GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan is unwilling to invest in higher education, despite the indicators that an educated, creative, innovative and diverse workforce is crucial to the state’s economic future: That’s the message Grand Valley State University President Thomas Haas, who is leading the Presidents’ Council of the State Universities of Michigan, brought to the West Michigan Regional Policy Conference Friday morning.

“I believe there is a culture of disinvestment in higher education in the state of Michigan,” Haas said. “Is a degree a public good or just a commodity? We need to look at a degree as a public good.”

Haas was joined on the “Investing in Higher Education for Michigan” panel by Ferris State University President David Eisler, Northwestern Michigan College President Timothy Nelson and Kalamazoo College President Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran.

“I think we need to look at the outcomes, the results that we desire. In a way, maybe it’s time for a similar Marshall Plan for higher education, where we look at all the different parts of the system and look at what we can do together with our state leaders and others in the business community,” Haas said. “In order to have an effective policy, I do think we do need to have a rational, predictable and sustainable investment policy with the state, and I think maybe those tax incentives can go along with it. All of us in higher education must be held accountable in our fiscal responsibilities. Financial aid needs to be a part of it.”

Among other comments during the session:

Private colleges in West Michigan enroll 26,500 students, or 19 percent of all local college students, Wilson-Oyelaran said. “We are intimately involved in the preparation of talent in this area,” she said.

Ferris State University’s career-oriented curriculum brings the college in close contact with business through industry councils, Eisler said. “We help connect students with great careers,” he said.

Because of the lack of diversity in northern Michigan, Northwestern Michigan College, a community college in Traverse City, must search out ways to connect its homogenous student body with a diverse world to make sure students are prepared to compete in the global economy, Nelson said. “We believe the economy in this state will develop on a regional basis. The northern Michigan economy will develop differently than the West Side of the state,” Nelson added.

“When you think about internships, think more broadly than just a student who comes to work in your business or industry,” Eisler said. “Think about support and advice where you become a member of one of our advisory councils, you become an extension of our university in terms of helping that student be successful in the career, and we form these partnerships that help drive our economy forward.”