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Trustees Approve Pact with Pepsi that Includes Scholarship Dollars, 2018-19 Tuition Rates

Ferris State UniversityA new partnership with Pepsi Beverages Company, the general fund operating budget and tuition rates were among items approved by Ferris State University’s Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on Friday, May 4 in Big Rapids.

When students return to campus, to begin the Fall 2018 semester, Pepsi will be Ferris’ official new beverage provider. Trustees approved a deal for up to 10 years with the first six as the base agreement. Beyond a wide range of Pepsi products soon to be available on main campus and vending at Kendall College of Art and Design, the pact has other noteworthy benefits indicative of Pepsi’s partnerships with Ferris, including: a program providing branded equipment to inform the community of available healthier vending options, a partnership to help reduce waste and increase campus recycling through engagement, communication and education; coolers, towels, squeeze bottles and cups in support of the Athletics Department; technology support and facility enhancements for Dining Services; and assistance in providing a concessions trailer to service the athletics fields and a mobile food trailer to expand service to the main campus.

Pepsi has pledged to contribute to the university’s Ferris Futures Scholarship Challenge by offering $50,000 to fund an endowed scholarship in support of students who utilize campus housing and dining services. Further, Pepsi will annually provide $7,500 to support The Ferris Foundation for the life of the contract.

The university’s plan is to make the switch to Pepsi equipment, products and services in June and July to be ready for the start of the 2018-19 academic year, in August.

“We are very pleased with the new partnership between Ferris State University and Pepsi Beverage Company,” said Jerry Scoby, vice president for Administration and Finance. “In addition to a great range of beverages, we’re excited about Pepsi’s commitment to investment in the institution through its support of The Ferris Foundation, endowed scholarships for worthy students as well as strengthening on-campus recycling efforts and the support it will offer Dining Services and our Athletics Department. This is truly a great partnership. I am also very appreciative of (Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises) Gheretta Harris’ leadership on the RFP (request for proposal) process and negotiations for the university.”

As a result of gifts from donors totaling $282,000, in support of areas inside the future Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center, trustees approved donor recognition for: Isabella Bank; Golf Association of Michigan Reception Area; Mitchell Golf Fitting Room; hitting bay spaces provided by PGA of Michigan, Golftec and Bob McMasters; and simulators provided by Aaron Waltz, Michael Cole, Dave Loomis, Tom Konopka, Mark Hill, Golf Course Superintendents Association, Alro Steel and Women in Michigan Golf.

“We cannot be more pleased by the wide-ranging support for the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center. Our ability to move forward with building this incredible indoor facility for year-round golf instruction and practice and future home of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame would not have been possible without the collective, dedicated efforts of Ferris alumni, friends of the university, Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members, and many other ambassadors for golf. Their shared strong desire to ensure national prominence for the Ferris PGA Golf Management program, well into the future, is to be commended,” said Shelly Pearcy, vice president for University Advancement and Marketing.

A groundbreaking event for the Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center was hosted on April 28 at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids. The center is expected to be completed in early 2019.

In other action, the board approved tuition rates for the 2018-19 academic year. The new rates include an overall undergraduate increase of 3.76 percent. This includes a lower-division increase of 3.69 percent, to $421 per credit, and an upper-division increase of 3.82 percent for an undergraduate rate of $435 per credit hour. Trustees also approved a preliminary 2018-19 general fund operating budget of more than $210 million and a preliminary 2018-19 housing and dining budget of $31.7 million. The university also announced a 3.26-percent increase in student assistance aid, to $25.3 million, during the upcoming fiscal year. Institutional aid, to students, has increased from $13 million, during the 2008-09 academic year, to the upcoming academic year’s total.

The board also presented a Citation of Merit to the 2018 NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris Men's Basketball Team.

In other action, the trustees approved:

  • Kevin W. Simon, of Grand Rapids, to the board of directors for The Ferris Foundation;
  • professional services required for an update of the kcad.edu website for Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University;
  • authority for the administration to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the selected vendor for security service for KCAD;
  • authority for the administration to enter into an agreement with Advantage Design Group for building an online student orientation platform; and
  • nine appointments to the boards of directors of FSU-authorized charter school academies.

The trustees are chair Paul E. Boyer, of Ada; vice chair Lori A. Gwizdala, of Bay City; secretary Ana L. Ramirez-Saenz, of Caledonia; immediate past chair Gary L. Granger, of Byron Center; Robert J. Hegbloom, of Clarkston; Amna P. Seibold, of East Grand Rapids; Rupesh K. Srivastava, of Wixom; and LaShanda R. Thomas, of Grosse Pointe.

The next regular meeting of the Board is Friday, Oct. 5 in Grand Rapids. Committee meetings begin at 10 a.m. followed by the 11 a.m. full board meeting.


PHOTO CAPTION: Shown here is a scene from main campus. The Ferris State University Board of Trustees approved a large number of items at its regular meeting on Friday, May 4 at the University Center in Big Rapids.