VANCOUVER, Wash. – Members of the Washington State University Board of Regents considered facilities issues from Spokane to Everett to Pullman at their regular board meeting held here this morning.
The board approved an updated WSU Spokane Master Campus Plan to continue to build a world-class health sciences education and research campus, create an integrated campus community with a clear identity, prioritize campus open space, connect with the Spokane University District and create a meaningful connection with the Spokane River. Board members also approved schematic designs for the WSU North Puget Sound at Everett Academic Center.
The board voted to defer decisions regarding the design and financing of a new Multicultural Center on WSU’s Pullman campus following comments they heard from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday focused on current uncertainty about higher education funding in the coming biennium.
The Regents, however, did reiterate their overall support for the proposed $16 million project, which would be funded through general bond revenues, rather than through the state’s capital budget for the coming biennium. The center is designed to provide a central home for a broad range of services and organizations for multicultural students and a diversity hub for the entire student body.
The Regents also approved increases to 2016 Housing and Dining rates of no more than an average of 2.9 percent for residence hall room and board (weighted average of a double room and level 2 dining plan) and 2 percent for apartments.
Contact:
Kathy Barnard, University Communications, (509) 335-8055, kbarnard@wsu.edu