George Mason University’s Board of Visitors gathered for their March 31 meeting in Merten Hall. (Grace Miller/Fourth Estate)

The BOV heard a presentation about the university’s financial standing to prepare for the budget vote on April 30

BY GRACE MILLER, STAFF WRITER 

George Mason’s Board of Visitors held a public comment meeting focused on the fiscal year 2027 proposed increases in tuition and fees on March 31. 

“We [faculty and staff] are carrying the burdens of our institution’s inability to garner adequate state funding year-over-year,” Professor and President of the George Mason Chapter of the American Association of University Professors Dr. Bethany Letiecq said during the public comment section.

Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dan Stephens, along with Executive Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell, presented George Mason’s financial situation in comparison to other R1 public peer universities in Virginia to the BOV. 

When tuition, fees and state appropriations are combined, George Mason is the lowest funded of its peers.

In state appropriations alone, George Mason receives $10,544 per in-state student. Virginia Tech, the next highest funded peer, receives $12,212. William & Mary is the highest funded of the R1 peers and receives $15,510 per student from the state.

The BOV plans to focus on obtaining more state appropriations in future years. For FY27, the Virginia House earmarked $11 million for George Mason, whereas the Virginia Senate earmarked $7 million.

“It’s just going to take time and continued action,” said President Gregory Washington. 

Elisa Wolf, a PhD student, also commented. She criticized the university’s handling of her own and others’ Title IX cases and mentioned the university’s financial situation. 

“None of us as students really are in the position to be exploited by our institution that we are looking for quality education and a safe environment,” she said.

For FY27, the university is proposing a tuition increase of $360 for undergraduates and $504 for graduate students. This is a 3.5% increase on the in-state rate; for out-of-state students, it is a 1% increase for undergraduate students and a 1.4% increase for graduate students. George Mason is also proposing a $132 overall increase in student fees for all undergraduates and graduate students, but students at the Antonin Scalia Law School will see a $98 increase.

According to Stephens, George Mason’s peers are also asking for increases in tuition this year.

Despite the increase, there will still be about an $8 million operating deficit for FY27, assuming the Va. legislature appropriates $11 million, according to updated university figures since the March 24 tuition town hall. Every year, the education and general budget must be balanced per Va. state requirements, according to Stephens at the tuition town hall.

President Washington emphasized to the board that it is difficult to reach zero deficit due to fluctuations in projected enrollments and employment. 

“The budget is actually quite dynamic,” Washington said. “[This] is the data we know right at this moment. I can guarantee you a month, two months down the line, it’s going to be a different number, and those oscillations are in the millions [of dollars].” 

Auxiliary funds for services such as housing, dining and athletics can be used toward the deficit if there is a surplus. Some operating reserves — which are mainly unused state appropriations from previous years — will be used to cover the deficit for FY27. 

To some at the meeting, the use of funds in this way is not ideal. 

“Philosophically, I am against using reserves in that way. What we have done historically, is we have used our reserves primarily for large ticket items — things like capital investment [and] major purchases,” Stephens said.

The university is “highly efficient,” Stephens said, due to a faculty to student ratio of 0.18. 

“We are at the lowest level of funding per employee when you divide the total student population,” he said.

The Finance and Land Use Committee will meet on April 15 to review the proposed increases in tuition and fees, as well as the full budget for the university. The full BOV will meet the afternoon of April 30 to hold the final vote on the university budget.