The University of Virginia administration has asked the Board of Visitors to consider tuition increases in the range of 3.0% and 4.4% over each of the next two years, Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis revealed in a Finance Committee public hearing this morning.
Davis cited inflation, declining state support, and the need to keep salaries competitive as justifications for the proposed increase. The full board will address the proposal in its regularly scheduled meeting next month. She also noted that tuition increases have moderated in recent years.
The hearing, required by state law, gave students the opportunity to provide input on tuition increases. Only one submitted a comment.
Nate Wells, a third-year, in-state student in the Batten School, told how his older brother enrolled at Ohio State University as an out-of-state student for less than it costs at UVa. “Around grounds we hear how UVa stacks up against peer institutions. … UVa is incredibly expensive, the third highest public university in the country.” He urged the Board of Visitors to keep the increase on hte low side of the range.
Earlier this month the Jefferson Council released its analysis of tuition and cost trends. Among the top-line findings: Only one-third of the tuition increase between 2002 and 2022 can be attributed to a cutback in state support. Higher spending — inflation-adjusted spending per pupil increased 50% over that time — accounted for the rest.
Davis alluded to an “efficiency and effectiveness” study underway, the results of which the university will share in the December board meeting. The administration has given no clue about the study’s focus, or whether it is tackling core cost issues such as mission creep, administrative bloat, or faculty productivity.
— JAB
Remove all of the DEI bloat first!
Until the BOV forces President Ryan to address the huge fixed expenses that must be cut, this will never change. He won’t. Therefore tuition costs will inexorably increase. So the BOV next year must replace him when the Youngkin appointees comprise 12 of the 17 members. Period.
Absolutely! But I think he will leave on his own at that time.
UVA is WAAAAAAY off mission. I was showing my 3rd year daughter around the B and Law schools last week. Compared to my 1984 graduation, the plants are incredibly upgraded. Crazy! But most crazy is Darden’s “hotel” – a Kimpton. Walk through it – does Darden have a hotel management school? Don’t think so. But it is beautiful. And then at Emmett the ridiculous new hotel et al. And you know UVA already owns Boars Head and Birdwood, right?
Get back to education! Remove half of the worthless “studies” and extirpate every bit of DEi everywhere it is. Require UVA to guarantee the student loans…
For generations UVA had been one of the most cost effective sources for a quality education. Is with the advent of DEI compliance it has lost that distinction.. Too bad!!!
Agree.
Thank you Jim Bacon for what you and your members are doing. Heard you on the Schilling show today. Great job. Yes, I agree with others – Remove all the DEI ‘stuff’.
Suspect it is mostly administrative bloat. Ridiculous numbe r of. Dean s, assistant deans and secretaries et al.
The expanding DEI and woke bureaucracies need more money for higher salaries.