ENMU regents look at raising tuition, other student fees

Eastern New Mexico University regents on Friday mulled possible increases to tuition, room and board rates by the 2025 fiscal year.

ENMU Vice President of Business Affairs and System Chief Financial Officer Tony Major presented the discussion. He prefaced at the beginning of the meeting it was only to provide information. Regents took no action.

Major said Sodexo, ENMU’s food service provider, will provide an estimate of prices based on the food price index every year. The regents were requested to consider increasing 6% in food service plans for students to compensate for the inflation rate.

“Depending on the [food] plan that the student picks, it could range anywhere from zero to $105, is what that increase would be,” Major said.

Major said the university has been known to gradually increase room rates to build a bit of a reserve for repair and maintenance to the buildings. He said for this year they are looking to increase room rates by 2%, which is anywhere between $40 to $68 per student.

In addition, he predicted the university will need another $1 million in additional revenue “just to keep our operation at the same level.”

The university would need the state government’s support to make up this difference, Major said. However, if the university is unable to state funding, then it will have to raise rates and cut expenses.