Board of Trustees
Feedback
| 2026-05-21T22:24:24.035587Z | Bring back Guaranteed Tuition for In-state students |
| 2026-05-21T22:09:41.069026Z | Unnecessary increase. If it really is "just 4%", then get that 4% more from your donors and granting organizations. Students should not bear the brunt of inflation in operating costs for a major institution. All this does is set a precedent of tuition increases. Also, this specifies undergraduate tuition, what will be the changes to graduate school tuition? Is this burden only to be shouldered by those with the least privilege at the school? Don't do this, or at the very least, bring back the free things that students used to get before covid, such as the free concerts, mempho tickets, etc. Increasing tuition using "inflation" as an excuse without providing "freebies" students used to receive a few years ago for the same cost clearly does not have students' best interests at heart. Also, refund unused tiger bucks again!! |
| 2026-05-21T20:37:30.828266Z | Please do not increase it. You increased it last year, you are being money hungry and it will hurt your students. |
| 2026-05-21T19:34:30.764609Z | You keep making proposals for increasing the tuition, yet many students and staff have seen a lack efficiently using these resources. Student and staff pay is as low as it possibly could go with no signs of any increases. Multiple old buildings desperately need refurbishment, as they are actively falling apart, yet there is no proposed plan in sight. Multiple dorms desperately need an upgrade, as there are numerous complaints about the disgusting conditions students have to live in, as well as the frequent requests for maintenance. The price for dormitory rooms has already increased, the price for food has increased. Not to mention, financial aid has been decreasing every year, and more recently, the price for gas is astronomical. How do any of you expect people to pay this amount of money in the first place? More importantly, where exactly is this increase going towards? It certainly isn't going towards the quality of life, or the betterment of the students. In fact, it can be argued that multiple resources that benefitted students have been reduced or cut entirely, despite the supposed increase in budget. This shows a complete lack of care, or even an outright bitterness, for your students, for your staff, and anyone who has stepped within university grounds. But, as with last year, the feedback listed here will not be heard, as this message board is more of a hollow display than any true attempt to listen to the people you are directly affecting. |
| 2026-05-21T17:56:26.196613Z | This is a necessary increase given the inflation the country has experienced in the past year. |
| 2026-05-21T14:31:56.174611Z | This is a bad idea, students already have to worry about supplies and other costs related to school, the tuition increase is only making harder on these students & I do not agree with that! I’m in architecture and it already costs an arm, leg and first born child to be here so please don’tmake it worse. Dont be greedy. |
| 2026-05-21T13:05:33.877014Z | Can we please stop increasing this already expensive tuition? |
| 2026-05-21T03:40:36.868412Z | I think it would be a bad idea solely on the fact that for students who pay out of pocket it may affect their ability to even attend college or continue going to college. All of which can have a negative impact on enrollment rate. |
| 2026-05-21T00:35:44.592442Z | We need to find ways to make college more affordable. An increase in tuition will create more debt for students who often don't receive or qualify for scholarships and who secure loans to pay for their education (without full knowledge of what it means to accept an unsubsidized loan). The explanation provided in this platform is lacking details to truly justify an increase and so are the mitigation efforts. Parents and students love the UofM, however, we cannot afford to pay more to attend. |
| 2026-05-20T21:54:17.037277Z | No! |
| 2026-05-20T21:45:26.913412Z | I will be transferring out if this comes to pass! |
| 2026-05-20T20:53:40.567285Z | How about we lower Bill Hardgrave's paycheck from $650,000, to $100,000? There. I just saved you over half a million dollars per year, so you can put up another new building instead of fixing the bathroom stall locks in Dunn Hall. |
| 2026-05-20T18:28:55.329294Z | The undergraduate in-state tuition was increased last year. Will there also be an increase for the undergraduate out-of-state tuition made? The local students that are attending school in their hometown should not have to pay an increase two years in a row. What other options are there to increase revenue without increasing the in-state tuition fees for undergraduate students? |
| 2026-05-20T17:39:40.495142Z | If tuition needs to go up by 5%, should the calculation for yearly cost of living not go up, as well? A maximum certification of $11,000 a semester is not livable, and now more of that will be taken for tuition. |
| 2026-05-20T17:31:50.628794Z | What are 'mandatory fees' and why are they not included in tuition? |
| 2026-05-20T17:22:18.455996Z | Man I'm already struggling to pay this tuition and the explanation of this increase in tuition is vague and barely explains where the money is going. |
| 2026-05-20T17:21:55.025505Z | WE DO NOT NEED TO INCREASE UNDERGRAD IN-STATE TUITION. University education is already overpriced with unnecessary fees and expenses. Tuition does NOT include books, technology, online fees, food, transportation, or other misc fees. The university does not need to take more money from students to build new sports facilities or line the pockets of executives. University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ should make education MORE accessible for our community. Education is a barrier in economic and social growth. How can we better our community, local government, education systems, healthcare, and society if we lack educated people to facilitate that change? Do not increase in-state tuition. |
