January 12, 2026
Dear WSU faculty and staff,
As we prepare for a challenging legislative session and revisions
to the two‑year state budget approved last spring, I want to share what
this means for Washington State University.
The governor’s operating budget proposal released a few weeks ago is
the first proposal we’ll see before a final version is passed by the
Legislature this spring.
The proposed budget has a net impact of about $18.1 million and
affects WSU’s budget in two ways:
It includes a 3.2 percent reduction to WSU’s state appropriation
funding, about $11.1 million annually beginning in FY27.
It increases WSU’s self-insurance premium by nearly 500 percent with
$7 million of the new cost presumed to come from tuition revenue that
doesn’t exist, retroactive to last July 1.
After four years of making permanent reductions and implementing
extensive administrative efficiencies, we have reached a point where
any additional reductions in WSU’s funding will have deep impacts on
programs across the system.
In the meantime, we are continuing to implement decisions resulting
from last year’s legislative session, starting with cuts to administration.
Over the past six months, we have taken significant steps to reduce
administrative costs while maintaining our ability to serve students.
This includes eliminating the Pullman Chancellor’s office, closing the
downtown Pullman office, removing at least 10 leadership roles, eliminating
other positions system‑wide, and offering early retirement options. These
changes reflect our commitment to reducing administrative spending first.
Further, the university has undertaken programmatic changes to address
area-specific deficits. Examples include the upcoming closure of the
Yakima-based PharmD program with students moving to the Spokane campus
effective fall 2026; and the closure of WSU’s Autism and Neurodevelopmental
Clinic in Spokane. Scores of smaller, impactful reductions have been made
on campuses and within colleges.
In this coming budget cycle, we will continue our strategic review to
ensure our resources are aligned with programs that deliver the greatest
impact for students and the state. Our External Affairs and Government
Relations team is closely monitoring the state budget process to provide
additional details and guidance as the legislative process unfolds.
While this fiscal reality is difficult, I want to emphasize three things:
First, we will adapt with purpose. Our obligation to serve the people
of Washington does not change with the state’s investment. We will need to
adapt to continue to prioritize student success, research with impact, and
community engagement. This means doing new things such as embedding AI in
agriculture, accelerating digital transformation, and innovating across our
system.
Second, there is some good news. The governor’s proposed capital budget
includes an $8 million increase in minor works funding to help reduce
deferred maintenance on campuses across our state. While we await decisions
on funding Spokane Team Health renovations, the proposal provides flexibility
in how previously appropriated dollars can be used.
Finally, we will move forward together. WSU remains a valuable part of
our state’s economic future. While change and innovation are often difficult,
we remain committed to supporting our students, faculty and staff as well as
making decisions guided by our strategic priorities. We will continue to serve
this state with resilience and purpose, just as we have done for the last
135 years.
Thank you for all you do for WSU and for Washington.
Sincerely,
Betsy Cantwell
President, Washington State University
