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Students and faculty decry student fee increases after Board of Regents approval
Summary
Board approved a tiered student-fee adjustment after a public hearing; Student Government Association leaders and faculty urged transparency, phased implementation, and more student assistance, warning middle-income students will be most affected.
The University of Guam Board of Regents voted on Dec. 12 to approve a proposal adjusting certain student and program fees over the coming academic years after a public hearing and committee review.
The Student Affairs committee reported that the proposal is tiered across three academic years and that a public hearing on Nov. 12 drew roughly seven speakers including students, SGA officers and academic deans. Committee members said mitigation steps were discussed—expanding scholarship information, use of the Triton Advisor Center, and targeting program-specific funding for costly professional programs such as nursing and engineering.
Student reaction: Nicole Guerrero, identified in the meeting as the Student Government Association president, told the board she was "disappointed" by passage of the fee-adjustment resolution and said many students are already struggling to finance their education. "This will significantly impact students," Guerrero said, urging the board to avoid further increases and to prioritize assistance for students who fall between aid thresholds.
SGA vice president Kiana Ardeense reiterated concerns that middle-income students—who do not qualify for some forms of aid and are not affluent—would be disproportionately affected. Both student leaders urged clearer communication, phased or gradual increases, and expanded scholarship and fundraising efforts to offset student costs.
Faculty/administration response: President Anita Borja Enriquez acknowledged anxiety about cost increases and said some program fees may be covered by locally funded nursing scholarships and other sources; she emphasized collaboration with the financial-aid office and the UOG Endowment Foundation to reduce the burden on students. The board noted the approved resolution gives the president discretion on the timing and application of fee adjustments so implementation can be phased according to operational needs.
Vote and implementation: The board approved the proposed fee adjustments following committee recommendation; the committee noted one recorded nay during the voice vote at the full meeting. Administrators said they will continue outreach to students on available funding and will coordinate with donors and internal offices to mitigate hardships.
Next steps: Board members asked for continued dialogue with student leaders and for the administration to develop communications about timing and available financial resources so students can plan ahead.