| 2026-05-20T16:35:29.820749Z | Instead of forcing this tuition increase onto students, many of whom are struggling to pay for school as it is, maybe the leadership of the school should consider taking a pay cut. |
| 2026-05-20T16:32:05.269447Z | Increasing in state, tuition would be very bad for students, especially students like me that can’t really afford it. |
| 2026-05-20T15:56:18.256330Z | I would be more inclined to pay more if Isaw where that money is going. As an arts student I don’t see where my tuition or fees are going. It’s actually quite ridiculous. Especially proposing this when the state of the economy is in shambles. Most of us can’t afford rent, groceries, gas, and other essentials. The rise of tuition may make students go for a more affordable option. Also, you keep taking away and not adding anything to campus, certain departments are struggling more than others due to conditions of buildings. |
| 2026-05-20T15:55:14.639343Z | As a single mother and student, I would like the Board to consider how difficult the
rising cost of living and inflation already are for many students and families. Between
rent, utilities, groceries, childcare, transportation, and educational expenses, even
a small tuition increase can create additional financial stress. Many students are working hard to complete their education while balancing family responsibilities and limited financial resources. I respectfully ask the University to continue seeking ways to keep tuition and mandatory fees as affordable as possible and to expand support for students facing financial hardship. Thank you for considering student concerns and experiences during this decision process. |
| 2026-05-20T15:40:37.238312Z | While this tuition increase/fee would not effect me personally, I disagree with this proposal. Regardless of whether the U of M has low tuition in comparison, tuition is already a hardship and student loans only defer this hardship. I do not think the current economic climate is one in which tuition should be raised. |
| 2026-05-20T15:24:42.811845Z | While this appears to be a minute change, I feel as though as a university in a major city, and thus caters to many types of populations, there has to be some consideration in keeping the tuition at a cost that is accessible to those that want to pursue secondary education. I feel as though this will set a precedent in terms of further increases of tuition cost in the upcoming future, further limiting access to secondary education even with the assistance of financial aid. |
| 2026-05-20T15:19:24.041632Z | Can you take away Bill Hargrave's job performance bonus instead? Who really needs to make 100K in bonuses per annum? This is especially over indulgent considering he makes 650K a year and isn't very in-tune with the desires of his faculty, staff, and student body. While the increase is seemingly nominal per student, we are already, many of us at least, experiencing the adverse effects of cost of living increases disproportionate to wages. We have a largely working student body. I myself am a working mother. My daughter has to go to private school because of an incident at Campus Elementary that was woefully mishandled. I cannot incur additional expenses on top of my already overwhelming debt liability. |
| 2026-05-20T14:42:51.148798Z | As an Independent student, and A student who is struggling to pay current tuition amounts as an in state student. I disagree with the process of the tuition increase. |
| 2026-05-20T14:41:45.568017Z | This is ridiculous. You want the majority of individuals who have to rely on loans to pay more? People who already work several jobs to pay bills all while attending school. Never are we allowed to just breathe without being charged for it. |
| 2026-05-20T14:07:56.480480Z | Times are tough right now for people in Trump's economy. I think you would attract more families if you made a statement that you aren't raising tuition simply because UofM understands that and wants to continue allowing kids from all backgrounds a shot at an affordable degree at a great school. You would appeal to so many people by saying that and possibly make the same increased revenue you would've by increasing the fees and tuition. In my opinion, it's in really bad taste to increase right now. |
| 2026-05-20T13:34:59.745070Z | I don't think this is fair considering the economic state of the world right now, some students can't afford college because of things like this. The acceptance and graduation rate is dropping at the university and this isn't going to help bring in more students. |
| 2026-05-20T10:59:48.414004Z | This proposal fails to properly explain how the increased tuition and fees will benefit the students or faculty of the university and even seems to imply budget cuts. Furthermore, a 4.5% increase is over double the six year average of tuition and fee raises. The university’s six year figure is also a bit misleading considering the university will have raised the tuition 9% in just two years. It’s especially concerning that the university has not needed or confirmed such large increases in the past. |
| 2026-05-20T10:18:04.875882Z | I am not on favor of the fee increase. We should continue to look for ways to keep tuition down. The list of ideas to be funded from this increase seem generic. Certainly there are other means to obtain these funds. |
| 2026-05-20T04:37:20.307083Z | Please do not increase and fees were just trying to get an education, the tuition and amount is already extremely high and most of us have jobs right now that don’t pay us enough. |
| 2026-05-20T04:14:59.441464Z | Why is there an increase of tuition and fees, when the students are not getting the benefits of the school? No night classes offered for undergraduate students only grad students are guaranteed to have night classes. A tuition and fee increase are not necessary especially for those students who never attend any extracurricular or athletic activities on or off campus. I shouldn't have to pay more to not get any benefits from the current rate nor an expected increase. |
| 2026-05-20T04:14:32.331294Z | I'm not an instate student, but, honestly, the price of college tuition is exorbitant, even for in-state students. Higher education is becoming for the elite again, and this is so sad. |
