William & Mary leaders highlight Vision 2026, tuition predictability and a pledge of Pell‑student tuition coverage

President Katherine A. Rowe told the Board Sept. 22 that William & Mary must continue to evolve under Vision 2026, with planning focused on four comprehensive domains — data, water, democracy and careers — and that those plans will form the basis for a future campaign. She described the university’s work to expand access, citing an intention to invest in programs that will appeal to first‑generation, low‑income and non‑traditional students as the college prepares for a projected decline in the traditional college‑going population.

Rowe said the university would explore a multi‑year tuition approach to provide predictability for families and the institution; several Board members voiced support for such a plan during discussion, while Board member John E. Littel asked the administration to consider impacts to infrastructure, staffing and faculty as enrollment grows. The minutes record the discussion but do not show a formal motion to adopt a multi‑year tuition policy at this meeting.

Rowe also announced a financial‑aid commitment: William & Mary will guarantee scholarship aid sufficient to cover at least the cost of tuition and fees for in‑state Pell‑grant‑eligible students, and the university aims to increase the share of in‑state undergraduates who are Pell eligible to 20% by 2026. The minutes describe the announcement as an institutional aim; the Board did not record a separate vote to adopt public policy language beyond assent to the university’s priorities.

The Board asked the Provost to work with the Faculty Assembly and report in April 2023 on faculty productivity and related initiatives, including steps to support growth in STEM disciplines and address changes in other academic areas. The minutes record no further operational details or dollar amounts tied to the tuition/aid discussion; follow‑up reporting will be needed to clarify implementation timelines and funding sources.