Western Oklahoma State College regents adopt FY26 budget, approve $5 per-credit tuition increase while holding fees and room-and-board flat

The Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents unanimously adopted the college's FY26 budget at a June 9 meeting in Altus, approving a $5-per-credit tuition increase while keeping mandatory fees and residence hall room-and-board rates unchanged.

Regent Dana Darby moved to approve the FY26 budget as presented by Brian Roberts, CPA and Vice President for Business Affairs; Regent Rick Vernon seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously in favor (Darby, Lively, Vernon and Lewis voting yes). Earlier in the meeting Roberts presented the financial report and recommended holding mandatory fees at FY25 levels and not increasing room-and-board rates.

The budget vote implements a $5-per-credit tuition increase for FY26. Mandatory fees will remain at their FY25 levels, and the board approved maintaining the current room-and-board rates for residence halls. The motions were presented and moved by Regents after the financial presentation; each motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the budget sets tuition and spending priorities that affect students and the college's operating capacity for the coming year. The board's action leaves mandatory fees and student housing charges unchanged while slightly increasing tuition revenue via a modest per-credit rise.

Details and context: the motions and votes were recorded in the meeting minutes; Brian Roberts delivered the financial report that informed the board's decisions. The board also approved the overall FY26 budget in a separate motion recorded later in the meeting.

Next steps: the budget and fee structure take effect for the FY26 academic year unless further action is required by the college's operating procedures or state regulators.