In a busy November session, the TCU Board of Trustees took action on topics ranging from campus expansion, facilities growth, resource development and tuition and financial aid. “In order for TCU to develop into a more excellent private university, continued investments are necessary in school programs and facilities and in the people who use them,” the university said in a press statement after the board meeting.

“Our students desire a high-quality educational experience, so our investment in people, programs and facilities is vital to delivering that,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “This type of experience proves valuable when we examine the number of students who find jobs, go on to graduate school and, ultimately, become leaders in the global community. Acknowledging that all deserve to attain this, but not all have the means, we must continue investing in financial aid to help those who need financial support to obtain a TCU degree.”

A summary of the Trustees’ actions:

Tuition/ Financial aid
– Raised tuition by 5.5 percent to $38,510 for undergraduates for the 2014-15 academic year; graduate hourly tuition increased by 5.5 percent to $1,340 per semester hour (Master of Liberal Arts program at $810 per semester hour)
– Increased institutional financial aid (need-based assistance and merit-based scholarships) by 10 percent, or about $10 million

Facility growth
– Approved a fund-raising effort for the $75 million first phase of an expansion to the Neeley School of Business
– Approved a $2 million capital project for the first phase of improvements to the campus data center
– Approved a $37.5 million renovation to the Mary Couts Burnett Library
– Approved construction of a $22 million Multipurpose Facility in the Worth Hills campus
– Approved a $50-plus-million renovation to Daniel-Meyer Coliseum (pending donor support)

Program advancement
– Approved the renaming of the College of Communication to the Bob Schieffer College of Communication