Austin Peay trustees approve up to 5% tuition increase, president compensation changes, facility namings and leadership appointments

The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees on April 11, 2025 approved several financial and governance actions affecting tuition, employee compensation, campus namings and board leadership.

Trustee Terry Cannata, chair of the Business and Finance Committee, moved to approve up to a 5% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for the 2025–26 academic year. By direction of the committee the motion did not require a second. The board conducted a roll call; all trustees present voted in favor. Trustee Cannata also moved approval of the proposed non-mandatory fees for 2025–26; that motion likewise carried on the committee’s motion and a roll call showing all present voting yes. During discussion, President Mike Licari said the approach sought to balance fiscal needs with the university’s mission of affordability and noted Austin Peay remained among the lowest-cost four-year institutions in the state. One trustee observed the state allows up to a 6.5% increase, and the board approved a 5% maximum for now to preserve access while monitoring external cost pressures.

The board approved the Academic Affairs Committee’s motion to grant tenure to the faculty members recommended by the committee. Committee chair Trustee May presented the list; the motion carried by voice vote and no roll-call second was required because it was a committee motion. The board congratulated the newly tenured faculty.

In executive-business items, the board approved a performance incentive for President Mike Licari based on an executive committee recommendation. The committee moved to award an 88.5% incentive, described in meeting materials as $34,000 for fiscal year 2024–25; the motion carried on voice vote. The board also set the president’s base salary at $415,500 for fiscal year 2025–26 on the committee’s motion.

The executive committee deferred final consideration of the president’s performance evaluation and incentive plan for the following fiscal year until the June board meeting to allow input from the incoming board chair.

The trustees considered multiple naming requests and approved a package of namings recommended by the university’s naming committee and staff. The approved namings include the Turner Events Center (416 College Street), the Fisher Roberts lobby at Fortera Stadium, the Wendy Araya Family Clinical Simulation Deck in the Health Professions Building, the Curtis G. Johnson Atrium, and the Bill Yee Enrichment Center and related First Floor and outdoor courtyard namings recognizing the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation’s lead gift. The board acted on the naming package as a single motion under the university’s naming policy (Policy 7009) and approved the recommendations unanimously by voice vote.

Board leadership actions carried by voice vote. By direction of the executive committee, the board appointed Trustee Michael O’Malley as board chair and Trustee Roe as board vice chair, both to begin July 1, 2025. The Student Affairs Committee’s recommendation that Gracie Suggs be appointed student trustee beginning May 10, 2025 and serving through the 2025–26 academic year was approved by committee motion and carried without recorded opposition.

The board also accepted the proposed 2026 meeting calendar (April 10, June 5, Sept. 11 and Dec. 4, 2026) and received information items including audit reports, the Governor’s budget recommendations update, and a contracts-and-agreements summary.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Adopt agenda — Outcome: adopted (voice vote) - Motion: Approve minutes of 12/06/2024 meeting — Outcome: approved (voice vote) - Motion: Approve tenure appointments (list provided by Academic Affairs Committee) — Outcome: approved (committee motion; voice vote) - Motion: Approve up to 5% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for 2025–26 — Outcome: approved (roll call; unanimous among trustees present) - Motion: Approve non-mandatory fees for 2025–26 — Outcome: approved (roll call; unanimous among trustees present) - Motion: Award presidential incentive 88.5% ($34,000) for FY2024–25 — Outcome: approved (committee motion; voice vote) - Motion: Set president base salary at $415,500 for FY2025–26 — Outcome: approved (committee motion; voice vote) - Motion: Defer consideration of next-year presidential evaluation/incentive plan — Outcome: deferred to June board meeting - Motion: Approve naming recommendations (Turner Events Center; Fisher Roberts lobby; Wendy Araya Family Clinical Simulation Deck; Curtis G. Johnson Atrium; Bill Yee Enrichment Center; Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation courtyard) — Outcome: approved (voice vote) - Motion: Appoint Trustee Michael O’Malley as board chair beginning 07/01/2025 — Outcome: approved (voice vote) - Motion: Appoint Trustee Roe as board vice chair beginning 07/01/2025 — Outcome: approved (voice vote) - Motion: Appoint Gracie Suggs as student trustee beginning 05/10/2025 — Outcome: approved (committee motion; voice vote) - Motion: Accept 2026 meeting calendar — Outcome: approved (voice vote)

Context and fiscal notes

Trustee Cannata told trustees the committee recommended a ceiling of a 5% increase; during the meeting a trustee noted the state allows up to a 6.5% increase. President Mike Licari emphasized balancing affordability and institutional needs: "Raising tuition and fees is always a concern... but I think this careful approach is a good balance between ensuring we preserve the high quality educational experience and remain an accessible institution." Trustees noted housing rates will remain flat for the coming year. The board was presented with informational materials on the Governor’s budget recommendations and internal audit work; no additional budget votes beyond tuition/fees were recorded at the meeting.

What’s next

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2025. Several items deferred for further consideration include the president’s FY2025–26 evaluation and incentive plan.