Virginia Tech Board of Visitors to consider 2020-21 tuition and fees at June 2 meeting

May 1, 2020

Editor’s note: Due of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions it has caused, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has had to adjust its meeting schedule. In previous years, the board typically considered and voted on tuition and mandatory fees for the following year at its spring meeting. This year, that meeting was scheduled for March 29-30, but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The board last met on March 26 to receive comprehensive reports on the impact of pandemic on the Virginia Tech community and campus operations, but did not conduct any business.

The board of visitors intends to hold its scheduled summer meeting June 2 and hold committee meetings prior to that date. Among the resolutions the board intends to consider at this meeting is tuition and mandatory fees for the 2020-21 academic year.

The public notice below was published February 27. Circumstances informing tuition and mandatory fee discussions have changed substantially in recent weeks, including the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and families. When the board reviews tuition and fees, the impact of current events will be considered.

Virginia Tech Board of Visitors to consider 2020-21 tuition and fees at March 30 meeting; public comment opportunity available March 19

Editor’s note: The full board meeting originally scheduled for March 29-30 has been canceled.

In accordance with Virginia law, Virginia Tech provides notice that its Board of Visitors will meet on Monday, March 30, 2020, at 1:15 p.m. in 2100 Torgersen Hall (620 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg) to consider tuition and mandatory fees for the 2020-21 academic year.

Virginia Tech’s tuition and fees strategy is intended to support the university’s strategic plan within the context of the various budget implications of the state’s General Assembly actions and other major initiatives that impact university costs in the upcoming year.

In addition, Virginia Tech will hold a public comment opportunity on Thursday, March 19, at 11:15 a.m. in Assembly Hall at the Holtzman Alumni Center (901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg). Several members of the Board of Visitors will be on hand as university officials provide an overview of proposed tuition and fees ranges and to receive public comment in accordance with guidelines posted to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors website.

Over the last several years, the Board of Visitors has sought to balance the affordability of a Virginia Tech education with targeted investment that will position the university as a global leader in teaching, research, and innovation. Guided by these dual objectives, the university has leveraged incremental state funding with cost containment strategies, administrative efficiencies, and the reallocation of existing resources towards high priority needs to maximize available resources. In addition for 2019-20, the General Assembly provided funds that could be used to moderate tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students at public universities.

As a result of these efforts, the board was able to freeze tuition increases for in-state undergraduates for 2019-20, and held tuition increases to 2.9 percent in each of the prior three years—all while making a sustained commitment to critical initiatives that will advance Virginia Tech’s mission as a leading global land-grant institution.

On March 30, the board will consider a combination of tuition and fee adjustments that will address the increasing costs of personnel, fringe benefits, fixed costs, continued investment in academic programs including faculty, and the enhancement of high-demand student support services. To further advance affordability, the university will continue working to expand private philanthropy in support of the university and increase student financial aid programs, namely the university’s Funds for the Future program which offsets the cost of tuition and fee increases on returning students with family incomes up to $100,000.

The following ranges of tuition and Educational and General (E&G) fee adjustments for fall 2020 will be considered by the Board of Visitors. Final decisions are contingent upon the outcome of the General Assembly session, when total mandated costs and the level of state support are fully understood by the university:

• Virginia resident undergraduates: Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 0 percent and 4.9 percent.
• Non-resident undergraduates: Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent.
• On-campus graduate students: Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent.
• All students: Mandatory fees may increase up to $103 to support enhancements in student health services, counseling services, transit services, and wireless network.

These recommendations are designed to continue Virginia Tech’s trend of below average increases in undergraduate tuition and fees, made possible through Commonwealth investment and the university’s focus on cost containment and strategic allocation of limited resources.

Public comment

For those interested in participating in the public comment opportunity:

The Board of Visitors and university administration will facilitate a budget workshop on March 19, 2020, at 11:15 am at the Holtzman Alumni Center within the Inn at Virginia Tech (901 Price’s Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061).  After a presentation providing an overview of the proposed increases, the public will be provided an opportunity to make comments in accordance with Board of Visitors guidelines.

• By March 12, speakers must pre-register on a first-come, first-served basis for the public comment period with the Board Secretary.  Speakers will be asked to specify their affiliation with the university, e.g, current student, parent, alum, faculty/staff, member of the public.  Register at the Board of Visitors website. 
• Following the public presentation on March 19, the public comment period will be held for 60 minutes. If time remains during the one-hour public comment period after the pre-registered speakers offer their comments, additional speakers may be offered the opportunity to speak during the remaining time.
• There will be dedicated time slots for a representative from the Student Government Association and from the Graduate Student Assembly to provide a statement on behalf of their respective constituency. This does not preclude individual students from registering to speak during the public comment period or from providing written comments.
• Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes and must restrict their comments to tuition and fees only. Speakers wishing to have their comments entered in the public record must bring a typed copy.

In lieu of oral comments, written comments will be accepted through March 22.  Enter written comments online at the Board of Visitors website, or mail to:

Kim O’Rourke
Secretary to the Board of Visitors
Virginia Tech   (MC 0125)
800 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA  24061

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please send an email to vppg@vt.edu or call 540-231-6232 during regular business hours at least 10 days prior to the event.