| 2026-05-20T04:08:54.824549Z | Why is tuition continuing to increase? ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ should pause new construction projects and focus on affordability for students. ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ faces significant economic challenges, and rising tuition only makes higher education less accessible for local families. The university’s athletic programs are not major revenue drivers, and many graduates leave the city after earning their degrees because high tuition costs and limited economic growth make it difficult to build a future here. Instead of expanding buildings, the university should prioritize reducing tuition and strengthening the connection between graduates and the ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ economy. |
| 2026-05-20T03:49:09.662983Z | I don’t think Tution should be increased, some students like myself don’t get Financial Aid assistance. |
| 2026-05-20T03:34:00.095517Z | What has UofM done for the past 3 years to stop tuition from increasing? Because I've been here for 3 years now and it has increased every year. Why ask for feedback and comments if the school is not going to listen? I lost student loans my junior year when I got them freshmen and sophomore year; add on top of that increasing prices of EVERYTHING and now a potential tuition increase to worry about. Please listen to students this time and hold off the tuition increase. |
| 2026-05-20T03:29:14.829755Z | You said you had a 0% tuition and fee increase in "two of the past six years" which means UofM has increased it 4 times in 6 years. I have been here since fall 2023 and it has increased consecutively every year for me. Why include that statistic? Because the school wants to make the numbers look better? It doesn't matter because everyone paying out of pocket still feels it their wallets. Prices everywhere are increasing, what are you doing to help students manage these issues? Can the Board please holdoff the tuition and fee increase this year? |
| 2026-05-20T02:45:34.325701Z | This is ridiculous. It feels like tuition gets increased every single year and the school still has very unprofessional professors that argue with students, the theater program still can barely put on shows, disgusting bathrooms that never really get cleaned, underpaid student staff which is extremely important, and an awful work environment around campus. Not a single drop of the last tuition increase has done anything noticeably different around campus and we are still expecting to stay here. |
| 2026-05-20T02:30:50.787381Z | No |
| 2026-05-20T02:02:53.520676Z | In this economy where things are starting to become less affordable, education needs to affordable. When the school started increasing intuition, it has lessened the impact of my personal education. It has demotivated me, and the more money school costs, the less it seems worth it. |
| 2026-05-20T01:59:15.638575Z | Why? Without new amenities the only driver here is greed. |
| 2026-05-20T01:40:51.489863Z | I can barely afford the tuition as of now; please dont do this. |
| 2026-05-20T01:17:48.572601Z | Let’s stand out and stand by the young people of Tennessee - ask our overpaid and bloated administration to take a pay cut instead. So many layers of incompetence. |
| 2026-05-20T01:07:15.772320Z | Please consider all students when making your vote. I am a senior health science,
major graduating spring, 2027. I can’t afford to take courses at the University
of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ this summer, so I am opting to take courses at Southwest community college
all because of the previous tuition raise. The scholarship and financial aid office
have been no help and the idea of raising tuition again after just having raised tuition
is outrageous, and will send students into an uproar. I believe there are other ways
the university can make money to help support our campus. As the board of trustees,
you guys must exhaust all other options before making this final vote. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concerns. Zamorah Westbrooks |
| 2026-05-20T00:16:14.754222Z | Until the University can fix systemic issues within its operative functions (registrar, billing, lack of administrative training, and overall lack of administrative support for students), the University should not increase tuition for subpar services. College is already financially unattainable for many, and raising tuition costs only exacerbates this problem. Fixing the aforementioned issues would ultimately generate more revenue for the University, as more prospective students would be more inclined to attend. |
| 2026-05-19T23:54:23.076968Z | You have increased the tuition every year of my enrollment thus far, and the result of this increase is unacceptable. You continue to ‘grow’ the campus by constructing new showy buildings, yet you neglect the ones you have. The dorm buildings are old and decrepit, and Mitchell Hall literally flooded to the point of no entry. The food options are abysmal, and the dining hall itself is small and low quality at that. You complain about being a commuter school, yet all you do is push the students away. If there was any effort being made to support your students (and i mean anything, even the door at LLC has been broken for over 5 months), I would begin to consider this proposal. Yet everything you have shown me throughout years proves that these tuition increases are not for our needs or enjoyment. For these reasons, as well as economical ones, I hope you will reconsider a tuition increase. |
| 2026-05-19T23:45:03.559352Z | While I understand the intent behind university-wide fees and bundled services, the
current structure creates a disproportionate financial burden on low-income and commuter
students. ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ serves a diverse and access-focused population,
with approximately 49% of students identified as Pell-eligible, meaning nearly half
of the student body is navigating college with significant financial constraints.
