JLARC reports finds Mary Washington is facing “some viability risk” due to aging campus facilities and financing
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Signs preventing the use of Ball Circle are once again put up as efforts to revitalize the dead grass are made to upkeep the natural beauty and heart of campus. This is a part of the ongoing maintenance efforts that disrupt students' experience at UMW. | Abbey Magnet, The Weekly Ringer
by ENYA CEA-LAVIN
Staff Writer
A report published by Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission earlier this month found the University of Mary Washington to have “some viability risks.” The report cited factors such as aging buildings and tuition costs as primary concerns.
According to the report, total enrollment declined 23% between 2016 and 2023. While the university has recently stabilized enrollment, offering continued discounted tuition has harmed the institution financially. As a result, the report suggests that UMW has indicated that it would halt these discounts, subsequently raising tuition costs.
Similarly, aging facilities that require extensive maintenance have contributed to the viability risks. The report found that UMW has the second oldest campus facilities among all public four-year institutions in the Commonwealth.
The report asserts that UMW may struggle to ” retain and recruit ” students because of factors such as ongoing construction projects to repair dated facilities and gradual tuition changes.
Recently, UMW has made an effort to address some of the concerns cited in the report. Specifically, the university has invested in construction projects to maintain and repair historic buildings on campus. The report states that UMW has nearly $200 million in funding to “build a new theatre building, renovate three academic buildings and undertake various accessibility and maintenance projects.”
Although the university is working to address some of the concerns associated with the aging campus, current students remain frustrated with the ongoing disruptions. The Underground Utilities Project, which lasted for four years and sought to replace outdated piping, demonstrated the issues associated with an aging campus.
The physical appearance of a campus under constant construction can potentially deter prospective students. Kendra White, a junior biomedical major, believes the ongoing construction has contributed to a decrease in UMW’s overall charm.
“I feel like UMW would look more appealing if it wasn’t being renovated all the time,” she said.
The university has also made recent adjustments to tuition costs to address some of the financial concerns associated with the discounted rates. This semester, the total tuition increase for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus with a meal plan is 4% for those in-state and 3.4% for those out-of-state.
“If [the tuition increase] was happening my freshman year I think I would attempt to find a cheaper college due to the financial situation that I have,” said White.
Ultimately, the report recommends that the university take several steps to address the viability risks identified. In addition to ongoing monitoring and assessment, the report “suggests actions such as adding or eliminating academic programs, reducing spending in specific areas, or developing new community or regional partnerships.”
