What Happened: The Commonwealth University Council of Trustees at the meeting on March 7 to increase the costs of fees and rates on campus.
Why it Matters: Students will now see an increase in their technology fees, as well as their dining and housing rates. These new rates will go into affect for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The Background: This comes after the council voted to increase housing and dining rates in 2023, which had gone into effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.
It was during the meeting that the council was presented with two options for an increase in housing and dining costs. A “Cost with CPI, which was a 3.61% increase and a 5% increase.
A motion was made to adopt the 3.61% increase, but it was voted down by the council. When the motion to adopt the 5% increase was made, it passed.
In terms of the technology fee increase, it is being raised $120 per term for in-state students and $182 per term for out-of-state students. This increase will also go into effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Dan Knorr was asked for a comment but referred The Voice staff to a press release from the university. In the release, Council of Trustee Chair John Wetzel is quoted as saying, “These decisions reflect our commitment to responsible stewardship—ensuring CU remains financially sustainable while continuing to offer high-quality education, modern technology, and essential student services.”
Going further it stated Wetzel said, “Even with these modest increases, CU remains one of the most affordable options in the State System, allowing us to balance affordability with the investments necessary for student success.”
Opinions from students
Starr Black, a marketing major with a minor in chemistry, stated, “I think it’s a little ridiculous. I mean, it kinda sucks. I feel like especially with Trump, you know, like affecting the Department of Education, it’s definitely causing an issue with financial aid, which is also helping pay for those housing things.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Cortis, a nursing major, didn’t recall the original price but stated, he, “knew it was going up.” Going further, he said, “I think it’s gonna affect people moving in or out of campus but for me, I have no choice because I’m a freshman so I mean for me right now, I don’t have a choice but I feel like when I’m a junior and a senior, that may affect if I live on campus or not.”
UPDATE from Caleb Brown, Managing Editor: 3/26/25 at 9:50 AM:
It is known that one of the prides of administration has been keeping tuition frozen. However, with the onset of further cost increases, a question was brought up of whether this accomplishment still has merit.
Dan Knorr, the executive director of economic development & external affairs, says yes. In an email he sent, it stated,
“Beyond the seven-year tuition freeze, we look at the average net price of attendance—this metric takes into account all costs, including tuition, room, board, fees, etc.”
Going further, it stated, “Commonwealth University’s average net price has decreased from $18,140 in 2017/18 to $16,111 in 2023/24, a reduction of 11.2% at a time when almost all other costs were increasing. We are very proud of the work everyone at the university has done to achieve this improvement in affordability from 2017 to now.”
