Significant changes are coming to the University of Montevallo as the school named Terry Roberson interim president, effective July 1. Roberson is back in the role he held in 2009 as the University implements a tuition increase, alongside faculty layoffs, new policies and cost-saving measures to address an $8 million budget shortfall.
The tuition increase will be the first in seven years, beginning the Fall 2026 semester. "The decision moving forward, it was actually 3.5% in tuition and that was discussed with the students from our administration," interim CFO and treasurer Deanna Smith told News4.
Student trustee Kendall Miller told the outlet, "Tuition makes up a big chunk of our budget."
"I think after the budget cuts and tuition raising, all the things that they've been working on—eventually it'll put us in a really good position", Miller said.
In addition to the tuition increase, Smith told ABC 33/40 this week that the university laid off 24 staff members in an effort to address its budget problems.
The change in leadership comes as outgoing University president, Dr. John W. Stewart III, transitions out of his role and into a contract role fundraising for the school with the titles president emeritus and special assistant.
According to WBRC 6, "The newly approved changes include nine monthly payments of $25,176.60 beginning in July 2025 and continuing through March 2026. A $10,000 stipend was also approved to cover moving expenses from the presidential residence on Flowerhill."
"Before arriving at Montevallo, Stewart served as vice president for institutional advancement at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida," the school said when announcing his retirement.
Vallo Vision News, the school's student paper, said that the University's financial challenges came to light in February. "It began in February 2025 when the UM board of trustees voted to raise tuition for the first time after seven years. This was quickly followed by campus-wide budget cuts, staff layoffs, and an announced departmental merger for theatre and music, which has since been postponed. These rapid-fire financial decisions caused concern among students, faculty and staff," the outlet reported.
The outlet reported, "Staff cuts began the week of March 17, the week before spring break. At the board of trustees meeting on April 10, UM officials reported that 20 individuals were approached about dismissal from employment with the university. Officials said the employment cuts have been staff heavy due to faculty protections related to tenure."
"Given the significant escalation in expenditures, we are literally reviewing every revenue and expense line in the budget to ensure we get realistic budgets. As we get through that review, I will be able to update our campus community with additional information," Smith told Vallow Vision News.
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