Board of Visitors to consider tuition

In accordance with section §23.1-307 D. of the Code of Virginia, James Madison University is providing notice that the JMU Board of Visitors will consider tuition and fees for the 2018-19 academic year on Friday, April 27, 2018.

The board will consider an increase in tuition and mandatory fees of between 3 and 7.5 percent for current students (consistent with the university’s six-year plan).  This increase, if adopted, would only apply to students currently or previously enrolled at JMU.  The board set tuition for students who will be first-time, first-year students and transfer students in the Fall 2018-19 semester at its November 2017 meeting.

The 3 – 7.5 percent range provides the board some flexibility to react to the uncertain budget conditions in Richmond.  The General Assembly did not enact a budget during its recent regular legislative session and is scheduled to reconvene on April 11 for the purpose of enacting a budget into law.  Uncertainty with the commonwealth’s budget notwithstanding, there are a number of cost factors that the university knows must be addressed in order to maintain the high-quality education that the JMU community has come to expect.  These factors include:

• Enrollment growth: maintaining our 16:1 student to faculty ratio and necessary operating funds associated with greater enrollment numbers;
• Increasing access to financial aid;
• Academic, student life and safety, and student services initiatives in support of the university’s strategic plan;
• Medical insurance increases for faculty and staff;
• Compensation increases for faculty and staff; and
• Increased operational and debt service costs for new facilities.

The JMU Board of Visitors will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 27, in the Board Room of the Festival Conference and Student Center, 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.