The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors on May 1 approved the institute's fiscal year 2026 operating budget, voting to hold tuition flat for both Virginia and out-of-state cadets while imposing a 3 percent increase in mandatory fees. The board also directed that the institute's athletics subsidy be capped at $750,000 for FY26, with an option to raise that amount to $1,000,000 based on a January 2026 review of projected FY27 athletics deficits.

The actions followed an extended discussion in which board members debated competing priorities: affordability and enrollment versus rising operating costs and institutional prudence. Supporters of holding tuition at current levels cited concerns about enrollment headwinds and access for lower-income families; opponents urged modest increases to preserve fiscal reserves and avoid larger hikes later.

The final budget motion that passed set tuition increases at 0 percent for in-state and out-of-state cadets and a 3 percent fee increase for both groups. During the vote on the tuition/fees substitute motion, board members recorded eight in favor and five opposed; one board member announced a recusal. (The roll-call of individual board-member votes was not read aloud in the transcript.)

On athletics funding, the board approved language limiting the FY26 athletics subsidy to $750,000 and directing administration to bring updated FY27 projections to the January 2026 Board meeting. If the January projections show operating deficits of about $500,000 and the board deems the FY27 plan satisfactory, the board allowed an increase of the FY26 subsidy up to $1,000,000. The transcript records that the motion passed but does not provide a numerical vote tally for the athletics subsidy item.

The FY26 budget debate included specific budget figures and example dollar impacts cited by the administration: a 2.5 percent tuition increase for Virginia cadets (one committee option) would have added about $258 per student; a 1 percent out-of-state tuition increase would have been about $420; and a 3 percent fee increase was roughly $660 per cadet under the scenarios discussed. The board discussed reserve levels and prior budget decisions and asked the administration for a plan to reduce the athletics deficit in the coming year.

Other formal actions approved at the meeting (see "Votes at a glance" below) included adoption of changes that had been placed on the consent calendar and authorization to proceed with scheduled academic approvals forwarded by the Academic Affairs committee. The Board's approval of the FY26 budget will be implemented by institute administration under the direction given by the Board.

Votes at a glance
- Fiscal year 2026 operating budget (final motion): Approved; tuition: 0% increase for Virginia and non-Virginia cadets; fees: +3% for both groups; recorded vote on substitute motion: 8 yes, 5 no, 1 recusal (roll-call not read).
- Athletics subsidy direction: Approved; FY26 cap $750,000; potential increase to $1,000,000 contingent on satisfactory FY27 projections at January 2026 review; vote tally not specified in transcript.
- Consent calendar (academic motions forwarded by committee, including faculty changes, graduation lists, Jackson Hote grants, academic regulations and curricular changes): Approved by voice vote.

What happens next
The administration will adopt the FY26 operating plan in accordance with the board's fiscal direction and prepare the materials the board requested for the January 2026 review of athletics finances. Board members said they expect the administration to present a clear, data-driven plan for reducing the athletics operating deficit and to continue efforts to expand non-operating revenue and donor support for athletics.