The Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan serves as a forum for the presidents and chancellors of Michigan's 15 public universities to discuss and frame positions on key higher education finance and policy issues.

The Council traces its roots to the late 1940s, when the presidents of the state colleges and universities met on an informal basis to discuss the challenges of a rapidly growing public higher education system. In 1952, the Michigan Council of State College Presidents was formally established, and since that time the presidents and principal institutional officers have continued to meet on a regular basis.

Among its major activities, the Presidents Council serves as an advocate in the state capitol by monitoring and providing analysis on public policy issues and legislation affecting Michigan’s 15 public universities. In cooperation with policymakers, trustees, students, faculty and campus administrators, the Presidents Council plays an active role in developing and proposing state higher education policy to better serve Michigan’s citizens and the public good.

Serving as a primary information resource for its member institutions, the Presidents Council provides analyses of higher educational policy issues such as college accessibility and affordability. The Association further serves as a forum to develop a shared body of opinion on the needs of the 15 universities and their contributions to the state of Michigan, conducting conferences and meetings that involve all higher education stakeholder groups.

Overall direction of the Council is provided by the chief executive officers of the state's public universities. An extensive committee structure of representatives from each campus gives attention to a variety of issues and provides recommendations for consideration by the presidents and chancellors.