By Scott Pohl, WKAR
EAST LANSING, MI –
Michigan State University is shutting down its two year old undergraduate campus in Dubai.
The operation has been plagued by financial problems, largely because its opening coincided with the worldwide economic crisis.
Much of the financing for MSU-Dubai was backed by Dubai's government. MSU President Lou Anna Simon says remaining obligations are being met without dipping into existing tuition or state funding.
"We asked the MSU Foundation for the $3.4-million, the anticipated contribution from out partners in Dubai," Simon says. "Therefore, no state appropriate or tuition dollars was used."
Last year, MSU-Dubai had 85 students. Undergraduates will be offered the opportunity to continue their studies at the East Lansing campus. One graduate level program, in Human Resources and Labor Relations, will remain open in Dubai.