Campus life, future tuition, and artificial intelligence took center stage during the Ithaca College Board of Trustees’ fall meeting October 8–10 on South Hill.
Over three days, trustees dove into the college’s key priorities and challenges — from affordability and enrollment to marketing and the state of higher education nationwide.
Engaging with the past and future
For the first time, the board welcomed back former trustees in a new initiative called the Council of Former Trustees. Led by Chair Emeritus David H. Lissy ’87 and Honorary Trustee James W. Nolan Jr. ’77, the group brings together decades of institutional knowledge to support the college’s future.
Former trustees toured recent capital projects, attended sessions, and joined current members for lunch with scholarship recipients. They also sat in on a panel with the school deans and a presentation about artificial intelligence by Dave Weil ’87, MS ’89, the college’s senior vice president for strategic services and initiatives.
Spotlight on Music, Theatre, and Dance
Board members got a hands-on look at Ithaca’s newest school, Music, Theatre, and Dance. Dean Steve TenEyck gave an overview of the school’s direction before trustees tried out instruments at the Whalen Center and got a backstage view of student design and performance work in Dillingham Center.
They also met with students, faculty, and staff to learn more about the immersive, collaborative training that defines the MTD experience.
Tuition changes for 2026–27
During its business session, the board approved a modest increase in tuition, room, and board for the 2026–27 academic year. Most returning students will see a 3.9% increase in direct costs. The exact amount varies by class year, following the IC Commitment model, which aims to give students financial predictability during their time at the college.
Leaders said the goal is to balance affordability with the need to invest in the student experience.
Faculty honored, questions welcomed
The board also joined faculty and staff for the annual Tenure and Promotion Dinner, recognizing professors who earned tenure, promotion, Dana Professorships, or emeritus status in 2024–25.
On the final day, Board Chair John Neeson ’84 and Vice Chair Christopher Palmieri ’96 held a public Q&A to share meeting takeaways and hear from the campus community. Topics ranged from artificial intelligence and federal pressures to the challenges of shrinking resources and how the college tracks its progress.
President La Jerne Terry Cornish and other leaders will share more at the upcoming State of the College address on October 21.
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