At the same time, the university enrolls over 19,000 students annually, yet only about
2,400 students live on campus, with an anticipated increase of approximately 540 additional
beds. Even with this expansion, well over 80% of students will remain commuters, many
of whom are balancing work, family responsibilities, and transportation challenges.
Despite this reality, all students are assessed the same mandatory fees, regardless
of their ability to access or utilize campus-based services such as recreation facilities,
athletic events, or other aspects of residential campus life. For commuter, low-income, and adult learners, these flat fees function as a regressive cost structure. Students with the least financial flexibility are often the least able to benefit from the services their fees support, yet they are required to pay the same rates as those who can fully engage in campus life. The lack of meaningful opt-out options or flexible fee models further reinforces this inequity. While programs like ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ Promise help offset tuition, they do not address the broader cost of attendance—particularly transportation, food insecurity, and time constraints—which significantly impact a student’s ability to persist and succeed. Additionally, existing supports such as commuter meal plans, declining balance funds, and “books included†models often fall short. The $350 declining balance for students without meal plans is frequently exhausted within the first 1–3 months of the semester, and bundled textbook fees may exceed what many students would otherwise pay independently. While parking, shuttle services, and other resources are technically “included,†they do not sufficiently offset rising costs of gas, groceries, and overall cost of living, which disproportionately affect commuting students. This concern is also shaped by the broader educational and economic landscape in Tennessee. Recent reports have highlighted Tennessee’s low ranking nationally in K–12 per-pupil public education spending, underscoring the financial realities many students and families are already navigating before ever arriving on a college campus. Many University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ students come from working-class households and under-resourced school systems, making affordability and access critical components of student success. For these students, the challenge is not simply paying tuition, but managing the cumulative cost of transportation, food, technology, housing, and mandatory university fees while balancing work and family responsibilities. In that context, additional tuition and fee increases can feel less like isolated adjustments and more like part of a growing pattern of financial strain impacting ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ families and students overall. This financial strain is further compounded by broader uncertainty in the current economic and political climate. Changes in student loan policies and repayment structures at the federal level have created additional anxiety for students and families already navigating affordability challenges. At the same time, recent state-level redistricting has altered ĂŰĚҵĽş˝Ă˘â‚¬â„˘s political landscape, raising concerns about long-term representation and advocacy for the city’s needs—including higher education funding and support for institutions like the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝. For many students, particularly those from working-class and low-income backgrounds, these overlapping uncertainties contribute to a growing sense of instability. In this context, tuition and fee increases are not experienced in isolation—they are one more added pressure in an already complex and challenging environment. As the university evaluates tuition and fee structures, I encourage consideration of more equitable and flexible models that better reflect the realities of its student population. Affordability should not be measured solely by tuition coverage, but by the total cost of participation and a student’s ability to access, engage, and succeed within the university environment. |
| 2026-05-19T23:32:31.809428Z | Please do not increase tuition. School is already very expensive |
| 2026-05-19T23:31:13.331635Z | This is absolutely wrong . Tuition is already high and people can barely afford to pay and increasing it is wrong . |
| 2026-05-19T23:21:56.145530Z | If you’re going to raise the tuition there needs to be more access to free food.Not snack and soda but actual meals. Hot food. Credits to use if tiger bucks run out. Keeping the gym open year round and parking |
| 2026-05-19T22:41:37.624067Z | I strongly oppose the proposed 4.48% tuition and mandatory fee increase at the University
of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝. This increase comes at a time when many students and families in ĂŰĚҵĽş˝
are already facing significant financial hardship due to the current economic climate,
rising housing costs, inflation, and job instability. For many students, affordability
is the main reason they chose the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝, especially when using tuition
estimators and financial aid projections during the college decision process. Increasing
costs after students have already committed to attending the university places students
in a difficult position because many now have little choice but to continue paying
the higher costs in order to remain enrolled and in good academic and financial standing.
