Dear TCU Faculty and Staff,
We are now roughly one month away from students returning for the fall semester. Faculty and staff across our campus have invested a significant amount of time and effort this summer to retain a University experience that remains one of the best in the country, and for that, I am grateful.
Even still, I know that COVID-19 has upended almost every aspect of our lives. These difficult times and unusual circumstances have led many families to seek tuition relief. Yesterday, after extensive conversations, Texas Christian University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved $50 million in additional financial aid assistance for the fall semester for students whose courses have been designated online by the University and up to $15 million in financial aid for students who qualify for need-based aid.
TCU has secured cost savings through reduced spending, deferred hiring and trimming operating budgets in order to fund this financial support. We, like so many other universities across the country, have also contemplated furloughs and salary reductions as a possible option to keep the University solvent and meet the crucial financial aid needs of our students and families.
However, I am pleased to inform you that our Board, in recognizing the above cost containment strategies, has asked that we utilize emergency funds the University borrowed at the outset of the pandemic in lieu of making any salary reductions or furloughs at this time. We continue to monitor our environment and remain hopeful that this pandemic will not require additional cost containment measures.
Our aim is to deliver a quality University experience for families and students no matter what. Our academics will be taught by outstanding faculty who are leaders in their fields. New technology is being installed in classrooms to enhance our students’ academic experience, regardless of location and we remain focused on keeping our campus as healthy and safe as possible. In addition, our student experience has been reimagined with new virtual and small group activities and modified traditions.
In a world undergoing rapid change, I challenge each of us to keep one constant in mind – to provide the best possible University experience for our students. Because we know that by so doing, our students will lead on to become a force for the greater good.
Sincerely,
Victor J. Boschini, Jr.
Chancellor