PULLMAN, WA – Washington State University is prioritizing its funding requests to the state legislature as the governor is proposing millions of dollars in budget cuts to the institution.

Governor Bob Ferguson’s proposed operating budget would cost WSU 18 million dollars through funding cuts and increases in the university’s self-insurance premiums. According to a recent post from WSU, the administration is prioritizing its budget requests and asking that higher education cuts be proportionate for all institutions.

The top priorities for WSU includes a nearly five million dollar request to help pay for collective bargaining with the academic student employees union. The students unionized in 2023 and in 2024 state lawmakers only partially paid for the new union contract which forced the WSU administration to make cuts in other critical areas.

Another high priority for WSU is a 600,000 dollar ask for the ROAR program. The offering is for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Washington legislative session began this week in Olympia. State lawmakers are grappling with a major budget shortfall.