ISU trustees approve tuition and fees plan, capital projects, namings and confirm new finance leaders

The Illinois State University Board of Trustees on Feb. 21 approved a package of administrative actions including a tuition freeze, an increase to room and board, capital project authorizations and facility namings, and received updates on budget redesign work and new finance leadership.

Tuition and room/board: The board approved Resolution 2025.02/04 to set tuition and mandatory student fees for academic year 2025‑26 with no increase in tuition or mandatory fees, while approving a 5% increase in room and board to address rising operational costs (utilities, maintenance, insurance and personnel costs). The administration presented estimated overall costs to new undergraduate students in differentiated‑tuition programs at $29,942 (an increase of $578 or 2.2%) and $28,132 for other new undergraduates (an increase of $578 or 2.1%). Trustee Jenkins moved the resolution; Trustee Merenga seconded. The resolution passed on voice vote (ayes recorded; no opposition recorded in the transcript).

Capital and facility projects: The board approved several capital authorizations, each described briefly below; trustees asked questions about scope, timing and funding sources before approval.

- Resolution 2025.02/05 — Authorization for additional capital (not to exceed $1,000,000) for the Bone Student Center visitor parking lot and pedestrian safety improvements (total project authority $5,100,000). Funding: auxiliary revenues and reserves. Motion by Trustee Jones; second Trustee Russell. Approved.

- Resolution 2025.02/06 — Authorization for School Street garage stair replacement, not to exceed $1,300,000; funded by Parking Services. Motion by Trustee Jones; second Trustee Merenga. Approved. Trustees asked project teams to pursue summer construction and staging approaches to minimize disruption.

- Resolution 2025.02/07 — Authorization for Grama Hall roof drain replacement, not to exceed $1,100,000; funded by general revenue. Motion moved and seconded; approved.

Namings and recognitions: The board approved naming proposals to recognize donor commitments.

- Resolution 2025.02/08 — Name the field inside the OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Facility “Barnett Family Field” in recognition of a financial commitment by Danny Barnett. Motion by Trustee Tillis; second by Trustee Rominguez. Approved.

- Resolution 2025.02/09 — Name the court in the North Gym of Horton Field House “Lynch Family Court” for Glenn and Janet Lynch in recognition of their support. Motion by Trustee Mierminga; second by Trustee Tillis. Approved.

- Resolution 2025.02/10 — Recognition of Trustee Julie Annette Jones; board conferred the honorific title Trustee Emerita in acknowledgement of her service. Motion by Trustee Navarro; second by Trustee Tillis. Approved by voice vote; multiple trustees offered remarks recognizing Jones’ service.

Appointments and reports: President Andave Tarhuli introduced Dr. Glenn Nelson as Illinois State’s new vice president for finance and planning (joined Jan. 6) and Carlos Garcia as associate vice president for financial administration and controller (joined Dec. 2). The president also briefed trustees on the RISE budget redesign work with Grant Thornton, invited stakeholders to town halls on Feb. 25 and 26, and reported that the Higher Learning Commission reaffirmed ISU’s accreditation through the 2034–35 academic year.

Enrollment and grants: President Tarhuli reported spring 2025 enrollment of 20,114 students (a 2.7% increase year‑over‑year) and nearly 95% retention of new FTIC students for the spring term. The board also received the FY24 grants and contracts report from Research and Sponsored Programs.

Closed session motion: At the meeting’s end trustees moved into closed session to discuss collective bargaining, minutes of closed meetings, and pending litigation (motion mover: Trustee Jones; second: Trustee Navarro; roll call affirmative).

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025.02/04 (tuition, fees, room & board): Mover Trustee Jenkins; Second Trustee Merenga; Outcome: Approved (no opposition recorded). - Resolution 2025.02/05 (Bone Student Center parking lot additional capital): Mover Trustee Jones; Second Trustee Russell; Outcome: Approved. - Resolution 2025.02/06 (School Street garage stair replacement): Mover Trustee Jones; Second Trustee Merenga; Outcome: Approved. - Resolution 2025.02/07 (Grama Hall roof drain replacement): Outcome: Approved. - Resolution 2025.02/08 (Barnett Family Field naming): Mover Trustee Tillis; Second Trustee Rominguez; Outcome: Approved. - Resolution 2025.02/09 (Lynch Family Court naming): Mover Trustee Mierminga; Second Trustee Tillis; Outcome: Approved. - Resolution 2025.02/10 (Recognition of Trustee Jones — Trustee Emerita): Mover Trustee Navarro; Second Trustee Tillis; Outcome: Approved.

Speakers

- President Andave Tarhuli — President, Illinois State University - Dr. Glenn Nelson — Vice President for Finance and Planning (introduced) - Carlos Garcia — Associate Vice President for Financial Administration and Controller (introduced) - Brad Franke — Director of Public Affairs and Policy (legislative update) - Trustee Bowen — Chairperson, Board of Trustees - Trustees: Jenkins, Merenga, Jones, Russell, Tillis, Navarro, Mierminga, Rominguez (participated in motions and discussion)

Authorities

- Resolution numbers cited as read in open session (see Votes at a glance) - Higher Learning Commission accreditation reaffirmation notice (referenced by president)

Clarifying_details

- tuition_increase: "No proposed increase in tuition or mandatory student fees for fall 2025" (as stated in resolution text) - room_and_board_increase: "5% increase in room and board" (as stated in resolution text) - bone_parking_authority: "additional $1,000,000 for a total of $5,100,000" (as stated) - funding_sources: "auxiliary revenues and reserves; parking services; general revenue funds" (as stated)

Proper_names

- Illinois State University (school) - OSF HealthCare (organization) - Grant Thornton (consultant) - Higher Learning Commission (accrediting body) - Barnett Family Field (facility naming) - Lynch Family Court (facility naming)

Searchable_tags

["tuition","room_and_board","capital_projects","naming","accreditation","enrollment","RISE"]