<p>You know Esrajay, Michigan’s size is actually its main weakness. If Michigan’s freshmen class were 4,000 rather than 6,000, all of its problems would be solved. </p>
<p>When I joined Michigan in 1992, my Freshman class had well under 5,000 freshmen. Today, Michigan has a Freshman class of 6,000+. That’s ridiculous when you take three factors into consideration:</p>
<p>1) The population of the state of Michigan is contracting, not expanding. It has gone from well over 10 million in the late 80s to well under 10 million in 2004.</p>
<p>2) State funding to the University has steadily declined over the last 3 or 4 years.</p>
<p>3) At 4,000 students per class, Michigan is already HUGE!!! Why have a class of 6,000?!</p>
<p>This reduction in size would have to be occur slowly but steadily (over the course of 4 or 5 years), with the aim to return to a class size of 4,000, primarily by reducing the number of in-state students from 4,000 Freshmen to 2,000 Freshmen. </p>
<p>Afterall, state funding is so low, we really should not have more than a 50% in-state student body. And that would solve your #3 and #4 issues with the university. </p>
<p>It would also make Michigan far more selective. Finally, given our resources, we would be able to give our students the best possible education.</p>