The Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees approved on May 21 the tuition and fee rates for the 2026-27 academic year, as well as the university’s preliminary budget and a new athletic facilities project. The decisions were made during the board’s spring meeting in La Grande, which focused on fiscal planning, student access, governance, enrollment, and strategic priorities.
Trustees unanimously approved several items: a rates package that includes a 2.7% increase in tuition, a 4.75% increase in room rates, a 4% increase in board rates and meal plans, a $59-per-term decrease in the Student Health Fee, and a $3-per-term increase in the Student Incidental Fee. The board also established an advisory Board Executive Council and agreed to use Oregon State Treasury investment services.
During discussion of tuition increases and student fees, President Kelly Ryan said, “EOU’s value is to try and make higher education as affordable as possible. The number one reason why students don’t go to college is financial. The number one reason why students leave is financial.” Trustees discussed how students participated through the Tuition Advisory Committee and reaffirmed EOU’s commitment to maintaining access despite rising costs.
The preliminary Education and General budget aims to keep university finances near balance while meeting fund balance goals set by trustees. Approval was also given for Phase 1 of the Ballfield Complex project with an estimated cost of $6.6 million; this phase will include South Campus infrastructure upgrades along with basic baseball facilities and initial improvements for softball. Funding sources include capital improvement dollars, sports lottery funding, and donor support—and do not draw from Education & General or tuition funds.
Additional agenda items included reviews of annual key performance indicators related to Ascent 2029—the university’s strategic plan—a trustee enrollment support toolkit presentation; state and federal advocacy updates; shared governance reports; as well as an update from the EOU Foundation on its Centennial Campaign aiming for $17 million over seven years for academic innovation initiatives including scholarships.
President Ryan concluded by acknowledging ongoing challenges but highlighted successes such as graduating seniors’ achievements; Mountaineer athletics’ top rankings; and state or national recognition received by various EOU programs: “Despite the trends in Oregon, there are still things to celebrate at EOU,” Ryan said.
