Section 388.1841e - Operations increase; institutional best practices; uniform reporting requirements(1) Payments under section 236 for operations increase and under section 236d must be made only to a public university that certifies to the state budget director by the last business day of August each year that it complies with the following: (a) The institutional best practice described in subdivision (c).(b) One or more of the institutional best practices described in subdivisions (d) to (g).(c) The public university accepts the Michigan Transfer Agreement, partners with the Michigan Transfer Network, and promotes clear transfer pathways for interested students by doing all of the following:(i) Has a policy to help transfer or accept associate degrees from other accredited Michigan postsecondary education institutions.(ii) Publishes the policy described in subparagraph (i) on the institution's website in an easily accessible way and in admissions materials.(iii) Provides publicly available information on the Michigan Transfer Network, applicable transfer pathways, and financial aid available to transfer students, at no cost to the student.(iv) Begins negotiations to increase the number of reverse transfer agreements or articulation agreements and reports on the progress toward completing the agreements to the state budget director by the last business day in February.(d) The public university requires all students to receive an academic degree or certificate map that outlines required course sequencing, program and institution requirements, declared minor program academic requirements, and a recommended timeline within which courses should be taken and in which specific semester or term in order to satisfy all program requirements to allow the student to graduate on time.(e) The public university provides non-credit-bearing developmental or remedial courses at a reduced cost to students.(f) The public university provides each degree- or certificate-seeking student with a designated, trained academic advisor to support student retention, persistence, and completion. The public university shall require students to meet with their academic advisor at least once per semester or term.(g) The public university provides employees during business hours to assist prospective and current students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.(2) The state budget director shall implement uniform reporting requirements to ensure that a public university receiving a payment under section 236 for operations increase and under section 236d has satisfied the institutional best practices requirements of this section. The state budget director has the sole authority to determine if a public university has met the requirements of this section. Information reported by a public university to the state budget director under this subsection must also be reported to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education and the house and senate fiscal agencies.(3) If a public university fails to comply with the certification requirements of this section, the state treasurer may withhold the monthly installments under section 241 to the public university until the report is submitted. If a public university does not comply with the certification requirements described in this section by the end of the fiscal year, the public university forfeits the amount withheld. Forfeited funds must lapse to the fund from which the funds were appropriated. The state budget director shall notify the chairs of the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education at least 10 days before withholding funds from any public university.Added by 2024, Act 120,s 157, eff. 10/1/2024.