Wayne State University’s rise as a national model for student success hit a new milestone in May, as its six-year graduation rate surpassed its goal of 50% more than a year prior to completion of its Distinctively Wayne State strategic plan. The current six-year graduation rate is 50.5%. Data indicates that it will improve to between 51% and 52% following the completion of spring and summer courses.

The Wayne State University Board of Governors unanimously approved a 0% tuition increase for undergraduate and graduate students for the 2020-21 academic year. President M. Roy Wilson and his administration proposed the 0% tuition increase, but acknowledged that there will be some budget adjustments because Wayne State, like other universities, relies primarily on two sources of revenue: tuition and state appropriation. Depending on fall enrollment and the state’s higher education budget appropriation, financial models predict a budget gap of $20 million to $60 million.

The Wayne State University Police Department has taken a stronger stand on police use of excessive force with the establishment of the headquarters of the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) on campus. The NDTC has filed for nonprofit corporation status with the state of Michigan and has already begun de-escalation training of sworn Wayne State University police officers.