PULLMAN, WA – Washington State University administrators are fast tracking spending cuts to deal with the institution’s severe financial challenges.
According to a message that was posted on the institution’s website Wednesday administrators say three factors are causing the financial stresses. WSU officials say a shift in federal spending priorities, threats of state funding cuts and recovery from the pandemic are to blame.
President Donald Trump’s order reducing National Institutes of Health grant dollars for indirect research costs down to 15% is one issue. The move will cut nearly 5 million dollars in WSU research funding annually.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is proposing major cuts to WSU. The state is facing a 15 billion dollar shortfall. Ferguson wants to cut higher education state funding by 3%. WSU lobbyists recently stated that the governor’s plan would cut funding from Olympia by about 22 million dollars over the next two years.
The WSU online post announced that all units in the system are being asked to prepare for budget cuts between 1% and 10% for the next fiscal. The administration is also considering hiring and travel and purchasing freezes. A review of administrative functions systemwide is also underway. Provost Chris Riley-Tillman is reviewing doctoral and other program offerings at WSU.
Hearings for the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget will be held this spring. The WSU Regents are expected to approve the spending plan and cuts in May before the fiscal year starts July 1st. WSU Chief Financial Officer Leslie Brunelli recently told the regents that the financial challengers are “pretty severe.” The regents will be meeting this week and much of their agenda will focus on budget discussion.
The message on the WSU website didn’t mention the institution’s enrollment which has dropped about 20% since the pandemic. Pullman campus enrollment this spring is the smallest since at least 2007.