Board approves series of tuition and fee changes, delegates authority to incoming president and adopts resolution honoring Kirk H. Schulz

The Washington State University Board of Regents on March 7 in Tri‑Cities approved a package of tuition and student‑fee changes, ratified administrative rule updates and delegated presidential authority to incoming president Elizabeth (Betsy) Cantwell, the board said in a series of votes taken during the meeting.

The board also adopted a formal resolution commending Kirk H. Schulz for his nine years as WSU system president. The resolution was read aloud and the board voted to adopt it unanimously.

Why it matters: The votes affect dozens of students and multiple campuses. The fee changes include mandatory student fees that fund campus recreation, health services and student centers; other votes set professional‑school tuition and authorized administrative rule revisions that govern facility use and conduct on university property. The delegation of authority formalizes the transfer of operational authority to President Cantwell upon her start date.

What the board approved: In an extended session that followed committee reports, the board approved the following measures (outcome recorded as approved unless noted):

Votes at a glance - Resolution honoring Kirk H. Schulz: Board adopted a resolution recognizing Schulz’s service and accomplishments during his tenure (motion to adopt read aloud and seconded; vote: approved). - Delegation of presidential authority to Elizabeth (Betsy) Cantwell: Delegated the president’s express and implied administrative and operational authority to Cantwell or her designees effective April 1, 2025 (board adopted the resolution; vote: approved). - Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine tuition (AY 2025–26): Board set tuition rates for the College of Medicine for academic year 2025–26 (vote: approved). - College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences tuition (AY 2025–26): Board approved proposed tuition rates for AY 2025–26 (vote: approved). - WSU Pullman housing and dining rates (AY 2025–26): Board approved the proposed residential and dining rates (vote: approved). - Services & Activities fee changes (AY 2025–26): Board authorized rate changes to campus services and activities fees across campuses as proposed (vote: approved). - Services & Activities fee allocations (summer 2025 and AY 2025–26): Board approved student‑led committee allocations (vote: approved). - Chinook Student Center mandatory student fee (Pullman): Authorized the fee change effective AY 2025–26 (vote: approved). - Student Recreation Center mandatory fee (Pullman): Authorized the Student Recreation Center fee increase effective AY 2025–26 (vote: approved). - Compton Union Building (CUB) mandatory student fee (Pullman): Authorized the CUB fee increase effective AY 2025–26 (vote: approved). - Health fees (Pullman and Spokane): Authorized increases to Pullman and Spokane campus health fees for AY 2025–26 (votes: approved). - Undergraduate and campus Technology Fee allocations (Pullman and Vancouver, FY 2026): Approved recommended allocations from student technology fee committees (votes: approved). - Joint Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (WSU–University of Nairobi): Approved tuition rate for the collaborative program (vote: approved). - Revisions to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) chapter 504‑35 (facility use rules): Approved the proposed WAC changes for facility use other than First Amendment/free‑speech activities (vote: approved). - Revisions to WAC chapter 504‑31 (conduct on university property): Approved proposed WAC revisions (vote: approved). - New Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Pullman): Approved establishment of the new MS degree (vote: approved).

Board process and student involvement: Several votes followed student‑led advisory reviews. Student advisory councils and committees presented recommendations for the Student Recreation Center, Compton Union Building, Chinook Student Center and services & activities allocations; student representatives and campus directors attended the meeting to outline rationale and impacts. Regents asked for continued, clear, itemized explanations of fee drivers and the aggregate impact of multiple fee changes on the total cost of attendance.

Administrative notes: The board approved the presidential delegation of authority after reviewing the full written list of delegated authorities; the board said the delegation continues prior delegations and does not alter authorities already granted to the president or to campus designees. The board also held an earlier executive session on litigation matters; no public action resulted from that executive session.

What happens next: The approved tuition and fee actions take effect for the specified 2025–26 academic year or fiscal year where listed; campus offices will post schedules and updated bills. The board scheduled one more in‑person meeting in April and expected to take final budget approval at a virtual meeting on May 21.

Ending note: Regents emphasized they will continue to track cumulative effects of tuition and fee increases on students and requested clearer itemized reporting of what each fee increase funds.