Based on rough estimates, a 4.48% increase could add several hundred dollars per year
to the average undergraduate student’s expenses, not including additional living,
textbook, transportation, and housing costs that students are already struggling to
manage. There has also been a noticeable lack of clear communication and transparency from the university regarding this proposal and other major institutional changes, including matters related to DEI and inclusion policies. Students deserve earlier and more open communication about decisions that directly impact their education, finances, and campus experience. Many students and families make long-term financial commitments based on the understanding that the university will remain reasonably affordable throughout their enrollment. Announcing increases after students are already settled into housing, class registration, and financial plans creates unnecessary stress and uncertainty. The university should focus on protecting affordability and rebuilding trust with students by improving communication, increasing transparency, and exploring alternative budget solutions before placing additional financial burdens on students and families. |
| 2026-05-19T22:36:27.735873Z | Yall are genuinely making it harder and harder for people to stay in school in my opinion. The dorm and apartment rates already go up every year. This is honestly ridiculous. |
| 2026-05-19T22:31:02.601563Z | This is absurd. The cost of tuition is already too high. The cost significantly outweighs the benefit for adult learners, and the younger generation is already going $125,000 in debt at around 7% interest for a degree to hopefully make 70-80k per year. You should be lowering tuition, stop spending exorbitant amounts of revenue on sports and administrative positions, and focus on developing the intrinsic value of a degree from your institution. |
| 2026-05-19T22:30:29.984568Z | Unfortunately, I cannot even afford to pay for the tuition we have to pay now. I have to take out student loans. More money would just mean I have to pay more back overtime after graduating. I am in architecture school and it (among other degrees offered on campus) requires students to pay out of pocket for almost everything. Supplies, Materials, Books all get very expensive when you are paying out of pocket for every single item. I do not know the exact amount, but I know I spent over $5,000 on things for school not including tuition. I honestly do not see how increasing the price of tuition could bring any good to the students. I know college always been something you have to spend a pretty penny on, but I feel as if it should not be this way. Even though my family cannnot afford college, FASFA gives me $0 to help. They literally do not give me anything. I feel college should be affordable so people can actually get the schooling they need to achieve their dreams. Thank you. |
| 2026-05-19T22:25:16.257883Z | Until the UofM president himself can pay for even half of the already struggling undergraduates, truly, forget about charging them even more of the money they slaved over just to barely receive. This is the greed they talk about in the KJV Bible; we already know you have enough money to invest back into the public campus. |
| 2026-05-19T22:22:45.239161Z | To the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ Board of Trustees, I am a current student at the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝, and I would like to express my concern regarding the proposed 2026–27 tuition and mandatory fee increase. As a global student, I already face significant financial challenges and pay a large portion of my education costs out of pocket. Even a small increase creates additional stress and makes it harder for me to continue my education comfortably. Many students like me are already balancing tuition, housing, books, transportation, and everyday living expenses. I understand the University has operational costs and financial responsibilities, but I ask the Board to consider the impact this increase will have on students who are already struggling financially. Increasing tuition may place higher education further out of reach for students who are working hard to succeed and graduate. Thank you for taking the time to consider student feedback and the financial realities many of us are facing. Sincerely, Fatumata Diallo |
| 2026-05-19T22:18:48.079099Z | Tuition is already expensive as is. As a commuter student half of these campus addictions are irrelevant to me, therefore why should I have to give the university more money? I also think you all should give more money to the smaller departments to try and get more students to join them. |
| 2026-05-19T22:17:37.357495Z | DO NOT INCREASE TUITION |
| 2026-05-19T22:09:40.332615Z | I feel that thought, with the cost of everything is increasing with today’s economy and understanding that we, as students, want the best education possible and are provided the best opportunities. An increase in student, instate tuition, isn’t justifiable. Being a student in the Architecture department, it is already a very expensive degree to obtain, but our “tuition†doesn't include the cost of all the materials we have to buy out of pocket for all of our assignment's. There are other degrees at the university offers, that are expense as well that isn’t covered in our tuition, which most of us are struggling to cover. So an additional increase in our tuition will further hinder the students and inevitably lead to students not being able to finish their degrees, for lack of funds. This year it’s $204. Roughly 80% of the students are the university are instate residents. That’s roughly over 3 million dollars. If the university were to “raise in state tuition†every year for the next 4 years, that expecting students to “front†roughly 12 million additional in tuition. ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ also has a higher poverty rate, and most students come to the university because of its educational opportunities but also its affordability. I feel strongly that the university can find other funding opportunities other than at the expense of the students having to pay tuition increases. Because we all know, this would just be the start of the tuition increase. |
| 2026-05-19T22:01:37.120150Z | Increase in tuition prevent affordability for college. In turn, this impacts the workforce if people cannot afford college. Average cost of living is already unaffordable, how will students who are already struggling afford increased fees? |
| 2026-05-19T21:53:20.952938Z | I strongly oppose any increase to undergraduate in-state tuition at the University
