EOU Board approves 2026-27 rates, budget, and Ballfield Complex project

EOU Board approves 2026-27 rates, budget, and Ballfield Complex project

EOU Board approves 2026-27 rates, budget, and Ballfield Complex project

LA GRANDE, Ore. - The Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees concluded its spring meeting May 21 after two days of public sessions focused on fiscal planning, student access, board governance, enrollment, and strategic priorities.

In unanimous votes, trustees approved the rates package for the 2026-27 tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board; the establishment of an advisory Board Executive Council; the preliminary Education and General budget; the use of the Oregon State Treasury for investment services; and the EOU Ballfield Complex project.

The approved tuition rate package includes a 2.7% increase, a 4.75% increase in room rates, a 4% increase in board rates and meal plans, and a $59-per-term decrease in the Student Health Fee, and a $3-per-term increase in the Student Incidental Fee. Trustees discussed the shared-governance process behind the recommendation, including student participation on the Tuition Advisory Committee, as well as EOU's guiding principle of maintaining access and value amid rising costs and constrained state funding.

"EOU's value is to try and make higher education as affordable as possible," President Kelly Ryan said during the tuition discussion. "The number one reason why students don't go to college is financial. The number one reason why students leave is financial."

The preliminary budget keeps the university near balance while maintaining the Board's fund balance goals. Trustees also approved the Ballfield Complex project, advancing a refined $6.6 million Phase 1 scope that includes South Campus infrastructure, a basic competition baseball facility, and initial softball improvements. The project is funded through capital improvement and renewal dollars, sports lottery funding and donor support, and does not include Education and General or tuition dollars.

Beyond the action items, trustees reviewed annual key performance indicators tied to Ascent 2029, the university's strategic plan; received a trustee enrollment support toolkit; heard state and federal advocacy updates; and received shared governance reports. The EOU Foundation also briefed trustees on the leadership phase of the Eastern Oregon University Centennial Campaign, with a seven-year, $17 million working goal focused on academic innovation, student scholarships, a vibrant university experience, and Mountaineer athletic facilities.

President Ryan noted to the Board that despite some challenging trends across the state, there are still great things to celebrate about EOU, including graduating seniors and their successes, top rankings with Mountaineer athletics, and state and national recognition of EOU programs. "Despite the trends in Oregon, there are still things to celebrate at EOU," President Ryan said.