Proposed changes to student fees

The University of West Florida Board of Trustees will consider two proposals related to student fee increases during the BOT meeting on Thursday, April 23, at 9 a.m. The first proposal is to add a $48 material and supply fee and a $50 equipment fee per student for certain courses within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The second proposal is to increase the student athletics fee by $2 per credit hour. If approved, these fees will be effective beginning in the Fall 2026 semester.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering implemented the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in Fall 2016, with an initial enrollment of 27 students. This well-established program has grown over the last nine years, with the most recent headcount of 433 students in Fall 2025. To date, no material and supply or equipment fees have been collected from students for this degree program. The new fees will help recover approximately half of the annual cost of the materials and provide funding to replace some of the equipment required for operation of the labs.

To help offset the direct cost of running the labs, the department is requesting that material and supply fees be charged in the amount of $48 per student for the following courses: EGN 2911L Sophomore Design I, EGN 2912L Sophomore Design II, EGN 3913L Junior Design I, EGN 3914L Junior Design II. A $50 equipment fee is being requested for EML3016L Thermal Systems Lab and EML3172L Mechanics of Materials Lab. These fees will ensure the maintenance and quality of equipment within each lab.

An increase of the UWF student athletic fee by $2 per credit hour was proposed to help strengthen the UWF athletics programs in conjunction with a potential NCAA divisional change with the overall goal of elevating institutional visibility and promoting campus spirit. A Student Athletic Fee Committee with 50% student representation and faculty, staff and trustee representation was established to review the proposed student athletic fee increase, evaluate its potential impact, and consider how the proposed fee increase aligns with institutional priorities and student interests.

The committee was convened to ensure thoughtful review and readiness in the event an increase was deemed necessary. Recommendations made by the committee followed the process outlined in state statute and applicable University governance procedures. The Student Athletic Fee Committee unanimously voted to increase the UWF student athletic fee by up to $2 per credit hour effective beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, contingent on a change in NCAA divisions.

For more information about UWF's Department of Mechanical Engineering, visit uwf.edu/me. For more information about UWF Athletics, visit goargos.com. For more information on UWF's Board of Trustees, visit uwf.edu/trustees. For more information about UWF's student tuition and fees, click here. All UWF public meetings are posted in the UWF events calendar.

In accordance with state law and Florida Board of Governors' regulation, this notice was sent by email to all enrolled students.