MTSU Board of Trustees approves 2.98% tuition, fee increase for 2023-24

Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Smith, right, chats with University President Sidney A. McPhee at the MTSU Board of Trustees quarterly meeting held Tuesday, June 20, in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees voted Tuesday, June 20, to raise tuition and fees by 2.98% for the fall 2023 semester, the institution’s first such increase in two years.

The increase, recommended by the board’s Finance and Personnel Committee, is necessary to meet rising utility costs, enhanced scholarship levels and other improvements, including renovations to the Murphy Center complex used for athletic, academic and community events.

Middle Tennessee State University Trustee Pam Wright, left, discusses a proposed student activity fee increase at the MTSU Board of Trustees quarterly meeting held Tuesday, June 20, in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. At right is new Trustee Bill Jones. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

MTSU’s current tuition and fees are the lowest among the state’s three largest institutions, which include UT-Knoxville and Memphis, and the seventh lowest among Tennessee’s 10 public four-year entities.

MTSU is also the most efficient producer of graduates in the state system, spending the lowest percentage on administrative costs among the 10 public institutions, the lowest operation and maintenance costs (per square foot), and the lowest state cost per graduate.

Middle Tennessee State University Trustee Chris Karbowiak Vanek, vice chair, discusses a proposed student activity fee increase at the MTSU Board of Trustees quarterly meeting held Tuesday, June 20, in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The increase, within the range recommended by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, equates to an additional $286 for an in-state undergraduate student taking 15 credit hours per semester. The last such action was in 2021-22, when the board increased tuition and fees by 1.78%.

In other actions, the board:

• Approved 35 faculty candidates recommended for tenure and 67 faculty candidates for promotion.

• Endorsed the creation of a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management degree. The program will prepare individuals to assess the security needs of computer and network systems, recommend safeguard solutions and manage the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems and procedures.

• Approved MTSU’s 2024-25 capital outlay request, which includes a new academic building project to provide academic classrooms, class labs, faculty and staff offices, and support space for selected College of Liberal Arts departments and the associated Center for Innovation and Leadership, History Museum, and MTSU archives and exhibit spaces.

• Approved MTSU’s capital disclosures list, which includes a public-private partnership for new student housing; an addition to the Student-Athlete Enhancement Center; electric vehicle charging stations; a new parking structure, and renovations to the Student Recreation Center.

• Approved the state’s funding of a cost-of-living adjustment of 3.2%. Employees earning $39,062 or less will receive a $1,250 increase rather than a percentage adjustment.

Outgoing Middle Tennessee State University Faculty Trustee Rick Cottle, left, and incoming Faculty Trustee Mary Martin listen to discussion at the MTSU Board of Trustees quarterly meeting held Tuesday, June 20, in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Incoming Middle Tennessee State University Student Trustee Molly Mihm gives remarks at the MTSU Board of Trustees quarterly meeting held Tuesday, June 20, in the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

• Approved the appointment of Faculty Trustee Mary Martin, a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. This is her second appointment as faculty trustee, replacing fashion merchandising professor Rick Cottle.

• And approved the appointment of Student Trustee Molly Mihm, who recently completed her undergraduate degree and is pursuing her graduate degree in public health. She replaces graduate business student Andrew Carpenter.

For agenda details and meeting materials for the MTSU Board of Trustees, visit www.mtsu.edu/boardoftrustees.