of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝. Higher education is already becoming increasingly difficult for working students and middle-class families to afford. Tuition continues to rise year after year, while wages for many students and families have not kept pace with inflation, housing costs, groceries, transportation, and healthcare. Many students are already balancing full-time work, loans, and personal financial responsibilities simply to stay enrolled. Universities often justify tuition increases by citing operational costs, but students are also facing rising costs in every other area of life. Increasing tuition places an even greater financial burden on those trying to improve their future through education. For many students, even a small tuition increase can mean taking on additional debt, reducing course loads, delaying graduation, or dropping out entirely. Public universities were created to provide accessible education to the public. Continually increasing tuition moves higher education further away from that mission and risks making college accessible only to those with financial privilege. Tennessee students should not be penalized simply for pursuing an education during a time when wages have failed to keep pace with the true cost of living. I encourage the Board of Trustees to prioritize affordability, transparency, and cost-control measures before asking students to absorb additional financial strain. Universities should be looking for ways to reduce unnecessary administrative costs, improve operational efficiency, and protect student access, rather than relying on tuition increases as a recurring solution. At a time when student debt nationwide remains a major issue, increasing tuition sends the wrong message to students and families who are already struggling financially. |
| 2026-05-19T21:51:46.301768Z | I do not agree with this at all. As someone who lived in Smith & Rawls and experienced a previous increase, my college experience was not improved at all by the increase. Only the newer dorms get taken care of. Older dorms don’t even have all the amenities listed online. There are pest and mold everywhere. Rawls doesn’t even have an elevator to the basement/laundry and can only be accessed by one stairwell. The tiger food is low quality with some of the workers being rude or unprofessional. It seems like athletes & “richer†students get prioritized here while regular, instate & international students get the short end of the stick. As a first generation low income student who is heavily reliant on scholarships, I would not like another increase. It would not improve my college experience and it didn’t last time. |
| 2026-05-19T21:45:45.669932Z | Why would it be in-state instead of out of state tuition? |
| 2026-05-19T21:41:36.767931Z | There are so many expenses students and their parents already have to pay, so many terrible things happening worldwide, please don’t add to the list. DO NOT INCREASE TUITION PRICES, IT IS ALREADY MORE THAN ENOUGH. GREED IS NEVER THE ANSWER. STEALING FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT AN EDUCATION IS WRONG. BE GOOD. THANK YOU. |
| 2026-05-19T21:37:28.685711Z | correct decision. |
| 2026-05-19T21:36:04.331989Z | No |
| 2026-05-19T21:31:22.621635Z | We wouldn't need a fee increase if we didn't have so many superfluous assistant and associate vice provosts! |
| 2026-05-19T21:30:05.581571Z | This proposal sounds very prudent--faculty salaries have not been keeping up with the rate of inflation for many years; for the sake of retention and sustainability, that pattern should not continue. |
| 2026-05-19T21:29:10.819711Z | The university is making iy difficult to get scholarships as it is, so raising the tuition will make it harder for low-income students to afford college. |
| 2026-05-19T21:29:01.416819Z | Do not increase tuition. I get you “need†the money. You get so much money off of student with service fees, housing and forcing us to get meal plans or fake campus money. Also 85% of student receiving financial aid? I work for the university as a student but my parents make too much money to get finical aid. This means I am forced to take out a loan. Who do you think is paying that loan back? My parents or me? Me 100%. It crazy you have the audacity to raise tuition when the cost of living if going up so much. |
| 2026-05-19T21:26:13.142868Z | I DISAGREE ! This Society Is Already EXPENSIVE ! Its People Like Myself Who Have To Work Extra Hard To Save Up Money So, I Can Have A Better Education. Increasing Our Tuition Will Just Make It Harder For People To Attend College And Keep People From Getting A Better Future That They Deserve ! If You All Had A Heart , You Would Not Do This To Us When Most People Are Already Struggling Within This Economy !!! |
| 2026-05-19T21:26:08.747245Z | I'm sorry, but the cost of secondary education is becoming ridiculous. My tuition has increased from the Fall 2025 semester, and now, you're talking about increasing it not only for the next academic, but the year after! You're not encouraging ANYONE to become a college graduate when you raise prices like this. |
| 2026-05-19T21:25:30.098011Z | Given the current economic climate and ongoing inflation, many Americans, especially college students, are already struggling to cover basic living expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and textbooks. For many of us, even a small tuition increase creates real financial hardship. Raising tuition at this time risks making higher education less accessible for students from working and middle class families. The University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ has built its reputation on opportunity and access. Increasing costs now feels inconsistent with that mission. |
| 2026-05-19T21:24:15.934530Z | Man why do yall even ask students for comments or feedback when you never listen? You send this bullcrap email every summer. This is my senior year and every year tuition increases. You take away multicultural organizations and then charge students more and everything everywhere prices are higher. Times are tough man, my student loans already decreased last year in August when I’ve been getting them, now i gotta worry about tuition potentially increasing. Please don’t increase tuition this year.. |
| 2026-05-19T21:22:52.109054Z | While we all recognize the need to try and keep costs low, we also must acknowledge that continued underfunding of staff and programs has a long-term detrimental effect on the institution as a whole. I support this increase to continue funding the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ and all it's critical services. |
