Universities with “woke policies” could reportedly see federal research grants withheld under the new Trump administration. (Dec. 2024)
Baylor University regents announced Friday a $250 million scholarship initiative at the same time they increased student tuition by an average of $2,255.
The “Extend the Line” scholarship initiative aims to increase donor support of Baylor scholarships for existing general scholarship programs, new single- and multi-year funding options and full tuition scholarship endowments, with a flexibility aimed at meeting student needs.
Regents raised students’ tuition an average of $2,255 for the next school year, but approved measures to lessen the impact of that increase, including:
Baylor students will pay an extra $2,255 in tuition per school year in 2025-2026. The hike was announced by Baylor regents Friday, along with a $250 million scholarship initiative.
The tuition increase will bring annual Baylor University tuition and fees to $63,620, although most Baylor students receive scholarship or other financial assistance that defrays full tuition.
Baylor regents also approved $8 million to start the initial evaluation work for a proposed $250 million Baylor Energy Complex that would replace the campus’ existing heating and cooling facility, provide underground utility lines and increase capacity to serve future needs.
They also approved $11 million for Phase II of renovations to Kokernot Residence Hall, the last of Baylor’s 10 residence halls to be upgraded. Construction is expected to begin in May with completion by July 2026.
In remarks during an online press conference, President Linda Livingstone said that though universities across the country fear a future “demographic cliff” of fewer college-age students, the pipeline of future Baylor students seemed strong with some 42,000 applicants for admission next year.
She noted, however, the university had graduated large classes totaling nearly 8,000 students in the last two years, and reductions in student enrollment could create budgetary pressures.
Both she and Baylor regents chair Bill Mearse spoke to some of those budget pressures facing administrators and regents: rising health care costs for faculty and staff; increasing bond payments for construction of McLane Stadium and Foster Pavilion; and costs accruing from new state and federal requirements.
Mearse said regents were exploring a comprehensive resource plan that would allow the university to meet rising costs and allow future growth.
One new revenue stream for the university is concerts booked at McLane Stadium and Foster Pavilion, he said. Baylor announced Friday that Grammy Award-nominated Christian artist Forrest Frank would bring his Child of God Tour Part 2 to Foster Pavilion in an April 22 concert.
Livingstone said the recent Trump administration freezes on federal research grants and funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation were “deeply concerning,” particularly the deep cuts in indirect funding that many universities use for administration and research infrastructure.
Asked if those funding cuts could jeopardize Baylor’s R1 research status, Livingstone said Baylor’s research funding needs were below those of some universities where potentially billions of dollars could be a stake. Crucially, changes in federal funding could derail important medical and health care research with serious consequences, she said. “We are deeply concerned about it,” Livingstone said, adding that she hoped universities could engage the administration in conversations about the importance of continued funding.
In another area of national and state attention, the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at many state colleges and universities shouldn’t affect Baylor’s efforts in expanding awareness and study of underrepresented groups, Livingstone said.
Baylor’s concern in those areas flows from the university’s Christian mission, she pointed out. “We lean into the Scripture that calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves,” she said. As a private institution with a religious outlook, Baylor is “well-positioned” to justify and continue its current programs and emphases, the Baylor president said.
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Universities with “woke policies” could reportedly see federal research grants withheld under the new Trump administration. (Dec. 2024)
Baylor students will pay an extra $2,255 in tuition per school year in 2025-2026. The hike was announced by Baylor regents Friday, along with a $250 million scholarship initiative.
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