Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Tuition, fee increases on the table Proposal open for comment until April 15 Dakota Steffen ARGONAUT The cost of tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 academic is proposed to rise about 5% to about $9,872.
The tentative tuition and fee rates at the University of Idaho for the 2026-27 academic year will be presented to the State Board of Education on April 15-16. Until then, students, staff and faculty are welcome to provide feedback by emailing studentfees@uidaho.edu or by contacting Trina Bower, vice president of University Budget and Planning, at tmahoney@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-4387.
In the initial notice, Green primarily addressed the proposed tuition increase, explaining it will be necessary to address rising costs driven by inflation, including expenses related to information technology, utilities and health benefits, while also supporting institutional growth. For full-time undergraduate students, resident tuition would increase from $3,514 to
$3,738 per semester, an increase of 6.4%; nonresident tuition from $13,132 to $13,356 per semester, an increase of 1.7%; and Western Undergraduate Exchange tuition would increase from $5,271 to $5,607 per semester, an increase of 6.4%. For part-time undergraduate students, resident tuition would increase from $418 to $440 per credit, or 5.3%, and non-resident tuition would
increase from $1,380 to $1,402 per credit, or 1.6%. Graduate full-time rates would increase from $4,380 to $4,604 per semester, 5.1%, for residents and from $13,998 to $14,222 per semester, 1.6%, for non-residents. Part-time graduate rates would increase from $566 to $591 per credit, 4.4%, for residents and from $1,635 to $1,660 per credit, 1.5%, for non-residents. Green also highlighted an activity fee increase for the Counseling and Mental Health Center, which is expected to generate approximately $200,000 for the department. The consolidated mandatory fee would increase from $1,186 to $1,198 per semester, 1%, for full-time students, while
the part-time student fee of $52 would not change. The fee covers Student Enrollment, Engagement and Success ($140.89); Institutional Operations, Services and Support ($756.50); Student Health and Wellness ($227.55); Student Government ($68.73); and the optional portion of the Student Government fee ($4.33). Professional fees, which include the doctor of psychology, directentry master of science in nursing, art and architecture and law programs, are not projected to change. Certain program fees, which are paid instead of regular tuition, are projected to increase, while others will decrease slightly. Most of these program fees will not change.
Moscow shows up in third “No Kings” protest Community comes alive as national turnout grows Sam Walsh ARGONAUT
John Keegan | Argonaut
Ian Ehrhart of Jesus Christ Taxi Driver leans over in a hairwhip at the Cyclops Stage in Boise. See Treefort Gallery, page 8
Programs, staff reductions among impacts of state budget cuts on UI Cuts total 8% for 2026 despite university growth Joshua Reisenfeld ARGONAUT The University of Idaho will have to cut at least $6.7 million from its current budget, and $8.4 million from the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The Idaho legislature voted March 2 to add another 1% cut for FY26, on top of a 3% cut
passed in the fall, to UI’s general education budget. Legislators also voted for a permanent 5% reduction beginning in FY27. According to an email to the university from President Scott Green, rising health care costs and a $2 million holdback of other funds will result in the financial impact on UI for FY26 being closer to an 8% budget cut, or approximately $13 million. “Since the holdback was issued last summer, the
Reagan Jones | Argonaut
A DancersDrummersDreamers member performs on March 25
university has been aware that additional recissions may be made. For more than six months we have worked to identify areas where additional saving may be found such as deferring spending and salary savings,” said Jody Walker, executive director of communications at UI, in an email to The Argonaut. UI will handle staff cuts through voluntary retirement incentives, according to Walker, as well as delaying hiring and eliminating open positions. “This will increase student-to-faculty ratios, reduce student support services and slow research competitiveness and innovation that benefits Idaho industries and communities,” wrote Green. Student advising, tutoring, career services and other academic support functions will also be limited with less staff. According to Walker, every college has been asked to cut its budget equally for FY27. Some
impacts are already visible with the College of Natural Resources announcing it will discontinue the forest and sustainable products undergraduate program due to lower enrollment. In engineering and other high-cost programs, enrollment will be capped and limits will be placed on sections for high-volume classes. According to Green, these actions help control costs but will extend the time needed for some students to earn a degree. “Capacity lost through permanent reductions cannot be quickly rebuilt,” Green said. These budget cuts come as UI continues to expand, with 10 continuous semesters of growth reported after spring 2026 and UI investing $162 million into student dormitory and apartment construction projects. Most recently, UI purchased a piece of property near campus for $1.6 million with plans to connect UI to downtown Moscow.
On March 28, Moscow participated in the third “No Kings” protest that was held in thousands of cities across the U.S. and multiple countries. Protesters held signs denouncing the current administration and gave speeches before marching to a busy intersection to demonstrate. Moscow’s protest started in Friendship Square downtown, where speakers tested the audience’s civic knowledge by asking questions like who was running for governor in the state, as well as ensuring participants’ voter eligibility. Community members organized stands for demonstrators to make their own signs. The protest moved to Ghormley Park, where co-organizer Brandon Urie of Indivisible Moscow
thanked participants for the large turnout. The crowd practiced their chants before moving to the intersection of Pullman Road and Stadium Drive. Cars whizzed by and honked their horns for the chanting demonstrators. “Congress needs to push back on the president,” said a demonstrator. “They have laid down and are doing nothing—with the war, the tariffs, with everything…In the state of Idaho, we need to be an independent state and not bow down to the president.” Participants said this protest was about reaching the people of the U.S. just as much as the leaders, that people need to ask, “What is this president doing for me?” and “What is he doing for our democracy?” They also emphasized the administration’s unjust treatment of students, who are “losing the opportunity to go to a university that is fully funded and accepts everyone.” “This is what democracy looks like,” the crowd chanted.
Reagan Jones | Argonaut
UI student Chloe Belfer-Sanford speaks at No Kings Moscow
IN THIS ISSUE
Cruise the World shows global cultures
Blake Sturgis launching into new heights
LIFE, 4 News, 1-3
Life, 4-5
Sports, 6-7
Gallery, 8
Bill against transgender people goes too far
SPORTS, 6 Housing Guide, 9-12
Opinion, 14-15
OPINION, 14 University of Idaho
Volume 127, Issue no. 11
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