Committee approves 6.49% tuition-and-fee increase, 1.8% salary plan and FY26 base budget; performance-award plan remains under review

The Middle Tennessee State University Finance and Personnel Committee approved a package of financial items that includes a tuition-and-fee scenario that results in a 6.49% increase in combined tuition and mandatory fees, an employee compensation recommendation that provides a 1.8% salary increase (or a minimum $750 base increase for employees earning $42,400 or less), and the university’s FY2025 estimated budget and FY2026 July base budget.

Drew Harpool, associate vice president for business and finance, presented the tuition materials and said an internal calculation of need would support a 5.76% increase to base tuition alone; two scenarios in the packet include different mandatory-fee adjustments. Scenario 2 — the option trustees approved for discussion and adoption — produces a 6.49% ultimate tuition-and-fee increase and includes a modest athletics-related mandatory-fee increase ($29) to reach the upper end of THEC’s binding range (0–6.5%). Harpool noted MTSU’s historically low tuition relative to peers and said staff intend to stress affordability and context in communications to students and families.

Trustees discussed the need to provide context for increases, highlight scholarship support and explain what mandatory fees fund. One trustee urged clearer labeling of the athletics fee and a fuller explanation of how mandatory athletics fees support activities beyond ticketing, including academic support and scholarships.

On compensation, Laura Gint, vice president for human resources, recommended a 1.8% salary increase for regular active employees on payroll as of June 30, 2025, with a guaranteed $750 minimum increase for those earning $42,400 or less. Gint said the governor’s budget had provided only partial funding for the governor-recommended 2.6% increase; the university’s allocation is $3.2 million, about 62% of the funding needed to reach a full 2.6% raise. Trustees approved the compensation recommendation by voice vote. Gint said the administration will revisit market adjustments in November after enrollment and budget updates.

Trustees also received an information update on a proposed $1.5 million performance-based award fund. Drew Harpool said the compensation committee had submitted a report to the president and outlined models that would either use the full $1.5 million in a single year or smooth awards across three years; the committee also discussed multi-year averaging for faculty evaluations versus single-year metrics for some roles. The performance-based recommendations were presented as information only and no action was taken at this meeting.

Finally, trustees approved the FY2025 estimated closeout budget and the FY2026 July base budget; the FY2026 base includes state appropriations but does not yet reflect tuition adjustments pending final student-notice and registration timelines.

Actions: Trustees moved, seconded and approved scenario 2 (6.49%) for tuition/mandatory fees, approved the employee compensation recommendation (1.8% / $750 minimum), and approved the FY2025 estimated and FY2026 July budgets by voice vote. The performance-based award proposal was presented as an information item and remains under review by the president.