[STOCKTON UNIVERSITY–] Stockton University’s Finance and Professional Services Committee of the Board of Trustees met on March 3 for their annual tuition hearing.

Opening remarks by Timothy Lowry, Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees, explained the legal obligations of the meeting, “Stockton…is required by state statute to hold this public hearing to discuss our schedule of tuition and fees.”

Trustee Lowry then emphasized the importance of hearing student feedback in such an important decision: “this hearing is an opportunity for transparency and the beginning of that dialogue. Your voices, your perspectives and your concerns matter. They matter to us, they matter to the faculty, and they inform the work that we do.”

Proposed tuition and fee increases at 2, 3, and 4 % were provided to students via their Stockton GoPortal beforehand and are still available to view.

Jennifer Potter, Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer, offered some background information on how the annual hearing was prepared and outlined several key factors the board considers while evaluating tuition, fees, and room and board rates. 

Potter explained that in the past they have held the annual tuition hearing in different ways, such as during a Board of Trustees meeting or, during Covid, a Qualtrics survey, but this year they held an independent meeting provided by the Finance and Professional Services Committee in person and on Zoom.

Potter mentioned that “when the board is making decisions about tuition, fee, room and board increases, they consider many things, most importantly today’s feedback from the community.” 

In addition to community feedback, the board considers the availability of state funding–which is expected to take a $4 million decline–current student charges at Stockton (and peer institutions in New Jersey), availability of federal, state and institutional aid for students, and efforts to improve graduation rates, reduce student debt, and Stockton’s immediate and long term strategic priorities. 

Trustee Lowry then opened the floor to priorly submitted comments, many came from students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) 2028 program, as well as upset students and faculty.

Faculty member Robin Hernandez McKinnon’s comment read: “In light of the recent information regarding the management and presidential raises…I would ask that we reconsider raising tuition on our students who are often struggling to eat and pay their tuition while enriching the salaries of those who are amply comfortable in their earnings. It seems quite tone deaf to be giving presidential bonuses on the backs of our students.”

This is referencing President Joe Berolino’s salary increase under his new contract starting in July of 2026 in which he will have a $50,000 increase from his current salary. This adds up to a yearly salary of $450,000. Additionally, President Joe can earn an annual incentive bonus of between $50,000-$100,000 a year based on performance starting in 2027 (NJ.com).

Five DPT students commented, their comments explained that if tuition were to increase for doctoral programs it would cause much financial stress and greater debt when graduating due to the debt to income ratio in the profession, “DPT graduates already carry substantial debt and the debt to income ratio in our profession is widely recognized as challenging” stated Colin Bradley.

Kaden Ryan, Student Senate President, asked to clarify the state budget, how students are going to advocate for their university and “how anticipated housing renovations affect our housing costs?”

President Joe responded by explaining that the majority of Stockton’s budget goes to personnel (faculty and staff) and in the past with funding decreases they have been able to successfully restore those funds as to properly pay per contracts at the university.

He then went on to explain about the possibility of renovating Housing 1 (Lakeside) since it was built shortly after the university was opened 50+ years ago. The estimated cost for renovation lies in the $75 million range, but the university is working to “trim that down.”

Another student, Jecce Harriott, spoke up about his struggles with tuition and room and board, “I’m an EOF student…even with my grants and my scholarships, I struggle to pay for my housing and if I do not have my housing on Stockton campus, I have nowhere to live. With the cost of housing being nearly, if not, double of my tuition, causes a lot of stress on top of caring for myself as a chronically ill and disabled person and student. I am unable to work a regular job due to my disability while being a full time student. How are you going to take into account students like myself when deciding on housing and tuition and fees?”

President Joe affirmed the idea that they consider all students who have all levels of aid in their tuition decisions, especially due to the high number of students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant at Stockton alone. “I also think it’s important to remember that most of the folks around the table went to Stockton or went to a public institution and have been in similar positions where they didn’t have the dollars either.” Bertolino emphasized.

Finally, final tuition, fees, room and board proposals will be reviewed by the Finance and Professional Services committee in May and presented to the full board at the May 7 board meeting.