also LMC’s responsibility to be frugal with the public dollars we have to leverage.” He adds, “For a fraction of what it would cost to build, we are securing a beautiful space in great condition that is designed for learning. We’re grateful to WMU for making this possible and for their dedication to students in southwest Michigan.”
Western Michigan University began offering academic programs in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area in 1916 and has maintained a physical presence in the region since 1966.
In 2002, construction of the 40,000-square-foot WMU-Southwest facility was completed on the Lake Michigan College campus in Benton Harbor, marking the first time a Michigan university had built an instructional facility on a community college campus.
This unique partnership has expanded higher education opportunities for southwest Michigan residents by allowing students to transfer LMC credits toward WMU bachelor’s and graduate degrees without leaving the area. The arrangement also allows for the sharing of library, bookstore and other key resources for students.
Currently, six degree programs are offered through WMU-Southwest. Students can earn undergraduate degrees in business administration, elementary education and social work. Graduate level programs are offered in educational leadership, practice of teaching and social work.
