PULLMAN, Wash.–Washington State University’s Board of Regents today approved supplemental budget requests that will include $16 million for endowed professorships, student fellowships and for enhancements to the university’s distance education delivery system.
The regents endorsed the concept of a state Higher Education Endowment initiative to use excess state revenues to match private contributions for the professorships and fellowships.
Through previous matching programs, the Legislature has appropriated more than $4.5 million to WSU for professorships and fellowships. During the recent fund-raising campaign, WSU has received an additional $16.7 million in donations and pledges that are eligible for state matching funds.
The university also will ask for $2.6 million as part of the state Council of Presidents’ proposal to increase access through the K-20 network that will link public schools and state colleges in an educational telecommunications system. The money would fund classroom construction and provide for instructional development to adapt the latest technologies to the delivery of educational programs.
In addition, the supplemental budget proposal includes $4.5 million for infrastructure renewal and safety improvements on the Pullman campus.
The supplemental requests are delivered to the state Office of Financial Management for consideration by the governor in his supplemental budget proposal to the 1998 Legislature.
In other action, the regents approved plans to advertise for bids and award a contract for construction of an addition and remodeling of the Kimbrough Hall music building, estimated at $7.7 million; approved amendments to the Washington Administrative Code covering spectator events; and authorized the administration to sign contracts for energy supplies and electrical distribution improvements.
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