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(Brian A. Hayum/ Fourth Estate)

BY BRIAN A. HAYUM, STAFF WRITER

On April 10, the George Mason Land Use and Finance Committee approved an amended motion in a 3-1 vote that, if approved by the board on May 1, raises mandatory student fees by $96. The original proposal also included a 2.5% tuition increase, but the amendment, proposed by Board Secretary Armand Alacbay, would delay the tuition increase until fiscal year (FY) 2027. Visitors Robert Pence, Armand Alacbay and Jeffrey A. Rosen voted in favor of  the motion, while Visitor Drew Peterson voted in opposition. 

According to the Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP), the fee supports aspects of student life, specifically, student engagement, recreation, athletics, transportation and health. “These fees are needed to make critical investments in student infrastructure,” said Vice President of Finance Dan Stephens. 

“Without an increase, those might get delayed, and student service levels may be reduced… These additional resources will help us maintain our core mission of access and affordability,” he added.

Recent actions by the Trump administration have raised concerns about the uncertain financial environment that many universities are facing.

 “We are very confident about where we’re headed in FY26, but given this economic uncertainty, we are hoping that you recognize the need to have a steady revenue source,” Stephens said.

 In the past few weeks, President Donald Trump has frozen federal funds for several universities across the country, and has threatened to remove tax-exempt status from schools such as Harvard. 

“We are operating in an environment of almost unprecedented financial uncertainty – arguably greater than the pandemic,” read one presentation slide. 

Student representatives Carolyn Faith Hoffman and Maria Alejandra Romero Cuesta expressed their support for the student fee increase. 

“I do worry about the potential for federal or state funds to be pulled,” Hoffman said, citing that an internal source of revenue could potentially offset any loss from the potential loss of funds. 

Maria Alejandra Romero Cuesta, the undergraduate student representative, agreed with Hoffman. “I think that an increase is necessary,” Cuesta said. “We need to understand that this political climate affects enrollment,” she added. 

Mason’s international reputation is another uncertainty that may affect enrollment and, consequently, finances. “I know there is a lot of fear out there in the international community,” Faculty Representative Mohan Venigalla said. “I would be remiss to think that international enrollments will be as robust as they were this year,”