TCU Board of Trustees holds first meeting of the academic year

Fort Worth, TX

11/15/2008

During their fall meeting Friday, TCU’s Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition and fees for the 2009 – 2010 academic year by five percent, one of the smallest tuition increases in a decade. New and returning full-time undergraduate students taking between 12 - 18 hours will pay a combined tuition and fee of $28,250 from the current $26,900.

The Trustees also voted to increase overall student financial aid by five percent and also set aside an additional $350,000 in financial aid for qualified students. These aid increases will build upon last year’s 18 percent increase in overall student financial aid funding. This year alone, TCU awarded more than $51 million in TCU-funded scholarships and grants. More than 70 percent of TCU undergraduate students benefit from institutionally funded financial aid.

“The Board’s decision came only after careful consideration,” said TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “We understand the current economic challenges faced by many of our students and their families.  But we are also committed to providing students with an unparalleled University experience that develops global leaders capable of contributing to significant, worldwide challenges. We cannot accomplish this without outstanding facilities, faculty and staff, and excellent programs. ”

The Trustees also acknowledged that the modest tuition increase coupled with other costs likely means that the University will reduce next year’s budget by eight percent. This potential decrease will likely mean a reduction in travel that is not absolutely necessary as well as spending on supplies and other goods and services expenses.

In other news, the Chancellor shared information about the completion of TCU’s new facilities. During this and the past academic year, nine state-of-the-art facilities were completed including the Campus Commons; the Dutch Meyer Athletic Complex and Abe Martin Academic Enhancement Center; the College of Education’s Mabee Foundation Education Complex and the TCU Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Additionally, about a dozen major reshoring, renovation and other capital projects were completed or are in progress, including complete upgrades to many residence halls.

In addition to the physical transformation, TCU has launched new programs including a new Energy Institute that is researching new and renewable energy sources. TCU also has hired 89 new faculty over the past five years, lowering the student-to-faculty ratio to 14:1.

The Board of Trustees will hold its next meeting April 1 – 3, 2009.