“I lost a lot of sleep thinking about this tuition increase,” trustee Rema Vassar said. 

Vassar and trustee Dennis Denno said they were concerned about increasing tuition when Black and Latinx students already have lower graduation rates. But, they said that they trust president Kevin Guskiewicz to provide ample opportunities for student success with the new budget.

Trustee Sandy Pierce said there has been three tuition increases in the past seven years, which is comparatively low.

“It’s always difficult to have a tuition increase,” Pierce said. 

Trustee Brianna Scott said the board is trying to address state underfunding. 

Full-time undergraduate students and MBA students will see an increase of $235 to their semesterly tuition, or $470 per year. 

Rates for graduate students will increase by $26 per credit hour, and part time rates will have “a commensurate increase,” according to the approved budget.

The tuition increases are part of the university’s fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget. 

Tuition, fees and state appropriations make up over half of the university’s revenue, according to the approved budget.

Guskiewicz said in his opening report the budget includes more funding for academic advisors and the new Multicultural Center, which is currently being built.