UCM Board Greenlights Renovations, Tuition Changes

A panel of student-athletes addressed the board’s Student Engagement and University Advancement committee, offering insights on balancing academics and athletics and illustrating the positive impact of collegiate sports on personal and professional development. 

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Board of Governors met March 27, 2025, on the Warrensburg campus to approve several significant initiatives aimed at improving university facilities, expanding academic offerings and enhancing student success.

 

Prior to the plenary session, a panel of student-athletes addressed the board’s Student Engagement and University Advancement committee, offering insights on balancing academics and athletics and illustrating the positive impact of collegiate sports on personal and professional development. 

Business approved by the board included awarding a $761,404.04 contract to Civic Elite Contracting Inc. to renovate the kitchen at Traditions Restaurant at Mules National Golf Club and add a conference room and four-seasons room. This expansion will improve dining efficiency and enhance the venue for meetings and special events.

 

The board approved a $1,092,735 change order for Centric Projects LLC to replace the exterior windows in the Humphreys Building. This upgrade will help ensure the facility’s long-term sustainability and functionality. Renovation construction services are funded by a state allocation.

 

An initial 15-month contract, from April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with four additional one-year renewal options, was approved for Bucket Media Inc. to manage UCM’s digital marketing. This partnership will strategize, implement, monitor and report on UCM digital marketing efforts.

 

Overall current enrollment figures were reviewed. Spring headcount stands at 12,782, reflecting a decrease of 952 students (6.9 percent), and credit hours are down by 10,138 (8.6 percent). UCM’s five-year average for spring enrollment is 12,241 headcount and 110,268 credit hours. 2025 marks the highest undergraduate spring enrollment at UCM in the last five years.

 

The board authorized a new minor in Information Technology, housed in the Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Responding to the growing need for technology professionals, this option gives both nontechnical and technical students an opportunity to develop foundational IT skills. Graduates will also gain the base knowledge needed to pursue industry-recognized certifications.

The governors received a report on curriculum updates for the 2025-2026 academic year, reflecting UCM’s ongoing commitment to aligning academic programs with workforce demands. Four degree options, two certificates and one cooperative program were approved for deletion or abeyance. The board also heard faculty promotion and tenure decisions, recognizing educators who have demonstrated exemplary teaching and scholarship.

 

The board approved new student instructional tuition and general fees for the 2025-2026 academic year, effective fall 2025. The in-state tuition rate for undergraduate Missouri residents will increase from $285 to $297 per credit hour, and the on-campus resident graduate rate will rise 9 percent to $399.50 per credit hour. 

 

Other adjustments for 2025-2026 include an 18 percent decrease in nonresident graduate tuition; increases of 4.7 percent for online and hybrid graduate courses, 4.1 percent for online doctoral programs, 3.9 percent for Business graduate studies and 4.5 percent for Computer Science and Computer Information Systems graduate rates; cohort undergraduate and graduate tuition increases of 3.9 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively; and 4.2 percent and 9 percent increases for entrepreneurial undergraduate and graduate rates. Professional development courses will rise by 6 percent and limited-cost courses by 4.2 percent, while dual credit and dual enrollment rates remain unchanged.

 

Updates were delivered from the UCM Student Government Association, Faculty Senate, Staff Council and the UCM Alumni Foundation.

 

Emeritus status was granted effective March 31, 2025, to Instructional Design Specialist Terry McNeeley (Jan. 4, 1993, to March 31, 2025), Assistant Director of Police Operations Maj. Daniel Othic (July 15, 1998, to March 31, 2025) and Director of the University Store Charles Rutt (Aug. 1, 1980, to March 31, 2025).