Kelly Charron Tebay

Education

I will work to reduce the housing and meal plan costs-to-students by 50% within the first 10 years. Further, I will work to make it easier for students to seek and utilize off-campus housing options such as co-ops and family housing and to seamlessly integrate these into their meal structure on-campus. Learn more

I would place greater emphasis on geographically-targeted recruitment and outreach programs. Similar to my MiTown MSU program, I would engage alumni from local communities in partnership with university staff to help provide a localized impact of the recruitment. This requirement would be on-going and active. Learn more

I would directly work with the MSU Alumni Association to create a scholarship program targeted towards improving diversity by breaking down any and all financial barriers. We know that many students don’t attend MSU because they don’t think they can afford it, don’t think they will fit in, or are nervous about attending. Due to the structure of the Alumni Association, fewer barriers are placed on them like those placed on the university directly, and thus I believe that they make a great partner in this work. Learn more

First, we start by streamlining financial aid to ensure that every in-state student who comes from a household with income of less than $65,000 is guaranteed free tuition. For students who come from households with income of less than $120,000, but above $65,000, we must target grants and scholarships to ensure that their tuition remains proportionately priced. Combined, these two ideas form the basis for my Go Green Guarantee. Learn more

Reducing the debt burden that students must take on in order to go to college has got to be on the “must do” list for any university trustee. Learn more

I would create a program called MiSchool MSU to begin working with students much earlier in their K-12 career to help ensure they are academically and emotionally prepared to apply and be accepted to Michigan State. MiSchool MSU would primarily take place at prospective students’ own middle and high schools, but also include trips to campus to gain firsthand experiences prior to ever starting an undergraduate application. Learn more

once students are accepted through the Go Green Guarantee or MiTown MSU, I would create a system of support structures on campus to ensure they meet their goal of degree completion. Learn more

propose the MiTown MSU program, which would allow accepted MSU applicants to pursue the first two years of their undergraduate degree at their local Michigan community college for free, and automatically transfer 100% of their credits to start their 3rd year on-campus in East Lansing. This program would lower the burden of tuition requirements expected of students, ensure an efficient transfer of all earned credits and allow a more diverse student body that wouldn’t be constrained due to socio-economic status. Learn more

Government Reform

I will share my contact information, meet with members of the public who have questions or concerns and hold “Coffees with Kelly” around this great state to discuss what is going on at the university and take suggestions on how to improve things. Learn more

Healthcare

I believe that access to high quality, affordable health care is a necessity. To ensure that no student has to make the decision between books and prescription drugs, food or a doctor's visit, I am proposing that we create SpartanCare, a health insurance program that students can access on-campus without incurring doctor's fees, co-pays or prescription drug costs. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

I will push for budget decisions to be given a new level of detail at the public board table, and for checks and balances to exist around university investments to ensure that they are being made to benefit the most important asset the university has; it’s students. Learn more