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FGCU board approves out-of-state tuition change after heated debate, 10-3 vote
Summary
Florida Gulf Coast University trustees voted 10-3 on June 9 to amend Regulation 7.001 to adopt BOG-set repeat-course language and permit a phased increase in out-of-state fees; dissenters warned the change could hurt competitiveness and students' finances.
The Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees on June 9 approved amendments to FGCU Regulation 7.001, Tuition and Fees, after an extended debate over out-of-state rates and price competitiveness.
Vice President for Administrative Services and Finance David Vazquez told the board the proposed amendments remove fixed repeat-course fee amounts and adopt language deferring specific rates to the Board of Governors. He also said the regulation would authorize the university to increase out-of-state tuition over a three-year period consistent with BOG guidance.
Trustee Robert Krampen urged caution, arguing FGCU's out-of-state undergraduate tuition was already among the highest in the State University System and that raising rates risked making FGCU less competitive and burdening nonresident students. Trustee Bob Rommel called a 15 percent increase in one year "outrageous," saying affordability concerns warranted opposition. Trustee Derek Lura also opposed the change and asked for clearer enrollment and budget impacts before raising rates.
Board supporters said the incremental increase would generate additional revenue to support university programs and align FGCU with other SUS institutions. Vazquez and President Aysegul Timur noted the change follows BOG guidance and that certain nonresident waivers and program-based fee waivers could reduce costs for selective students.
The board approved the regulation change by voice vote, 10 in favor and 3 opposed (Trustees Krampen, Lura and Rommel). The administration said any additional revenue would be incorporated into fall budget updates and that the university would monitor enrollments and metrics after the change.
What it means: The regulation change gives FGCU flexibility to adjust out-of-state fees under BOG rules; trustees opposed on competitiveness and access grounds asked administration to track campus and market impacts and report back.
Next steps: University administration will implement the regulatory language and incorporate tuition changes into the amended operating budget to be reviewed in September.
