June 12, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. - The Vincennes University Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its June 11 meeting to freeze tuition rates for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years, reinforcing the University's mission of making high-quality education accessible and affordable for all.

VU continues to lead the way as Indiana's most affordable residential college. Its combined student tuition and housing costs are the lowest of all universities in the state.

VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said, "Vincennes University's 0% tuition increase applies to all students--resident and non-resident alike. We will also maintain our commitment to the scholarship for residents of surrounding states--Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. That scholarship covers the non-resident portion of tuition and is a part of VU's efforts to attract talent to Indiana and support employers across the region."

VU is dedicated to eliminating obstacles to educational opportunity, enrollment, and success, thus ensuring everyone has access to the transformative power of higher education.

Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Sievers said, "Vincennes University's tuition freeze is more than a financial decision. It's a mission-driven choice to remove barriers and expand opportunity. We know that college costs can make or break a student's decision to pursue a degree or certificate. This decision is one of many ways VU shows up for students and families, balancing dreams with budgets. VU's leadership proudly supports a university that walks the talk regarding student-first policies and long-term affordability."

Alongside the tuition freeze, the Trustees approved a biennial budget of $340.9 million for fiscal years 2025-2027.

This budget sustains VU's benchmark of keeping tuition under the value of a full Pell Grant.

Investing in Student Success

Students seeking the highest return on investment in Indiana's higher education landscape will find it at VU. A remarkable 89% of first-time, full-time VU students receive scholarships, grants, or both, providing them with real financial relief and increased opportunities for success.

VU awarded more than $7.3 million in scholarships for 2024-25, further ensuring student success.

Since its inception in 2021, the Residential Housing Scholarship program alone has saved VU students and families nearly $10 million.

VU is invested in the future of every student it serves, and prioritizing student affordability and access is a powerful testament to how VU matches low cost with high value.

Maintaining Financial Stability and Mission Impact

While continuing to invest significantly in student success, VU is proactively managing budget realities with strategic and forward-looking action.

The 2025-27 budget reflects challenging circumstances, including unavoidable increases in the costs for healthcare, utilities, and supplies. The new budget includes a 5% reduction in state funding for the general fund and specific line items. Additionally, VU will not receive state funding for its broadcasting stations (WVUB and WVUT), and funding has been reduced in areas such as Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) and Adult Basic Education. Furthermore, the State Budget Agency may withhold an additional five percent (or more) of our allocated funds as a reserve. Without any current guarantee that these reserves will be released, this effectively doubles VU's annual appropriation reduction to approximately $5.4 million.

Despite these challenges, modest merit-based salary increase pools have been included in the new budget to ensure competitive compensation continues to align with VU's recent study and strategic plan. Housing rates will increase by 3%, reflecting inflationary pressures in meal plans, utilities, staffing, and maintenance. VU will continue its commitment to offer housing scholarships to on-campus resident students through the 2025-2026 academic year for all those who submit housing applications by July 1, 2025.

To maintain a balanced budget, VU will implement several strategic cost-saving actions. VU will eliminate 16 positions, assess current position openings for potential cuts, and reinstate a hiring freeze. Ongoing spending reviews and the pursuit of external funds will further reinforce the University's fiscal resilience.

Other key meeting highlights include,

• The Board voted to promote Logan Thacker, IT System Administrator, to Professional Staff Level II.
• Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs Tony Hahn provided an overview of Public Law 213-2025, which takes effect on July 1, 2025. The law requires a post-tenure review process for tenured faculty members that measures "productivity." Hahn explained that crafting those metrics at VU will be a careful process, given the University's program mix, lab-oriented programs, hands-on delivery, and teaching mission. Following that presentation, the Board voted to suspend the Post-Tenure review process for 2025-2026 to allow time for the University to establish the new metrics. The process will resume in 2026 and include the three faculty members who would have been reviewed during the 2025-2026 year.
• Executive Director and Chief Information Officer Jaci Lederman presented an update on how VU Information Technology is advancing the University's future. With a strong focus on strategic partnerships, including technology investments, digital transformation, and a culture of caring, VUIT is accelerating change across the University. Lederman debuted a podcast she generated using AI to demonstrate how AI is shaping the future.
• Chairman Sievers, President Johnson, and the Trustees offered sincere appreciation to Dr. Laura Treanor for her visionary leadership as Provost, Senior Vice President of Instructional Services, and Dean of Faculty since 2018.  They also congratulated her on her appointment as the next President of Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Virginia, and wished her well.
• In a powerful show of gratitude, the Board of Trustees recognized Vice President and CFO Tim Eaton with a resolution of appreciation for 36 years of exemplary service upon his upcoming retirement. Eaton's leadership has played a key role in VU's financial strength and long-term success.

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