Gubernatorial Appointment of University Governing Boards

Current understanding

Michigan’s constitution currently provides for elected governing boards (regents, trustees, or board of governors) at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, with other public universities’ boards appointed by the governor. A proposed joint resolution would amend Article VIII, Section 5 (alongside Article V, Section 21 changes affecting secretary of state and attorney general nominations) to replace elected university board members with gubernatorial appointees. If adopted, this would centralize higher education governance under the executive branch and eliminate statewide partisan elections for these seats.

Evidence log

• 2026-06-02 — Elections: primary; nomination process for secretary of state and attorney general; modify, and provide for gubernatorial appointment of regents, trustees, or board of governors for universities. Amends sec. 21, art. V & sec. 5, art. VIII of the state constitution.: SJR J’26 introduced as the constitutional joint resolution amending Article V, Section 21 and Article VIII, Section 5 to change the nomination process for secretary of state and attorney general and to provide for gubernatorial appointment of university regents, trustees, and board of governors. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-04 — Campaign finance: other; definition of statewide elective office in the Michigan campaign finance act; remove reference to university boards. Amends sec. 12 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.212). TIE BAR WITH: SJR J’26: SB 1022 introduced as a companion amendment to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCL 169.212), removing university boards from the definition of statewide elective office and tie-barred to SJR J’26. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-04 — Elections: school; election of regents, trustees, or board of governors for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University; eliminate, and modify the nominating process for the secretary of state and attorney general. Amends; adds & repeals (See bill). TIE BAR WITH: SJR J’26: SB 1021 introduced as the statutory companion (tie-barred to SJR J’26) to eliminate elections for U-M, MSU, and Wayne State governing boards and modify nomination procedures for secretary of state and attorney general. (novelty: 3)

Open questions

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