25-05-2025
UNM student fees will increase for '25-'26 as school looks to bolster athletic funding
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The University of New Mexico (UNM) is looking for ways to bring more funding into their athletic programs, and they're doing it by making students pay more money in student fees to make it happen.
'I think that's pretty ridiculous,' said Marisa Sedillo, a former UNM student who graduated in December.
'I do see the value of school spirit, the school spirit that sports supply,' said Tyler Ackerman, a UNM student.
Earlier this week, UNM's athletic director, Fernando Lovo, asked the Board of Regents to increase student fees by $45 each semester for the 2025-2026 school year. That's a total increase of $90 a year.
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'We currently are about $1 million to $1.5 million deficient in our overall operational budgets, which forces us to fundraise for travel, equipment, nutrition,' Lovo said. 'Things that are basic operational needs for our student athletes to compete at the highest level.'
Reporter: 'Did you guys even know this was happening?'
Student: 'No, I had no idea until now.'
The athletic director argued the university needs this money to financially compete with other Mountain West sports programs. 'There's no good solution to this other than giving you some more money so we can take care of those kids,' said one of the regents during their May 20 meeting. 'I know it's not the answer a lot of people like to hear.'
However, the state legislature has already increased athletic funding for the upcoming year by $3.2 million, and that's not the only price rise. Regents also approved an additional $60 increase per semester, for a total of $120 for the 2026-2027 school year. As it stands, students already pay more than $100 in student fees that go directly to sports.
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'I think any raise in tuition is ridiculous, because I think before UNM can even try to make a case to raise any tuitions, they need to be completely transparent with what they're currently spending their money on,' Sedillo added.
'In the grand scheme of things, with what we're already paying, it's kind of a drop in the bucket,' Ackerman explained.
According to the university, the increase will generate more than $1 million for sports for the upcoming school year, and an additional $4 million for 2026-2027.
'It's tough right now, especially in the current funding environment from the federal government, to ask students to pay more, that isn't going to go necessarily to academics,' said Michael Kearney, a UNM student.
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