In the Texas A&M University System, the buck stops with the Board of Regents.

“We certainly set the tone, set the priority, and set the accountability for [keeping college affordable] across all of our institutions.” 

The Board’s strong financial oversight and unique data transparency efforts make the System commitments to affordability possible.

They've held tuition increases at inflationary levels while making targeted investments in financial aid programs to increase college access for underrepresented students to "make the A&M System look like Texas."

Perhaps it's no coincidence that the System – laser-focused on reducing financial barriers for students – has defied national enrollment trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. As undergraduate enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities has dropped nearly 8 percent in the past two years, the System has grown.

In the final case study of the Governing Board Best Practices on College Affordability project – Reflecting Texas– learn how the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and one of the System's institutions – Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black university – demonstrate good financial stewardship and reduce financial barriers for students to better serve Texans.

Prairie View is characterized by highly responsive leadership – led by Dr. Ruth J. Simmons – and impressive cost-cutting efforts that helped steer them successfully through the COVID-19 pandemic.