Editor’s note: The article below previously stated last summer’s increase was 5.43%. That number is incorrect. The correct increase amount is 6.43%.
MTSU’s Student Government Association released a statement on June 9 condemning a 4.49% proposed tuition increase.
For Undergraduate, In-State students, the increase is $189 per semester based on 15 credit hours. Mandatory fees will increase by $59.50. This follows last summer’s 6.43% increase – the highest tuition hike over the last decade.
MTSU Athletics received the bulk of the tuition increase last year, and SGA is concerned that this proposal will yield a similar outcome.
This proposal, if approved, would be the third time since 2023 that student-supported funding would be directed toward athletics without student involvement in the proposal’s creation, SGA said in its statement.
“Unlike every other campus department or office requesting additional student fees, Athletics had not engaged with students or the Student Government Association in a meaningful way during the fee proposal process,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, many of those same concerns remain today.”
However, the majority of athletics’ allotment is directed at the Murphy Center renovation, which would benefit all students, Chris Massaro, MTSU’s director of athletics, said.
“I think that the Murphy Center project is one that I think that most can see what will benefit the students both future and present,” Massaro said.
Opened in 1972, the center hosts a wide range of events including basketball games, concerts and graduation ceremonies for MTSU and local high schools. Additionally, Massaro said roughly 60% of the building is dedicated academic space, with the remaining 40% reserved for athletics.
“I think people intuitively think of Murphy Center as an athletic complex, but it’s actually much more than that,” Massaro said. “So that’s where the fee will be going to help with the renovation of this 52-year-old building.”
The problem isn’t whether the money is going towards something useful, but the lack of student involvement in the process of allocating money to athletics, regardless of its mutual benefits, SGA said.
“Students deserve to understand how additional funds will be utilized, what measurable outcomes are expected, how success will be evaluated, and why certain funding priorities are advanced over others,” SGA’s statement said.
Despite SGA’s concerns, Massaro said he would be willing to meet to clarify any confusion.
“[MTSU Athletics has] a really good relationship [with SGA] and partnerships in a lot of different areas,” Massaro said. “So, I don’t want this thing to compromise that.”
The MTSU Board of Trustees will vote on the increase on June 16. Public comment is available until June 11 at 4:30 p.m.
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