Regents begin considering budget scenarios for 2025-26
The Board of Regents last week began considering budget scenarios for the 2025-26 fiscal year, including possible increases in state funding, tuition and fees, and compensation.
Chad Marturano, vice president and chief financial officer for the CU system, presented the budget proposals during the second day of the board’s Feb. 6-7 meeting at CU Boulder. Details varied among three scenarios, differing based on potential variations in state funding, tuition and fees, and compensation.
Depending on the amount of state investment, undergraduate resident tuition rates at CU Boulder could range between 2.3% and 4.0% for new, incoming students; continuing students are assured of no increases because of the campus tuition guarantee. At CU Denver, undergraduate resident tuition increases may range between 2.3% and 4.4%. At UCCS, undergraduate resident tuition increases may range between 2.3% and 4.5%. At CU Anschutz, a tuition increase for undergraduate resident nursing program students is planned at 2.1%.
“It is important to note the connection between state funding and keeping tuition in check,” said CU President Todd Saliman. “When state funding is higher, tuition increases are lower.”
Proposed fees vary by campus.
Compensation increases of 2.5% are proposed across the system, with caveats. Classified employees would see a 2.5% increase, based on the state pending action. CU Boulder and CU Anschutz are assuming a 2.5% merit increase, plus a 1.5% pool for compression, retention and equal pay. At CU Denver and UCCS, increases of 2.5% for merit, compression, retention and equal pay would take effect by meeting enrollment revenue thresholds. CU system administration is considering a 2.5% merit pool increase.
Hourly minimum wage rates for most staff and student employees are planned to increase at varying amounts at the four campuses.
Challenges affecting budgeting across the campuses and system include uncertain state and federal funding, enrollment, market pressure on compensation, increases in mandatory costs brought on by inflation, increased need for student financial aid and student support services, deferred maintenance, and information technology needs.
While enrollment projections will be refined in the months ahead, overall enrollment at CU Boulder is projected to rise 1.3% in the fall of 2025 primarily driven by improved undergraduate student retention. CU Denver is projecting a 1.8% decrease in overall enrollment in 2025-26. UCCS is projecting a 1.9% decrease in overall enrollment in 2025-26. CU Anschutz is projecting an overall enrollment increase of 3.1% for 2025-26.
At its April meeting, the board will receive budget resolutions with recommended tuition, compensation and fee changes. A final vote on the budget is expected at the June regents meeting.
In other business at the Feb. 6-7 meeting, the Board of Regents reelected Callie Rennison as chair and Ken Montera as vice chair, both by acclamation, for the coming year.
Two regents whose terms on the board ended in January were honored and named regents emereti. The board passed resolutions of appreciation for Regent Lesley Smith and Regent Glen Gallegos.
The board formally recognized five members of the newest cohort of Distinguished Professors, first named last November. Four CU Boulder faculty members – Hanspeter Schaub, Lee Niswander, Pieter Johnson and Robert Erickson – and CU Denver’s Christopher Weible attended and received the official awards, CU’s highest honor for faculty across the system’s four campuses.
CU Distinguished Professors are tenured faculty members who demonstrate exemplary performance in research or creative work; a record of excellence in promoting learning and student attainment of knowledge and skills; and outstanding service to the profession, the university and its affiliates. The remaining four members of the 2024 cohort of Distinguished Professors – Nancy F. Krebs, Donald Y.M. Leung, Jill M. Norris and Kurt R. Stenmark – will be recognized at a Board of Regents meeting later this year.
A panel discussion with faculty members from each of the four campuses delved into the ethical questions posed by the rise of AI. Michael Lightner, vice president of academic affairs, moderated the panel and Q&A session with the board.
Planned improvements at CU Boulder’s University Memorial Center received board approval. Read more in CU Boulder Today.
Regents approved the UCCS 10-Year Facility Plan. Read more in Communique.
CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen took part in his first board meeting since taking his leadership post this month. Read more in CU Denver News.