WKU regents approve tuition hike, program changes

Western Kentucky University’s Board of Regents approved a 1.7% tuition hike for undergraduates, raising costs by $204, during a session on June 7, 2026. The increase reflects a $1 million budget expansion to $405 million for fiscal year 2027, as operating costs surged 4%-5% annually amid inflation, according to WKU President Tim Caboni. Despite state appropriations declining by $800,000 (1%), enrollment revenue is projected to grow by $1.5 million, driven by higher net tuition from first-time students. The Kentucky General Assembly restored higher education funding in April, avoiding $7 million in cuts for WKU, though performance funding—tied to metrics like retention—remains inconsistent. The regents also suspended or merged several programs to streamline operations. The master’s in kinesiology was suspended due to faculty-led restructuring tied to evolving professional standards, while bachelor’s degrees in geology and environmental studies were consolidated into a new environmental, Earth, and sustainability sciences program. Similarly, advertising and public relations merged into an Integrated advertising and public relations program. WKU stated these changes will have minimal budgetary impact, as faculty and courses largely remain intact. The Potter College of Art and Letters (PCAL) proposed a restructuring plan, *PCAL Forward*, to address declining national enrollment trends. Dean Terrance Brown presented the plan, which includes merging schools like Languages, Literatures, and Writing, but faculty regent Shane Spiller questioned its transparency and effectiveness. The plan follows faculty recommendations submitted May 8 and is set for implementation in fall 2027. Spiller criticized the time faculty would spend on restructuring instead of student-focused work. WKU’s financial challenges stem from state funding instability and inflation-driven cost increases. Caboni emphasized the need for legislative investment in higher education, calling it a ‘driver of economic growth,’ while noting the university avoided deeper cuts. State performance funding, however, has failed to reward WKU’s gains in retention and graduation rates, unlike the University of Kentucky. The tuition hike and program changes aim to balance the budget amid these constraints.