Members of the Washington State University Board of Regents took action on more than a dozen items ranging from capital projects to operational spending reductions as part of today’s virtual special meeting.
The most significant items approved by regents was the fiscal year 2026 operating budget as well as other measures to ensure stability at an uncertain time for public higher education.
Following a presentation on the current financial challenges at the state and federal level, President Elizabeth Cantwell spoke on the work being undertaken at WSU to ensure the institution meets its mission of service and excellence.
“This team is doing an enormous amount of analytical work not just on exposing the challenge, and not just on raising voices to support what we have done in the past and the way it used to be, but to design entirely new ways to support our research and our capacity to serve our communities,” Cantwell said.
The entire meeting is available to watch in full online.
FY26 operating budget
WSU’s core fund budget for the coming year is being reduced by $17 million, or 4.1%, compared to FY25. This comes after the university saw a $4.9 million base reduction in state funding for FY26 and continues to see real impacts in federal grant funding while anticipating further challenges.
Departments across the university system will need to accommodate cuts of 0–10%, with six units excluded due to critical academic or operational needs and to manage risks. Those units are the College of Arts & Sciences, Office of Research, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, the Libraries, External Affairs and Government Relations, and Public Safety.
As part of a conversation on employee compensation, Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman announced that a President’s Excellence Fund will be established to provide annual salary increases to faculty who have demonstrated exemplary work and made significant contributions to their field of study, their academic unit, and to the university. This change comes as a result of significant advocacy among Faculty Senate and committees across the university, Riley-Tillman said.
“I am excited about this change,” Riley-Tillman said. “I think it’s going to have real impact on faculty morale and retention and making sure the right people are getting the raises they deserve.”
The vast majority of WSU staff will see their compensation increase in the coming academic year. Classified and civil services employees will receive a 3% increase effective July 1. Most administrative professionals will receive a 1.4% increase on Oct. 1, though those hired after Jan. 1, 2025 or who earn more than $250,000 annually will see no increase. Funds saved from those two exclusions will be directed into the pool of money available for faculty merit raises, Riley-Tillman noted.
While the university’s request for additional state funding to pay for its contract with academic student employees was not funded, those covered by that landmark agreement will see a 3% salary increase.
Incoming Board Chair Jenette Ramos spoke on the efforts that led to the approved budget, noting that the university is using tools and data previously unavailable to ensure the university can be as agile and thoughtful as possible.
“This is not a reactionary process” Ramos said. “It’s really principle-centered, future looking, with an ear to all of the input that we get.”
It’s also a new process for WSU, with this being the first year an all funds budget was presented to the regents for approval.
“I want to emphasize this is a process and over time it’ll continue to evolve and refine, but our commitment remains to provide clear and accurate and transparent financial information that informs our strategic planning,” Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Leslie Brunelli said.
Voluntary retirement incentive
Regents also approved a voluntary retirement incentive program in an effort to give the university more leeway amid the uncertain financial conditions facing higher education.
Employees covered by the university’s retirement program who’ve worked at WSU for 10 years and are at least 55 years old are eligible to apply for the program by July 3. Those interested will be available to apply on Monday, with more information about the program available on Human Resource Services’ website.
Other items
Regents kicked off the day’s action items by voting to rename the WSU Vancouver Classroom Building to Netzhammer Hall in recognition of longtime chancellor Mel Netzhammer. Netzhammer led the Vancouver campus for 13 years, during which time the campus set benchmarks for student enrollment as well as philanthropic giving.
With regent approval, WSU is preparing to submit supplemental budget requests for the coming fiscal year. On the operation side, the university will seek an additional $2 million, with the largest portion supporting a new Masters Entry to Professional Nursing Program. WSU is also seeking $30 million in supplemental capital support, with a preponderance of that funding supporting the university’s efforts to address $1.8 billion in improvements.
Regents also approved the fiscal year 2025 Cougar Athletics Budget as well as a 10-year multimedia and ticket sales partnership with Playfly Sports.
The board is scheduled to hold its retreat Sept. 17, followed by committee meetings and a full Board of Regents meeting Sept. 18–19. More information is available on the Board of Regents website.
