PULLMAN, WA – Washington State University (WSU) will see both reductions and strategic investments as part of the state’s newly signed 2025–2027 capital and operating budgets, which aim to address a projected $16 billion shortfall.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the biennial budgets on Tuesday, impacting institutions across the state. WSU’s base state appropriation—the primary source of its public funding—was reduced by $9.9 million, or 1.5%, in line with across-the-board cuts to all state colleges and universities.
Despite the cuts, WSU secured continued funding for several high-priority programs. The university successfully protected $2.2 million in funding for its Native American Scholarship Program. Additionally, the Washington College Grant saw only a modest change, with eligibility for full awards adjusted from 65% to 60% of median family income.
One potential cost-saving measure that was not adopted was a proposed furlough for state employees, meaning WSU staff will not face unpaid leave.
Some key funding requests did not make it into the final operating budget. These include the university’s collective bargaining agreement with academic student employees and support for accreditation efforts at the WSU College of Medicine. A requested cost of living adjustment for university employees received only partial funding.
Reductions were also made to specific programs, including turf grass research in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, the Murrow News Fellowship, and the Ruckelshaus Center.
On the capital side, several of WSU’s infrastructure requests were granted:
- $40 million for minor capital preservation
- $25 million for the demolition of Heald Hall and the design of its replacement
- $10 million for a plant growth facility in Wenatchee
- $3 million for a chiller plant upgrade at WSU Vancouver
- $3 million to design a new Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab in Puyallup
However, not all capital funding requests were fulfilled. Notably, the proposed Spokane Team Health Education Building did not receive funding.
More details on the budget and its impacts are available from the WSU Office of External Affairs and Government Relations.
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For additional information: https://governmentrelations.wsu.edu.
