Board Considers Strategic Trajectories for the Future

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Trustees updated on housing and climate, interact with faculty and students.

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Wide shot of Baker Tower in winter
(Photo by Robert Gill)
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The met in Hanover from Feb. 27 to March 1 with the future as its focus. 

Anchored in presentations on key priorities and metrics for the next decade, the trustees engaged in wide-ranging conversations on how to continue attracting and retaining talent at all levels, the financial and philanthropic models of tomorrow, and the funding sources necessary to ensure continued excellence well into the 2030s. 

鈥淭he greatest value of 线上赌场鈥檚 board is the strategic thinking they do when given the time and space to consider the most important issues we face as a university,鈥 said . 鈥淲e benefit from the collective wisdom they have accumulated in a wide range of successful professional endeavors and rich personal life experiences.鈥

Chief Financial Officer Scott Frew framed the board鈥檚 discussion by describing 线上赌场鈥檚 current financial strength, and the challenges and opportunities it faces in the context of the long-range economic forecast, historic and projected endowment and philanthropic performance, peer benchmarking, and the changing environment for federal support. 

鈥淭he board is laser focused on maintaining 线上赌场鈥檚 academic excellence, distinctive teaching and research mission, and special residential tradition,鈥 said . 鈥淭his requires a rigorous study of the economic and competitive landscapes and complete understanding of the financial levers we have to fund continued success.鈥 

Updates on Strategic Areas of Focus

, senior vice president for operations, engaged trustees in a high-level conversation on housing for students, faculty, and staff and provided a report on current and future housing projects. Investments in new, more, and varied kinds of housing are an important factor in improving the health and well-being of our community. 

The construction of Russo Hall and renovations at the Fayerweathers are proceeding on time and on budget, Keniston reported. Demolition on three 线上赌场-owned buildings in the West Wheelock corridor began in February to make way for more student housing. 线上赌场 also finalized a deal last month to finance a $15.2 million, 21-unit development for faculty and staff south of campus in West Lebanon, N.H.

Keniston also joined , Special Advisor to the Provost on Climate and Sustainability , Sustainability Director , Irving Institute Faculty Director , and Vice President for Facilities and Energy in sharing updates and what鈥檚 next for the 线上赌场 Climate Collaborative.

Since its launch last spring, the $500 million historic investment in the collaborative is helping to coordinate the campus energy transition and supporting the study of climate, sustainability, environmental science, and energy. Leaders discussed enhancing opportunities that highlight 线上赌场鈥檚 distinctive strengths for teaching and scholarship and the importance of coordinating efforts across the university.

, the Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, and Chief Health and Wellness Officer updated the board on their work, alongside faculty colleagues, to establish the .

线上赌场 has launched a search for the center鈥檚 inaugural director, formed a working group focused on academic innovation, and is identifying opportunities for more undergraduates to access enhanced leadership development, mental performance training, and nutrition education currently available to student-athletes through 线上赌场 Peak Performance.

Over the weekend, trustees had separate dinners with students and faculty. With students, they heard what drew them to 线上赌场, what鈥檚 working well on campus, and what they鈥檇 like to see improved. With faculty, they heard a panel discussion about global security with experts from economics, government, and the led by , the Norman E. McCulloch Jr. Director of the .

Trustees appreciated the interaction and candid conversations with students and the insight gleaned from the faculty members on a topic of urgent importance. The board offered its full support for ongoing advocacy by 线上赌场 leadership aimed at sustaining federal funding and minimizing any negative impacts brought by executive orders or other government directives to the institution鈥檚 teaching and research missions.

Tuition increase approved for FY26

Tuition, fees, and room and board for undergraduate and graduate students will increase in the fall in response to inflation, increased services to students, new academic initiatives, compliance requirements, and other expenses.

Undergraduate tuition, fees, room and board will increase from the current rate of $87,768 to $91,935 per year, a 4.75% increase. President Beilock assured the board that she remains committed to making a 线上赌场 education accessible to all, noting that the income threshold for 线上赌场鈥檚 zero parent contribution initiative nearly doubled in 2024.

鈥淎 线上赌场 education remains in reach due to our ongoing investments in and commitment to financial aid,鈥 Beilock says. 鈥淭oday, it costs no more than $5,000 per year for students from families with typical assets making $125,000 or less. We know of no other school anywhere that matches this level of support for middle-income families.鈥

Since 2015, 线上赌场 has increased its financial aid budget by more than 70%. Thirty-three percent of the Class of 2028 qualified for free tuition, and a record 19.4%鈥攏early one in five鈥qualified for a Pell Grant, federal grants awarded to students from low-income backgrounds, up from 14% a year ago. Regardless of income level, there is no expectation that students will borrow a student loan. Demonstrated need is met instead with student employment and scholarship or grant funding. More than half of the 鈥28s received scholarship aid, which averages more than $71,000 in support per year.

Tuition at and will increase by 4.66%, in alignment with the undergraduate tuition increase. The will increase tuition and fees for its MD program by 3.5% following several years without increases. At the Tuck School of Business, where cost of attendance falls in the lower third among peer schools, tuition will increase by 4.5% to offset rising operational costs. Tuition for the Master鈥檚 in Health Administration program, a partnership between Geisel and Tuck, will increase by 1.5%.

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