DEMING — The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents has approved tuition and fees for the 2026–2027 academic year while also advancing plans to purchase a former elementary school facility to expand early childhood education programs.
The decisions were made during a hybrid board meeting held Friday, April 10. University officials reported there will be no increase in tuition or student fees for the upcoming academic year, marking the third consecutive year without a tuition increase.
University leaders say required student fees will continue to support recent campus improvements, including renovations to the softball complex and construction of a climbing wall in the university gym. The Follett Access program, which provides required textbooks to students, will also continue, with students retaining the option to opt out at the beginning of each semester.
During the meeting, the board also reviewed the university’s third-quarter financial certification for fiscal year 2026. Officials reported no issues with university balances and noted that financial reserves remain above the required three percent threshold.
In addition to financial matters, regents authorized the university to move forward with pursuing the purchase of the former Sixth Street Elementary School from the Silver Consolidated Schools District for approximately 1.4 million dollars. University officials say the facility will house the College of Education’s early childhood programs, including the New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education.
Interim President Chris Maples says the building will provide more space at a lower cost than constructing a new facility and could be ready for use as early as the fall of 2027, pending final approvals from state agencies.
The purchase proposal must still be reviewed by the Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education, the New Mexico Higher Education Department, a state capital outlay committee and the State Board of Finance before the transaction can be finalized.
The next Western New Mexico University Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for April 24.
