TCU students may soon gain a better understanding of where their tuition dollars go, thanks to a new bill passed by the Student Government Association. The tuition transparency proposal, approved by SGA earlier this month, aims to make budget information easier to access and understand for the student body.
The bill calls for visual displays, including pie charts and statements, showing how funds are spent both at the university and SGA levels. While detailed line items will not be posted, students will be able to see overall categories and percentages of spending. SGA plans to post graphics on social media and create a dedicated tuition transparency tab on its website.
“Students and parents investing in this experience should know where their money is going and why,” said Max Borchert, a sophomore finance and entrepreneurship major and SGA representative. “By providing this information, students can give feedback on where money should be spent.”
The initiative builds on ongoing conversations between SGA and university leadership about how to make budget information more accessible to students.
Reagan Stephens, the student body president and senior political science major, said the bill grew from discussions with Vice Chancellor William J. Nunez and his team.
“Little do students know, this information is already available on TCU’s website, but it’s hard to find so students don’t see it,” Stephens said. “This resolution makes it more accessible and understandable, using simple graphics and easy-to-follow explanations.”
SGA social media will feature a “MythBusters” post in the coming weeks to clarify common misconceptions about TCU’s spending, such as tuition funding fireworks, flowers or the fall concert.
The bill now moves to the Faculty Senate for review. If approved, SGA hopes the project will strengthen communication between students and administration, encourage informed feedback and give students confidence in how tuition funds are managed.
“Ultimately, we want students to be informed and see this as impactful,” Stephens said. “We want them to say, ‘I’m so glad this information is available.’”
