Herald Newsletter 04-02-2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Bailey Reed, Newsletter Editor

Good morning, Hilltoppers!

Read on for coverage of 'college fees' instead of course fees, a win for WKU Softball and a loss for WKU Baseball Have a wonderful Wednesday, and as always, GO TOPS!

‘College fees’ to replace course fees beginning fall 2025

When registering for classes this week, students may have seen a change in the cost of their courses, one not communicated to them beforehand In substitution of traditional course lab fees, all students will be required to pay a set “college fee” per credit hour per class These fees, set at $15 or $20 per credit hour depending on the college, will primarily be implemented in the fall 2025 semester, however, one college has already started the transition

Western Kentucky University infielder Maci Masters (30) enters a tunnel of her teammates celebrating after hitting a homer during a game against the University of Kentucky at the WKU Softball Complex on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Photo by Anna Bell Lee

Western Kentucky Hilltopper catcher Kyle Hayes (30) runs to third base at Nick Denes Field on Sunday, March 30, 2025

WKU Softball defeats Lipscomb

WKU Softball built on its momentum from its first Conference USA series win Tuesday, defeating Lipscomb University 8-3

After a scoreless first inning, freshman second baseman Charlotte Herron’s RBI single put the Hilltoppers on the board in the second

A tame three-inning stretch had no runs from either team

Music City misery: Hilltoppers lose heartbreaker at Vanderbilt

WKU Baseball fell to No. 23 Vanderbilt 5-4 in an extra-innings battle Tuesday night in Nashville

WKU recorded eight hits, drew two walks and struck out 14 times while leaving five runners on base The top of the lineup led the way as juniors

Carlos Vasquez and Ryan Wideman, along with senior Ethan Lizama combined to go 6-for-15. Wideman and Lizama each drove in a run, and the trio accounted for all four of the Hilltoppers’ runs.

The College Heights Herald is the independent, student-run news organization operating on the campus of Western Kentucky University, emphasizing accuracy and truth while being a public forum for the fair display of diverse opinions and viewpoints The Herald works to be steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of truth while being true to the tenets of the WKU Student Publications mission to grow exceptional journalists and innovative leaders through real-world experiences and a strong educational and ethical foundation centered on principled journalism All creative and editorial decisions are made by the Herald’s student leadership, and all consequences of those decisions are the sole responsibility of these student leaders. While editorially and operationally independent from the university, the Herald participates in the mission of WKU to prepare students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society, both within and outside of its newsroom Views expressed are diverse and, as an independent publication, should not be taken as representative of views of WKU and any of its administration, faculty, staff, student body or other constituency