VCU Board of Visitors to host university budget forum with students

The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors will host an open forum with students to discuss the proposed 2016-2017 university budget. The forum will take place on Wednesday, May 11, from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the Richmond Salons of the University Student Commons, and a live-stream of the event will be available at president.vcu.edu/board/webcasts.html.

The proposed budget includes:

• An increase in the tuition rate of $260, or 2.5 percent, for in-state undergraduate students
• An increase of $88, or 5 percent, to the university fee, primarily to address unavoidable cost increases and provide additional student support such as student counseling, career and other student services and Title IX training and enforcement
• An increase of $10 to the library fee to expand weekend hours

The total increase in tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students would be $358, a 2.8 percent increase, from $12,772 to $13,130. An increase in financial aid would be used to offset the tuition and fees increase for students with demonstrated financial need. In an email message to students, Rector John Luke Jr. wrote, “The Board of Visitors recognizes that this is an extremely busy time of year but wanted to provide an opportunity for further discussion about the university’s proposed budget, including the proposed increase in tuition and fees.”

Because there is no opportunity for public comment at the May 13 board meeting, the forum will provide students an opportunity to have focused time with board members before action is taken. 

The full budget proposal presented to the board is available here.