Dear W&M Colleagues, 

The university is in a season of renewal as our community delves into the strategic planning process. This spring, W&M stakeholders from every corner of the university came to five campus work sessions, contributing their expertise and wisdom.  

For additional engagement, I encourage you to use the Strategic Planning Toolkit. It serves as a resource to explore the process, learn about data related to the university and our place in the higher education landscape, and find opportunities to participate. 

I recognize that this is a busy time for all, and I am grateful for your dedication and hard work. Thank you — for taking the time to engage with the strategic planning process and for all you do each day to promote student success and impactful scholarship. As you pass graduating students this week, in their gowns and celebrating with family and friends, be reminded, too, of the role you played in our students' achievement.

Yours in William & Mary success, 

Mike Todd
Executive Vice President

Emergencies happen at any time — ensuring your emergency contact is up-to-date on an annual basis means that the university and your loved ones can react quickly and confidently as needed.

With health care open enrollment coming up May 15-29, now is a great time to update your personal information to ensure your new insurance cards and FSA credit cards reach you promptly. 

But first — The Budget team's hard work shepherding this process and ensuring the presentation of accurate, actionable information resulted in a confident decision-making process. Please join me in expressing gratitude for a job well done! 

When making decisions around the operating budget and tuition pricing strategy, William & Mary balances affordability and efficiency. 

Leadership asked:

CFO Sean Galloway gives an overview of W&M's budget

The two-year scope continues a biennial budgeting cycle that began in 2024. This gives families a longer runway to plan for tuition costs.

The board approved a 2.9% tuition increase for undergraduate students each year. In addition to tuition, the board approved a 3.1% increase to mandatory fees in FY27 and a 3.5% increase in FY28. Room rates will increase 6.5%, and dining rates will rise 6% in both fiscal years.

The increases address rising costs driven by inflation and other factors while advancing the university’s most strategic priorities.

William & Mary’s main sources of revenue include tuition and fees, which bring in about 66% of the university’s operating revenue. The state provides William & Mary with about 15% of its total operating budget.

Nearly 80% of William & Mary’s expenditures are devoted to core academic, research, support and financial aid functions.

William & Mary strives to be a good steward of its resources. 

In fact, S&P Global recently reaffirmed William & Mary’s AA credit and bond rating with a stable outlook. The AA status means that the university has a very strong capacity to meet its financial obligations.

The tuition changes amount for a significant, but not singular impact. 

The hiring slowdown, for example, helped form a more efficient centralized review process. The effort is institution-wide; every unit has contributed to expense reallocations.

When the university builds effective, scalable systems and processes, we reduce risk and minimize reactive decision-making. The end result is an operational ecosystem that will save money and keep downward pressure on tuition.

Figures include actual savings from FY26 and  projections for FY27.

The net price of a William & Mary education – the amount students pay after aid and grants – remains one of the lowest in the state. On average, William & Mary offers the most generous institutional financial aid of any Virginia public university. 

Ranked among 15 Virginia public universities, William & Mary is

In 2026, fewer W&M graduates have loans. Those who do, owe less. 

The university provides education at top value, with strong graduate outcomes.

William & Mary spends with our core mission in mind — to offer a world-class education in a preeminent, public research university.

Information Technology transitioned to a new support portal at gethelp.wm.edu on  Tuesday, May 12. 

You will continue to receive the same high-quality support as you always have by calling 757-221-HELP, emailing support@wm.edu, and using the online chat.

View the full announcement on the web for more details.

Over the last year, the new Policy Review Working Group has developed a systematic workflow to handle new policies and update approvals, and has established a cyclical review cadence and structures supporting policy stewardship. 

If you are a policy owner, please work with your department head to flag policies that may need to be reviewed or working policies that need to be formalized. 

University policies are maintained by the Office of Compliance & Equity and active policies are accessible through the OCE webpage.

Congratulations to Debi Jarvis on her richly deserved recognition as William & Mary's 2026 Duke Award winner.

University Human Resources builds momentum daily on the work and culture Debi has nourished across many roles.

Administrative professionals across William & Mary gathered on April 14 for “Heart of Campus,” an event held to recognize their contributions and provide opportunities for professional development and connection. 

The conference welcomed approximately 120 staff members to the School of Education for workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities focused on strengthening workplace skills and fostering collaboration. 

Congratulations to all of W&M's 2026 Inclusive Excellence Champions!

Your leadership and dedication to initiatives advancing inclusive excellence drives the university forward. While not all champions are pictured, a full list  is available online.

Explore W&M's historic botanical legacy — or plan your own woody walking tour — on the new Arboretum Explorer, an interactive online platform that provides mapped locations, photographs, conservator notes and additional resources.

This federal extension gives us more time to strengthen accessibility across our digital environment, with a focus on sustainable, long-term practices. Visit wm.edu/digitalaccessibility to keep up with the latest news.

W&M's new partners will elevate our merchandise selection, streamline the course materials process, and increase affordable resources. The brick-and-mortar store will remain in the Triangle Building.

University Events & Closures

May 14 - 16 | Commencement Weekend  

May 15 - 19 | Benefits Open Enrollment

May 25 | Memorial Day | Offices closed. Classes may meet. 

June 19 | Juneteenth | Offices closed. Classes may meet. 

July 3 | Independence Day | Offices closed. Classes may meet.