February 26, 2025
Dear WSU faculty and staff,
WSU is experiencing an extraordinary period of change. A new federal
administration in Washington, D.C., a new state administration in Olympia,
and a leadership transition here at WSU are all unfolding at the same time.
Each of these shifts alone would be significant, but together, they create
a uniquely complex and demanding moment for the institution.
The rapid and unprecedented policy changes at the federal level are
reshaping the landscape in ways we have never seen before. Regardless of
personal perspectives, it’s clear that these shifts will have a significant
impact on WSU. Proposed adjustments to overhead funding, changes to federal
agencies that support research, modifications to DEI programs, and shifts
in federal staffing all present new and very challenging dynamics for us
to navigate that will require short-term and long-term change. While these
changes bring challenges, we must also push ourselves to be proactive,
strategic, and coordinated in ensuring WSU’s long-term strength and value
to our students and our communities.
At the state level, the budget outlook presents additional difficulties.
When combined with federal shifts, we are facing the most uncertain
financial environment for WSU since the Great Recession.
This is a difficult moment. But it is also a defining one. WSU has
faced challenges before, and each time, we have emerged stronger. The
question now is: How do we navigate this moment to position WSU for a
better future?
Here’s what we are doing:
- Engaging with the WSU community: The External Affairs and Government
Relations team, led by Vice President Glynda Becker-Fenter, is working to
document and communicate how federal and state changes affect WSU’s
ability to fulfill our land-grant mission. Vice President Becker-Fenter and
Vice President of Research Kim Christen
presented on this topic during a special meeting of the Board of Regents earlier this month.
They also participated in a town hall hosted by CAHNRS and are available to engage
with other groups.
- Keeping leadership informed and connected: Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman is in
regular discussions with deans, chancellors, chairs/directors, and Faculty
Senate to share the latest information, ensuring they can keep faculty,
staff, and students updated. If you have questions, please reach out to your
unit leaders — vice presidents, deans, chancellors, department chairs, school
directors, and others.
- Providing timely updates: We will continue sharing written updates as
new information emerges, engaging with the Board of Regents to safeguard WSU’s
financial health. These discussions will take place during public meetings of
the Board, and will be available to watch via livestream.
- Using all available communication channels: Important updates and
additional opportunities to engage will be shared through the WSU Insider
and university social media accounts.
- Strengthening academic partnerships: We remain in close coordination
with our colleagues at the University of Washington to address policy shifts
affecting research and extension efforts.
We are committed to providing timely information, but
the sheer pace of change means that uncertainty will persist. In the face
of this uncertainty, our mission remains unchanged: WSU exists to create
opportunity for all Washingtonians, and we will continue educating students
from all backgrounds, driving research that matters, and serving our
communities. We urge you to stay mindful of your own self-care, check in on
your students and colleagues, and support one another’s mental and physical
health. Be kind. And remember — Cougs help Cougs.
This moment calls for resilience and collaboration that will enable us
to design our own future amidst ongoing change. We can and must do this
as a community. The road ahead will not be smooth, but together, we will
shape a future stronger than the challenges we face, ensuring that WSU
delivers on its mission for decades to come.
Sincerely,
Kirk H. Schulz
System President
Washington State University
Elizabeth R. Cantwell
Incoming System President
Washington State University