| 2026-05-19T21:21:24.448282Z | I am already struggling to pay the current tuition, even with financial aid and working multiple jobs. This tuition increase is very frustrating to hear about. This is very bad news, and a very terrible idea. There are other students like me who face the same struggles as me, and share this opinion. |
| 2026-05-19T21:21:23.619133Z | This statement is very vague. What exactly is the budget for UOFM? Is the university struggling to pay for anything? The explanation is used to explain to us where the extra money is going but it doesn’t state where the university is lacking in due to low funds. This seems like a very greedy decision that will affect thousands of families negativity for the exchange of changes that students won’t be able to benefit from. |
| 2026-05-19T21:20:56.753748Z | What are we paying for exactly? Yall add unnecessary fees and half the problems we have in the dorms do not get fixed. It’s ridiculous. |
| 2026-05-19T21:19:11.143763Z | Increasing the In state tuition while the Dorms have not been remodeled since the 1990's is a very bad thing. The female dormitory is absolutely unacceptable. The price increase is unjust and should not happen. |
| 2026-05-19T21:18:35.574336Z | I do NOT support this increase. It is hard enough for students to afford education with more than 50% of the student body being forced to work full time jobs. This increase seems unnecessary and doesn’t help the students attending UofM. |
| 2026-05-19T21:18:10.649618Z | Everything is already so expensive and increasing the tuition when people already are struggling with food and gas cost is diabolical. You are making it hard for students to have a career. I am 100% against it. Most students already have 2 to 3 jobs to barely get by. You are not thinking about your students only your pockets. |
| 2026-05-19T21:15:55.252080Z | Please don’t please oh please you guys just increased it. For most of the undergraduates, the fees we pay are already damaging our credit and financial abilities ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ is supposed to be the place where we come for affordable education that is top tier and at a realistic and undergraduate cost. Let’s be honest, many people come to ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ due to the cost and the scholarships, I know I did. Increasing only limits all of our abilities to attend and strive at this university. |
| 2026-05-19T21:15:17.973592Z | 4.48% is a big increase to do in one year; if you end up enacting the increase I think that percentage needs to be lowered significantly. That’s already over double the percent increase over the past 6 years, that seems unreasonable to ask of us students in one year. |
| 2026-05-19T21:14:25.598341Z | Okay so will students receive an increase in scholarships and financial aid aswell? |
| 2026-05-19T21:13:21.656301Z | As a current student, I am concerned about increasing undergraduate tuition at a time when many students are already balancing work, housing, transportation, and educational expenses. Even a small increase can create additional financial strain and may impact students’ ability to remain enrolled and complete their degrees. I encourage the Board to carefully consider the impact on affordability and student success before approving any increase. |
| 2026-05-19T21:11:36.080649Z | To the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ Board of Trustees, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed 4.48% increase in undergraduate in-state tuition and mandatory fees for the 2026–27 academic year. While the university cites inflationary cost increases for software, utilities, and infrastructure, this proposal shifts that financial burden directly onto students who are already stretched to their absolute limits by the current economy. For independent students who completely support themselves, or those who manage heavy commutes alongside full-time or part-time work schedules, an extra $504 per academic year is a severe strain. This increase forces students to choose between working longer hours—which directly impacts academic performance—or taking on additional financial debt. Furthermore, a continuous upward trend in tuition threatens the university's core mission by creating a barrier for future applicants. When local and working-class students see the cost of attendance steadily rising, they lose hope of ever affording a degree and choose not to apply to the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ at all. I urge the Board of Trustees to look inward for further budget reductions and optimize existing resources rather than placing the financial weight of campus infrastructure and software upgrades on the backs of struggling students. Thank you for your time and for considering the real-world impact this vote will have on our student body. |
| 2026-05-19T21:10:37.635718Z | A tuition increase was implemented just last semester, and now another increase is
already under discussion. While the University of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ may have one of the lowest
average tuition rates among comparable institutions, it is important to recognize
the economic realities of the ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ community. Many students and families in this
area face significantly lower average household incomes, making even small increases
financially burdensome. As a first-generation, non-traditional student, every tuition and mandatory fee increase directly impacts not only my education, but also my children and my family’s ability to maintain financial stability. For students like myself, higher costs can become the deciding factor between continuing our education or being forced to step away from it. Before implementing additional tuition increases, the university should consider conducting comprehensive audits to evaluate current spending and identify areas where costs can be reduced or resources can be allocated more efficiently. Exploring operational savings, administrative reductions, and budget restructuring could help address financial concerns without placing additional strain on students already working hard to balance education, employment, and family responsibilities. ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to accessibility and student success by prioritizing affordability and seeking alternative solutions before increasing tuition and mandatory fees once again. |
| 2026-05-19T21:10:04.891837Z | I’m concerned about the proposed $252 increase in tuition for in-state students.
One of the biggest appeals of this university has always been its affordability and
accessibility for students from our state. However, when tuition, housing, and other
mandatory fees continue to rise year after year without corresponding increases in
scholarships or financial aid, that affordability begins to disappear. Many students are already balancing tuition costs, housing expenses, textbooks, and everyday living expenses. Even what may seem like a relatively small increase can place additional strain on students and families who are already stretched thin. |
| 2026-05-19T21:09:30.241523Z | This is insane. It is a high entry fee for in-state students as is, making another increase is preposterous, especially on the parent(s) who are paying for this tuition. |
| 2026-05-19T21:09:26.585535Z | Y’all should not increase tuition. Why are the in-state students getting their fees increased instead of out-of-state? It says to the in-state students that you care more about getting out-of-state students then taking care of the ones on campus. |
| 2026-05-19T21:09:24.419014Z | I transferred to university of ĂŰĚҵĽş˝ from Alabama because of the costly rates of the in state tuition. Now that it’s being raised my transfers seem useless since I’m being charged the same higher charges. |
| 2026-05-19T21:07:58.472560Z | U of M is supposedly a "R1" "Research" institution--and yet, year after year, most faculty have to pay out of pocket to do their own research because they receive ZERO dollars in research funds. This is pathetic. If you're going to raise tuition, for God's sake, use it to pay faculty who are actually providing the instruction. Many faculty are grossly underpaid, and you should be embarrassed by these numbers. |
| 2026-05-19T21:07:42.726630Z | UĂŰĚҵĽş˝Ă˘â‚¬â„˘ goal is to establish a sense of excellence in an affordable environment— as such, I think it would do well to increase merit scholarships so as to offset this change. |
| 2026-05-19T21:07:15.612047Z | I understand that tuition increases are necessary, but is there another way to generate revenues outside of this. People are already distrusting of higher ed, so constantly increasing tuition doesn't help fight that narrative. Also, how do budget cuts help produce a successful outcome for every student? Seems like it would take away some of the resources needed to provide or promote that successful outcome. I think ultimately tuition increases (With stagnant aid and scholarships) will further exacerbate the decline in enrollment. |
| 2026-05-19T21:07:11.619110Z | Please stop building multimillion dollar buildings we CAN’T use daily with OUR tuition money. That money should go to fixing our current buildings that have issues such as no AC, no heating, water damage, and more. |
| 2026-05-19T21:06:17.849936Z | I am okay with it as long as you do not use it on UNNECESSARY ITEMS like PERSONAL SCOOTERS FOR ATHLETES or RANDOM RENOVATIONS OF ALREADY UPDATED BUILDINGS (though that may be due to sponsor contribution—it has not been made clear to the student body). Please dedicate some increases to improving outdoor seating (Library area) or towards the underfunded physical/natural sciences departments. Another faculty member for biology would be appreciated… :) |
| 2026-05-19T21:06:17.778321Z | As a current student, I strongly oppose a tuition increase because many students are
already struggling to afford college at the current rate. Rising tuition places additional
financial stress on students who are already balancing academics, work, transportation,
housing, and other living expenses. For students like myself, even a small increase can make the difference between being able to continue our education or having to take on more debt, work more hours, or potentially leave school altogether. Many students do not qualify for enough financial aid to offset these costs, and private loans are not always accessible or realistic. I understand the university may face financial challenges, but I encourage leadership to consider alternative solutions before increasing the financial burden on students. Accessibility and affordability are major factors in student success, retention, and overall well-being. |
| 2026-05-19T21:05:58.206962Z | I feel like that is wrong. Tuition is already high enough and right now in today’s economy that would just be ridiculous. Folks are already barely making it and then add on trying to complete school and now you all are talking about raising the cost. No, absolutely not that is unacceptable and unreasonable. |
| 2026-05-19T21:05:41.861495Z | I asked that you take in consideration of the cost of living. Some students are paying out of pocket along with housing and living responsibilities. Raising the tuition could bring about more financial burdens for students just trying to survive. This could also play apart in students psychological mental state as they are trying to figure out how to pay for fees while maintaining schooling. |
| 2026-05-19T21:05:18.446833Z | Your students are not made of money. This is greed. |
| 2026-05-19T21:05:13.586920Z | School is already inaccessible and a burden to pay for. As an in-state institution, that burden should not be increased, especially if there are not enough grants or scholarships (specifically for transfer students) to accommodate this increase. There have already been increases in housing, departmental fees, and meal plans, so please consider that in your meeting when you think of the hard-working students who have to pay for this increase without a $200,000 job to support it. |
| 2026-05-19T21:04:33.862851Z | Please do not increase in state tuition. We already Pay a lot as is. Increasing tuition would make it harder for me to attend as I have to pay out of pocket. This is a struggle because I work all year just to be able to get a bachelors degree.I can not imagine how it would be if the tuition got raised. Please please please do not go through with this please. |
| 2026-05-19T21:04:23.976877Z | I’m broke please don’t. |
| 2026-05-19T21:03:38.824750Z | No. |
| 2026-05-19T21:03:36.185374Z | Bring back guaranteed tuition for in state students. |
| 2026-05-19T21:03:32.675347Z | No! I can barely afford gas and food! |
| 2026-05-19T21:03:19.088806Z | Bring back Guarenteed Tutition for In-state students |
| 2026-05-19T21:03:02.792510Z | Please don’t increase it |
| 2026-05-19T21:02:58.076985Z | We are broke!!! |